August has always been a BIG month for me. Well, at least it has been since 1985.
Rick Sikes, aka Luke Stone, left Leavenworth prison on August 15, 1985, and arrived on a Greyhound bus in Brownwood, Texas on August 17th. So, of course, it was a big day for Luke and Darlina after being separated by walls and bars for fifteen years. Even now, when I think about it, my heart races. Here is an excerpt from Home At Last.
During the ride back to Coleman, Luke never let go of Darlina’s
hand. He savored the countryside that he’d known as home
for all but the last miserable fifteen years of his life. Prickly pear
cactus grew wild in the pastures and along the roadway
amongst the cedar and mesquite trees. A lot had changed in
his absence, and yet so much remained the same.
The moment they stepped through the door of the small
apartment Darlina had rented for them, Luke drew her into the
circle of his arms and kissed her, savoring the uninhibited way
she responded.
He ached for her in ways that only a man who’d been
deprived for years could ache. The need and raw hunger overtook
everything else.
In minutes, the two lovers lay on the living room floor with
remnants of clothing scattered about. It didn’t matter that they
hadn’t made it to the bed. Nothing mattered except the moment.
Luke’s insatiable appetite grew more with each release. They
devoured each other lost in a span of time and space where the
entire Universe stopped spinning just for them.
Finally, out of breath and spent, Luke sat up with his back
against the sofa and gathered Darlina close beside him. “You
have no idea how many nights I dreamed of this and how those
dreams kept me going when there didn’t seem to be any other
reason.”
She snuggled into the crook of his arm. “I’ve died and gone
to heaven. I looked for some way to replace you after you left,
but I never found it.”
Then just 8 short days later, Luke and Darlina stood at the altar and repeated marriage vows.
Excerpt:
Luke placed his arm through the crook of Darlina’s and
together they walked toward their future.
The pastor of the Northside Community Baptist Church
waited to officially pronounce them man and wife.
The ceremony passed in a blur. All Darlina could focus on
was that she would finally and forevermore be Mrs. Luke Stone.
Her voice wavered and her hands shook as she read the
poem she’d written for the ceremony. “Today I stand here next
to you, to pledge my love faithful and true. At your side, I’ll
always be, from now throughout eternity. And so, in sight of
God and man, I promise as I take your hand, to love you deep
and strong and true and with you be, though storms may brew.
Never may our love grow cold even though we’ll both grow
old. So, today, they’ll say I belong to you, although that fact we
already knew.”
Luke chose to speak from the heart. “I’ve loved you for
always and promise to love, protect and adore you for always
and forever. You have my pledge to be faithful and true, and
you can rest assured I’ll never ever lie to you. You and these
two girls are my family now and I intend to make sure you
never regret this union. You are my everything. You’re all I
need.”
***
And so today, I choose to honor that anniversary from thirty-two years ago. Did Luke and Darlina have any idea what lay ahead? Of course not. But, it wouldn’t have changed anything if they had.
I hope you found the excerpts of interest and that you’ll pick up the book and help me celebrate this anniversary, and many more!
Thank you for your support!
Thank you, Vasti!
Hello Jan! I enjoyed the excerpt very much and the pictures are lovely. I’ve gotten a better sense of what your book is about and am definitely intrigued. Great post!
Thank you, Natalie!
Jan, this is such a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos, Jan. The joy from all of you is evident in those pictures.
I still find your life story with Rick (Darlina and Luke) something that is meant to be told on the silver screen, You both lived a lager than life love. I am so thankful to have discovered and read your books. As a dyed-in-the-wool romantic, you lived a story that inspires others to believe in the power of soulmates.
Thank you, Mae. At one time, I had a burning goal and desire to write the screenplay, but it has faded away. Maybe the timing wasn’t right. It will come back around and I will always follow my heart. Big hugs!
Dear sweet Jan I remember looking at your dress and thinking you was so special i grew up with Rick and Bobby and loved to go to the house for all the music all the advice i was givin and wished i listend i would have finished school and not got married Rick told me you would know what is real i said how do you know he said when i grew up i will know warm and devotion and happiness no mater what is pitched at you both parties will work together it will be settled as two
Sweet memories, Cathy!
Thank you, D.L. I appreciate the kind words.
I loved your wedding dress and you looked beautiful! What an amazing passage and real life ending. I can not wait to finish your stories and I’m so glad you share your story with others. Happy anniversary!
Jan I just loved this series. It was so moving and this book especially.
“The constant North Star of their undying love had carried them over insurmountable obstacles.” It will again!
After 15 years in prison, Luke Stone is Home At Last.
Although Luke’s transition back into civilian life wasn’t easy for him, Darlina, and their two girls, they never gave up believing in second chances and living life to the fullest through all their hard work and endeavors. Many heartaches, losses, and struggles met them head on, but for Luke and Darlina there wasn’t any mountain to high for them to scale.
Come take a journey into The Stone’s life after they were finally re-united as a family.
Jan Sikes, Home At Last is touching, gripping, and will leave you knowing that true love does conquer all.
Oh, thank you, Tonya. You are such an awesome supporter!