After the Rain

By Diane Johnston Ashmore

After the Rain is the second part and the ending from the first book, A Rainy Day. Now this ending, as you begin to read, will have your head turning. As I was writing it, I thought, You're going way out with this. LOL. But I want you to wonder, as a reader, Where is she going next?

So this is about the affair that Marie had, and her husband found out. Now do they stay married? Did they divorce? Did he cheat? Hmmm, you will have to read on to find out. I so do hope you enjoy my work as I loved writing it all for you. And just see what happens after the rain. Love y'all! God bless.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685171704

Book preview

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After the Rain

Diane Johnston Ashmore

ISBN 978-1-68517-169-8 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68517-170-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Diane Johnston Ashmore

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Author's Note

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I would like to start off by giving thanks and praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the gift and talent of writing as well as for placing and blessing me with family and friends that have been supportive as well as being my inspiration during my writing journey. I would like to thank two of my dear, sweet big-sister cousins, Sandra Johnston and Sharleen Johnston, for always being there for me. I love you both forever and a day.

I would also like to thank my big brother Allen Greene, Eileen Biziewski, the best CVS staff (Ange Sibanilly and Michelle Cola), the wonderful nursing staff (Allie Silvestri and Elaine Courtenmanche), who took care of my mother while she was in the hospital, as they have all have been supportive.

I thank the wonderful nurses where I work. They do such an awesome job of nursing: Marion Tromni, Antony Muhia, Roseanne Kanyoro, Lee Ann Remilard, my girls Dee and Lindsney, and all the lovely nurses there.

I would like to acknowledge my younger sister, Phyllis Laura. I want you to know I love you and have the most respect for you.

Also, I would like to thank my dear friend Minister Jamie Skeeters, who has been a blessing to me and an honest and dear friend; my great guy pal Derry for also letting me burn his ears on the stresses in my life (thanks for being such a great friend); my dear sweet friend Cyndi Merchant, who has blessed my life with her beautiful friendship; and Christine and Allen Consolmangno for the blessing that they give daily to our community. They are always doing the work of the lord, and I love and thank you both

I want all to continue to walk this life journey with me. It's fantastic. Yes, my ups and my downs, my wins and my losses make me the strong woman that I am today.

Thanking you, God. I will praise and honor your name as I am truly blessed. I am forever grateful and loving you. Amen!

Peace be with you all, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Chapter 1

It was a Saturday morning. The sun was shining, and birds were chirping. Still in bed, Rick and I lay wondering what we would do today. I gave thanks to God for waking me this morning and for my hardworking husband and family. I rolled over and kissed Rick and told him how much I love him.

He smiled and said, Yes, Marie, you are my world too! When Mother Brown passed away, I would not have known what to do if I did not have you and the kids for support and comfort.

My response was, I know, Rick. I loved her too. She was more than a mother-in-law, she was my friend. She is at rest now with the Lord and other family members. She and Dad are reunited. I then changed the topic and asked, What shall we do today, dear? It is such a lovely day. Birds are singing, sun is shining, and grass is green. Let's get into this day God has given.

I then informed Rick I would go down and prepare us a quick meal to eat while he decided what we would do.

Yes, Marie, it is beautiful out. And I do not want to waste it on watching sports or have you doing housework. Let's enjoy our gift of life today and all God's blessings as we never know when he will call us home.

I agreed with Rick and then went downstairs to prepare us some breakfast while Rick went and showered. Once Rick finished and began to eat, I went to shower and get ready. After I was done getting ready and Rick finished breakfast, I cleaned up and placed dishes in the dishwasher. As I finished tidying up, Rick asked if I was ready. I grabbed my purse, and we headed out. I asked Rick what he had planned for us.

It's a surprise, he said.

As we drove off, we saw Jaspher. I waved, and he smiled back. At his moment, I felt such sadness and pain for him as he was alone. I got so caught up in my feelings that I didn't realize where we were driving to. I refocused and looked up and saw that we pulled into the mall parking lot.

Rick, the mall? You hate the mall, I said.

Rick's response was, I know, dear, but you love it. And I love you, and I want to make this day about you because you are a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. So I want to make you feel special.

I asked, What did I do to deserve such a great husband?

As we were walking around the mall, we held hands like school-aged kids in love.

We came to a jewelry store and walked in. The clerk asked how they could help us.

Rick said, I picked out a ring two weeks ago. I've brought my wife in today to make sure it fits.

The clerk went and checked the order in the back and brought it back out. The clerk showed the ring to Rick and me.

I cried, tears running down my checks. It's beautiful. I love it. I love you.

Rick encouraged me to try the ring on to see if it fits.

I tried on the ring, and it fit perfectly. I glowed once the ring was on my finger.

The clerk noticed and stated, Rick, I think someone likes the surprise, and so do I. It is such a beautiful ring.

Rick thanked the clerk and then paid for the ring.

I continued to stare in awe at the ring.

As we walked out the store, I asked, Rick, when did you have the time to do this?

Remember the day I took off and told you I was sick. Well, I was not sick. I realized how much I loved you, and my life has been so complete with you and the children in it. That day, I asked myself when was the last time I made my wife feel special and wanted? was Rick's response.

Rick, you always make me feel special. I know you love and appreciate me, I said.

Yes, but I wanted you to know how much, said Rick.

I kissed my husband and said, Well, dear, this pretty penny of a ring is more than enough.

We continued to walk, and I noticed it was now twelve noon. Rick asked me if I was hungry. I reminded him that we had just eaten a little while ago, and I informed him I was not hungry.

Rick then stated, Okay then, on to the next surprise.

We left the mall, and Rick drove to the movie theater. As we drove to the movie theater, I reminisced and thought about how I had not been to the movies in years.

Oh, honey, this is great, I said as we walked inside.

Rick had chosen the movie and decided on a love story as that was my favorite. We also decided to grab drinks and popcorn we planned to share. As we sat in the seats and waited for the movie to begin, I sat in awe. It was as if I was on cloud nine.

I thought, I am so thankful I am here with the man of my dreams. Praise God.

The movie began. It was a beautiful love story about a husband and wife. The husband was called off to war. There was question if the wife would be faithful while he was away. During the scene where the couple said their goodbyes, I became an emotional wreck. I cried and had to use many tissues. In this scene, as the married couple was saying their goodbyes, the wife professed her love for her husband and vowed to wait for him. As the movie progressed, the wife faithfully waited and wrote to her husband. In one letter, she informed him that she just found out they were expecting a son. The husband was excited to hear this news and could not wait to be home with his wife and his son. One day the wife got a notice that her husband was killed in the line of duty.

At this moment, I could not hold my emotions, I cried and grabbed Rick's hand.

How is she going to raise a baby alone now as a widow? I don't know what I would do if I lost Rick. I then thought, God will make a way.

The movie ended with a happy ending; the woman found love again and ended up having a second child, and her new husband raised her first son like he was his own.

It was 4:00 p.m. when the movie ended. Rick asked me how I felt about it. I said I loved it. I had assumed we would end the day and head home, but Rick suggested that we head out to grab an early dinner.

I agreed and said, I am having the best day ever, especially since you took the lead and planned everything.

Rick drove us to Pearl Restaurant. When we arrived, we were seated immediately. Rick asked the server to remove the wineglasses from the table since neither he nor I were drinkers. As we sat and waited to order, I told Rick how much I enjoyed the day and how blessed I was to have him in my life.

Lisa and Dee entered the restaurant and saw me and Rick. They walked over to the table to converse with us. They mentioned that they had just come from the gym and were stopping in for a quick bite. I told them about all the events of the special day and showed off my ring. Both ladies gawked over the ring, and they expressed how they felt Rick and I had a perfect marriage. Rick and I thanked them but informed them that our marriage was not perfect, that it had its ups and downs, but that communication is key to our happiness. We extended the invitation for the ladies to join us, but they declined and told Rick and I to continue to enjoy our special day. Before the ladies left, we made plans to catch up and get together again soon.

Rick and I enjoyed our meal when it