The Miracle

Book Series: Gables of Legacy   (Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton)  

Publishing Date: 2003

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Contemporary Romance
Point of View: Third Person Limited- Emma & Scott
Chapter Count: 14
Page Count: 235

In loving memory of my dear friend Jacqui

Chapter 1

South Queensland, Australia

When we last saw Emma Hamilton, the youngest in this remarkable family, she had just opened her mission call to the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square mission. Ironically, her favorite older brother Jess also served in the Temple Square mission years ago (this will be significant later). Now, sitting in her room in Australia, surrounded by all the required items she'll need for the next eighteen months, Emma sighs. Her mother, Emily, helps her pack. While Emma is glad to be back in her old childhood room, she still wonders why she is being called to serve just a few miles up the road from Provo, Utah where she lived with her oldest sister while attending school for so many years. She will miss everyone terribly and it will be hard not to jump on a bus and sneak a visit to her nearest family member but she'll go wherever He wants her to go.

In lieu of their deceased father, Jess offers to give Emma a "father's" blessing before she departs. The blessing is full of comforting words and Emma feels better about her decision to serve a mission.

The Christmas season is everywhere when Emma arrives in Salt Lake, fresh out of her three weeks of training at the MTC in Provo. Her companion is from France which means Emma doesn't stand a chance against Sister Symonette's intriguing accent and European style. This is made apparent when a young, American man, Scott Ivie approaches and begins chatting them up. 

The narrative has switched over at this point to Scott's POV. Bummed over his recent divorce, (no kids) Scott felt a spiritual prompting to leave his home (in the Avenues?) and make a quick drive downtown to temple square for no apparent reason except to cheer himself up. 

Who knows, maybe he'll meet someone!

Emma is quick to notice how handsome this man is-tall, broad, with thick, dark curly hair-before reminding herself firmly of the mission rules regarding flirting and dating.

Emma continues to study him while Scott continues to chat up her companion. Finally, he acknowledges Emma and (what a coincidence!) when he sees her name-tag recognizes the name Hamilton, realizes she's from Australia and asks if she happens to know an Elder Hamilton who talked to him on these very streets many years ago which led to his further investigating the church and accepting baptism. That's her brother! Scott laughs in delight and asks if Emma wouldn't mind giving him Jess' phone number. She passes along her brother's email address instead. Scott thanks them heartily and walks off. For the first time since she arrived, Emma is very glad she decided to serve a mission.

A few weeks pass. After many email exchanges with Jess, Scott impulsively decides to pick up a box of pastries from a German bakery (probably Schmidt's Pastry Cottage, YUM!) which Jess told him Emma was particularity fond. Today is Valentine's Day by the way.

Scott leaves and the two sister missionaries enjoy the gift. Emma tells herself there's absolutely no romantic interest at all in this gesture.

Chapter 2

Scott has a good career in business management working for a prestigious company in Salt Lake. One day, his boss calls Scott in with a promotion offer which would mean moving to another country. His choices are England, Korea, or...wait for it...Brisbane, Australia.

Scott goes right home to call Jess Hamilton and share his exciting news. After congratulating him on his new position, Jess insists he come visit, ASAP.

Without even bothering to unpack, Scott takes Jess up on his invite that very first weekend. Just like Tamra in Vol 1 of this mini-series, Scott feels a tangible, almost spiritual force rush through him as if to welcome him as he drives up the lane to the great mansion, the Hamilton legacy is calling.

Scott receives a warm welcome from the entire Hamilton family and staff as Jess takes him on a complete tour of the house and facilities. In the gabled attic upstairs, Scott pauses to read the very lengthy, half-a-page-long script inscribed on a plaque written by great-great grandmother Alexa detailing the mission of the Boys' Home as a refuge for all lost souls. 

Scott feels like part of the family already. What a beautiful place they have here.

Chapter 3

Next stop on the tour, the horse stables. And, look at this, another amazing coincidence! Scott grew up a tragic orphan, passed around the foster care system, abused, neglected, before ending up at a horse camp for juvenile delinquents, very similar to the Boys' Home here, where he turned his life around and developed a great love for all things equine. 

Jess tells him more about the family. Emma is a twin, her brother died at birth. He introduces Scott to Emily who immediately becomes a surrogate mother to Scott. 

They sit down to dinner. Scott feels like he's stepped into some kind of 1950's TV show, part of a real family as the women serve the meal while feeding the babies in their high chairs everyone talking and laughing at once. Jess helps with the cooking too, as learned from the great Michael Hamilton. Scott wishes he'd known this good patriarch. Emily tells him the story of how they met. It is all a miracle. Scott and Jess are now as close as brothers.

Chapter 4

Is this a romance or a "bromance?"

On Saturday, Jess insists he take Scott into town to shop for the appropriate riding apparel he'll need if he wants to fit in around here. Just as the men in this family have done for their lady guests in past books, Jess buys his guest a new pair of riding boots.

When they get back, Emily tells Scott how grateful she is he's here and what a difference he's already making in the family dynamics. She explains how Jess lost his brother in a car accident. Scott has now officially taken the place of that lost son and brother. They are very grateful and he will always be welcome here. Scott falls on Emily's shoulder and weeps uncontrollably.

Church is an hour's drive away in the nearby town and Scott gets on the road immediately following the block. He is sad to go but promises to come back soon for another visit. The Hamiltons can't wait.

Scott does return. He also has an idea which he's already made arrangements with his boss about. He's going to start taking three-day weekends, spending them here where Jess, he noticed, could use a hand in his Human Resources department. Too many lazy, rule-breaking stablehands are dragging down the business. Scott wants to take over as the new horse breeding manager. He'll fire all the troublemakers and use his MBA to help turn their hundred-million-dollar family business into some serious money.

Sitting around looking at old family photo albums, everyone sheds sympathetic tears after Scott shares the tragic story of his childhood, his subsequent divorce after joining the church and why horses mean so much to him. Jess' wife, Tamra, declares Scott's ex-wife an idiot and everyone laughs.

Chapter 5

To further indoctrinate Scott into the family, Emily emails him the electronically transcribed journal of her husband's grandfather, the first Michael Hamilton, with whom Scott has a lot in common as both grew up in abusive homes but, through the love of a good woman, redeemed themselves to become the successful men they are today. While Scott finds his thoughts often drifting to a cute, curly brown haired, sister missionary back in Utah who inadvertently introduced him to this family, he has no hope Emma shares his feelings of attraction.

Scott has also been house hunting in Brisbane, to no avail. Jess has a better idea. Move here to Queensland and work from home. Scott starts packing immediately.

Not until he's unpacking in his new room in the mansion do we get yet ANOTHER miraculous coincidence connecting Scott to the Hamilton legacy-years ago he picked up a certain best-selling author's set of books at his local DI. The name Hamilton meant nothing to him then...until now! Could this be the same Michael Hamilton whose books touched him so deeply? Of course, this was back when he was investigating the church, giving up his smoking, drinking and partying habits to spend quiet evenings at home, reading, while his ex-wife laughed at him before taking off.

Jess and Emily share his joy in this amazing discovery. Emily says she already knew her husband's departed spirit was watching over Scott before he even met them while Scott marveled remembering how, while reading the books, he felt the author's presence in the room with him despite having never met the man.

Scott enjoys attending the Hamilton's family ward and even accepts a calling. His life is rich and full working two jobs with an occasional trip to Brisbane for business meetings. He's found many new investors for the Hamilton horse breeding business which is booming. Everyone loves him and he's always been financially set. This divorced man, in possession of such a good fortune, must be in want of a wife, but Emma isn't due back from her mission for another six months...

Chapter 6

Just before Christmas, Emily receives a call from her daughter's mission president in Salt Lake. Due to health issues (no she's not bipolar or suffering severe depression-the author will explore those topics to great extremes in future books!) Emma is being released and sent home for treatment. As the ever-noble Emma tells the family when she arrives (Scott is in Brisbane) she developed a kidney malfunction years ago, back when Michael's cancer diagnosis was taking center stage and didn't want to say anything. Until now. She's been taking medication all this time and keeping it under control but it's gotten worse.

Emma looks terrible, all bloated and exhausted, with little appetite due to all the toxins building up in her blood.

Emily doesn't take the news very well. Emma finds her kneeling by her bed, face down, sobbing as if her heart would break. She can't lose another family member to either death or illness. She can't! Mother and daughter hold each other and cry some more.

Scott's home! Just in time for dinner, too. He stops short seeing Emma at the kitchen table with the entire family all ready to eat. Emma is equally surprised to see him. Declaring she's no longer hungry, Emma gets up and exits the room to pace the library. How DARE they invite a single man into her home without telling her? She calls Emily's cell phone, demanding she and Jess get in here and explain themselves. Both tell Emma to quit acting like an entitled, selfish witch, leaving Emma to stew some more over her troubled thoughts. Why does the mere sight of Scott Ivie make her so angry?

Chapter 7

With no idea what Emma's problem is, Scott asks Jess who explains Emma's kidney issue. It is just now dawning on everyone there's been a serious breach in communication. Nobody told Scott or Emma about their new connection to each other. This explains Emma's tension. Perhaps, with tomorrow being Christmas Eve, the holiday will cheer Emma up.

No such luck. Everyone indulges Emma who just wants to sleep but lacks the energy to take the stairs so when she enters the library with her blanket, demanding they leave, Jess and Scott have no problem taking their conversation to another room. Emma gives Scott another dirty look as he exits, wondering what on earth is this woman's problem? He returns later, though, to watch Emma while she sleeps pondering how beautiful she is. Creepy.

In the true spirit of Christian romance, Scott wants to give Emma something for Christmas. He decides on the tear-drop crystal hanging in his own bedroom window. The refracted light from the sun paints rainbows on the walls. Emma reluctantly thanks him but she's probably thinking this is something more for an old lady in a nursing home. Not very romantic, Scott!

Next day, Emily takes her daughter to the doctor. She calls the house a few hours later, frantic. They took one look at Emma and sent her to be admitted to the hospital for dialysis and surgery. Emily is understandably frightened. She begs Scott to drive Jess here for moral support. Jess explains why his mother doesn't trust Jess to drive himself-their family has a bad history with car accidents due to distracted driving.

Chapter 8

Emma is humble and scared in her hospital bed, waiting to be wheeled into surgery. She allows Scott to assist Jess in giving her a priesthood blessing where she's promised better health. Scott still feels like an outsider as Emma expresses her tender love for her mother and brother with nothing for Scott except another glare as she's taken away. 

Both men will be getting tested to see if their kidneys are a compatible match for Emma. Jess excuses himself to the hall where he has a panic attack. Scott supports him while Jess freaks out: while giving Emma that blessing, he KNEW that, when the time comes, he is going to be the only one who can donate but, dear God, what if he'd succeeded in his suicide attempt? Or, even worse, what if he'd DIED in that car accident? (no not THAT accident the other one...oh, never mind!) Having never heard any of these stories, Scott is understandably confused. Jess explains.

Three days later, Emma is home and looking much better. She'll be on dialysis for the rest of her life or until a living organ donor match can be found-who turns out to be Jess after all. Scott is just a little disappointed as that would've made a great story to tell the grandkids. He leaves for another trip to Brisbane.

When he gets back, Scott declares he's quitting his job and staying on here full time to help run the family business. Everyone is ecstatic at the news. Except one person, that is. You'll never guess who.

Emily and Scott have another nice chat. Remember the "Faith in Every Footstep" theme from 1997 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of pioneer heritage? Scott tells Emily he keeps remembering that Willie & Martin handcart company story: when the pioneers reached the Sweetwater river in Wyoming they were so mentally and physically exhausted they just sat down and wept unable to go another step, until those brave young men offered to carry them across. Well, the Hamilton family "carried" him across his own personal Sweetwater. They've also helped him learn the importance of just putting one foot in front of the other-faith in every footstep. He'll never forget that which is why he quit his job to devote the rest of his life to helping these unbelievably altruistic people (with one exception) run their family business. Despite Emma's glare of disapproval whenever they're in the same room, Scott feels good about his decision. Emily hugs him and tells him not to worry about Emma.

Honestly, what IS that woman's problem?

Chapter 9

Scott talks to Jess about Emma who promises to speak to her. Jess finds Emma lying prostrate on the floor of the famous exercise room in the house where family members like to put on cheesy music and dance, or in Emma's case, just lie on the floor letting the vibrations from the pounding music of the cranked up stereo run through her body.

Emma has been listening to that 1988 Paula Abdul classic, "Straight Up" on repeat for almost an hour now. Jess tells her to get up and they'll dance. He promises to keep it easy so she won't overexert herself.

Curious at all the noise, Scott silently observes brother and sister dancing and lip syncing in pre-choreographed movements made up when they were kids. Scott's never seen Emma looking so happy as she performs the cute routine with her favorite brother, until she catches sight of him in the doorway and the music comes to a scratching halt. 

Jess urges them to dance together and slips out of the room. Scott takes Emma in his arms as the song starts over. Scott leads her in a slow, easy tango. It's obvious he knows how to dance. Emma tries very hard not to be impressed. (I'm impressed they can tango to "Straight Up")

Suddenly, Emma passes out in Scott's arms. Who knew he had such a way with women? Scott eases her tenderly to the floor, stroking her face and hair with gentle fingers. As Emma comes to, she fights the rush of attraction she suddenly feels as she realizes whose arms are holding her. Begging him not to tell the family, Scott promises and they part ways.

Three days later, Emma is back to her usual glare when Scott enters the stable. She was about to saddle a horse. It's been awhile since her last ride (horseback riding is against mission rules so it really has been awhile) Scott steps up to help her and his sudden closeness makes Emma pass out AGAIN. Emma frowns finding herself lying on the ground, in Scott's arms, his smiling face hovering above hers. To her dismay, he picks her up in his arms, carries her into the house to deposit her at the feet of her family who needed to be told about these fainting spells. He smirks leaving Emma to their care. Emily teases her daughter about her fainting spells as the result of being in love. Emma disagrees. Scott is arrogant and obnoxious and the last person on earth whom she could ever marry!

Next day, Emma returns home from her latest dialysis appointment, feeling healthier than ever. She was looking forward to going riding with Jess, but finds Scott in the stables instead. He makes her pass out again.

Emma comes to with a tender look in her eye. She wants to know, why does he feel for her this way? He gives her a smart aleck answer and she loses her temper. Jess enters and Emma is more than ready to mount her horse and leave Scott Ivie far behind her.

That night, Emma goes outside to find Scott already relaxing on the veranda admiring the starry view. They talk for the first time about their feelings for each other, Emma accuses Scott of the "bromance" going on between him and her brother-giving him her brother's email did NOT mean she was giving him permission to move in with him-but Scott can prove he's not taking advantage of the family fortune. He's always had sufficient for his needs. Emma growls and goes inside. 

Chapter 10

Emily finds her mother so they can talk about her confusing feelings for Scott. Emily assures her daughter she's in love with Scott, she just hasn't acknowledged it yet.

Scott is also struggling with his feelings the next morning but Emma finds him and apologizes. She suggests they saddle a horse and ride together and she'll take him somewhere they can talk which turns out to be a plateau overlooking the estate from two sides. He helps her off and carries her over to a large rock (Emma decided to forgo shoes for this outing) where they can have a real heart to heart.

Turns out Emma has been weary of Scott all this time because she distrusts all single men looking to marry her because her family is so wealthy. Like Allison explained to her future hubby in Home for Christmas, all the men she's ever dated told her they couldn't commit because of the money issue. Apparently all Mormons in good standing believe money is EVIL! It's the world's curse and because her family has a lot of it means they'll never get into the Celestial kingdom. Who would marry into a family like that? Hence Emma's perpetually single status.
(Does this make any sense at all? You'd think all the men in her singles wards would be beating down her door with marriage proposals so they could spend the rest of their lives snacking on her family's wealth: playing video games, indulging in porn and never having to work or complete a degree for the rest of their lives! Yeah, no wonder Emma can't find a suitable husband, father or provider to take her to the temple.)
But Scott's not like that. Emma says that's what scares her. They need more time to get to know each other.

For once, Emma doesn't pass out when they return to the house. Emma thanks him for the nice "date" and goes inside to lay down.

Emma is not at the dinner table that evening but Scott finds her outside that night sitting on the veranda wearing cute pajamas. He offers his hand to help her up so they can take a walk. Emma accepts. He declares his love for her. Emma stops on the grass, the stars twinkling above. The perfect setting for their first kiss. It's then Emma recalls her great grandmother, whom she was named after, married a rouge. There may be hope for Scott Ivie after all, she tells him.

Chapter 11

They decide to start over in their relationship, "Hello, I'm-" they shake hands and laugh. Scot tells her his life story: his parents both died when he was very young. Growing up in foster care was tough but the horse camp turned his life around. He graduated from school and found good jobs to support himself. While he always believed in God and prayer, the drinking and partying habits were too tempting to resist. He only slept with one girlfriend and they lived together for years until they impulsively decided to get married. Even then she was always more of a drinking buddy and roommate than a wife. Then he met her brother, the Mormon missionary, on the street one day. Jess spoke some hard words to Scott that stuck with him and that's when he decided to make some drastic changes in his life.

Emma declares his past is in the past. She'll take him as he is, right now, which is good enough for Scott. They're about to kiss passionately again when Jess comes around a corner of the house and interrupts them.

It's time for bed anyway. Scott picks Emma up off the grass, carries her inside and up the stairs to her room to personally tuck her into bed. Very romantic.

Scott volunteers to drive Emma into town the next day for her dialysis. He takes her out to dinner afterward. They enjoy more wholesome getting-to-know-you conversation.

Sharing a single serving of dessert, staring dreamily into each other's eyes, Scott suddenly proposes. Emma nearly chokes. Well, why not, Scott asks, he's been in love with her since Salt Lake and now that she's come to her senses and especially now with her health conditions, he wants to be by her side from now on for EVERYTHING. He can't do that unless they're married. Emma sees his point.

Chapter 12 

With her surgery approaching, and all the complications that might come from it, Scott and Emma know if they want to throw together an impromptu wedding, they'll need to inform the rest of the family, fast. Emma starts panicking on the drive home. What if she DIES on the operating table or can never have children or becomes so ill Scott has to take care of her for the the rest of their natural lives? He'll leave her for sure! Scott pulls over so he can take Emma in his arms. One step at a time, he tells her.

Lucky for them, all the adults are gathered in the living room before bedtime so they can sit down, still holding hands and make their big announcement which nobody saw coming, of course! Emily gives her blessing, if they'll promise not to try for any babies until AFTER the surgery and the doctor gives approval. They agree.

Emma never wanted a big, fancy wedding anyway. She calls all her sisters who all promise to come, as soon as they set a date. Scott and Emma kiss each other and laugh.

Chapter 13

Emily handles almost all the wedding details and mailing of announcements. Scott surprises Emma with the news he got his pilot's license months ago so they don't need anyone to fly them to Sydney for the wedding. The family has two planes now, Jess will bring the rest of the gang tomorrow. Emily does come with them to chaperone, though. She pretends to read in the back while Scott and Emma declare to each other how much in love they are. Once in Sydney, they drop Emma off at her dialysis appointment and go check into the hotel. 

The wedding the next day couldn't be more perfect. Scott is immediately accepted by all his new in-laws. The big luncheon afterward is enjoyed by all. Children run around everywhere, adults talk and laugh. Scott carries Emma across the threshold of their hotel bridal suite.

Six days later, Scott lands the plane and Emma is glad to be home. The house is overflowing with siblings and in-laws. Jess decorated Scott's car, since he couldn't do it in Sydney. That evening, Emma and Scott are hanging out in the lounge room with the rest of the family when Emily passes a large wrapped wedding gift to Emma who squeals in anticipation, already guessing what it is. She's not wrong, more "legacy lace" pieces-a tablecloth, pillowcases and table runner-all made with love by great-great grandma Alexa as well as her female descendants intended as wedding gifts for all future grandchildren.

Emma has another dialysis treatment before the big neighborhood and ward wedding reception that night at the house, just as other family members have done in past books. Emma's health is good but over the next few weeks, she begins to deteriorate. There's a big family fast the night before Jess and Emma's scheduled surgeries.

Scott is especially glad he married Emma before all this as only immediate family members are allowed in the ICU waiting area. Jess recovers before Emma, who develops a bacterial infection and grows even weaker. Scott takes her hand and makes her promise not to leave him yet.

Chapter 14

Emma slips into a coma and everyone starts panicking. Scott starts having an emotional meltdown but Jess grips his shoulders and tells him to keep it together. Then they both turn to see their beloved mother, Emily, has gone into shock. With great passion, she declares they WILL NOT lose any more members of this family. They won't! She collapses, sobbing, into Scott's arms.

Days pass as everyone takes turns keeping vigil at the hospital, anxiously waiting for any change in Emma's condition. Scott is thin, pale, and silent. Jess arrives to relieve him, but first insists they go down to the cafeteria for something to eat. He gives Scott some words of encouragement and advice he learned while dealing with his own father's ordeal with terminal cancer. Scott thanks him, tells him Jess just carried him across his own personal Sweetwater. He'll explain downstairs over the meal.

Three days later, Emily arrives to visit. She has something for Scott to read. His wife's patriarchal blessing which states Emma will live many years and see her posterity rise up around her and call her blessed. Well, that settles it. Emma is most definitely NOT going to die today.

The very next day, Scott wakes up where he was napping in the recliner chair of the hospital room to find Emma awake and alert. She's going to be okay.

It's a miracle!

That Christmas is very special as every single Hamilton sibling and all the grandchildren pose on the lawn, the mansion home in the background, while a professional photographer takes many combinations of pictures. All the women wear white dresses. All the men wear white shirts and dark pants. They pose as an entire clan, then all the sibling couples with Emily in the middle. All the women sit on the grass, skirts flowing, their respective spouses kneeling behind them.

A few days later, the developed prints arrive. Jess, Emily, Tamra, Scott and Emma admire each one. Then Jess points out the "sibling couple" shot with some unusual spaces. One can almost imagine his deceased brother and his wife would fit perfectly right there. Scott points to the space just behind Emily where Michael could've been kneeling.  With everyone in white, it's not so hard to imagine.

Another Festivus miracle! Let's get another "Amen" people!

Not long after that, Emma and Scott are enjoying another weekday family dinner when Jess hands them a large envelope. It's an all expense paid trip for two to Hawaii. Christmas was so crazy with all the family running around, they completely forgot to give it to them. Emma and Scott laugh in pure delight. While they appreciate the gift, they're already looking forward to coming back because, as the famous saying goes...there's no place like home! 
Everyone laughs again.

Emily declares this is is starting to sound like some kind of cheesy, ridiculously romantic, Anita Stansfield novel. 

And she's absolutely right.

THE END