First Love Second Chances

Book Series: Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga

Publishing Date: 1995

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Contemporaray Romance
Point of View: Third Person, limited, Emily and Michael
Chapter Count: 16
Page Count: 238

To my parents…Thank you for believing in me, and for your endless support. Like Nephi, I have been born of goodly parents.

Chapter 1- Picking up just a few days from where the last book left off, Emily is anxious to be reunited with her "fiancé" (just thinking the word makes her shiver with pleasure) who was called back to Australia on business. 

Penny comes over to take the two babies for a walk. Emily enters her kitchen and gets the shock of her life to find a dozen roses and Michael Hamilton, in the flesh, surprising her with an early return. He got as far as L.A. before he realized he can't go back to his homeland without Emily and his new, instant, family.

Penny, who was in on Michael's surprise all along, admits she'll be sad to see Emily leave but is happy for her friend. Emily hopes nine-year-old Allison will feel the same after she and Michael break the news to her. Michael leaves to go check into a hotel for the night.

He's back early enough next morning to see Allison off to school. Michael and Emily impulsively take the two baby girls to University Mall for an outing including lunch at JB's.

Back at the house, Emily answers the door to greet a strange woman she's never met before. The woman is a less active Mormon and the mother of the young girl who was driving under the influence who caused the accident that killed Ryan Hall. The woman feels so terrible about her deceased daughter's poor choices, she tracked Emily down. Michael takes over the awkward conversation by graciously accepting the woman's apologies including the humble check she pushes on Emily to ease her conscience. They see her out and Michael tells Emily he'll be sending this woman a large amount of money, anonymously of course, because he's awesome and, besides, they can afford it.

Penny drops in again and the adults peruse photo albums while the babies play. 

Michael volunteers to prepare dinner except Emily's cupboards are bare. Exasperated by her frugalness, Michael leaves to do the shopping himself while Emily can only shake her head and wonder why she is so blessed. Michael is the perfect man.

Chapter 2- Allison gets home from school just in time to witness Michael's return with half the supermarket in tow to fill the depleted home. He bought everything they could possibly use including household and personal products plus enough food to last two years. Even Allison is impressed as she helps put everything away while Michael gets down to some serious Iron Chef cooking. Allison enters the kitchen offering to help. She and Michael have a nice chat. Allison goes to her room to rest as Emily enters. She and Michael make out in the kitchen. Michael murmurs how he can't wait to be married to Emily for time and all eternity. Emily bursts into tears. Michael is disappointed but accepts this unusual gospel principle forbidding women to practice polygamy in the eternities like a man. They decide to tell Allison about their engagement. She is reticent, complaining of an upset stomach.

Chapter 3- Penny's family, her husband Bret Millner and their five children, arrive as Michael's invited dinner guests. He serves homemade spaghetti sauce, garlic bread, salad and cheesecakes. Everything is delicious but Allison excuses herself to go lay down again. Her stomachache is worse. Penny and her brood help Michael clean up the kitchen. Then Michael volunteers to diaper and dress the two babies for bed while the other adults watch in amusement.

The company departs leaving Michael and Emily alone to say goodnight. Michael leaves and Emily checks on Allison who is whimpering in pain. Emily sleeps beside her until she is awakened by Allison's cry. Something is very wrong. Emily phones Michael who comes right over to drive them to the ER where Allison is diagnosed with appendicitis. She'll undergo surgery and spend the next few days recovering at the hospital. Emily is glad to have Michael to lean on as the bishop and his wife enter the waiting room. It won't take long now for news of Emily's engagement to spread thanks to Penny and the ward grapevine. 

Chapter 4- Michael informs the bishop he's a new convert and is planning on attending church this Sunday. Leaving Emily at the hospital to sit with Allison, Michael returns to the house to meet Lucinda Swann, the most eccentric member of Emily's ward who makes it her hobby to offer room and board to any foreign visitors in the neighborhood and Michael is her newest project. This solves the problem of Michael and Emily living together until married. He calls his mother in Australia bringing her up to date on everything. He has her blessing on their engagement and she is looking forward to welcoming the new family to their ranch in the outback.

Chapter 5- Sunday morning, Michael arrives to escort Emily and the two babies to church where he's asked to help bless the sacrament, his first time. He passes "ward inspection" with flying colors and Emily is grateful for his help taking baby Alexa so she can teach Relief Society. Ryan never did that. Emily has never enjoyed a more perfect block of meetings until the middle aged ward busybody makes a disparaging comment to Emily about landing such a wealthy catch, her poor hubby hardly cold in his grave. Emily is upset but Michael steps in to smooth things over with his cooking taking homemade brownies over to the home of the woman and her husband, explaining his relationship to Emily; effectively winning them over.

Chapter 6- Brother and Sister Swann welcome Michael that night to their house and show him to his room. Next day, Michael continues to prove himself "the perfect man" by surprising Emily and Allison at the hospital with a new Barbie and other convalescent items to entertain her while bedridden. Allison is very pleased. Michael next returns to the house, dismisses Penny, and takes over babysitting and housekeeping for the rest of the day: lunchtime, bath time, nap time, playtime. He does it all. Emily steps through the front door to find a spotless house and an exhausted Michael lying on the floor with the two girls crawling all over him. Next day is Emily's birthday. Unbeknownst to her, Michael hung a huge sign outside informing the whole neighborhood. More embarrassed than angry, Emily can't stay mad at Michael for long, especially when he's cooking all her favorite foods for dinner tonight. He's just too good to be true.

Weeks pass until one day passports arrive in the mail. It is also the same day Mom-in-law calls to ruin everything...

Chapter 7- Emily informs Mrs. Hall she is engaged to be married to that insolent foreigner who answered the phone and, yes, she is taking the grandchildren to Australia. He's rich so they'll be well provided for, not that Mom-in-law gives a rat's a**. 

Later that day, Allison is upset when she walks in on Michael and Emily sharing a passionate kiss in the kitchen. Both try not to let it bother them. 

Next day, Michael returns to the house after running an errand to find Emily in tears thanks to Mrs. Hall's latest phone call absolutely forbidding Emily to take her grandchildren out of the country. Mrs. Hall has no legal right of prevention of course but after Allison talked to her on the phone she is set on accepting the invitation to move to Idaho and live with grandma.

Chapter 8- Michael is summoned to Emily's in the middle of the night. The baby's earache has gotten worse. While Emily has dealt with this ailment before, she needs the moral support since Ryan always expected her to nurse the sick children; never offering to help. Michael steps up.

In the morning, after getting Allison off to school, Michael drives Emily and Alexa to the pediatrician. Back at the house, Michael notices Ryan's personal items are still scattered all over the house and bathroom. Emily whines, blaming her procrastination on her widowhood. Michael looses patience and YELLS at her, immediately regretting his words. 

Emily silently retreats to the kitchen to wash dishes in the sink. A tall glass accidentally breaks in her hand and Michael gets to play hero again, binding her wound, finding a sitter for the babies and Allison, dropping them off and driving her to the same doctor who examined Alexa earlier that day who also stitches up Emily's hand and writes her a prescription. (Wouldn't Emily have her own physician?)

Back at the house, Emily rests while Michael runs the necessary errands including Emily's request for a treat because he's the perfect man. 

Chapter 9- Learning of her mother's accident, Allison is panicking when Michael arrives to pick her and the babies up from the sitter's. He hugs her, reassuring, he's not going to let anything bad happen to any of them. Michael spends the night on the couch since everyone in the family is indisposed except him.

A few days pass and Allison grows increasingly insistent that while the rest of the family is packing to move to Australia, she's going to Idaho. Michael scores more points with Emily by attending a ward potluck social with them. Ryan never wanted to do that stuff. 

When they get home, Emily declares Michael was right to reprimand her, it's time to get over Ryan and move on. Michael agrees because when Emily dumped him ten years ago, he mourned for her while Ryan Hall ended up being a jerk who made Emily feel worthless but Michael is going to bring back the old vibrant Emily who believed in herself. Emily buries her face in his chest and sobs more of her grief out while Michael comforts her. They talk and realize Satan is working overtime to break them up but it's not going to work. They're on to him!

Emily will begin sorting Ryan's things today while Michael really needs to get back to work on his latest manuscript for his editor. Luckily Emily just happens to have Ryan's IBM word processor (such as they were in 1995!) for Michael to use in the master bedroom.

Later, Amee brings a doll to Emily to help dress but she directs him to "Daddy" which Amee does with nobody thinking twice about it. This completes Michael's induction into the family.

Chapter 10- One autumn night, Michael finishes typing out his next chapter. It is very late and he really needs to leave but the sexual tension between him and Emily is extra hot tonight. Somehow they manage to control themselves and Michael leaves just as Sister Swann phones for the second time to remind Michael of his curfew.

Next morning, Michael gives Allison a ride to school. Just before dropping her off, he asks her to really think, ponder and pray over all her reasons for moving to Idaho instead of staying with her family. They will respect whatever decision she makes. Allison agrees to Michael's request.

Next, Michael sends Emily to the Provo temple. She returns recharged and rejuvenated but when Allison returns from school, she and Emily begin a shouting match over her new desire to stay right here and not go anywhere since it means leaving familiar friends and places. Michael intervenes, standing up for Emily. Allison bursts into tears of remorse and Michael leaves them alone to talk.

One day in October, Michael finds Emily bringing in an armful of wood to build a fire in the chilly house and takes over the task. He's the hero of this story, remember.

Chapter 11- Still the same day, Allison leaves for school with no dramatics and nothing bad happens to anyone (for a change). Emily observes Michael outside, in his flannel shirt, splitting logs (like he's Chris Evans or Robert Downey Jr.) and nearly has an orgasm.

Michael spends the afternoon working on his manuscript and when Allison gets home Emily hears them both frolicking in the leaves and brings the two babies out to create a family memory. 

Later that day, their visas arrive in the mail and suddenly everyone's personal items are shipped off to Australia, the house is closed and everyone is saying a tearful goodbye to Penny before driving away. Even Allison is excited about the move.

It helps that Michael bought new toys and games and plenty of snacks to keep the children amused on the long journey. They fly from Salt Lake to Los Angeles where the girls change into pajamas before boarding the direct flight, nonstop to Sydney, where Michael leads them to the hanger housing private planes. He's a certified pilot and will personally fly them to his family ranch; an additional four hours in the air. Everyone is very weary of traveling and Allison is especially quiet as the reality of the enormous distance of this move becomes apparent.

Their new home is like something out of a fairy tale. A huge, old, family mansion with a personally decorated bedroom for each girl, servants to wait on them, a nanny for the children, lots of horses to ride, miles of open land to explore with Toyota Land Cruisers for modern convenience. 

They meet LeNay Hamilton, Michael's widowed mother, who welcomes them with open arms. His younger sister Katherine, her husband Robert and two children Stacy (just Allison's age) and Wade have gone into town but will be back soon to meet everyone.

Chapter 12- To Allison's dismay, there is no public school. All the children in the immediate family at the station have private tutors while the boys home has its own teacher. All socializing or shopping is done in town; miles away by car. To distract Allison, Michael takes her and Emily on a tour of the stables. He shows Allison how to ride by sitting behind her in the saddle; one strong arm secure around her waist, while he controls the horse with the other. Allison loves it.

While LeNay invites Allison to come help in the kitchen, Michael shows Emily a private room in the family cottage (with gables facing East) where his great grandfather lived with his family until the big house was built. The spirit of Elijah is strong in this room which has been left, undisturbed, for almost 100 years. Emily senses it too, there's temple work that needs to be done. Michael's colorful ancestors are waiting. Thank goodness he found the gospel. 

Back at the main house, Katherine makes a rude entrance, complaining about Mormons overrunning the place to her husband, unaware of the new arrivals. After the awkward tension is eased a bit by Michael and LeNay, the phone rings. It's Jenny, the smart, educated, and very single, LDS woman Michael wrote Emily about in the last book and almost got himself engaged to before the spirit stopped him and sent him back to Utah just in time to save Emily from a socially suffocating widowhood, not to mention a life of poverty.

Chapter 13- Michael's phone conversation with Jenny is awkward and tense as he gently breaks the news to her that he's off the market, engaged to be married to that old girlfriend he told her about, newly widowed and available. See you at the wedding, sucker! 
The next day is Allison's birthday. Allison and Stacy hit it off immediately after being introduced to each other and became instant BFFs. The girls are taken into town for shopping and lunch. Over cake and ice cream that evening, a stable hand interrupts the family celebration to inform Michael and Katherine her prize mare is having complications delivering her new foal. Michael rolls up his sleeves and delivers the foal which he presents to Allison as a family tradition. Allison couldn't be happier and names him "Ashley's Replacement" with dreams of racing and breeding horses like her new family.
Next morning, Emily finds herself at the breakfast table with LeNay and Katherine. She offers advice to Katherine who is struggling in her marriage to Robert whom she suspects is being unfaithful. Plans are also made for the upcoming wedding. LeNay shows Emily an ancient wedding gown great-grandma Alexa wore on her second wedding day over 100 years ago. She was married twice, you see, after her first husband was killed. Emily bursts into tears at the irony. The dress is in surprisingly good condition and just fits Emily's petite frame. Later, LeNay shows Emily Alexa's journals which Emily devours as Alexa wrote of her feelings: torn between two men, just like Emily.

Chapter 14- Emily's first Sunday in Australia is an eye-opening experience as the commute just to attend branch services (twenty minutes by plane, with an additional forty by car) takes a good part of the day. It will prove a challenge to stay active here.
Their first Monday, Michael conducts a family home evening lesson. LeNay and Stacy join them as two potential converts. Refreshments are enjoyed by all when the doorbell rings. It's Jenny, who did not attend church yesterday (for obvious reasons) but felt compelled to make the long drive out to Michael's to show she has no hard feelings.
The visit is friendly but awkward. After Jenny leaves, Emily bursts into tears of guilt, stealing Michael away, preventing him from creating his own eternal family. Now he's stuck playing second fiddle to Ryan. Michael admits it was a difficult choice but he's sticking to it. Never fear, his faith is strong and he is mighty. At least until the next book.
That night, Emily has an incredible dream. She runs to Michael's room to share the details but is stopped by the spirit. Their wedding is in two days. The anticipation is almost unbearable.
Michael and Allison have another nice chat in the stables next day. Allison concurs she loves her new life here in Australia and she's ready to start calling Michael "Dad" which is more than okay with the new step-father. Life couldn't get any better, especially when Bret and Penny arrive from the States as a surprise (arranged by Michael from the beginning) for Emily.

Chapter 15- The day of the wedding! Emily has been fighting a dark premonition (foreshadowing) that something bad is going to happen to Michael that will prevent them from being together. Penny finishes helping her into her dress and tells her she's just being silly. Pre-wedding jitters.
They are married in the upstairs hall with a string quartet to accompany Michael and Emily who walk slowly toward each other to meet in the center of the hall where vows and rings are exchanged. It's all very dreamlike for both of them.
Later, at the reception, everyone eats, drinks and dances the day away until Michael sweeps Emily upstairs to what is now their bedroom suite where, at long last, they can get down to some serious lovemaking.
They intended to leave the next day on a honeymoon trip but inclement weather postpones the trip until tomorrow. Meanwhile, Robert and Katherine are having their biggest fight ever. Suitcase in hand, Robert is about to walk out on his family when Emily intervenes. She gets the truth out of Robert who cries on her shoulder admitting he was unfaithful to Katherine and is terrified she'll never forgive him. Emily helps him see the light.
Stacy comes running in, crying, because her mom was so upset she mounted a horse and rode off into the hills where a severe storm is building. Against everyone's protests, Michael plays hero (again) and rides off on his own horse to find and rescue his sister before a search party can be organized. It seems Emily's premonition came true.

Chapter 16- Michael prays aloud as he rides through the moisture. Suddenly his horse goes down and he blacks out.
Back at the house, Emily and Penny pray for Michael and Katherine's safe return. The search party reports finding a dead horse with a body underneath, still unidentified. Emily nearly passes out. Penny leads everyone in prayer, even the nonmembers of the family kneel and hold hands. Allison sings I am a Child of God and a strong feeling of peace fills the room just as a shout is heard outside.
Michael did fall off his horse but he only hit his head. He's fine. Katherine's horse is the one that died, after she fell off in the same area, breaking her leg. Michael found her and they'll both be okay. Robert offers to drive Katherine to the doctor so now Michael and Emily can leave for their trip.
In the air, they both gush over how much in love they are and how great it is to be married.

Epilogue
Emily is happily settled in her new life as she drives back home after a long day making her visiting teaching appointments by car. She composes a short letter to Penny describing the differences between Utah vs Australian church duties while her perfect marriage more than makes up for the new challenges. Michael walks in, interrupting her writing, and they both agree life can only get better from here and nothing could ever happen that could possibly threaten their marriage. 
At least until the next book.

THE END