On the drive home, Gabe sang the song four more times. Celina nor Emma could get enough. Emma was singing along from the back seat by the time they pulled into the driveway. He shut off the Tahoe and turned to Celina while the cab lights were still on. “Can I stay just a minute?” She nodded. It was late, past Emma’s bedtime, but they could tuck her in and have some time to talk. She wanted to tell him how much she loved the song. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him, but old-seated insecurities twined their roots around her heart. Gabe got Emma out of her car seat and held her hand as they walked to the door. When Celina had unlocked it, she started flipping on lights. “Okay, missy. To your room. Bath will have to wait till morning.” Emma grabbed Celina’s hand. “Can Gabe tuck me in too?” “Sure, but let’s get changed first.” Celina looked up at him with a wink. “We’ll call you when we’re ready.” “I’ll just wait in here.” Gabe plopped down onto the couch, his long legs sl
Celina straightened her skirt as she stepped out of the car. The church parking lot was packed, and she’d had to park in the adjacent grass lot. Gabe sprinted toward them dressed in a blue-and-green checkered button-up shirt and khaki pants. The late-April morning was warm, and his sleeves were rolled up to just below his elbows. His smile was radiant as he approached her. It’d only been two weeks since he’d changed her world and told her he loved her. Celina’s days had been filled with a happiness equivalent to bunnies and rainbows ever since. Last weekend was Easter, and Gabe had attended church with her and Emma. After the service, they’d eaten lunch with Celina’s parents and Gabe hid and hunted Easter eggs with Emma until sunset. After a fun-filled day without a nap, Emma had fallen asleep in Gabe’s arms, and he’d carried her to Celina’s car and then inside her house to bed. This weekend, Celina and Emma were visiting Gabe’s church. She wasn’t convinced that a move needed to b
The next weekend was Lindsey’s baby shower, and Celina’s mother had volunteered to keep Emma since the party was to take place during her nap. Celina gawked as Gabe parked along the street in front of Tyler and Sissy’s gorgeous home. “This is Sissy’s house?” Celina asked in wonder. “Yeah, Tyler is a doctor, remember? And Sissy is an interior designer, and she does well. She always loved this house.” “Oh, yeah. You said she helped decorate your house,” Celina recalled. Gabe jumped out of the truck and ran around to open Celina’s door. Holding out a hand for her, he said, “Just wait till you see the inside of her house.” Celina couldn’t take her eyes off the mansion. “I can’t imagine.” Gabe grabbed the gift out of the back seat, and they walked up one side of the half-circle drive in front of the house, passing parked cars that lined the paved way. Ian sat in the driver’s seat of one parked truck, his elbow hanging out the open window. Gabe stuck the present under one arm and pro
GABE. Saturdays were the hardest. Knowing Celina and Emma were off playing together all day while he worked was torture. He wanted to be with them, and Saturdays were long as he waited for four o’clock. He could cut out early, but he didn’t want to hear Ian’s lecture. Gabe shook Mr. Samson’s hand and wished the man good luck replacing his kitchen cabinet fasteners. The familiar patter of running feet made Gabe turn, and Emma rushed into his arms. “Hey, Sunshine! What are you doin’ here?” Gabe asked. Celina strolled up the aisle with a smile on her face. “We wanted to see if you’d take us to lunch.” Emma placed her tiny hands on both sides of Gabe’s face. “Can we have chips and cheese?” Gabe shrugged and turned to Celina. “Habaneros?” He suggested the closest Mexican food restaurant. “Sounds good to me.” Celina hooked her arm around Gabe’s elbow, and they walked out to his Tahoe. This was what he’d been searching for—a family eager to spend time with him. Having Celina and Emm
GABE. Rhonda whispered from the chair beside him, “I’ll take her home and put her to bed.” Her eyes were bloodshot, and her voice shook. Emma slept in his arms, curled against his chest. It was a quarter till nine, and the sun had set outside the hospital window. She hadn’t had a nap today, and the excitement along with any minor aches and pains she might have from the wreck had zonked the little girl out. Gabe watched Emma sleeping peacefully. “Just a few more minutes, please?” He wasn’t ready to let her go after the scare she’d given him today. Rhonda didn’t object. Celina was in ICU, and though visiting hours were over, neither of them wanted to leave. They’d asked about the gentleman driving the other vehicle earlier, and it seemed he was recovering well. He’d gone into a diabetic coma and was being monitored. A few minutes later, a doctor made his way into the waiting room. They were the only ones still in the ICU waiting room, and they both stood. Gabe held Emma tight in hi
Celina stared at the rectangular foil pan in her freezer. She’d pre-heated the oven, but how was she going to lift the pan to get it in there?Looking down at her casted arm, tears filled her eyes. She wiped at them frantically when she heard Gabe’s boots on the linoleum floor of the kitchen behind her.“What’re you lookin’ for? I’ll get it.” Gabe stepped up behind her and looked into the freezer.Celina pointed at the foil pan that had caused the anxiety brewing in her middle.“Is this the lasagna?” Gabe moved around her and placed it in the oven. “How long does this need to cook?”“Yeah, your mom said an hour and a half.”Gabe set the timer and turned to her, propping his hands on the kitchen counter behind him. “Something wrong?”Celina’s bottom lip twitched as she picked at the seam on the side of her sweatpants. “Not really. Just feeling useless. I can’t even heat a pre-made dinner.” She gestured toward the lasagna in the oven.“Everything is fine. This is all temporary.” He push
One Year Later “Bring it home, Em!” Gabe yelled from the field. Celina stood, howling and clapping as Emma pumped her arms and legs as she careened toward home plate. Celina’s parents, as well as Gabe’s, were all in attendance at every game. Emma’s cheer team packed the stands each week. It was her first year playing softball, and Gabe was her team’s coach. Emma made her way back to the dugout to congratulations and high-fives from her team. With the extra practice she got most afternoons with Gabe, she was shaping up to be a star player at the young age of five. When the cheering of the crowd subsided, Celina took her seat again. The first trimester of pregnancy was exhausting, and her body reminded her often. Gabe caught her attention a few minutes later as he walked back toward the dugout and made a motion as if he were drinking from a cup. Celina rolled her eyes and lifted her thermos in the air. The thing was huge and excessive, but it kept Gabe happy. He was always fussing
Sara Williams wasn’t always Sara Williams. Twelve years ago, she was Liz Jennings—small-town nobody and best friend of Ian Hart. The only future she could imagine included him, but after one tragic night, she’s forced to flee her home and leave behind the best friend she secretly loves.Ian Hart was sure of two things. He was in love with his best friend, and he’d do anything to protect her. As teenagers, they made a pact to run away together, but when she left town without him, Ian spiraled into a storm of anger.Now she’s back with a new name and a dozen secrets. When they’re forced to work together, the things they don’t say threaten to shatter any hope that they could regain their lost trust. Meanwhile, a town of busybodies are stirring up trouble, and Sara is a sitting duck while her biggest threat is on the move. What if the monster she’s running from steals their happily ever after?A homecoming story about forgiveness that’s sure to touch your heart.****/****Liz stared at a