[Vfw-times] Adventures In Chattahoochee Hollar - The Heart of a Father (Part 1)

[Heartsh0t at aol.com]

Adventures In Chattahoochee Hollar

The Heart of a Father

by:  Kimberly M. Edwards

Note to the reader:   To understand this story, you would have needed to read 
'On Eagle's Wings'.

Stephanie drew in a deep breath as she gazed at her wolf, lying in the 
hospital bed.  He expected an answer.  She looked into his pleading eyes, 
desperately wanting her as his life's companion.  Oh, how her tremulous heart 
pound!  How fearful she felt at that instant!  Yet, at the same time, she was 
thrilled to the bottom of her heart!  She knew she loved him, but could she 
spend the rest of her life with him?

"Excuse me, Stephanie," Dr. Taylor stepped into the room as the vixen started 
to give her answer.  "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave.  Even though 
my patient appears to be making a rapid recovery, I do need to run some more 
tests on him and he does need his rest."

Stephanie looked at Cloudchaser and then back at the lupine doctor standing 
in the doorway.  The young woman had known Dr. Taylor all of her life.  She 
remembered that it was that kindly soul that had come to their house to 
deliver Travis on a warm spring night in April, and she barely remembered the 
cold stormy afternoon on which he had delivered Anna.  Even though Mama said 
that it was Daddy who had brought her and Johnny into the world, she 
remembered all of the doctor visits she had from childhood, and the day the 
wolf saved Travis' life.  Although the grey wolf was a doctor and a dear 
family friend, he was not a Christian.

"I understand, but could we have a few more minutes?  I won't be much longer. 
 Please Dr. Taylor?" Stephanie asked in a quiet voice.

The doctor reached inside his white coat and checked his pocketwatch.  "Two 
minutes."

"Oh, thank you Dr. Taylor!" Stephanie said as the doctor walked out.  The 
vixen looked at her beloved, whose loving gaze had remained fixed on her.  
The rufine lovingly put a warm hand on hers as he patiently waited for her 
answer.  Silly foolish heart!  How it throbbed so!  Looking at her beloved's 
strong masculine hands, the vixen knew she loved this man more than her own 
life, and she didn't want to lose him.  She couldn't bare the thought of him 
walking out and leaving her forever.  She closed her eyes momentarily and 
silently accepted not only the fears and the many challenges she would face 
as a wife, but also the many joys the two would share as one.  

The scent of her wolf filled her with a heavenly rapture, drawing the vixen 
closer to her beloved.  Oh, how she looked forward to being joined to 
Cloudchaser in marriage!  Stephanie opened her eyes and took a deep breath 
before meeting her love's stare.

"Y-yes, I'll marry you, Cloud," Stephanie answered softly.  "Yes."

"Oh Stephanie!" Cloudchaser smiled.  His heart leapt in jubilation over that 
blessed answer!  "Stephanie, thank you!  Thank you for saying 'yes' to me!"  
The rufine pilot leaned forward to hold her as pain shot through his left 
arm.  Wincing, the wolf gently laid back down in his bed.  

"Cloud, are you okay?" Stephanie startled and arose at her wolf's pain.  
"Should I get Dr. Taylor?"

"No, I'll be okay.  Sit back down.  He'll be here in a minute, anyways."  
Cloudchaser gritted his teeth as he answered his tender grape.  Stephanie sat 
down once more to look at her beloved.  The wolf took her hand in his.  

"I love you, Stephanie."

"I know," the vixen whispered, smiling at her fiance.   "I love you too.  But 
know this Cloud...even though we must part, it's only temporary.  Remember 
that.  No matter what happens in life, our Saviour is watching over us and 
will keep us.   Our ways aren't always His ways."

The young couple lovingly sniffed noses and gave each other a warm kiss.  
Afterwards, the two sat looking at one another, captivated by each other's 
presence until the lupine doctor broke the spell.

"Ahem," Dr. Taylor cleared his throat.

Cloudchaser and Stephanie both giggled at having being caught by the family 
doctor.

"I-I'm sorry, Dr. Taylor!  I'll leave now," Stephanie said to the grey wolf 
as her face turned beet-red.

The vixen turned to her beloved Cloudchaser.  "I've got to go now.  I'll come 
back again tomorrow!"

"Okay, but don't say anything to your parents until I speak with your father 
first!" The red wolf chimed back.

"Okay!"

"I love you!" Cloudchaser called out to his vixen as she headed for the door.

"I love you Cloud!  Remember, I'll always wait for you!"

The red wolf sighed as he watched his vixen leave the room.

Heartshot Foxley
Chattahoochee Hollar:  http://www.geocities.com/heartsh0t