SomeoneToTrust_w1231

Book Jacket

Megan McCormick certainly hadn’t left Atlanta for the small mountain town of Laurel Crest looking for love. Far from it. She was running from her past and a broken heart when she was knocked over by the incredibly handsome veterinarian, Lee Grainger. Tired of the fast-paced life of the city, Lee is considering a permanent move to the mountains. His run-in with Megan has him believing he's there for more than a partnership in an animal hospital. After a case of mistaken identity is cleared up, Megan and Lee strike up a friendship. Lee is everything Megan ever wanted--smart, loyal and dedicated to his faith. But Megan has experienced deep betrayal twice. Can she come to terms with the secret that haunts her, get past her distrust of men and accept the love Lee offers?

Lee turned toward her. “Megan?”

She had not turned the lights on, but the moon was shining brightly enough that she could read the confusion on his face.

She knew what she should do but she didn’t have the courage. Maybe she could wait. Sleep on it and maybe an answer would come to her. She couldn’t bear to let him go. Not now, not when she’d just found him. She looked up at his handsome face etched with lines of concern as he waited for her to answer him. He was such a gentle, caring man. He was her gentle giant.

Without thought, Megan wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest.

“I’m okay,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “I’m just tired.” That wasn’t untrue. She was tired and scared. And, she completely disliked Felicia. She supposed she should pray about that. Later.

As if reading her thoughts, Lee offered gently, “Look, I’m really sorry about Felicia. She can be…well…she can really be something else. I had no idea—”

“It’s okay—really. I shouldn’t have let it get to me and I shouldn’t have responded the way I did. I can’t picture you with someone like that.”

Someone to Trust

by

Lesa Henderson

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Someone to Trust

COPYRIGHT © 2009 by Lesa Henderson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: info@thewildrosepress.com

Cover Art by Kim Mendoza

The Wild Rose Press

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Crimson Rose Edition, 2009

Print ISBN 1-60154-692-0

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

For Ken, the man I trust.

Chapter One

She never knew what hit her! One minute, Megan McCormick was walking down a sidewalk lined with quaint shops, and the next, her bottom was firmly planted on it. She was certain there would be an indentation left in the cement when—if—she got up.

Minutes before, Megan had been juggling too many packages and minding her own business. Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. She had been munching on an icing-filled chocolate chip cookie. They were her favorite, fresh from the bakery down the street. She tried not to frequent the wonderful place too often, lest she sabotage a lot of dental work and diligent exercising, but today, she was having a treat. Hey, a girl deserved to have her favorite cookie every once in awhile.

She’d also been somewhat engrossed in the couple strolling hand-in-hand just ahead of her. Admittedly, she was an avid people-watcher and they intrigued her. As caught up in one another as they were, they were oblivious to observance.

Love was in the air, as spring announced the impending, jubilant arrival of summer, with melting snow cascading down the mountainside, creating trickles in some places and streams in others. Wildflowers were springing up where the warm sun kissed the ground, while birds, returning from their winter flight south, heralded their arrival home with triumphant chirping.

The young couple must have been affected by the springtime bounty of love, for they stopped every several feet to touch, to whisper or to simply smile into one another’s eyes.

For a few moments, Megan gazed at them wistfully. Though the tender scene was one stories were made of, it aroused unwanted memories for Megan, causing her heart to ache. She had been in love—once. She had been a complete fool. A blind fool. One who should have known better.

Stop it! She silently admonished herself, trying to regain control of her tortured thoughts.

You have rehashed this so many times! So much so, she was sick and tired of it. She could only take comfort in the fact she was wiser now and would never be taken advantage of again. Men simply were not to be trusted and storybook romance was just a story. Trumped-up love for novels which were sold to dreamers who walked around with their heads in the clouds. As for Megan, her feet were now planted firmly on the ground. She held little hope—or desire—of ever being knocked over by Prince Charming on a white steed.

Megan was so busy arguing with herself that she wasn’t paying any attention to where she was going or what pace she was keeping. Just as she rounded the corner, an impact caused Megan to lose her footing and her packages went sailing. Her arms flailed desperately in the air as she tried without success to catch herself.

Womp! Bemused, she shook her head, looking around at the myriad of color now blanketing the walkway. Her packages were scattered everywhere. Then she noticed, much to her amazement, a rather large pair of hiking boots planted firmly beneath the contents of some of those purchases.

Megan gasped. The brick wall she had run into came with feet! She allowed her eyes to trail upward, past the long length of a masculine frame and the very broad shoulders, until she was staring into the most incredible, albeit concern-filled, gray eyes she’d ever seen. Now those are eyes out of a novel.

“Are you all right?” a deep voice asked.

Everything except her pride.

“I think so,” she mumbled, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

“Are you hurt?”

Certainly! However, she refused to tell him where. Instead, Megan shook her head.

“Here. Let me help you up,” he offered, and before she could protest, two strong arms hoisted her to her feet. Flushing, Megan peered into eyes that were now twinkling with amusement.

Was he laughing at her? Of all the nerve!

Jaw tilting and back stiffening, Megan huffed, “It is not funny; you really should watch where you’re walking.”

All right, so she shouldn’t blame him, but she was miffed. How dare he laugh at her ?

“You are absolutely right. I beg your pardon.” He sounded sincere enough, but why was he staring at her? Why was he wearing that ridiculous grin? Had she grown two heads or something?

Resisting the urge to rub her aching bottom, Megan self-consciously ran her fingers across her chestnut hair which, except for a few escaping tendrils, was still in a tidy bun. Her sunglasses had slipped unceremoniously down her nose, but that wasn’t funny. Was he going to let her in on it, or had she just simply bumped into a lunatic?

So much for Prince Charming!

“Um, you have icing smeared above your lip and uh…chocolate on your teeth.” The brick wall cleared his throat. She just knew he was trying not to laugh.

That’s just great! She was now wearing the fresh, chocolate chip, icing-filled cookie. She rolled her eyes heavenward! Megan looked around for something to wipe her face.

“Here.” The brick wall came to the rescue, extracting a clean, neatly folded bandana from his pocket. Much to his credit, he handed it to her without even a twitch of the lips or a twinkle in the eye.

“Thank you,” Megan muttered, as she wiped her mouth.

“Um…” He pointed to the left side of his mouth as an indication for her to wipe hers.

As she did so, he rubbed his nose. “And…”

She followed suit by rubbing her nose, then lifted her well-arched eyebrows at him. He answered the unvoiced question with, “I believe that’s it.”

Thank goodness! Megan began dusting crumbs from her shirt.

“Oh!” She groaned aloud as her attention was captured by the scattered packages littering the sidewalk. Why today, of all days, had she chosen to purchase lingerie? Some of the people passing by were sidestepping them, while others were turning to look curiously at the couple blocking their paths.

Just as she thought things couldn’t get worse, Prince Charming bent over, at the exact moment she did, to help retrieve her stray packages.

Thud! A chestnut head smacked against a coal-black one.

“Excuse me.” He winced.

“Sorry,” she muttered, rubbing her forehead. Well, this scenario was certainly not out of a romance novel. More like a comic book!

Megan held up her hand. “I’ll get them, thanks.”

Ignoring her comment, he walked over to where the torn bag of dog food lay. The dog food! Had she not been foolish enough to try to lug that as well as the packages, this would never have happened. He met her back in the center of the sidewalk with the bag balanced effortlessly on a broad shoulder.

“I’ll take that,” she offered, trying to shift the packages around so she could handle it. She wasn’t having much success.

“Really, I can handle it,” she assured him, shifting packages again. He, however, didn’t seem very convinced.

“The least I can do is carry it to your car. We don’t want you having any more mishaps.” He was grinning again. Megan’s mouth opened in protest and then promptly closed. She mentally assessed the situation. As much as she did not want his help, or the help of any man for that matter, it appeared she needed it. She knew when to concede. Sometimes!

In any case, if he was a lunatic bent on doing her harm, he’d already had ample time. More than likely, he was a tourist, because she didn’t recall bumping into him before. The poor direction of her thoughts caused her to roll her eyes again.

Megan guessed he was vacationing with his wife and kids who were either shopping or waiting for him in one of the popular mountain cabins or chalets. Megan walked quickly, staying just a few paces ahead of him, which was no easy task considering one of his strides equaled two of hers.

“What breed?” His voice filled the space.

“I beg your pardon?”

“What breed of dog do you have?”

“Oh. A Great Dane,” she answered.

“Big dog. What’s his name?”

“Sir.”

He repeated himself slowly, spacing his words out. “What…is…his…name?”

“Sir,” she answered again.

The voice behind her not only slowed but became louder. “What…is…his…name?”

Megan stopped so abruptly and unexpectedly, she was nearly bowled over again as he collided into her. Boy, this giant man was irritating her. She whirled around to find she was only able to speak into his chest, which lost some emphasis. She backed away, looked up, and repeated his actions by slowing her words and talking loudly.

“His…name…is…Sir.”

He laughed. “Sir?”

With lifted brows, she challenged, “What else would you call a dog his size?”

“Good point,” he admitted with a nod, flashing straight white teeth at her. Much to her chagrin, she felt her heart skip a beat. Whoa there, girl! You are much too level-headed to be swayed by a handsome face and a great smile. You’ve sworn off men. Especially married ones!

Unloading the dog food into the back of her SUV, he extended his hand. “I’m Lee Grainger. I do apologize for getting in your way and hope you will not suffer any bruises.”

Suddenly ashamed of herself for blaming him, she extended her hand with a humble grin. “I’m Megan.”

His large hand completely swallowed her smaller one. Feeling a small tingle go through her, she nearly snatched her hand away. The brick wall…um…Lee Grainger gently turned her hand over in his palm, revealing mild abrasions mixed with a small amount of gravel.

“You are hurt,” he said with concern. “We need to get these cleaned up.”

She adamantly shook her head, declaring, “No, I’m fine really. I should have been watching where I was going. I’ve learned a valuable lesson about trying to carry too much while also trying to eat a cookie. It’s kind of like the walking and chewing gum thing; I have difficulty with that, too!” For pity’s sake, she was rambling on and on.

“Anyway, I appreciate your help.” She climbed behind the wheel of her vehicle as she added, “I promise to tend to these cuts as soon as I get home.”

“I’m supposed to be in Laurel Ridge a little while; perhaps we’ll run into each other again sometime,” Lee said, eyes crinkling with mischief. Smiling at his play on words, but ignoring them entirely, Megan waved as she pulled off.

Glancing in her rearview mirror, she found him staring after her. Ah, a man with a sense of humor. A rare trait these days.

****

In her cabin, later that evening, Megan sat with her feet tucked under her on the antique leather sofa, gazing into the fire blazing in the stone fireplace. She was cozily wrapped in her well-worn, yet favorite afghan, a gift from her grandmother. Sir’s large tan head rested contentedly in her lap, as she sipped hot cocoa and stared into the fire.

Megan had long since abandoned work at the computer. She was having great difficulty concentrating. Although she had a deadline for her latest copywriting project, she just couldn’t focus. After two hours of trying to bring her thoughts into line and complete the task at hand, she gave a sigh of resignation and opted for a cup of cocoa instead.

“Sir, I think that fall earlier today rattled my brain.” At the sound of his name, the animal looked up with understanding brown eyes.

She spoke her thoughts aloud, stroking his head gently; Sir listened with his usual attentiveness.

“What are my chances of meeting someone who will love me for who I am? Someone who enjoys the same things I do. Things like solitude, quiet walks and peaceful nights spent by the fireplace. I’ll tell you what the chances are, Sir—they’re slim. I’d certainly need to have help from someone else.” Megan looked heavenward. Sir picked up his head, turning it slightly with ears perked.

“Why?” Megan responded to Sir’s unvoiced question. “Because the person I’d be interested in is probably enjoying the solitude of a cabin right now, in front of a fire with his golden retriever.”

She let her gaze roam around the place she’d learned to call home. She admired the openness of the rustic design, which included a more than ample kitchen and dining area. She loved the oak cabinets with plenty of counter space and a breakfast bar. The floor plan also boasted a great room, which was where she was now seated. Along one wall of the living space was a massive stone fireplace bordered on each side by floor-to-ceiling windows. The rear wall held French doors leading out to a wrap-around porch, which offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and the valley below.

The first floor was completed by a small bedroom and bathroom. The second story held a loft area which is where Megan’s desk was set up, although more times than not she wound up working at the table on the main floor. Just beyond the loft was a large master bedroom with a fireplace and a bathroom of its own.

Her perusal stopped and lingered almost lovingly on the oak floors she had stripped and refinished. It had been a backbreaking task that seemed to take forever, but she had been so proud when the job was finally completed.

Megan purchased the log cabin on a whim, as a twenty-fifth birthday present to herself. She had happened upon the place accidentally while visiting Cindy, an old high school girlfriend. She had come up for a couple of weeks in the summer and fallen completely in love with the area as well as the cabin. After some careful consideration, she decided the cabin would be a wise investment. Not only would it provide her a regular vacation spot so she wouldn’t always have to stay with Cindy and her husband, but she could also use it as rental property for the many tourists who frequented the Smoky Mountains. Because it was less than a half-day’s drive from Atlanta, she could also use it for weekend getaways.

However, shortly after the purchase, she’d left the city and life she had known. She moved into the two-bedroom cabin, nestled on the side of the mountain, and had one of the most incredible views in all of Laurel Ridge. Living in a place like Laurel Ridge was the fulfillment of all her secret longings.

Sir whined, jumped up and went to the front door, interrupting her reflection of the past.

“Okay, okay!” Megan said, getting up to retrieve his leash. “But, you’ve got to make it quick; it’s chilly tonight.”

Sir wagged his tail; his cropped ears perking up, letting her know he had not taken offense at her reluctance. Truthfully, she didn’t mind walking him.

Sir was the first dog she had ever owned. He, too, was purchased on a whim, within two weeks of her moving into the cabin. She had no regrets about the cabin or Sir, but she was determined to change her circumstances, to stop dreaming about things she longed to do and actually do the things she enjoyed for the first time in her life. When Megan made a fresh start eighteen months earlier, she refused to look back.

“Come on, boy,” she said to her large, loyal roommate when she had the leash secured on Sir’s collar and the door open.

“How about that walk?” The excited response she received nearly yanked her off the front porch by a dog on a mission.

Chapter Two

The next morning Megan arose early. Though it was early spring and the mornings were still chilly, she walked out on her back porch with her usual cup of coffee, flavored with vanilla creamer. The sun was just making its ascent over the mountains, creating a pale lavender hue and stretching its red and pink fingers across the sky as far as the eye could see. It was another glorious sunrise.

The mountain trees were glistening with dew, and from the perfect position Megan’s cabin was nestled in, she was able to see for miles. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in the crisp, clean mountain air, reopening her eyes to smile contentedly. She never tired of this view, or of these mountains. To Megan, it was heaven on earth.

From seemingly nowhere the thought intruded. The only thing that would make it more perfect is someone to share it with. She shook her head in denial.

She didn’t need anyone. Megan McCormick was self-reliant. She was finished with love, or should she say illusions. She was completely happy in her new life. She was complete, with nothing missing.

Not entirely complete, an inner voice gently reminded. It wasn’t her own voice, but one she was hearing on a more consistent basis.

Pastor Daniel Phillips, most commonly known as Pastor Dan, was the pastor of Cindy’s church which Megan was now making her home as well. He would say the voice she was hearing was her Heavenly Father’s. Megan wanted to believe this, but she was plagued with questions.

For such a long time, she denied the existence of God, or at least the existence of a god, who took much interest in His creation, but no one could view the majesty of these mountains and believe they just evolved. The scene in front of her acknowledged the artistic creation of these mountains, in their entire splendor—creation by a higher power. However, there was still a question in her mind. Did the Heavenly Father, who created all of this, care for her as an individual?

At the present, this was the debate between her and the kind man who was responsible for looking over the flock in Laurel Ridge. For some reason, Pastor Dan and his lovely wife, Penny, felt inclined to take Megan under their wings. They tried, unceasingly, to show her the love of the Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus.

Their efforts, as well as those of Cindy and her husband, Alan, were certainly causing Megan to rethink the stance she had taken for many years. In fact, she was reexamining many things in her life, of late. Sometimes, she felt more confused than ever. At other times, she felt as if she were standing on the precipice of one of these mountains she loved so much and was about to step off into something unknown, something larger than her world had ever been. She didn’t know for sure whether it was revelation, understanding, forgiveness, or perhaps something else.

Megan had entertained the idea of opening up to Pastor Dan by sharing with him the events of her childhood and even the most recent trauma she’d suffered. However, being the private individual she was, she continued to hesitate; sharing her recent foolhardiness would be humiliating. She recognized the fact she should have known better, but to have someone else look at her with condescending eyes would be too much. She simply did not think she could bear the further guilt.

Guilt already weighed heavily upon her for falling for a man like Trevor. She should have recognized the signs. She, of all people, should have seen he was not at all what he proclaimed. He was too much like her father, and she should have spotted the similarities.

Megan blamed herself for her blindness, but she blamed Trevor for his lies and for misleading her. She blamed her father for her inability to trust and for his betrayal of her and her mother. Two men whom she loved had betrayed her; she now hated them both. Megan shook her head before her thoughts became too melancholy.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. The scripture found in Philippians was whispered as a gentle reminder to her heart.

“I know. I’ve heard Pastor Dan quote that scripture,” she spoke aloud to the wind. “I am trying to do that. It’s just so hard when…when I feel so much anger. I’m not sure exactly what I’m feeling, but it’s not good. All of this just makes me hurt. I want to put it behind me. I want to be happy; I just don’t know how.”

Megan shook her head again. “Great, now I’m talking to myself.” She looked into the heavens and took a deep breath, sighing. “I hope You’re listening.” With that, Megan gave the view one last appraisal before turning and walking back inside the cabin.

After changing into a pair of faded jeans and a cotton pullover shirt, she headed to the kitchen table, where her computer laid waiting, took a seat and opened the laptop to begin her work for the day. As she began typing her latest project, she couldn’t help smiling. Instead of being dressed in a suit and heels, she sat in a comfortable pair of jeans and slippers. She had replaced the ninth floor of a stuffy office building with her kitchen table and given up a view of brick and glass accompanied by the sound of traffic below for sky and mountains serenaded by birds. She had to chuckle as she resisted the urge to pinch herself just to make sure it wasn’t all a dream.

When Megan left the prestigious marketing and advertising firm of Adams and Gilmore, everyone had thought she was insane. She was a successful copywriter with great potential for various promotions, perhaps even an eventual partnership. But, following the fiasco with Trevor, she had not cared what she may be giving up or leaving behind. She only knew that the city felt like it was closing in on her. She couldn’t breathe and knew she would go crazy if she continued without a change. She had some money in savings and was more than willing to take a risk. Megan decided, if she was as good as everyone said she was at copywriting, she could go into business for herself. If the clients liked her work, they would follow her and she could work from anywhere she and her laptop could go.

At that moment the phone rang and Megan looked down at the Caller I.D. in surprise.

“Wow, speak of the devil,” Megan murmured aloud as she picked up the receiver and then greeted the surprise caller, “Hello?”

“Hello, Morgan, this is Stanley Adams,” the deep voice responded.

“Hi, Mr. Adams, how are you?” Megan was sure the astonishment was evident in her voice.

“Doing just wonderful, and yourself?” Mr. Adams asked.

“I’m great.”

“How’s country life treating you these days?”

“Wonderful. How’s everything there?” Megan inquired.

“Oh, busier than ever. You know how it is.” Mr. Adams answered with a laugh.

Megan knew her old boss hadn’t called her to chit-chat or see how she enjoyed life in the country. So, what did he really want?

“Mr. Adams, I know you didn’t call just to chat. What’s up?” she asked, foregoing the rest of the pleasantries.

He laughed at her boldness and said, “I want you to come back to the firm. We’ve got some really big accounts and need your expertise on them.”

“I don’t think—”

Stanley cut her off. “Hear me out. I want to make you managing director with a promise of partnership in two years.”

Managing director! With the bonuses that came with that position, her salary would double. For a moment, Megan silently pondered what those funds could mean, but as she did, she glanced outside at the mountains resting majestically behind her cabin.

You are home. A still small voice whispered in her mind.

“I’m very flattered, Mr. Adams. I really do appreciate it but I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline,” she politely refused.

“Are you serious?”

Megan could hear the surprise in his voice.

“Yes, I am, but thanks for the call anyway,” she answered, with certainty. Given that there was little left to say, she politely but firmly ended the call.

When Megan replaced the receiver, her hand was slightly shaking. Was she crazy? She’d just turned down a promotion, a very generous salary and a future partnership.

Yet even with all of that, Megan had absolutely no desire to return to the city or to the life she had led there. She just was not cut out for it and could no longer pretend to be. As she thought through all of this, Megan couldn’t help but think about that earlier scripture whatever is right. For that moment, doubts were silenced and she knew God’s hand was at work in her own life.

Yes, there had been a few lean months while she was getting things off the ground, but since then, business had been good and there was no lack of work. If anything, she was receiving more business than ever. Her clients were more than satisfied by her performance and she was getting referrals, as well as repeat business, increasing her income substantially from her days with Adams and Gilmore.

“Yep, Sir, the sky’s the limit. I don’t need Adams and Gilmore to make it in this world.”

As she got back to work, she smiled, hoping the doubts would stay at bay.

****

When Sir whined, Megan looked at the clock and realized she’d been working for several hours. She’d stopped only once, around noon, to eat half of a sandwich and drink a diet soda before going right back to her project.

Sir whined a second time.

“Okay, boy. Just one more second.” She hit the final keys to save her work, and with a satisfied nod, closed the computer.

“Tomorrow, I’ll edit it and send it off,” Megan said aloud, as she stood and stretched. Her sore back let her know she’d been sitting far too long.

“How about I go with you, Sir?” she asked the Dane as she stretched again before grabbing his leash. “I think I could use a good walk about now.”

Sir wagged his tail, his ears perking up at the sound of the leash.

“Okay, boy, calm down.” She tried to soothe his excitement. “Now look, we can only do this if you promise not to yank me off one of these cliffs. You got that?”

Sir’s response was to look at her innocently, as if to say, “Who me?”

“I know it would never be intentional,” she assured him as he pulled her out the door, “but sometimes you get ahead of yourself and you just don’t know your own strength.”

Megan followed Sir to the path they generally walked. Continued use had caused it to be well worn and relatively safe. When she walked with Sir, she kept to this path because she was familiar with its twists, turns and drop-offs. Though it was a beautiful walk, it was also a pretty strenuous workout with its uneven ground and degrees of elevation. Sir, in all of his exuberance, tended to make it even more challenging.

When Megan and Sir returned forty-five minutes later, she was soaked with sweat and Sir was panting to beat the band. Megan was sporting red scratches on her arms and face, as well as some leaves in her hair.

“How many times have I told you it’s not necessary to chase the squirrels when I’m with you?” she asked furiously. Sir gave her a pitiful stare, which somehow lost a bit of its sincerity with the huge strings of drool coming from both sides of his sagging jaws. To prove his intent, he reached up with his huge tongue and gave her arm a long apologetic lick. Megan released an exasperated sigh and let them into the cabin.

“Oh my!” Megan exclaimed, glancing at the clock. “I’ll have just enough time to shower, change and make it to the church fellowship dinner.”

Megan rushed to the shower and emerged from her room a scant thirty minutes later in a long-sleeved, soft linen dress that buttoned up the front and swirled softly around her ankles. Hopping, she slipped her feet into open-toed mules as she hurried to the entry where she stopped to check her reflection in the mirror one last time. The light foundation had not done much to hide the red welts lining her left cheek or the light sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her nose.

She’d resigned herself to the freckles years ago, determining they came with the thick chestnut hair, which hung straight to the middle of her back. Though at the moment, it was pulled back away from her face and knotted securely at the nape of her neck.

Megan wasn’t unhappy with what she saw, gazing without vanity at the reflection. While she wasn’t a great beauty, she felt her best feature was wide, thickly-lashed, amber eyes set beneath long naturally-arched brows. She crinkled the pert nose that rested above slightly full lips which covered straight white teeth, the result of two years of braces. She’d passionately hated wearing them during those gangly teen years, but now realized it was discomfort and time well spent. Megan nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders at the reflection before turning to grab her leather handbag, shooting out the door and down the porch steps.

Chapter Three

Megan wheeled into the gravel parking lot of Grace Community Fellowship thirty minutes late. She would have been on time, except when she pulled into the parking lot the first time, she realized she had not brought a dish for the fellowship dinner.

Although she knew coming without a dish wouldn’t have upset anyone, Megan could not go to the dinner empty handed. So, she had driven the mile back down the mountain into Laurel Ridge to find the local deli just before it closed. While the staff was already putting things away, they were kind as she picked a vegetable tray and some macaroni salad. The drive back to the church seemed to take forever but in reality was just a matter of minutes.

Megan used the walk through the parking lot to calm her breathing and to remind herself she was looking forward to this evening. Even with going as quickly as she could, when Megan entered the side door of the church social hall, everyone was already seated and eating. She couldn’t help but think she had disrupted something and a bit of nervousness returned. She hesitated as they all paused and called out a warm greeting.

Penny, Pastor Dan’s wife, rose from where she was seated to come over and relieve Megan of her dishes.

“You go ahead and make yourself a plate, Megan; I’ll take care of these.”

“Thanks, Penny, but why don’t you finish eating while I put these on the table. I shouldn’t have been late.”

“Don’t be silly,” Penny said, with a smile. “I don’t mind a bit. Besides, they say it takes a full twenty minutes before you realize you’re full; maybe before I sit back down, I’ll realize I’m full. I’ve been trying to lose this extra weight I’ve been carrying since the twins were born.” She smoothed a hand down over her hip, referring to the slightly plump figure she’d had since the birth of her twins. “It’s been five years and you’d think as busy as they keep me the weight would just fall off.” She shrugged and shook her head.

Megan smiled, handing the items to Penny, and prepared her plate before looking around for a place to sit. Cindy and Alan Wolff were seated at a table with Mrs. Martin and a man with dark hair, whose back was to her. Megan felt as if she should recognize him. Since their table was full and they were deep in conversation, Megan simply nodded and smiled at Cindy as she found a place to sit at another table.

As Megan enjoyed her meal, she occasionally joined in on the playful banter of the people at her table. Sometimes she sat quietly and listened as they swapped stories of mutual family and friends, as well as sharing prayer requests for different needs and situations along with reports of thanksgiving for what God was doing in their lives. The congregation of Grace Community Fellowship was like a tightly knit family. They had been very welcoming toward Megan, taking her in and treating her as one of their own.

Before Megan was finished with her meal, Cindy rushed over to her table. “I was hoping to get to spend some time with you. I wanted to introduce you to someone, but we’ve got to go. The babysitter just called and the baby is crying and running a fever.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it; you go ahead and check on Katie. I hope it’s nothing serious,” Megan offered sincerely. She was crazy about Cindy and Alan’s nine-month-old daughter.

“I don’t think it is. She’s cutting more teeth and has been quite irritable. She probably just wants her mommy. If you get a chance, come by the clinic this week, so we can have our girls’ lunch,” she invited, before rushing off.

Cindy worked three days a week in her husband’s thriving animal hospital, Wolff Veterinary Clinic. The clinic’s name usually brought a chuckle from most people. Alan would just smile and say God knew all along he wanted to be a veterinarian, which was why he’d been born to parents with the last name of Wolff.

Anyway, Megan looked forward to popping in at the clinic once a week to go to lunch with her old friend. In fact, she usually spent at least one evening a week at the Wolff home having dinner and enjoying their company. The family of three was precious to her.

“How long have you and Cindy known one another?” The question came from Mrs. Whitfield who was sitting across the table.

Megan turned her attention to the older woman and smiled as she answered, “Cindy and I became friends in high school.”

“Oh that’s sweet. I bet you were both cheerleaders.”

“Actually, Cindy was, but I was much too shy and gangly for cheerleading.”

“I can’t imagine you being gangly; you’re so lovely,” Mrs. Whitfield complimented.

“Thank you, but unfortunately, not only was I gangly I was also a klutz. That’s actually how I met Cindy.”

“Really?” Mrs. Whitfield seemed genuinely interested so Megan expounded.

“Yes, one day, instead of going into the lunchroom, I carried my book and soda into the courtyard. All of the tables were full, except one, so I took it and immediately got lost in a novel. I reached for my drink and overturned it, sending the liquid across the table and into Cindy’s lap. I was so engrossed in my book I didn’t even realize she’d sat down at the table.”

“Was she upset with you?” Mrs. Whitfield asked.

“No, she squealed, jumped up and together we began wiping at her clothes. I was so unbelievably embarrassed I’d just soaked the cheerleading outfit of this popular girl. I apologized profusely but she just giggled, introduced herself and asked what I was reading.”

“And you’ve been friends ever since?”

“Yep, in spite of the fact she was a bubbly, beautiful cheerleader and I was a late-blooming, accident-prone bookworm.” Megan laughed. Mrs. Whitfield smiled and shook her head as if she couldn’t believe Megan could really be as klutzy as she portrayed.

However, it was true; Megan was accident-prone. She had been since childhood, and if yesterday’s incident was an indication, she had not outgrown it.

Feeling eyes on her, Megan shifted her thoughts back to the present. As she lifted her head, her eyes locked with a pair of familiar gray ones. The brick wall! What on earth was he doing here? Was that who she had seen sitting with Cindy and Alan? More importantly, why was he staring so intently at her?

Suddenly, Megan found it hard to swallow. The food in her mouth seemed to swell as he nodded and gave her a friendly smile. She returned the nod, but with food in her mouth, was unable to return the smile.

Megan was more than a little relieved when Pastor Dan walked up to him, blocking the view. Without those intense eyes staring into her soul, she was finally able to swallow her food and put down her fork. Not surprisingly, she was no longer hungry.

Many of the people had already finished eating and were beginning to clear away the plates. Though Megan was tired from a long day of work, she joined in the clean-up efforts and a short time later was ready to make her good-byes.

“I’m sorry I’m not going to be able to stay for the games, Penny. It’s been a rather long day and I’m afraid I’m already feeling sleepy.” Megan smiled as she apologized to Penny, hoping she wouldn’t offend her for cutting out early.

“It’s okay, Megan, go on home and get some rest. We’ll give you a rain check,” Penny assured her with a wink and pat on the arm.

“Thanks. See you later.” Relieved, Megan gathered her dish of leftover macaroni salad and quickly headed for the door.

Megan had some difficulty opening the door leading out to the parking lot. It seemed to be sticking again, which was often the case following a heavy rain. With a little more effort, she was finally able to get it open and step out into the night air.

A full moon and stars illuminated the sky and ground below, giving her enough light that she had no trouble seeing her way down the steps. However, Megan never made it down the first step, because the heel of her shoe got stuck between the small openings of the wooden planked steps.

Megan was tugging at it when a deep voice intervened.

“Can I help you?” She almost moaned aloud as she recognized Lee Grainger’s voice. Was she destined to embarrass herself in front of this man?

“No…” She continued to try to lift the wedged heel of her sandal out of its entrapment. “I’ve…got…it.” She muttered as she tugged, thinking she heard someone attempting to open the door behind her. She continued working her shoe. Someone else continued pushing against the door, and with a final oomph, forced it open at the exact moment Megan was able to pull her shoe free. The timing was perfect enough to send her plunging off the steps.

“Oh,” she cried as she pitched forward, expecting to make contact with the hard mountain ground. Instead, two strong arms caught her, breaking her fall.

Unfortunately, she was unable to hang onto the leftover macaroni salad and the sudden forward motion caused it to fly out of the dish and onto the shirt of her rescuer.

“Oh no!” Megan exclaimed as he set her back on her feet.

“Are you okay?” Lee and Mrs. Whitfield, who’d just managed to open the door, asked in unison.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“I’m very sorry, my dear,” Mrs. Whitfield apologized.

“I’m fine, Mrs. Whitfield; really, I am. It’s not your fault, I-I got the heel of my shoe stuck in one of the planks,” she stuttered as she stepped away from Lee, who still had his large hands on her waist.

“If you’re sure, my dear, I’m going to get this young man some wet towels to clean-up his shirt.” Mrs. Whitfield retreated inside. Her words filtered into Megan’s dazed brain and she whirled back around to face Lee Grainger.

“I’m terribly s-sorry.” She looked at the globs of macaroni salad clinging in haphazard clumps to the front of his shirt. However, he nonchalantly brushed them off, as if this happened to him all the time.

“This is nothing.” He seemed unaffected by the possibility she had ruined his shirt. “The important question is are you all right?”

“Yes, thanks to you,” she answered gratefully.

Lee brushed his hands down the front of his jeans, and then with one hand, gently tilted her face, examining it closely. “Did you get these scratches yesterday when you fell?”

“Huh…oh, no, I got them today when I was walking with Sir in the woods.”

“You need to be more careful,” he admonished gently, tilting her face more into the moonlight. Her skin burned where his fingers firmly held her chin and she was finding it difficult to breathe.

“How are your hands today?” He reached down, turning her hands over to examine her palms.

“They’re fine.” Megan squeaked a response. Lee’s hands felt strong, warm and slightly calloused, obviously accustomed to hard work, yet she imagined they could be tender.

“I have some wet towels, Lee. If you want to come inside, we’ll see to that shirt.” At the sound of Mrs. Whitfield’s voice from the doorway, Megan jumped and snatched her hands away.

“I’m going straight home so I think it’ll be all right until I get there. Thanks though,” Lee offered. Mrs. Whitfield nodded, smiled knowingly and closed the door.

Megan groaned silently. She hoped Mrs. Whitfield was not under the wrong impression. She and some of the other well-meaning ladies of the church were always trying to match her with a nephew or grandson. All she needed was for those dear old women to decide to do some sort of matchmaking between Lee Grainger and her.

Megan kneeled and picked up her scattered dishes. She stood again looking at Lee with embarrassment. “Thank you again for breaking my fall. I’m really sorry about your shirt, and if you’ll permit, I’d like to replace it.”

“That’s not necessary. I’d hoped we would run into each other again,” he joked, reminding her of his parting comment the first time they met. She couldn’t help smiling.

“Yes, well, the next time you see me coming, you’ll probably get on the other side of the street.”

“I hardly think so,” Lee responded.

Although her heart skipped a beat, Megan ignored that one. “I…uh…need to get going and you need to get that shirt taken care of. Please apologize to your wife for me.”

“My wife—” He was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. After pulling it out of his pocket, Lee spoke again. “Hello? Yes…yes. When? Okay, tell her I’m on my way.”

Assuming it was his wife on the other end who needed him, Megan waved at Lee and motioned that she was leaving. He took the cell phone away from his mouth. “Megan, I’ve got a slight emergency to deal with, but I’d like to—”

Megan waved her hand. “It’s perfectly fine. I really do need to get going.”

“But I wanted to explain to you—”

“Thanks again.” She cut him off as she walked quickly to her vehicle, leaving Lee talking on his phone and rushing toward his truck.

Chapter Four

“Will that be all for you today, Megan?” the postal service clerk asked as Megan paid for her latest project to be shipped overnight express.

“Yes, I believe so. Thanks, Thomas.”

“No problem.” He smiled. “Have a great day.”

“You do the same,” Megan called over her shoulder as she left the post office.

As she stepped onto the sidewalk, she couldn’t help smiling. After living so long in a busy city, she was still amazed at the friendliness of the people who lived and worked in Laurel Ridge, even though it was one of the wonderful things that had drawn her to this little piece of heaven on earth. She hoped Laurel Ridges’ personality wouldn’t be lost as its popularity grew and more tourists flocked to the mountain hide-a-way.

When her stomach rumbled loudly, Megan glanced at her watch to see it was half-past noon. She had not bothered with breakfast that morning and was feeling the effect.

Just around the corner was the Laurel Ridge Deli. It was a wonderful family-owned place with a smoked turkey and Swiss cheese on rye sandwich which was out of this world, especially when topped with a touch of mustard and combined with a pickle and their homemade chips. Her mouth began to water as her stomach rumbled again, causing her to pick up the pace as she detoured to the deli.

The bell on the door jingled as Megan walked in; Lydia, the owner, looked up and smiled from behind the counter. As usual there was a line of people waiting to place orders and Lydia was busily trying to fill them. Placing an order could often take some time, as people couldn’t make up their minds based on the delicious foods populating the menu.

Tables lined the front windows facing Laurel Ridge’s Main Street, giving diners a view of quaint shops and passers-by. The rear of the deli opened up to a cobblestone patio, set up with umbrella-covered tables, overlooking the river that meandered through the mountain town. From mid-spring to early fall, it was nearly impossible to get a table outside; locals and tourists alike flocked to them.

Megan took a number and indicated to Lydia she would be waiting out back until called. As she went to push the rear glass door open, a man eating a sandwich at one of the tables caught her attention and her heart skipped a beat. Lee Grainger. The man was turning up everywhere.

“Excuse me,” a soft voice interrupted from behind Megan. She turned to see a tall, attractive blonde with a sandwich and drink waiting to get by.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Megan apologized, opening the door to let her out.

She smiled and thanked Megan before walking directly over to Lee’s table. Megan watched as the blonde spoke to him. Nodding and smiling, he stood and pulled out a chair for her to be seated across from him.

His wife. She was very pretty, her light coloring complimenting Lee’s dark good looks. Megan had the sudden desire to wait inside the deli for her number to be called.

As soon as Lydia had Megan’s sandwich ready, she headed out the door and down the street. Only a block away was a riverside park complete with picnic tables—her dining spot for the day. As Megan sat at the table munching on chips and the freshly prepared sandwich, she enjoyed the antics of three feuding squirrels. There seemed to be a debate as to who had acorn rights.

She sighed in frustration as her thoughts drifted back to Lee. The frustration was directed at her thoughts for betraying her yet again. Why had she been disturbed upon seeing him with his wife, disappointed even? She knew he was married. A moment of attraction meant little. He was still a stranger, a man in whom she was not the least bit interested. She was not sure she could ever again be interested in another man because that would mean she would have to trust and her experience belied men’s trustworthiness. The image of the tall blonde woman filled her mind again, unleashing a torrent of unbidden memories.

The years fell away as quickly. She was a little girl again, standing quietly in the hallway, just outside the master bedroom of her family’s large two-story Atlanta home.

The tension in the house was tangible, even to an eleven-year-old. Her heart thumped erratically against her ribcage as a sickening knot formed in her stomach. Nervously, Megan wiped sweaty palms down the front of her pants as she stood outside her parents’ bedroom listening to the raised voices coming from within.

There was no need to press her ear to the door; her parents were not expecting her home until sometime later and were not making any effort to keep their discussion quiet.

“I don’t know how to explain it to you.” Her dad’s voice was filled with misery.

“Explain?” her mom questioned sadly. “What possible explanation could there be? You are leaving your wife of eighteen years and your eleven-year-old daughter for your secretary who is seventeen years younger than you.”

Megan sucked in a sharp breath, clamping a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out and letting her parents know she was listening. Immediately, tears squeezed from beneath her tightly closed eyes and streamed unbidden down her flushed cheeks, soaking her cotton shirt.

“I’m confused, Helen. I’m torn between you.” Megan heard her father say.

“Yes, well in this instance, you can’t have your cake and eat it, too, Ray. If you had stopped seeing her three years ago, like you promised you would—”

“I did fire her,” he offered.

“You put her out of your office but not out of your life, or out of your bed,” she interrupted hoarsely. Megan could hear the strain in her mother’s voice.

“I…I suppose I should leave.”

Megan began trembling as she heard her father retrieve a suitcase from the closet and throw it on the bed. Then she heard drawers being opened and the rustling of clothes.

Megan remained frozen to the spot. Horrified. This can’t be happening! There was a deafening silence coming from the room. No voices filtered through the door. Now, the only noise was the sound of drawers being opened and closed, along with the rustling of a suitcase being quickly packed.

Finally, her mother spoke. “So you’ve made your choice. You’ve chosen this woman over your family.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

The suitcase snapped close.

Megan’s heart skipped a beat.

“No,” her father said. “I’m not making my choice. I just need time away. Time to think.”

“Are you taking time away from her, too? Or just from your wife and daughter?”

There was no answer.

“You must love her very much, or at least I hope it’s an emotion that strong, for you to be throwing us away.”

“Please, Helen.” He sounded almost distraught. “I am not throwing you and Megan away.”

“Really? Have you even considered how this is going to affect your daughter, Ray?”

“I’ve considered little else. I honestly don’t want to hurt the two of you. I just feel like I need to do something for me.”

Megan was unable to believe what she was hearing. Her father was leaving!

What about her? What about her mother? Who was this woman stealing her daddy away? Didn’t she know he had a family? Didn’t she care?

Another thought occurred to her. What had they done to make him want to leave? To make him go to this woman instead?

“Very well then. Go.”

When the door was suddenly opened, Megan saw her mother standing with a stiff back and a chin tilted up. When her parents realized she was standing there, her mother shook her head sadly and her father seemed to be grasping for words. Her father set the suitcase down in the hallway as he came to her.

“I’m sorry, pumpkin,” he mustered.

Megan opened her mouth to speak but no words formed. Her father leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

“I love you and will give you a call in a couple of days to see how you’re doing.” He picked up his suitcase and walked determinedly down the stairs. For a number of seconds, Megan remained numbly rooted to the spot in the hallway and watched as her father reached for the doorknob; it was almost like she was dreaming.

“No!” Megan cried hoarsely. “No, Daddy. Please don’t go.” She was finally able to mobilize her legs, but she did not recall going down the steps. Her objective was to reach her father and convince him to stay. She’d beg and plead if she had to. Throwing herself bodily into him, she squeezed her thin arms around his waist as tightly as she could.

“P-please, Daddy, don’t leave us. We love you. I love you, Daddy. D-don’t do this.” She was nearing hysteria, hiccoughing as she talked, frantic to stop what was beyond her control.

He knelt down. “Honey, don’t do this; I love you. This won’t be forever…just for a while. Besides, Daddy will still be seeing you. I just need some time for me right now. Understand?”

Of course not. She could only shake her head that she didn’t. Her father kissed her on the forehead a second time and walked out of their home.

Megan collapsed into a heap on the floor, crying to the closed door, “Daddy…Daddy, please. Come back! Don’t leave us!” Her body was racked with sobs. She felt her mother’s arms go around her. Sitting on the marble floor in the foyer, her mother rocked her as when Megan was a baby, stroking her hair and murmuring soothingly, their tears mingling.

Megan shook herself from her reverie and wiped the tears from her face. She was still sitting at a picnic table in the riverside park but the squirrels were long gone. It was disconcerting that some memories still had the power to make her cry, to make her feel like that frightened eleven-year-old. She wasn’t sure what had brought on the unwanted recollection, unless it was seeing Lee with his blonde wife.

Megan glanced at her watch in disbelief, realizing an hour had already passed. She had been away from the cabin the entire morning and Sir would most definitely be in need of a walk. Quickly, she gathered her trash and tossed it into a nearby bin before making a hasty walk to where her vehicle was parked.

Well, she thought with a twist of humor, I’ll have to thank Lee and his wife for a little extra exercise for the day.

Chapter Five

As Megan walked up the front steps to the cabin, she noticed the door was slightly open.

“Oh, great!” she muttered. In her haste to get to the post office, she must not have made sure the door was closed tightly behind her. The door being open meant only one thing—Sir was on the loose! He would never have been able to withstand the temptation of the door being open and the great outdoors beckoning him. He would have taken the advantage to roam without ever looking back.

Megan dashed up the stairs, taking them two at a time, to her bedroom. She made quick work of changing into a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and hiking boots.

She needed to be prepared since Sir could be absolutely anywhere. As adorable as he was, Sir was a rambler and had an amazing penchant for getting into the most outlandish predicaments. She grabbed some of his favorite treats as she located his leash and bounded out the door.

It was nearing dusk, when a downhearted Megan came driving back up to her cabin, without Sir. Her search efforts had been fruitless.

First, she had hiked every direction of their favorite trails. When that had turned up nothing, she hiked back to the cabin and climbed into her SUV, driving down all the little side roads that twisted and turned like a huge pretzel. Some of these roads were too steep and long to cover by foot and she didn’t want the sun to go down while she was out searching. The area was known to have bears roaming the woods and the possibility of one waking from its long winter slumber created some concern as she had no intention of coming upon one accidentally.

Now, she sat dejectedly on the front steps with her arms propped on bent knees and her chin resting on her forearms as she watched the sun set. Any other time she would have been delighted at the bold display of color, but right now, she was deflated. For all of the walking and driving, she hadn’t seen a single sign of Sir. She’d acquired a few more bruises while on those trails and ended up a sweaty, exhausted, miserable mess.

Commanding tired, aching muscles to cooperate, she stood, stretching wearily, and gave it one last try.

“SIR—” she called hoarsely. Still, there was no response. No familiar bark signifying her faithful companion had heard his master’s voice. At a loss as she contemplated what else to do, Megan walked inside, disappointment filling her heart.

Inside, the house was too quiet. Megan went to the kitchen, knowing it was time to make dinner, but once there, couldn’t even think about food. Too tired and worried about Sir, Megan skipped her evening meal, passing his empty bowl on the way out of the kitchen. She opted for a soak in a bathtub filled with warm bubbles as she sipped a hot cup of chamomile tea. Once she was dressed in a worn but comfortable jogging suit, she grabbed her afghan and a pillow. After getting a fire going in the fireplace, she settled down on the couch in order to be near the door if…when Sir returned from his adventure.

She lay watching the dancing blue and red flames blazing in the fireplace, as she prayed. Lord, I know this may be selfish but I really need Sir back. Please… Her eyes gently closed as the exhaustion of the day overtook her.

****

Just after the first rays of sunlight peeked over the crest of the mountains, Megan woke to whining and a scratching noise coming from outside. It only took a moment for Megan to realize what it was. She bolted to her feet and ran to the front door. She flung it open and much to her delight, Sir was waiting there for her.

He wasn’t standing with tail wagging and strings of drool hanging from his oversized jowls. Instead, he was lying on the porch, whining. Megan knelt beside him, wanting to throttle him, and yet at the same time, concerned that he wasn’t himself.

“Sir, I’m so glad to see you. You scared me to death; please don’t ever do that again,” she praised and reprimanded at once, gingerly running her hands over him. When her hands reached his hip, he yelped and Megan came in contact with something wet and sticky. She gasped in shock at the sight of her hand covered in a sticky red substance.

Sir was bleeding!

Megan examined his wound more closely. It appeared her beloved pet had been shot! She jumped to her feet, talking fast, “Oh no! Sir, you’re hurt.”

As Sir began to stir, she realized she was getting him excited. Taking some deep breaths, she forced herself to calm down and talk softly. “Stay here boy; I’m going to get some clothes on and take you down to the clinic.”

She gently backed into the house before letting her fear overtake her as she ran to the bedroom, praying all the way—both for Sir and to figure out a way to get him into her car. As she got back to the door, she saw an old blanket on the shelf above her coats. Grabbing it, she got it under Sir and used it as leverage to pull him across the porch. She pulled her car alongside and once again used the blanket to ease him into the car.

Racing down the road toward town, she once again found herself praying.

When Megan pulled to a screeching halt in front of Wolff’s Veterinary clinic, she expelled a sigh of relief. Every muscle in her body was shaking with fear and the exertion of getting Sir’s one hundred and fifty pound body into the back of her vehicle. One thing was for sure, it had taken some doing and she was covered in sweat, dirt and blood.

“Finally! Hang on, Sir, we’re here; Alan will help you.”

As she threw the vehicle into park, she honked the horn fiercely. When this did not get the desired result, she persisted, laying on the horn again. This time, Cindy stuck her head out of the emergency room door.

Megan jumped from behind the wheel and gave a rushed explanation.

“Cindy, it’s Sir. I think he’s been shot!” She was helpless to stop the flow of tears that began. She was attached to this large, overbearing, lovable dog.

“Stay with him; I’ll be right back with help!” Cindy assured her before running inside. Only seconds went by, before Cindy came running back out, followed closely behind by none other than Lee. If Megan had not already been in a fair amount of shock, she would have been utterly flabbergasted. However, her concern for Sir overrode all other emotions at the moment.

Greg, Alan’s intern, came out of the clinic pushing a gurney. Cindy gently nudged Megan away from the vehicle while he and Lee looked in the vehicle and assessed Sir’s situation. Megan was unable to hear their mumbled comments and stood there wringing her hands.

Cindy wrapped an arm around her shoulders, “It’ll be okay now, Megan.”

Lee stuck his head around the back of the vehicle and said, “We need to get him inside.” Together the two men lifted Sir onto the gurney. Sir must have been unconscious by this time because he did not yelp, whine or make even a peep.

“Don’t worry; I’ll take care of him,” Lee assured her as they wheeled Sir inside the clinic. With tears in her eyes, Megan could only nod.

Turning to Cindy, Megan finally thought to ask, “Where’s Alan?”

“Up at the Bailey place. There’s a problem with one of their horses and they couldn’t bring her in the trailer,” Cindy explained.

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry, Meg, next to Alan, Lee Grainger is the best there is.” Cindy squeezed her shoulders and then led her inside the waiting room of the clinic. It was still early, so the room was empty.

Cindy looked her friend over. “Sweetie, you may want to slip in the bathroom and wash what you can.” Cindy referred to the blood on Megan’s hands, arms and clothing. Megan nodded and headed in that direction.

She barely made it to the bathroom and into one of the stalls before the nervous, delayed reaction hit her and she vomited. After washing her face, she was able to remove the blood from her arms and hands with relative ease. She doubted there was any hope for her clothing. Just as she was shaking her head helplessly at her reflection in the mirror, there was a knock on the bathroom door. Megan opened it to find Cindy standing there with a set of scrubs in her hands.

“Here, try these.”

Megan took them from her with a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

Returning to the waiting room dressed in Cindy’s scrubs, Megan plopped into one of the chairs. Cindy joined her.

“What’s he doing here?” Megan asked.

“By he, I’m assuming you mean Lee? Well, right now, he’s taking care of Sir.” At Megan’s sideways glance, she amended, “Okay, bad timing for humor. Remember I told you, a couple of months ago, that an old friend of Alan’s from vet school was coming up?”

At Megan’s blank look, Cindy continued, “Anyway, Alan has been trying to get Lee to agree to come up. He has been practicing in the city and Alan wanted him to try Laurel Ridge out and consider becoming his partner. Alan has more work than he can handle anymore, and it’s keeping him away from me and the baby more often than not.”

Megan vaguely recalled the conversation from one of the evenings she had dined with them. They had mentioned Alan needing more help and something about an old friend but Megan had been distracted playing with the baby. So, Lee Grainger was that old friend. The subject of her thoughts chose that moment to walk out and Megan jumped to her feet.

“Megan, Sir has been shot and he’s lost quite a bit of blood. We need to get the bullet out immediately,” Lee explained carefully.

“Okay.” Megan didn’t hesitate. “Just…please, don’t let him die,” she choked.

“I promise to do my best,” he assured her, with a gentle smile before going to the back where Greg was preparing Sir for surgery.

In the waiting room, Cindy was talking to Megan. “How do you think he got shot?”

“I’m not sure. He was loose when I got home yesterday afternoon and was gone all night. I found him on the front porch this morning.” Megan shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, maybe he wandered upon a campsite in the dark and scared the daylights out of someone. As large as he is, he may have been mistaken for a bear.”

“That’s possible, I suppose. I’d rather think someone shot him in what they thought was self-defense and not that someone was just being mean.”

“Me, too,” Megan agreed, in a shaky voice. “Do you think Lee will be able to save him?”

“I know Lee will do all he possibly can, but we can pray and ask the Lord to help Lee save Sir,” Cindy offered.

“You don’t think that’s silly...praying for a dog? Why would God care about my dog?” Megan asked in sincere confusion.

“Of course it’s not silly. God cares for all living creatures. He is the creator of all life. Haven’t you ever heard the scripture that tells us to consider the lily and the ravens and how the Heavenly Father cares for them? The scripture goes on to tell us how much more He cares for us as His children, but it also gives us an indication He cares for all living things. So that tells us He loves both you and Sir. What do you say?”

“Um—okay…I don’t suppose it could hurt, if you’re sure it’s not silly.” She loved that stupid dog and she didn’t want him to die.

“I’m sure.” Cindy bowed her head as she took Megan’s hands. Megan bowed her head as well and closed her eyes.

“Father, you know how much Megan cares for her pet, so I’m asking you, Lord, in Your son’s name, to be with Lee and guide his hands as he removes the bullet. Help Sir recover quickly and completely. We thank you for Your care of us and all that You created. Amen.”

Megan was amazed at how such a simple request, a simple prayer, could move her to tears. “Thanks, Cindy.”

“No problem.” Cindy smiled. “How about I get you something to drink while you wait? A cup of coffee perhaps?”

Megan smiled gratefully. “That would be great.”

After getting Megan her promised cup of coffee, Cindy was unable to sit with her as the phone began ringing and the office began to fill with pets and their owners, many of whom Megan knew.

As each new person came in with his or her pet, Cindy would explain that Alan was away and Lee was doing emergency surgery on Sir. Most of those who knew Megan also knew Sir, so Megan was continually being offered murmurs of sympathy and well wishes. She received them all with humble gratitude.

After what seemed like an eternity to Megan, Lee re-entered the waiting room. He looked down at Megan’s worried, tear-streaked face and smiled with warm compassion.

“He’s going to be fine. We removed the bullet and he’s resting comfortably.” A round of cheers rippled through the room, and without thought, reacting to the good news, Megan jumped up and hugged Lee. When she realized what she had done, she immediately pulled away.

“I’m afraid I got carried away, sorry. I’m just so happy he’s going to be all right.” She extended her hand. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Dr. Grainger.”

“No problem.” Lee laughed, shaking her hand. “Would you like to see him?”

“Yes, please,” she answered without hesitation.

“Follow me.” Next, he turned to everyone waiting in the room. “Folks, we appreciate your patience and will be with the rest of you shortly.”

****

“He’s right in here,” Lee said, as he led her to where Sir was recovering. As soon as Megan saw the big dog, she rushed over to him. Lee watched Megan closely as she tenderly stroked the Great Dane’s large head and whispered to him. The Dane groggily looked up to her, adoringly, with woeful eyes.

Something inside Lee told him Megan was a special woman, albeit a hurt and confused one. By all indications, she was single but he just couldn’t understand how someone as lovely and compassionate as Megan could still be single. Perhaps that was his blessing.

“Megan…” He interrupted her attention from Sir and she gazed up at him with grateful amber eyes. Lee cleared his throat—he could lose himself in those eyes. He had a sudden urge to wipe away the tears that had escaped. He doubted she knew how incredibly pretty she was, even with uncombed hair and dressed in baggy scrubs.

“We’ll need to keep him here for a couple of days to watch his progress. After that, you’ll be able to take him home, but his back leg may be sore for a while.”

“But it’s going to be okay, right?”

“Yes, I believe so. The bullet seems to have narrowly missed doing any nerve or muscle damage,” he assured her.

Megan’s eyes filled with tears again. She extended her hand once more and he grasped it. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I really appreciate you taking care of him the way you have.”

Lee continued to hold her hand. Her soft, warm hand seemed very small in his larger one. It made him feel powerful, like a protector of sorts. He nearly smiled at the foolish turn of his own thoughts.

He stared down at her intently. Of all their brief encounters, this was the most he’d ever seen her guard down. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to help. Listen…” He paused.

“Yes?” she prompted, looking up at him with wide eyes. Her rich chestnut hair cascaded down her back in soft waves.

Lee cleared his throat. “I really need to see the other patients, but before I do, I was wondering if…perhaps…you’d agree to have dinner with me sometime?”

It was as if spring suddenly ceased and winter returned, bringing with it an Arctic wind. Most of the chill was coming directly from Megan. She snatched her hand out of his. Eyes that were once warm with gratitude, now glared icily up at him. She backed away from him, as if she might catch something standing as close as she was.

“I don’t think so,” she gritted out.

Lee was taken aback and confused by her abruptness. “I merely thought—”

Megan interrupted yet again. “I’m not really interested in what you were thinking, Dr. Grainger. I really don’t know where you men get off. My answer is no. I’ll check in on Sir later. Good day.” With that, she nearly stormed from the building.

Lee stood in stunned silence for a moment. As he stared at the door that was still swinging from Megan’s forceful retreat, he prayed quietly, “Lord, I’m not sure what that was all about? Help me to understand what I’ve done to set her off. I want—”

Cindy popped her head through the door. “Lee, Mrs. Anderson and her Doberman are waiting in room four. And, boy is she in a mood.”

“Who? The Doberman or Mrs. Anderson?”

“Both,” Cindy responded, with a sympathetic smile.

Lee shook his head; maybe it was his day to deal with upset females.

****

Megan was murmuring to herself as she drove away.

“Of all the nerve! I can’t believe that man. Do I have ‘gullible idiot’ stamped on my forehead or something?” she ranted, as she gained speed. “What? Am I a married man magnet or something?”

Unwanted thoughts of Trevor filled her mind. The images danced painfully before her; his dark good looks, his taking her to dinner, Trevor’s hand on the small of her back as they walked into a room, him smiling down at her with intense brown eyes—eyes that look right into your soul and lie without batting an eyelash. She could, almost, smell the musky scent of his cologne, which lingered even after he was gone. She could still feel his betrayal, although it had been nearly two years.

A honking horn jolted Megan into the present and she jerked her vehicle out of the way of an oncoming truck. Angrily, she wiped at the tears sliding down her face. Trevor Raines had run over her, just as surely as that truck had nearly run her over. Only, he had not left behind a broken body; he had left a broken heart and a crumbled spirit. She’d loved two men unconditionally and they’d both betrayed her. She wouldn’t be giving the third a chance. With determination she pushed her thoughts aside and focused on driving. The twists and turns of the mountain roads could be perilous enough without the added danger of distractions.

As soon as Megan got to the cabin, she hit the shower. Afterward, her body felt better, cleaner, but her mind and emotions were another story.

“Is there anything that can wash away the guilt I carry from the relationship with Trevor?” she asked herself.

So far she’d found nothing.

Releasing an exasperated sigh, Megan plopped down on the couch in the living room, which seemed strangely empty without Sir’s large body sprawled nearby.

What in the world made men think they could have their cake and eat it too? Like Trevor. Like her dad.

Her mind immediately drifted to the memory of a conversation she overheard when she was eight years old between her mother and a friend.

“What about this woman he’s seeing? Am I just supposed to ignore that? Well, I won’t…I can’t.” Helen told her friend Susan.

“It’s a passing thing, my dear, a mere distraction. Remember, it’s you and Megan he comes home to each night.”

“Hardly.” Helen snorted.

“Is he aware you know about her?”

“How could he be? I’ve suspected for some time, but I’ve only been certain since this morning.”

“What will you do?” Susan asked.

Helen began crying again and Megan had to strain to hear her.

“Confront him, I guess. Oh, Susan, I don’t know...she’s young, tall, blonde and beautiful. How can I compete with that?”

“You may not be twenty-three, but you are not minced meat, darling. You are a very attractive and young looking thirty-five-year-old.”

“What can he be thinking? Sleeping with his secretary—a woman seventeen years his junior?” Helen exclaimed.

Susan responded knowingly. “Haven’t you ever heard of a mid-life crisis? Men go through it all the time. It makes them feel young again. It’s what men do.”

Helen sniffled and blew her nose again. “For pity’s sake, Susan, how long do es a crisis last?”

Megan shook her head at the memory. Her parent’s marriage survived the crisis for only three years after that.

Was Trevor having a crisis? And Lee?

It seemed to Megan that the women were the ones with the crises. They were the ones left with broken hearts and broken trust.

She plumped the pillow roughly, while uttering a frustrated prayer, “Lord, are there any honorable and trustworthy men out there?”

Chapter Six

Over the next two days, Megan called often to check on Sir’s progress. She even stopped by the clinic on two occasions, managing both times to avoid Lee. On both her visits, Sir begged her pitifully, with his sweet woeful eyes, to take him home. On the last visit, Cindy had extracted a promise from her to meet for lunch. Megan agreed that when Sir was due to come home, she would first meet Cindy for lunch and afterward follow her back to the clinic to retrieve her beloved Great Dane.

So, on Friday, Megan and Cindy met at the Laurel Ridge Deli. They’d arranged it so they arrived before the lunch crowd and were able to get an outdoor table. The sun had helped remove most of the morning chill, and though it could not yet be considered warm, it was still pleasant.

“What’s with the smile?” Cindy asked from across the table causing Megan to realize she’d been daydreaming a bit.

“I was just thinking how lucky I am to be living here.” Megan spoke what was in her heart.

“You mean how blessed you are.”

“Okay,” Megan conceded with another smile and a shrug. “Blessed.”

“I’m serious, Meg. The Bible declares that God appoints our steps. In other words, He directs our every step. He brought you here.” Cindy used every opportunity to gently nudge Megan toward the love of God. She never did it in an overbearing fashion so Megan wasn’t offended and knew Cindy was genuinely concerned. Theirs was a friendship built on years and trust. Perhaps, that was why Megan could never take issue with her dear friend, even if she was unable to see things in the same light as Cindy.

“Well either way, it’s a long way from Atlanta,” Megan admitted.

“Yes, it is. Speaking of Atlanta, how’s your mom?”

“She’s doing well. I’ve haven’t gotten to talk to her as often lately.” Megan grew thoughtful for a moment.

“That’s odd. Usually if you haven’t called her in a timely fashion, she’s calling you to see why.”

Megan nodded. “And if she doesn’t get me then—”

“She calls me,” Cindy finished, with a laugh.

“I know. Sorry.”

“No, you’re not and you don’t need to be. Your mom’s great. You’ve been through a lot together.”

“Yeah,” Megan agreed softly, thinking of her mom and how she pulled them through after her dad’s desertion and death. She’d shown remarkable strength and character. Instead of simply carrying on with life and living comfortably from her husband’s insurance policy, her mother made some life-altering decisions. She’d gone to real estate school, sold the big house and bought something moderate, but nice, for the two of them. She moved them into it and began a career at which she excelled and still loved today.

“She’s amazing,” Cindy said, as if reading her mind.

Megan smiled. “That she is. She’s a rock.”

“Not to mention smart, beautiful and talented.”

“Yes, she is,” Megan proudly agreed a second time. For a few minutes, Megan was lost in memories of her mom raising her, showering her with love, teaching her to be independent and to think for herself, all while showing her how to have integrity and character.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, their sandwiches were delivered. Just as Megan took a bite of her sandwich, Cindy abruptly changed the subject.

“So, what do you think of Lee Grainger?”

Megan choked, spewing sandwich pieces across the table as she did. The other pieces went down her throat in such a fashion she began to cough. After a few hearty pats on the back from Cindy and a couple of swallows of soda, Megan was able to breathe again.

“Are you all right now?”

Megan nodded. “Yeah, I’m sorry I spit my food on you.”

“No problem. I’m a mother and accustomed to being spit on.” Cindy laughed, but not being one who was easily dissuaded, returned to the question. “As I was asking before the projectile sandwich hit me, what do you think of Lee Grainger? I know he’s very handsome, but that was some response.”

“Boy, you sure know how to change the subject.” Megan took a bite of her sandwich as she stalled for time and chewed slowly trying to think of the best way to answer her friend’s question. She didn’t want to create any problems or hurt Cindy.

“Really, Cindy, it would be unkind of me to comment negatively about a friend of yours and Alan’s,” Megan answered truthfully and evasively. Cindy’s mouth popped open in surprise.

“How could you form a negative opinion based on one meeting—the encounter being one where he saved your dog’s life?” Cindy was obviously perplexed.

“It was more than one encounter. Let’s just say Dr. Grainger and I have bumped into each other a couple of times,” Megan somewhat explained.

“Still, I’m assuming those were brief encounters. Lee is one of the kindest, most dependable, trustworthy men I know. He and Alan are cut from the same cloth, you know. He serves the Lord faithfully, he’s intelligent and he’s handsome to boot—”

“If you must know, he asked me out!” Megan blurted, before Cindy could continue with her recitation of Dr. Grainger’s wonderful attributes.

“And?”

“And he’s married!” Megan exclaimed, with an exasperated breath. Good grief, what’s wrong with Cindy? Had she taken leave of her senses?

“He is?” Cindy asked in confusion and then adamantly responded, “He is not!”

It was Megan’s turn to be confused. “He’s not?”

“Not to my knowledge and I should know. He’s living in the cabin on the back of our property until he decides if he wants to move here and take on the partnership with Alan. He eats dinner at my table nearly every evening.”

Megan swallowed hard. Then, she swallowed again. This was a lot of information to digest. It would seem she’d been misinformed. As she replayed the events in her mind, she realized she hadn’t been informed at all—she had assumed. Her lack of trust for the opposite sex had caused her to completely misjudge Cindy and Alan’s friend. As a result, she had treated him harshly.

“But…I thought…somehow I’ve gotten my wires crossed, Cindy, and I’m afraid I haven’t been very pleasant to your friend Lee.” She would forego mentioning dumping macaroni salad all over him, although that had been an accident.

“I’m sure you’ll have the opportunity to make amends, and if I know Lee, he will be quick to forgive you,” Cindy tried reassuring her.

“I’m afraid I’ve made a terrible impression on the man. I don’t know what I’ll say,” Megan admitted.

“How about—I’m sorry. Followed by, what about that date?” Cindy teased.

“You’re terrible.” Megan laughed.

“Yeah, but you gotta love me.”

“That I do,” Megan agreed and then continued on a serious note. “I definitely need to apologize, but even if he does speak to me again, I don’t think I’m ready to date.”

Cindy didn’t press the issue. In high school and in college they had kept no secrets, sharing all of the hurts from childhood and all of their hopes for the future. Cindy knew Megan was a very private and proud person while she knew Cindy was sensitive and would wait until she was ready to share whatever it was. Until then, Cindy would continue to pray for her.

Cindy interrupted Megan’s thoughts. “So tell me what gave you the impression Lee’s married?”

Megan explained about the night at the church social, unable to leave out the part about the macaroni salad. This time Cindy was laughing so hard she nearly choked and tears were streaming from her eyes.

“So, let me get this straight. He gets a phone call and you mentioned his wife which left you thinking he’s married?”

“I thought it was his wife and he didn’t say it wasn’t…come to think of it, I think he may have tried but I rushed away. He did manage to get in that he had an emergency but that was as far as I let him get.”

Cindy nodded. “That would be the night the Bailey’s mare came down with colic. He took the call that night so Alan could take me home. The baby was running a fever, remember?”

Megan nodded her head and let out a disgusted moan. “I feel like such a fool.”

“It’ll all work out. If he wasn’t deterred by the macaroni salad, I bet he’ll find it in his heart to overlook this little blunder,” Cindy assured her as they picked up the trash from their lunch and headed to their cars.

On the way to the clinic to pick up Sir, Megan decided she most definitely should have the word ‘idiot’ stamped on her forehead. Perhaps, in large font…no, bold, large font…wait…highlighted, bold, large font would be even better. She also decided she had absolutely no ability to judge men. She fell for the lying, married ones and insulted the single, honest ones. How was that for a character deficit? What on earth was wrong with her?

Looking back on it all, she could see Lee never actually said he was married. In fact, the night she dumped the macaroni on him, he’d said he needed to explain about his wife. He was probably going to explain that he didn’t have one—had she given him time.

Perhaps after her horrible experience, she just assumed every man was a womanizing liar. In this instance, she’d made an unfair judgment about someone whose character her best friend unreservedly praised. Knowing Cindy was an excellent judge of character, Megan knew she had to fix this—for all of their sake.

As she closely followed Cindy’s car, Megan resolved in her mind that not only would she speak to Lee, she would wholeheartedly apologize for being so rude to him. She may not be ready to accept a date with the man, but at the very least, she would have refused his request in a much nicer manner.

Megan waited just outside for Cindy to bring out Sir. The moment the giant dog saw her, he nearly jerked Cindy off her feet in his exuberance to get to her.

“Okay, boy, okay.” Megan laughed, as he sloppily covered her with his large tongue in a happy greeting and drenched her with doggy drool.

“I’m very glad to see you, too.” She patted his head and then turned to Cindy. “I am going to load him and then I’ll come in for a few minutes.” Cindy nodded her head knowingly and handed the leash over to Megan.

Megan was happy to see that Sir was able to jump into the backseat of the SUV without a great deal of difficulty. She could tell he favored his injured leg when he walked and moved but she was delighted he seemed to have use of it. She didn’t know if it was proper to thank God for what seemed to be a miracle for her pet, but she was beginning to believe Sir had indeed received a miracle. Not only did he survive the surgery, but he had been able to crawl home to her. A tear formed in her eye as she thanked the Lord. Even when the words wouldn’t come, she knew He would understand her heart.

“All right, boy,” she instructed. “You stay here and I will be back in a few moments.”

Megan looked around. She’d parked the vehicle beneath the awning right next to the double doors leading into the clinic. It was out of the sun and the temperature was still only in the upper sixties so with the windows cracked Sir should be fine. Still, she’d never left Sir alone in the vehicle and she felt guilty about doing so now.

“I promise to be quick, Sir. I’m just going in to invite Lee to meet me for coffee once I’ve gotten you home and settled,” she reassured her pet as she closed the door of the vehicle and then laughed as that giant dog of hers sat straight up with his head touching the roof. The scene he presented looked very much like he was waiting to be chauffeured home.

Megan found Cindy sitting behind the receptionist desk, talking on the phone. Not wanting to disturb her, she mouthed the words, “Is he here?” Cindy nodded and pointed to the back.

Megan took a deep breath and headed down the hall. She peeked into each of the three exam rooms but found no one. Next, she went into the small area that was used as a break room for the staff. It held some chairs, a table, a refrigerator and a very worn recliner. Alan was resting in the recliner enjoying a cold soda.

“Hi, Alan.”

“Oh, hi, Meg.” Alan greeted her with his usual warm smile.

“Hi,” she returned with a smile. Alan was a jewel and Megan was thrilled her friend was so lucky…blessed to have him.

“Is Lee around?” she asked nervously.

“Well, he was, but he suddenly remembered an errand that needed his attention. He headed out just after you pulled up and Cindy took Sir out to you.”

“Oh.” Megan had a sinking suspicion Lee was avoiding her. Who could blame him after the unfair way she’d treated him?

“He did leave instructions for Sir’s care, though.” He handed her a piece of paper with typed words and a bottle of pills. “One is a prescription for an antibiotic you need to give Sir twice a day for the next two weeks. The other just explains how to best care for his wound. You really won’t have to worry a whole lot about that. God placed a natural ability in animals to care for themselves when they’re hurt.”

“Thanks.” Megan hoped she didn’t sound as disappointed as she felt.

“Did you need me to tell Lee something for you?” Alan asked.

“Uh…no, I don’t think so.” Cindy would probably fill her husband in on all the details. “I just wanted to thank him again for taking such excellent care of Sir. And…well, I’ll just tell him if I see him at church Sunday.”

“Okay, I’ll be sure to mention you asked about him.” Alan had a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

“It’s not like that. I just…” Finally, in embarrassed frustration, she blurted, “Oh, let Cindy explain it to you. I’ve got to go. I’ve left Sir in the car and he’s liable to drive off with it.”

“Okay, kiddo, if you’re sure there’s nothing else you need me to tell my old buddy Lee for you?” Alan teased.

“You know, I’m not sure who’s worse—you or your darling wife.” Megan took his good-natured teasing in stride.

“It’s a close race,” Alan admitted, without reluctance as he nodded his head.

“You bet it is. Gotta go, love ya. Tell Cindy I’ll see her Sunday.” She waved and rushed out the door.

As Megan pulled away from the clinic, she released an exasperated sigh. “Sir, it would seem my apology must wait until Sunday.”

When she looked in the rearview mirror, she saw the reflection of Sir with his head cocked sideways in understanding.

“You, my friend, are a great dog!” she bragged to his reflection.

Chapter Seven

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful. Megan awoke early, drank her usual cup of coffee, attended to Sir and began dressing for the morning church service.

Although it was late March, the winds were causing it to be a blustery day, so Megan chose a lightweight sweater with matching cardigan and skirt. The three-piece ensemble’s persimmon color complimented her complexion and eyes perfectly. She slipped her feet into a coordinating set of mules in a slightly darker shade and added her accessories of a watch, a set of pearl earrings and a matching bracelet, gifts from her mother on her twenty-first birthday. She then pulled her hair away from her face, securing it at the nape of her neck with a pearl hair clasp.

After adding a touch of mascara to her lashes and light gloss to her lips, she spent a few minutes with Sir giving him some instructions about behaving himself while she was away. She chuckled as she reminded herself that he really couldn’t understand her words. Giving him one more pat and again silently thanking God for keeping Sir safe, she headed out the door for church.

Megan parked at the bottom of the hill with the rest of the cars. Instead of immediately getting out of the car, she sat for a moment looking up at Grace Community Fellowship. Now, if she were a writer of fiction, rather than a copywriter, she would include the church in a story. Better yet, if she had the ability to paint, the colors this morning would lend themselves well to the canvas.

The property was located a mile up the mountain from Laurel Ridge. A winding road led to it, but when you least expected, the ground leveled and opened up to reveal a lush valley. The church sat atop a small hill, in the center of that valley, with mountains as a backdrop.

The church itself was over one hundred years old. It had white shingle siding, tall stained glass windows and the old tin roof had been replaced with a new, dark-green, metal one. If God did indeed choose a place to meet with His people, Megan couldn’t think of a more inviting one than this.

It was nearly time for the morning service to begin and several other cars pulled up next to Megan. Penny Phillips was getting out of the mini-van. She rushed around to open the back door and unstrap the twins from their seats. The twins had been born to the Phillips after years of trying to conceive, when the couple was in their late thirties.

While many in the church community held that their conception and birth was a miracle, the Phillips themselves certainly thought so and spoiled the living daylights out of the two. As a result, the five-year-olds could be quite the handful, albeit, an adorable, lovable handful.

Megan smiled as Penny attempted to straighten Laura’s unruly corkscrew curls while simultaneously trying to get her brother to tuck in his shirt; both were nearly hopeless cases.

“Good morning, Megan,” the twins called in unison, smiling and showing identical sets of missing front teeth.

“Good morning to the two of you.” Megan returned their greeting with a wide smile of her own.

“Morning, Megan,” Penny greeted in one breath, while in the next she instructed, “Stand still, son, and let me help.”

“Good morning, Penny.”

Penny nodded, smiling as best she could while holding Laura’s ribbon in her mouth. “Mornin,” she mumbled around the ribbon, while tugging at Lucas’ shirt.

Megan paused before walking on. “Can I be of any help?”

Penny began to shake her head no but paused and nodded her head vigorously, pushing Lucas toward Megan. She took the ribbon out of her mouth, breathing, “Thanks, Megan.”

“Not a problem.”

Megan tucked Lucas’ shirt into his dress pants while the little boy grinned from ear-to-ear, displaying the gap he now had between his front teeth. Meanwhile, Penny wrestled the ribbon into Laura’s curly locks.

“I’m running late this morning, for obvious reasons. I didn’t want to make Dan late as well, so I sent him on. I’m sorry to hold you up,” she explained and apologized.

With her task complete, Megan stood and glanced at her watch. “You’re not. We’ll still make it before service starts.”

Penny finally had the ribbon in Laura’s hair and stood as well. “I appreciate the help, Megan. You go on; I’ll take these two to their class.”

“Okay. See you inside.” Megan smiled and walked up the grassy slope to the steps of the church and stepped inside the double doors of the church thinking how impressed she was by the Phillips family. The twins, though adorable, were a high-spirited duo who could be quite ingenious with their mischief. However, the Phillips took it all in stride, with good-natured humor. Megan heard them comment more than once that their children were a long-awaited answer to prayer, a double blessing from God. With resolve, she ignored the familiar twinge of longing for a family of her own.

When Megan stepped from the foyer into the Sanctuary, she found it was already full. She sighed, realizing she would have to take a seat in the front. Her heels clicked softly on the uncarpeted floor as she made her way down the aisle and several heads turned in her direction, one of which belonged to Lee.

Megan would have expected him to avert his gaze the moment he recognized her, but he didn’t. Instead, he nodded politely, and at her surprised expression, smiled slightly.

Megan stood motionless in the center aisle searching for a seat. There was one in the front row at the end to the far right. Finally, a masculine voice intervened, “Megan there’s room, if you’d like to sit here.”

Much to her chagrin, Lee was offering to slide down and make room for her next to him. She could not believe he would want to be in the same room with her, much less offer her a place next to him.

Pastor Dan walked behind the podium to greet his congregation and get the service started, forcing Megan to act quickly.

“Thank you,” she whispered as she slid into the pew next to Lee. Megan was repeatedly drawn to the services at Grace Community Fellowship, yet, she was generally uncomfortable. This morning was decidedly worse.

If she had been even a half of an inch wider, she would not have fit in the small space in the pew. As it was, due to the confines of the seating arrangement, her slender shoulders were resting against Lee’s muscular arm. Try as she might, she was unable to avoid the closeness of contact. To make matters worse, the clean, woodsy scent of his after-shave seemed to be all Megan could smell as she sniffed involuntarily.

Mmm, it was rather nice.

After greeting everyone and making the announcements, Pastor Dan invited them all to stand, take a hymnal and join him in song. Megan stood with the rest of the congregation, noticing as she did so just how tall the man next to her was. She only came to his shoulder. She gave herself a mental kick and concentrated on her surroundings.

This was one of her favorite parts of the service. She loved to sing, though she was far too shy to ever sing with the choir, or even as a solo. However, in the short span of time she had been attending Grace Community Fellowship, she had learned the songs and did not mind joining in. As harmonious voices accompanied the musicians, a jubilant melody filled the air and Megan could not help but be impressed by Lee’s rich baritone voice as it blended perfectly with the others. All too soon, the singing ended.

As was customary, Pastor Dan asked the congregation to greet one another before they returned to their seats. “This morning, let’s all take a moment to say hello to those around you. Let them know you’re glad they are here.”

Megan turned to her right first, but as she was sitting at the end of the aisle, there really wasn’t far to go. She did say hello to the woman in front of her as she turned back to her left. Lee had just shaken hands with the gentleman on his left and turned toward Megan.

“It’s good to see you here, Megan.” He offered her his hand. She placed her hand in his and a tingle ran up her arm.

Static electricity. He must drag his feet when he walks! She didn’t really believe this explanation but it was certainly better than the alternative. She found him attractive. Very attractive indeed!

“Thank you. It’s nice to smell you as well.” At the look of confusion and then humor on his face, she realized what she’d just said.

“See you…I mean see you as well,” she managed to croak. “It’s nice to see you.”

Lee lifted his brows and then gave her a wink. As they were seated, she wondered if the pew would open up and swallow her if she prayed hard enough.

Pastor Dan again approached the podium. “Can you all turn with me to the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 29, and Verses 11 through 13? If you don’t happen to have a Bible of your own, there are guest Bibles in the pews.”

Megan opened the Bible Cindy had given her in college. With some difficulty, she located the passages while Lee seemed to find it with ease. Apparently, he was more familiar with his Bible than she was with hers.

The pastor read the scripture aloud. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”

Megan nearly gasped. Cindy had said something very similar at lunch only a few days ago. Twenty minutes later, Megan realized she had forgotten about the handsome gentleman sitting next to her. She hadn’t been distracted by the clean fragrance emanating from him, or her stupid comment about it. She had been so focused on Pastor Dan and the message he was sharing she had lost the ability to worry about anything else. Her complete attention had been in the words spoken and what she was sure had been meant just for her.

The shepherd smiled lovingly at his flock. “I want to remind someone here today, perhaps more than one someone, of the love of our Heavenly Father. A father who loves you so much He sacrificed His only son on your behalf. You do not have to walk aimlessly through this world. God has a purpose for you, and if you will trust Him, He will fulfill that purpose in and through you.”

The young minister began to candidly share the emptiness he’d experienced in his life before turning to God for answers. He stepped down from the pulpit, onto the floor closer to his flock as he told his story.

“My search for acceptance and meaning began when I was a child. As a little boy, I never felt accepted by my mother. No matter what I did to gain her approval, it wasn’t good enough and she was very emotionally and verbally abusive to me. Physical abuse came close a few times but I think she knew to draw the line there though because my father would not tolerate it. I never spoke with anyone about it and this added to the isolation I was feeling.”

He paused for a moment, his brows drawn together pensively as he went on, “When I was fourteen years old, I discovered the reason. When I was only eighteen months old, my biological mother left my father and me. The woman I knew to be my mother wasn’t. Finally, I understood why I felt out of place and as if I didn’t belong when I was with her and her family.”

Megan could relate to the perception he once held, of never belonging anywhere and of not truly fitting in. Unlike what he was relating, though, she still could not comprehend how God could help those feelings.

“Unfortunately my search for acceptance continued on through high school and into college, where I tried to dull the ache of emptiness with parties and alcohol. And…” Pastor Dan paused as if he were embarrassed about what he was going to say next, “…in relationships with girls.”

He immediately turned to Penny who was sitting in the front row. “Now I only have eyes for you, honey.” This brought a round of laughter from the congregation. He smiled and as the laughter subsided, he returned to the podium and a serious note.

“In spite of all these things, I remained empty and wounded. In fact, they only added to my wounds. It wasn’t until I turned my life over to God and walked the path He chose for me, that my emptiness was assuaged and my wounds healed.” His voice was filled with sincerity and his eyes misted with tears. Megan’s eyes misted as well.

“Perhaps,” Pastor Dan continued, “you are very much like I was, and you have suffered a great deal of emotional pain in your life which has left you angry and bitter. Or maybe your pain comes from past mistakes you have made or from others who have failed you.” Was he looking directly at her as he said that? Did he know? How could he? She had not spoken of it with anyone.

His simple message was striking a chord within her. “God will never fail you. He will forgive you. Not only that, He will help you to forgive yourself and those who have hurt you.”

As the pianist began to softly play the benediction music, Megan bowed her head as everyone else did.

“I want you to take the Jeremiah scripture home with you and think about it. If you have any questions, try doing what the last portion of that verse says. Call upon God and pray to Him; He will listen to you. Seek Him with your whole heart, and you will find Him.”

Megan’s heart was stirred. It seemed her doubt about there being a God vanished, but there was still some hesitation as to why God would love her. And, if He truly loved her, why had her childhood been like it was? Could there be a purpose for her childhood and the mess she’d made in her adult life? Was there a purpose, as Cindy proclaimed, to her being in Laurel Ridge? Would this search for meaning ever end?

Yes. A still small voice whispered to her aching heart. I have the answers you are searching for.

Megan looked quickly at Lee to see if he had spoken, but his head remained bowed. She shook her head. No, the voice had come from within. She shook her head again, but she was unable to shake the tingling sensation she was feeling. This time it had nothing to do with Lee.

At the close of the service, people filled the aisles to leave. Many of the children raced outside to play chase in the valley, while their parents mingled and socialized in small circles.

Somewhere in the process of it all, Lee slipped out, unnoticed by Megan. She couldn’t fathom how a man his size could move that quickly and unobtrusively. Nevertheless, she fully intended on locating him before he left. She must talk to him.

Megan made her way down the aisle, quickly saying her farewells as she passed a few of the people she had come to know and headed to the front steps of the church. Pastor Dan was shaking hands with the flock as they departed. Momentarily not caring what he thought, Megan blurted, “Did Lee Grainger pass this way?”

After a quick recovery from his surprise, Dan pointed down the hill toward the gravel parking lot. “He’s headed toward his truck.”

“Thanks,” Megan gushed and dashed away.

“Nice to have you here, Megan,” the minister called behind her with a laugh. Megan decided she might need to explain her actions later, lest he think she was interested in Lee on a personal level.

Megan caught up with Lee, just as he was about to get into his truck. She was out of breath from the speed in which she was attempting to walk down the steep hill and through the gravel lot to where he was parked.

“Lee,” she called, getting his attention. He paused and turned toward her. Just as Megan reached the bottom of the hill, she stepped on some loose pebbles. Given that she was wearing heels which were not at all conducive to this terrain, she felt her ankle twist, causing her to lose her balance. She landed face first in the dirt at Lee’s feet. Once there, she just lay, motionless.

“Megan!” Lee called, with concern kneeling over her. “Megan?”

Still, she lay there. Silently.

Oh, God, please let the ground open and swallow me up. She moaned. If You care about me the way people say You do, You’ll just allow the ground to swallow me.

She knew it was a ridiculous prayer, but it made such perfect sense at this moment in time.

There wasn’t the slightest rumble, or the tiniest groan, issued forth from the earth. There was no movement at all. Except that of gentle hands rolling her over onto her back. She kept her eyes tightly closed.

Much to her dismay, two huge tears escaped the confines of her tightly closed lids and rolled down her cheeks. Great to add insult to injury, I can’t even stop crying.

“Megan, are you hurt?” Lee asked anxiously. “Megan, look at me. Are you hurt?”

She opened her eyes, trying to see him through the cloudiness of tears. “No, I’m not hurt.” She pushed herself up into a sitting position.

“I’m not hurt,” she repeated.

“You’re crying,” he stated the obvious, as he checked her legs for broken bones.

“That’s true,” Megan admitted. “I’m sorry about that. Could you please just help me up, before someone sees me lying here and my humiliation is complete?”

Lee nodded, stretching out his hands for her to grab as he pulled her to her feet. She winced the moment weight was put on her ankle.

“You are hurt.” This time it was a statement.

“Not really, only my pride is broken. I think I may have twisted my ankle, but it’ll work itself out in a bit. Really, I’ll be fine,” she assured him, wiping the tears from her cheeks and straightening her clothes.

“I feel like such a fool,” she muttered more to herself than to him.

Lee stood gazing down at Megan’s tear streaked face. Even disheveled, she was more than lovely. A couple strands of chestnut hair had escaped the clasp and were framing her perfect, oval face. Her warm amber eyes glistened from fresh tears, some of which clung wetly to her long lashes like a couple of diamonds. Her creamy skin reminded him of a porcelain doll. As Lee examined her face more closely for scratches, he thought he saw a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose, which he found adorable. His eyes were drawn to her mouth where she was chewing nervously on her lower lip. Lips that were—

“Lee?” Her husky voice brought him to attention.

“Yeah?”

“I followed you out here because there is something I need to say to you.” She had his complete attention.

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“I needed to say…what I mean is…I wanted to apologize.” She held up her hand to silence him when he started to interrupt her.

“Please, let me finish. I’m afraid I’m not very good at this. I need to apologize for my behavior the other day when…when you asked me out.” She cleared her throat and continued. “I’m not excusing my actions but I reacted the way I did because I thought you were married.”

“Married? Where did you get that idea?” Then a light went on for him. “Wait a minute, that night at the church fellowship after the macaroni salad episode, you mentioned my wife. I was on the phone with an emergency when you rushed off. I didn’t have time to explain to you that I don’t have one.”

Megan nodded. “Yes and then when you asked me to dinner I was furious. I assumed another man…I assumed a married man was asking me out.”

“Megan, I realize you don’t know me well enough to know this, but I would never ask a woman out on a date if I were married, or committed in any way. It goes against everything I stand for.”

“I’m sorry. For believing the worst about you and for judging you without knowing you.”

Lee waved his hand. “Let’s put it behind us, shall we?”

Megan nodded her agreement. “I would like that.”

“Why don’t we start from scratch? On the right foot, so to speak?”

“What do you have in mind?”

In answer, he extended his hand. “Hi. I’m Lee Grainger, bachelor, animal doctor extraordinaire, and all around good guy. I am currently looking for a friend.”

With a giggle, Megan took his hand, clasping it for a firm handshake and finding herself rather tongue-tied.

“And you are?” he prodded with feigned ignorance.

“Oh.” Megan chuckled again. “I’m Megan McCormick, copywriter, and Laurel Ridge’s local klutz.”

“You don’t say?” he asked in mock surprise at her admittance of being a bit accident-prone.

“It’s true,” she countered. “Anyway, pleased to meet you, Dr. Grainger.”

Lee shook his head. “Oh no, if we’re going to become friends, Miss McCormick, you must call me Lee and I’ll call you Megan, if you’ll permit.”

Megan laughed. “Very well then.”

“I have another idea,” Lee interposed. “What do you say we skip the formalities all together and have lunch? I know a great little—”

Megan extracted her hand and backed away one step. Lee saw the look of confusion on her face. She was as skittish as a new colt and he had no desire to scare her away.

“As friends,” he reiterated. “Let’s go to lunch together—as friends. Look, I may spend most of my time with what some people would refer to as dumb animals, but I can plainly see when a girl isn’t ready for a serious relationship.” She seemed to relax a bit.

“Besides, I don’t believe a man and woman can have a real relationship unless they are first friends.”

Slanting her head to one side, she studied him warily, much as he’d seen many animals do as he tried to gain their trust. She seemed torn between bolting and coming closer. He proceeded with caution.

“Come on…” he coaxed. “It’s just lunch. Afterward, if you decide being friends with me isn’t a good idea, then that will be it.”

Suddenly, she laughed. That sound was as beautiful as the sound of the meandering brook trickling over the rocks behind his cabin.

“You’re crazy, you know.”

“So, I’ve been told.” He grinned.

“Okay, we’ll have lunch together—as friends. I’d like to follow you in my vehicle, if you won’t be offended.”

“No offense taken. A girl can never be too careful. At least let me drive you over to where you’re parked, especially until we know for certain that ankle is indeed okay.”

She nodded, limping slightly as she followed him around to the passenger side of the truck.

Chapter Eight

As it turned out, Megan ended up riding with Lee. Before Lee pulled the truck onto the highway he turned to Megan and asked, “Would you mind going to a place in Chatley?”

Megan considered the request for a moment. Chatley was a thirty minute drive across the mountain; she’d never been there and thought she might enjoy seeing the town. Besides, she’d heard the drive included incredible views and she didn’t have anything pressing to do that afternoon.

“Not at all,” she said.

“Great,” Lee said, with a wide smile before whipping out his cell phone and punching in some numbers. Megan listened as he reserved a table for two and gave their estimated time of arrival to the person at the other end of the line.

Lee snapped his phone shut with a grin and a wink at Megan before pulling the truck onto the road.

The town of Chatley was smaller in size than Laurel Ridge, but just as well preserved. By the look of the quaint village, it was a hidden jewel and frequented by quite a few tourists. It boasted a couple of cobblestone streets, remaining from a bygone era. Lee stopped his truck on just such a street in front of a two-story Victorian home. The home’s wide veranda displayed lush hanging ferns, porch swings and rocking chairs, all of which beckoned anyone passing by to relax in peaceful comfort.

As Megan walked up the brick walkway, she read the sign standing in the well-manicured yard, CHATLEY’S BED & BREAKFAST INN, HOME OF VERA’S OLD-FASHIONED FAMILY CUISINE.

“This place is beautiful.”

For a moment, her heart raced as Lee grinned at her. Acting only as a gentleman, he placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her up the stairs. He hadn’t kept it there beyond that time but she could still feel the pressure and the sensation.

“Come on in,” Lee invited, guiding her with a hand beneath her elbow, through the solid oak and oval glass door. They stepped into the wide foyer of the old home and Megan instantly felt as if she had stepped back in time. Everything was perfect from the elegant flowered wallpaper, to the rich draperies at the foyer windows, to the polished oak floors with their original luster and beauty.

Lee rang the bell resting on an antique desk which doubled as a reception stand. “You go ahead and look around if you like. I’m sure our table is almost ready.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind waiting here with you.”

“Are you kidding? I can tell you’re itching to check this place out. I’ve been here before so you go on.”

How could he discern so much about her in such a short time? How could he have known she would love a place like this? A lucky guess, perhaps. Or maybe he didn’t have a clue. Either way, she wasn’t wasting any more time standing around trying to figure it out. She was going to explore this perfectly lovely home. She couldn’t get over how a business, and apparently a successful one, could truly feel like a home. The owners must be really special to create a retreat like this.

Megan wandered through the front rooms of what obviously was once a grand mansion from the Victorian era. Lace curtains wafted gently from the breeze flowing in through the tall open windows of the large parlor. Along one wall of the parlor was a massive fireplace with an exquisite mantle covered in detailed engraving. Megan caressed the surface and marveled at the intricate carvings. Antique, Queen Anne, winged-back chairs and a settee, covered in rich brocade, were proudly displayed on either side.

Beyond the parlor was a glass sunroom scattered with thick, comfortably padded wicker furniture. A few of the inn’s residents were enjoying the sun filtering in as they relaxed or read.

Megan heard soft laughter and her attention was drawn to the wide, curving staircase with its ornate banister. A young couple was descending from the second floor. They bantered playfully as they took the steps, and upon reaching the bottom, the young man lifted the woman from the final step and into his arms where he planted a kiss firmly on her lips.

She laughed merrily and Megan’s heart wrenched.

Young, romantic love.

For Megan, it had been romantic all right, a romantic illusion. Fanciful fallacy.

Feeling Megan’s eyes on them, the young man turned and offered an explanation, “We were married two days ago.” His face was practically beaming with joy as his bride blushed and gave Megan a shy smile.

“Congratulations,” Megan offered, sincerely.

“Thanks,” they returned in unison, virtually floating out the door.

“Megan…” Lee’s deep voice called, pulling her from her dreamy abstraction.

Megan followed Lee down the hall to a glass pane door, hoping he hadn’t been able to read the emotions she was feeling, or if he had, that he would be much too polite to mention them. He just smiled tenderly and opened the door for her, stepping aside for her to exit first.

She stepped down a few steps and onto a brick walkway that led right up to a white, privacy fence gate. Lee opened that as well, and once more, stepped aside for her to pass through into paradise.

“Oooh!” Megan breathed in awe. This place was beautiful! No, it was more than that, she decided. It was amazing.

She was standing in the most exquisite garden she had ever seen. She could not imagine the care and time involved in maintaining such a place. Several feet ahead of her, on the brick path, was an arched cobblestone bridge that crossed over a quickly moving stream. Beyond that were ivy covered arches, arbors and fountains. Interwoven throughout the garden were wrought iron tables, with thickly padded chairs added for comfort.

The garden itself was a myriad of color. The dogwood trees had budded and within the next week or so would be in bloom. Some petunias were already beginning to bloom; the bulb plants such as the lilies, tulips and gladiolus were either opening or about to open. Climbing roses were woven, unrestrained up a trellis, which in another month would be a riot of color. Megan wondered what color they would be.

A large gazebo containing yet another set of tables and chairs added to the beauty of the garden, like a centerpiece on an elegantly decorated table. Lee guided Megan into the gazebo and helped her to be seated. As he pushed her chair under the table for her, she caught the clean woodsy scent of him again. It really is a nice smell.

Once he had taken his own seat, he asked almost hesitantly, “Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding?” Megan exclaimed in an awe-filled voice. “How could I help it? I believe this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. It’s like something out of a fairytale.”

His smile was one of such genuine relief at her honest pleasure, her heart melted and she was taken aback by his desire to want to please her. He hardly knows me.

As if reading her mind, he said, “I like for my friends to be comfortable and happy. It’s an added bonus if they enjoy the things I do.” Their eyes met and held for a moment of silent understanding.

Megan broke the silence. “I can’t believe we’re the only ones here. Is this real or did we step into a book? This reminds me of something I’ve seen in a movie or…”

“…Alice through the looking glass in Wonderland,” he finished for her with a laugh.

“Exactly.”

“No. We’ve just missed the Sunday brunch crowd,” he explained.

At that moment, a waitress seemed to appear from out of nowhere to take their order. “How hungry are you?” Lee asked.

“I’m famished,” Megan replied honestly.

“Great. Would you mind if I order for the both of us?” Funny, Trevor never asked if she minded, he’d just assumed and ordered. She didn’t realize until this instance how much his continual assumptions had bothered her.

Lee and the waitress were waiting for her response. “Uh…no, go right ahead.”

“You’re sure?” He hesitated and Megan nodded her consent.

Lee gave the order of Fried Chicken Caesar Salad to be followed with homemade Potato Leek Soup and fresh hot yeast bread with cinnamon butter and iced tea to drink. “Plus, I believe some blackberry cobbler a la mode for dessert would really hit the spot.”

“Wow!” Megan exclaimed over the amount of food as the waitress went to get their tea.

“You did say you were famished,” he reminded.

“Yes, well with all that you ordered, I better be. That’s enough to feed a small country.” She smiled.

“I like your sense of humor,” he complimented. “It was one of the first things I noticed about you.”

“You mean the day you weren’t watching where you were walking?” she teased.

He laughed. “That’s what I’m talking about. You’re quick-witted.”

“Some people would call it sarcasm,” she admitted.

“Well I’m not everybody,” he firmly stated.

I think I’m beginning to see that and it scares me a little.

For a few moments, after their tea was brought, they sat sipping it in comfortable silence. It was a picturesque day. The strong winds from earlier had subsided into a gentle afternoon breeze that tugged playfully at Megan’s locks and stirred the petals and leaves. In this atmosphere, she could feel herself relaxing. The tension she felt earlier fled and the reserve, that she usually wore as a cloak, began to slowly drift away, as if carried by the wind.

“Thank you, again, for bringing me here. This place really is incredible.”

“It’s truly my pleasure. I’m just happy you like it,” Lee assured her.

“Who wouldn’t like it?”

“Well, you’d be surprised how many overlook the simple beauty of life.”

Trevor would have never come to this place. This wasn’t his cup of tea at all.

What was it about this man sitting across from her that caused her to draw comparisons between Trevor and him?

Megan was given no further chance to ponder that question as their food arrived. The same waitress carried it out and a petite woman in her mid-to-late fifties with dark hair was following her.

Upon seeing the older woman, Lee immediately rose to his feet, pushing back his chair. He cleared the distance between them in two steps, calling out with delight, “Aunt Vera.” He wrapped the small woman in his muscular arms, lifting her off the ground.

She laughed merrily, “Lee, my boy, I was wondering how long it would take you to find your way over here. Your mother told me you were staying in Laurel Ridge.”

Megan was astonished. The owner and proprietor of this beautiful establishment was Lee’s aunt. Now that she was aware, the family resemblance was obvious.

“This has been my first opportunity,” Lee assured his aunt and then turned toward Megan. “Megan, I’d like for you to meet my Aunt Vera.”

Megan stood, reaching out her hand.

“Aunt Vera, this is my friend Megan McCormick.” Lee completed the introductions as Vera took Megan’s hand in her own and squeezed warmly. Her gray eyes, eyes that were almost identical to her nephew’s, crinkled at the corners as she gave Megan a smile that was as sincerely warm as her handshake. Megan liked her instantly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear,” Vera voiced.

“Thank you. It’s good to meet you as well.”

“The two of you sit down and enjoy your meal,” she ordered softly before turning to Lee, “I’ll be seeing more of you, now that you’re in the area, right?”

“You bet you will. I couldn’t possibly stay away from my favorite aunt for long,” Lee declared.

“I’m your only aunt, sweetie,” Vera reminded, with a teasing twinkle in her eye.

“Yeah,” Lee admitted with a boyish grin. “But you’re still my favorite.”

“You’re incorrigible, but I love you nonetheless,” she assured him as she turned back to Megan. “It was nice meeting you, dear, and I hope to see you around here again.”

“It was great meeting you and I truly love your garden…your entire home here to be honest.”

“Thank you. Please enjoy lunch, and if either of you need anything, just let us know.” Vera departed for the house leaving the two of them to their meal.

Megan enjoyed the playful banter exchanged between Lee and his aunt. Their fondness for one another was apparent, both in their tone and in their action. Megan had never known the joy of extended family as both of her parents were only children and their parents had passed away prior to Megan being born.

As she got her mind back on the meal, she sampled the fare set before her; the soup and salad were delicious. In fact, Megan considered them some of the best she’d ever eaten. She realized she sighed out loud after her second bite when Lee commented, “Good huh?”

Her mouth was full so she could only enthusiastically nod her agreement.

“Here. You have to try this.” He removed the towel from over the bread and sliced a large chunk of it. Then, smiling, he slathered it with cinnamon butter, which promptly melted. He handed the delectable morsel to her and watched as she put it in her mouth. Immediately, she rolled her eyes in delight, savoring the piping hot piece of heaven.

Lee laughed. “I know.”

“This is dangerous,” Megan said, taking another bite.

“That’s why I can’t eat my aunt’s cooking too often.” He patted his taught belly as he took another bite of the bread.

It didn’t look as if he had too much to worry about in that department. He looked extremely fit and toned.

Megan nearly choked on the turn her thoughts had taken. She quickly recovered with a quick sip of tea.

In between bites of food, Lee began to share a little about himself with her.

He seemed to have nothing to hide and revealed himself with an ease and confidence that intrigued her. Getting information from Trevor had been like pulling teeth. He gave nothing away voluntarily and what he had shared hadn’t been entirely true. If only she had been more persistent in her pursuit of knowledge about him, perhaps things wouldn’t have ended so badly. I have to stop thinking about Trevor. That part of my life is over.

Megan abandoned thoughts of Trevor and honed in on what Lee was saying.

“I grew up in Atlanta.”

“That’s amazing,” Megan intervened. “So did I.”

“It’s a small world,” Lee said, with a smile. “Anyway, my dad’s a lawyer and my mother’s a socialite who comes from old money.” He made the last statement without either conceit or judgment.

“Vera is my dad’s sister and the inn was her dream. She and my Uncle Tom found this place on vacation one year when I was just a small kid. My uncle dotes on her and knew it was her dream to own a Victorian house and turn it into a bed and breakfast. So, he bought it for her as a surprise. They moved their business up here and renovated this place.”

“Wow. What does your uncle do for a living? I mean that was such a huge step, unless they’re independently wealthy.”

“Oh no. My dad’s side of the family didn’t come from wealth. The only money my uncle had was through his business as a contractor. It was a huge risk to buy this old house because it was on the verge of demolition when they found it. After hours and hours of sweat and effort, the Lord blessed their endeavors and this place became a huge success, as did Uncle Tom’s contracting business. They’ve been here ever since.”

“Amazing!” It was unfathomable to her that a man would love a woman so much he would risk everything to help her obtain her dream.

“I would spend every summer here that I was allowed, missing only the ones when I traveled abroad with my parents. This is still my favorite place.”

Megan could hear the love he felt for the people and the place. His eyes told the story of the fond memories he carried.

“I can understand why. I’ve only been here a little while and I love it.”

“The summers here are wonderful. When you’re an eleven-year-old boy and there are all these hills, mountains, streams and woods to explore for hours on end…well, it’s almost heaven on earth.”

Megan got the mental picture of a young Lee traipsing through the woods and hiking the mountains, fishing pole in hand, as he searched for the perfect hole to cast his line in. “Is this where you got your love for animals, as well?”

“I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember, but yes, this is where the dream to work with them was developed—much to my mother’s displeasure.”

“She doesn’t like animals?”

He chuckled at her question. “She tolerates them at best. My mother wanted me to follow in my father’s footsteps and go to work for her father in the family law firm.”

“But being a veterinarian is an honorable profession,” Megan defended.

Lee smiled. “Yes, but somehow Animal Doctor Extraordinaire is somehow not in keeping with the image of the old family money and the Collins/Grainger standing in Atlanta society.”

“It must have been a difficult decision for you.” She reflected on the changes she’d made in her own life, the risks she had taken.

“Yes, somewhat. My mother can be a bit of a snob,” he admitted. “But she has accepted the fact, at last, that I am not going to be an attorney. However, I’m afraid she may have a problem should I choose to become Alan’s partner and move up here.”

“Do you think you will?” she questioned, buttering yet another piece of the delicious yeast bread.

“I am leaning in that direction,” he admitted.

“Cindy explained you met Alan in vet school.”

“Yeah. We hit it off right away and it didn’t hurt anything when I discovered he grew up only miles from where I spent my summers.”

“That’s amazing.”

“It was all in God’s plan,” Lee said assuredly and humbly shared, “Alan led me to accepting Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.”

She could read the sincerity in his eyes.

“What about you? What brought you here?” He changed the subject for her.

“These mountains and Cindy, of course. I came up here to visit her and fell in love with the valley.”

“You’ve known Cindy for a long time?”

“I attended private school most of my life, that is up until high school. In my freshman year, my mother transferred me to a public school. I was terribly shy and…and clumsy.” She broke into a self-conscious grin. “Anyway, Cindy was so sweet and befriended me. We’ve been friends ever since.”

Megan moved quickly from her time in college through the years to her job, which was also in Atlanta, and then to her more recent move to Laurel Ridge.

“What about your family?”

“I’m an only child; my father died when I was a child.” Megan hoped Lee did not notice how her voice hardened at the mention of her father. If he did, he was polite enough not to comment and she continued. “My mother still lives in Atlanta.”

“I bet she misses you,” Lee surmised accurately.

“And I miss her—immensely.” Her voice softened at the mention of her mother. “She is the most incredible woman I know.”

“You sound very close.” Another correct assumption.

Megan nodded. She loved and respected her mother. “We are. The decision to move away from her was difficult, but she understands and we talk often. I just couldn’t take the city any longer.” She hoped she didn’t sound lame.

“Well, it would seem we have something in common,” Lee offered.

“Our dislike of city life?” At Lee’s nod, she surprised herself by opening up to him. “I just never really felt like I fit into it.”

Although when she was with Trevor, she had tried very hard to fit in, tried to please him. “I couldn’t take the hectic, fast paced lifestyle…”

“The traffic…” Lee chimed in.

“The parties and pretenses…” Megan smiled.

“Not to mention, the pressure and stress,” Lee finished

“But here…” She waved her hand expansively indicating the garden. “In these beautiful mountains—”

“You feel as though you belong.”

“Maybe not completely, but certainly more than I did in the city with my upscale apartment and important job in a well established firm.”

“You’re still searching,” Lee surmised.

“Yes, I believe I am.” Megan surprised them both by admitting these words.

Lee reached across the table and covered her hand with his. Megan did not snatch it away. Instead, she drew comfort from the warm friendship she found in his touch and his intense gaze.

Lee cleared his throat and changed the subject. “So tell me, what exactly does a copywriter do?”

“It’s advertising except lengthier. I write mail-outs, newsletters, and brochures for small businesses as well as some major corporations.”

“Do you enjoy it?”

“Very much. It’s been lucrative, but one day, I may just try my hand at writing something a bit different. I’d really like to write a novel.”

“I’m sure you’ll be successful at whatever you try.”

“How could you know that?” She tilted her head to the side, waiting for an answer, as Lee pinned her to the chair with the fervency of his gaze. Megan felt as if her soul had been stripped bare for his inspection.

“It’s just a feeling I have,” he said, with conviction.

“Oh,” was all she managed to say, unable to break away from his eyes; thankfully, the waitress helped her out by bringing their dessert order.

Megan and Lee topped off their lunch with a sumptuous cobbler heaped with homemade vanilla ice cream and whipped topping. When Megan finished her final bite, she sighed contentedly.

“You look like the cat that just ate the canary,” Lee teased.

“I feel like that cat.” Megan laughed, patting her full tummy.

“Yes, well, you have a feather hanging out of your mouth.”

“A what?” she asked in confusion.

“It’s more like an ice cream moustache,” he explained. Before she could respond, he took his napkin and gently wiped her upper lip. The warmth radiating through the napkin caused her lips to tingle. Lee had meant it to be a kind gesture but it hinted at intimacy. Their eyes locked yet again, and for just a moment, Megan thought Lee might kiss her.

But he didn’t.

She was relieved.

Wasn’t she?

Theirs was a friendship, a new one at that. Nothing more.

Chapter Nine

The next morning, as Megan set her laptop back on the table and arranged the latest project’s paperwork next to it, she reflected on the phone conversation with her mother the day before.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Megan was finally able to reach her. Helen seemed very different—not in a bad way, just not herself. She seemed almost giddy, like a teenager. She seemed excited about something.

Helen asked about Megan’s well being. They had discussed Sir’s accident, Megan’s work, and Helen’s work, the usual things that kept them caught up on one another’s lives. But, something was different and Megan could not put her finger on it, arousing her curiosity. She was determined to find out, if not before, then certainly during their visit on Mother’s Day.

“What are you up to, Mom? Oh well, I can’t put off this project any longer.” She pushed all other thoughts out of her mind and began work.

Megan worked right through lunch. Since she was on a roll and had no desire to interrupt the creativity, she did not take a break until the phone rang. Her stomach chimed in simultaneously with a growl of hunger.

Megan picked up the receiver to discover Cindy on the other end, inviting her over for dinner that night.

“I’d like to invite Lee as well, if that’s okay with you?”

Megan could hear the hesitancy in Cindy’s question and was quick to reassure her friend. “It’s not a problem, Cindy; we had a wonderful lunch Sunday after church and have actually become friends.”

She could hear the tension leave Cindy’s voice. “That’s great. Other than me, Lee could be one of the best friends you ever have.” No questions asked, no insinuations intended.

“I’ve never had a male friend.”

“Alan and I were just friends and now look at us!”

There was a long pause while Megan digested that comment. “You and Alan make a wonderful couple, but I am not looking for anything beyond friendship.”

“Neither was I,” Cindy agreed readily. Megan could not see the smile on Cindy’s face, but she thought she detected one in her voice.

The two old friends ended their conversation with a time to meet for dinner and an invite from Cindy for Megan to bring Sir along. The Wolff property sat in a valley with rolling hills and was well fenced. It needed to be fenced to accommodate the various animals that were kept there, both on a permanent and a temporary basis. Anyway, Sir loved going to their home where he had acre upon acre of fenced land on which he could roam without the hindrance of a leash, or Megan’s weight to drag along behind him.

When Megan put the phone down, she turned to Sir and said, “Guess what, Sir? We’ve been invited to dine at the Wolff’s house tonight.” His ears perked up instantly and he walked over to the front door as if to say, well, what are you waiting for?

Megan laughed. “You may as well lie down, boy; we’re not leaving for a while yet.” With a whine, Sir plopped down in front of the door to wait. There would be no leaving him home tonight.

Six o’clock rolled around quickly for Megan. She loaded an excited Sir into her SUV and made the short drive to Cindy and Alan’s. After a short drive, Megan pulled through the gates and up the drive to the Wolff’s large two-story log cabin with a porch spanning its length. Sir was whining before she could even park the vehicle. He was beside himself with excitement. However, when she first opened the vehicle door, he just stood there.

“Well, go on you big galoot.” That’s all it took and he was off like a shot. There was no worry though; once he tired himself out, he’d reappear and lay on the front porch until Megan was ready to take him home.

Cindy greeted Megan on the front porch with a hug.

“Where’s my little angel, Katie?” Megan inquired about her nine-month-old goddaughter.

“She’s sitting in her swing on the back porch, while her daddy and Lee are grilling the steaks.”

“Alan’s steaks? Mmm, my favorite,” Megan complimented as they walked into the cabin.

“I hope you’re hungry, because these are some really huge steaks! I sent the men to the store to buy them and they came back with steaks big enough to feed a couple of pro-football players. They’re more like the size of roasts.” Cindy laughed.

Megan followed her into the well-equipped kitchen, asking, “What can I help you do?”

“Not a thing. I have the table set and the salad and baked potatoes are ready. I’ll pop the rolls in the oven and put ice in the glasses when the steaks are almost done.”

Alan and Cindy were excellent hosts, who went out of their way to make any guest feel comfortable and welcome. By the time the steaks were ready, it had grown dark outside, so the four of them enjoyed a candlelight meal around the dining room table. Lee volunteered to start a fire in the fireplace, since spring nights in the mountains could still be chilly.

The fire further complimented the atmosphere, casting a soft glow on the room and filling the Wolff home with an inviting and relaxing ambiance. Even Katie, who had been fed a half-hour earlier by Megan, dozed contentedly in her swing next to the fireplace.

At first, Megan feared she would be unable to relax and be her usual self around Alan and Cindy in Lee’s presence. She feared she would be reserved and self-conscious, spoiling the evening for her friends.

She shouldn’t have worried. Alan and Lee bantered amiably back and forth, while they ate. As with any other friend, Lee teased Megan. She felt her reservations melting. The conversation throughout the meal was playful and lighthearted, and at one point, Lee stopped eating, put his fork down and stated, “Wait a minute, there’s something wrong here.”

This had everyone’s attention and they watched in bewilderment as Lee carefully examined everything on the table.

“What…what is it?” Cindy asked.

Lee turned toward Cindy, and in a serious voice, said, “You are a brave, brave woman, Cindy.”

“How so?” Cindy’s brows drew together in perplexity while Alan and Megan curiously waited for an explanation as well.

“You’re not afraid to use your good china,” Lee simply stated, and when he saw the blank stares his friends were giving him, he explained, “With the Queen of Klutz dining with us, I thought you would have chosen something made of rubber or paper or such.”

Alan erupted with a hearty laugh, while Cindy giggled before immediately turning to Megan to see if the fun at her expense had offended her.

Megan responded by playfully slapping Lee on the arm and giggling. “That’s not funny. It’s true…but not funny.”

By the time they were all finished eating, Megan’s anxiousness had completely dissolved.

Without inhibition, Lee laughed often. There was nothing whatsoever forced or unnatural about it. When he laughed, his eyes twinkled with an inner light. It affected Megan in a way she could not explain. It seemed to radiate from deep within him and she could feel it in her bones. It was a confident, joyful sound that resonated around the room. It washed over her, making her feel just like she was basking in the warm sunshine on a chilly day.

To Megan’s chagrin, Lee looked up and caught her staring at him. She could feel the color fill her face as Lee simply raised his lips in a gentle, knowing smile. A smile saying he could see things about her that others could not see. This brought her both discomfort and curiosity.

When everyone had eaten until they could hold no more, the foursome moved their party from the table to the living room where Lee kept them in stitches as he shared some of his childhood antics.

To Alan’s feigned embarrassment, Lee regaled them with animated details of some of his and Alan’s escapades in vet school. After that, it was tit-for-tat between the two old buddies, as they strove to see who could drum up the most ridiculous or embarrassing moment for the other one. As the two veterinarians competed with their most bizarre animal/doctor situations, they had the girls laughing so hard tears were streaming down their faces.

“But it wasn’t just at the clinic or school that we had situations,” Alan said. He looked at Lee to see if he knew where he was going but Lee shook his head.

“Remember Mrs. Hodges’ tomcat?”

“How could I ever forget Tom?” Lee asked, rolling up his sleeve and pointing to a long thin scar that had faded white on his forearm. He added melodramatically, “I’m marked forever.”

“I’ve never heard this story; what happened with Tom?” Cindy asked.

“Well…” Alan started, “Mrs. Hodges lived on the same apartment floor as we did.”

Lee jumped in. “She’d adopted a huge tomcat named Tom from off the street. We liked Tom. He’d come down to our apartment two or three times a week and meow to get in, we’d give him a treat and he’d stay for a while before heading back home.”

“Mrs. Hodges had never taken Tom to a vet to get checked out so Lee and I convinced her that she really needed to do so. Since her only mode of transportation was her daughter who’d come by to take her places, Mrs. Hodges convinced the kind young interns to take Tom in for her.” Alan pointed to himself and Lee.

Grinning, Lee said, “So, I picked Tom up in my arms and carried him to the car.”

“We got in and closed the doors. Tom sat in Lee’s lap as gentle as a lamb. Until—”

“Until he started the car!” Lee interjected.

“Tom became a wildcat, hissing, fur flying and claws extended as he started doing laps around the car.”

The girls gasped and then burst into giggles as Lee finished, “We were in Alan’s little two-seater and there was no place for us to go. We opened the doors at the same time and fell out on the ground. Tom made his escape and stayed hidden for two days.”

“It didn’t occur to us until later that perhaps we should have gotten a carrier for him,” Alan concluded.

Finally, Megan breathlessly exclaimed, “Stop! Stop it both of you—right now. I can’t take any more.” She was holding her side as she gave the order.

“Me either,” Cindy agreed, wiping her wet cheeks. She stood and retrieved Katie from the swing since all the laughter woke her.

“Okay.” Lee took pity on them. “We’ve monopolized the floor and I’m sure you girls are dying to share some of your most embarrassing moments.”

Megan and Cindy turned simultaneously, giving each other an incredulous glance, aghast at the thought. Their outraged expressions brought hearty laughter from the men, who seemed to be enjoying their discomfort.

“Oh, all right.” Megan relented after a few moments of silence while the men waited. “Cindy, you especially will get a kick out of this. Alan should appreciate it as well. You guys both know what a klutz I am, right?”

“Hey, I think I can testify to that,” Lee chimed in, with a tease.

“You be quiet!” Megan said, with mock sternness.

“Sorry,” he offered, but the teasing glint in his eyes belied his apology entirely.

Megan nodded, proceeding to recount the incident of running into Lee the first time they met. As she told the story, Lee would pipe in, helping her with a detail here and there. Together, they told the story so well they would have been mistaken for a couple who’d had years of practice in joint story-telling. Where one would leave off, the other would automatically resume. Nonetheless, when it was all said and done, laughter filled the room again.

“That’s our Meg,” Cindy quipped, “the Queen of Klutz.” She smiled and squeezed Megan’s arm. The comment was made with no offense intended and none was taken. It was a long-standing fact that Cindy gently teased Megan about. Alan rarely missed an opportunity to get in on it as well.

“I’m glad she’s a klutz. We actually met because of it,” Cindy explained.

“Really?” Lee seemed eager for more information. “Do tell,” he encouraged with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Cindy glanced at her friend with raised brows, obviously waiting for permission to proceed.

“Oh, go ahead. I know it’s killing you,” Megan affably agreed.

“Well, the first time Megan drew attention to herself—”

“I did not draw attention to myself,” Megan interrupted.

“The entire school’s eyes were on you.”

“Not the entire school, just those in the lunchroom. Besides they’d have been on you, too, if you’d dumped the entire tray of silverware on the floor,” Megan defended.

“Oh this is good,” Lee teased, with a wink in Megan’s direction.

Cindy continued, “It was the first day of school and we were both starting our freshman year. The cafeteria was already crowded, and being underclassman who didn’t know the ins and outs of high school yet, we were a little late to lunch and therefore some of the last in the lunch line.”

“As I recall, you were two or three people ahead of me,” Megan interjected.

“Right,” Cindy agreed. “Anyway, there was this long line where you go through and get your tray of food and then you exit. Placed next to the exit was a huge metal tray, for the return of your dirty silverware.”

Megan chimed in, “Evidently, I wasn’t watching where I was walking and I knocked the metal container over, emptying all of the silverware onto the floor.”

“All of it!” Cindy added. “It was incredibly loud, especially since it was a tile floor and it seemed like they just kept falling. It scared the life out of me and everyone else in the cafeteria. The whole place grew so quiet you could hear a pin drop and all eyes were on Megan.”

“I was just standing there, frozen to the spot with this truckload of silverware scattered all around me on the floor.”

Cindy took over again, “Then somebody started clapping and pretty soon everyone was clapping. You know…like way to go! Good job!”

“What did you do?” Lee turned to Megan.

Cindy piped up with, “I would have run from the room and I wasn’t even the shy one. But not Meg.” Cindy gave her friend a loving wink as they strolled down memory lane. “She just looked around at everyone laughing and clapping and said in her best Elvis voice, thank you, thank you very much, took a bow and began to pick up the silverware.”

“Cindy had mercy on me, put down her own tray and helped me pick it all up.”

“What could I do? I felt sorry for her.”

“I knew it,” Megan exclaimed in mock hurt. “I've known it all along. Our entire friendship has been based on pity.”

“It has not and you know it,” Cindy began to defend herself until they locked eyes. “Oh get out of here.” She waved her hand.

“Hey…” Alan interrupted. “What about that delectable Chocolate Éclair Cake I saw you making earlier?”

“I almost forgot.” She handed him the baby. “Here, you entertain your daughter and I’ll go get us each a piece.”

Alan gladly took Katie. As Megan rose and headed toward the kitchen to help her friend, she couldn’t help but see the apparent adoration Alan had for his wife and baby.

Megan and Cindy returned from the kitchen with a tray of dessert and coffee. Lee was sitting on the floor with Katie. Megan stopped short, nearly causing Cindy to collide into the back of her at the sight of Lee sitting Indian-style, with his dark head bent over Katie’s fuzzy blond one, as they played with child’s blocks.

Megan’s heart tightened in her chest, at the picture they made. This man was getting under her skin with no apparent effort on his part.

Friends! She admonished herself, silently. We’re just friends, she repeated, suddenly feeling as if her foolish heart needed to be reminded.

Over all, it was a wonderful evening. Megan enjoyed herself immensely, although she had grown rather quiet upon returning from the kitchen with dessert. Megan gave Cindy a goodbye hug at the door.

“Thanks for including me; I had a wonderful evening. I want to have you all over to my place soon.”

“Just let us know when and we’ll be there with bells on,” Cindy said, turning the front porch light on so Megan could make her way to the SUV. When she stepped out on the porch, she found Sir waiting in his usual spot.

“Come on, Sir, it’s time to go.” The Great Dane jumped to his feet and practically ran circles around her as they walked down the drive.

Chapter Ten

It was around midnight when Megan and Sir climbed into the SUV to leave the Wolff home. However, when Megan turned the key in the ignition, nothing happened. It was as dead as a doornail. Even after several attempts by Lee and Alan, it remained unresponsive.

“Let me drive you home,” Lee graciously offered.

Megan hesitated a moment but knew it was a logical choice. “Okay, thanks.”

On the drive to her cabin, conversation flowed between them with a natural ease. At some point, the conversation turned to the law firm where Lee’s father worked in Atlanta.

“The law firm originated with my mother’s father and his best friend. My father joined them about ten years ago. His name was added to the firm, as a partner, last year.”

“We did a lot of work with law firms. Which one is your dad with?” Megan asked curiously.

“Collins and Stevens, originally. Now it’s Collins, Stevens and Grainger.”

At the mention of the firm’s name, Megan drew a sharp breath.

“Is something wrong?” Lee questioned, turning to give her a look of concern. Megan tried to recover from her surprise quickly so she could answer truthfully, albeit evasively.

“I’m just surprised. It really is a small world. That law firm was a client of the firm I worked for in Atlanta.

“Really? It is a small world,” Lee agreed.

No kidding! Trevor Raines was an associate at that very firm. It was entirely possible Lee knew the man. Her heart sank at the thought Lee might know Trevor, and in turn, learn of her relationship with him. It wasn’t plausible really, not given Trevor’s penchant for secrecy. Still! The chance filled her with trepidation and shame.

Lee attempted to carry on a conversation with her the remainder of the trip. Megan only answered in monosyllables, and looking back now, was unsure if she had even answered in the correct places. However, her hope that Lee had not noticed was fruitless.

As they stood on her front porch, after letting Sir inside, Lee gazed down at her in the moonlight.

“I have either said something to offend you, or something is troubling you,” he pointed out gently.

“Oh, no,” Megan assured him. “You have been very kind and thoughtful, not to mention, most entertaining.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. I’m just tired and have a lot of work ahead of me this week.”

“I would never intentionally hurt or offend you, Megan,” he assured her tenderly, his eyes glowing with sincerity. In spite of herself, she believed him.

She could only nod in response.

“I think someone has hurt you. Deeply,” he said, in almost a whisper.

As she stared up into his gray eyes, he reached down and cupped her face. She allowed her head to tilt and briefly rest in the warmth of his large palm, momentarily cherishing the strength and security she found there.

Lee removed his hand and Megan was surprised at how she longed for its return. Lee must have read the confusion on her face.

“I don’t want to take advantage of our friendship or rush you in any way.” He leaned down and gently brushed her forehead with his lips, whispering, “Sleep well, my friend.”

With that, he opened the door for her to go inside and then closed it softly behind her. Long after he was gone, Megan stood leaning against the door.

****

The next morning, Megan sat on her porch sipping coffee. As her mind wandered, she found herself thinking about the simple, innocent brushing of his lips across her forehead. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel the touch of his hand against her face, hear his soft voice as he reached out to her, smell the fragrance that was all Lee. So many emotions; she didn’t understand them all but she couldn’t deny the odd fluttering in her chest. Needless to say, with those thoughts and the information Lee had shared about his grandfather’s law firm, Megan would have some difficulty concentrating on work. But, work she must, so she headed inside to begin her day.

Sometime after noon, Megan answered the insistent ringing of the phone. Her heart reacted as she recognized the deep masculine voice on the other end.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Lee immediately apologized.

“Actually, I need a break,” Megan assured him.

“I promised I would check your truck and give you a call.”

“What’d you find?”

“Loose battery cables.”

“That’s it?” she asked.

“Yeah. Anyway, I can pick you up after I leave the clinic at five and run you over to Alan and Cindy’s to get it…if you’d like.”

Before she had time to consider her actions, she found herself offering, “Why don’t I prepare us a nice dinner, and afterward, you can drive me over.”

“I’d like that, but I don’t want you going to any trouble.”

“It’s the least I can do and it’s no trouble,” she assured him.

“Okay, but let me bring the dessert.”

They set a time and she hung up the phone with a whimsical smile on her face. She turned to find a very inquisitive look on Sir’s.

“What are you staring at?” she asked, almost guiltily. With drool stringing from his jaws, the Great Dane cocked his head sideways, as if she should know exactly whom he was staring at.

Later that evening, Lee pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair. “That was delicious,” he complimented the two plates of spaghetti he had just polished off.

“It was quick, easy and took very little effort—hardly gourmet—but thanks for the compliment.” Megan removed the plates and placed them in the sink.

“It was very good. Just the right amount of seasoning.”

“I have the feeling you would say that about a bologna sandwich,” she teased.

“Hey, bologna is good,” he said, in mock seriousness.

Megan laughed and then asked, “Do you want dessert now, or would you prefer to wait a bit?”

“Let’s wait. I don’t believe I have room right now.” He patted his rock hard stomach.

Megan’s eyes followed his hand’s path and had to struggle to keep her pulse in check. He certainly stays fit.

As if reading her mind, Lee explained, “I jog and lift weights.”

“Oh.” She could feel warmth rise in her cheeks as she realized she had been caught staring. Megan was able to lower her gaze from his expansive chest and muscular arms. As she did though, she found herself traveling down his legs before returning to his face. Had she been staring again?

Mercifully, Lee changed the subject. “This is a great cabin.”

“I think so. I fell in love with it the moment I laid eyes on it, even in the condition it was in.”

“So you got a good deal on it?”

“Yes. I used the money from a trust fund my mother established for me after my father’s death. I bought the cabin, paid for the repairs and moved in.”

“How old were you when your father passed away?”

“Eleven,” she stated, matter-of-factly.

“I’m very sorry. That must have been difficult.”

Megan merely nodded.

Lee must have sensed her discomfort because he changed the subject again looking down under his feet. “Beautiful floor you have here.”

“Thank you,” Megan said, pleased he’d noticed. “I refinished those myself.”

For the next little while, Megan explained her purchase of the cabin and its restoration. Lee was very complimentary of the work she had done—all the stripping, sanding and refinishing of the floors, especially having done them by herself.

“I’m a resourceful girl,” she teased.

“I can see that. A man would be a fool to underestimate you.” Another compliment brought color to her cheeks. He either did not notice or pretended not to, as he stood, took a towel from her and began drying the dishes.

“Let me help you with these.” He gave her no chance to decline his offer.

As he stood next to her at the sink, she inhaled deeply of the scent that was all him and becoming very familiar to her. Occasionally, as she passed a dish to him to dry, their fingers would touch, sending a shiver up her spine.

After the dishes were put away, Megan and Lee ended up on the back porch, with a cup of coffee and the chocolate cheesecake Lee had brought. It was a cool evening and Lee had taken the liberty of lighting the chimenea that was situated next to the rockers for warmth. It was a rather nice commodity on cool evenings, such as this one. It added to the beauty of the evening with the stars out overhead and the mountains offering a silhouetted backdrop.

Megan grabbed her favorite afghan and sat wrapped in it with her feet tucked beneath her. She sipped her coffee slowly, enjoying the company of the man beside her. Sir made his way out to the back porch and lay at Lee’s feet, with his large head cushioned on Lee’s boots.

As he talked, Lee occasionally reached down to gently scratch Sir between the ears. He may not have known it, but he was making a life-long friend out of Sir. He wasn’t doing badly with Sir’s owner either.

Lee shifted their conversation in mid-stream by asking, “So, how much do you know about this big dog you have here?”

“Him personally or the breed?” Megan quipped.

“I walked right into that—the Great Dane Breed.”

“Well, after seeing an ad in the paper offering Great Dane puppies for sale, I did a little research,” she explained. “I know Danes are a crossbreed of the Irish wolfhound and the Old English Mastiff, originating in Germany. I’ve also been told they are called gentle giants because of their demeanor and size.”

“Yeah, well something the size of a small pony does not have to be aggressive or ferocious. Their size and bark is intimidating enough.”

“I’ve discovered that. Sir is indeed gentle, but he is also extremely protective and loyal.”

“Every Dane I’ve ever come across is that way,” Lee interposed. “They are also very fond of children, which makes them great family dogs.”

Family. Now, there was a word she had not considered in some time. Once upon a time, she daydreamed about the day when she would wed and have children. She had thought Trevor was the man to complete that dream; little did she know that Trevor already had a family.

Megan snapped back to reality when Lee repeated his question.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized.

“It’s okay; I bored Sir to sleep as well.” He gave her a mock-injured look.

“You are hardly boring,” she assured him and looked to find Sir not only asleep but snoring. Megan and Lee’s laughter filled the balcony and broke the quiet night air. Sir stirred briefly, peeping groggily through half-closed eyes, only to lay his head back down, when he realized he had missed nothing of importance.

Before either of them realized it, midnight was approaching. Megan was lost in conversation and completely unaware of how quickly the time had slipped away.

“Wow, time sure does fly when you’re having fun,” Lee repeated the old adage.

“It sure does, and we’ve yet to get my truck.”

“I apologize. Is it too late for you now?” Lee asked, standing and stretching.

“Are you kidding? Not with all the coffee I’ve been drinking.”

“Great. Then let’s go,” Lee said, reaching his hands out to her and Megan placed her hands in his. When Lee pulled her to her feet, he pulled a little too hard and Megan’s body made contact with his. The impact wasn’t enough to knock the breath out of her, yet she was breathless. She was close enough that his woodsy cologne stirred her senses and the brief contact caused her heart to beat faster.

“Sorry,” they offered simultaneously and then laughed. As Megan looked up at him, the laughter died on her lips and Lee grew quiet as well. As they stood staring at one another, it seemed as if everything stilled and grew quiet. Everything except her heart, hammering erratically in her chest.

After what seemed an eternity, and yet Megan knew it was a mere second or two, Lee cleared his throat, smiled and swept his hand toward the path to the car. “After you, my lady.”

Megan gave a nod of her head, as a lady to her knight, and turned, leading him back into the cabin.

Chapter Eleven

The next Sunday morning, Megan sat with Cindy and Alan in church. Lee, arriving a few moments behind her, filed into the pew next to them. As he took his seat, he and Megan smiled warmly at one another. Out of the corner of her eye, Megan caught her best friend nudging her husband in the side, causing him to grin and nod as well.

Following the service, Lee offered to take them all to Chatley’s Bed and Breakfast Inn. “Come on; as my treat, consider it an act of gratitude for all you’ve done.”

“You’ll absolutely love the place, Cindy,” Megan promised. “The food is out of this world.” It really didn’t take much to convince the other couple and soon they were all on their way.

Megan rode to and from Chatley with Lee in his truck while Cindy, Katie and Alan followed behind in their car. Soon, what started, as a nice gesture became a wonderful habit for the foursome and baby Katie. They always enjoyed themselves and were all becoming very fond of Lee’s aunt and uncle, who seemed to love the weekly visit by the group.

Megan began looking forward to Sundays, with great anticipation. However, she was concerned it was more than just the church services. She felt as if she was learning a great deal from Pastor Dan’s teaching, or as Cindy put it, having her mind renewed. Megan also really enjoyed the wonderful time spent at the Inn and the camaraderie that was shared between the couples. However, she was finding it was the thought of spending time in Lee’s company that created the anticipation.

Just knowing she was going to be seeing him and spending time with him never failed to make her weekends brighter. As well as being a great conversationalist, with a wonderful sense of humor, he was a good listener. She was beginning to cherish Lee’s friendship and the time they shared.

While their talks were always interesting, there were also times during the half-hour drive across the mountain that she and Lee would sit in complete and amicable silence. These quiet times were never strained or uncomfortable. The more time she spent with Lee, the more she wanted to and the more she questioned how he made her feel.

Times like when his eyes caught and held hers in a penetrating gaze, causing her breath to catch in her throat. She felt as if this strong, gentle man could see into the depths of her soul. Try as she might, Megan could not escape the intensity of his stare.

Nor, could she escape the way his touch made her feel. If his hand accidentally brushed hers, or he took her hand to help her in or out of the truck, her skin tingled. If he leaned in close to share a thought, a shiver ran through her. The feelings Lee was evoking frightened her. Megan didn’t want to feel what she was feeling. She vowed long ago to never let a man get close to her, to never open herself up for the kind of pain she experienced with Trevor or watched her mother go through when her father left. Unfortunately, she seemed helpless to avoid it. Like a moth drawn to the flame, she was drawn to Lee’s warmth.

On one hand, she wanted nothing more than to open her heart to him; while on the other, she was terrified of trusting him, or any man, ever again. As the weeks went by though, she began to realize that something was drawing them together. Or was it someone? Was God putting Lee in her life?

****

Several weeks later on a ride back from lunch at the Inn, without realizing it or even knowing how the subject came up, Megan began to share her father’s betrayal with Lee. Excluding Cindy, Megan had never spoken of the incident with anyone else.

“The three years following the conversation I overheard between my parents passed with relative smoothness. It was almost as if the incident never happened. Almost. Looking back now, I can see it was an unspoken thing between my parents, and of course, one I never mentioned. They didn’t know I had overheard them and I think I wanted so badly to believe everything was okay that I convinced myself it hadn’t happened. Consequently, life resumed as usual, as did our family relationship. I idolized my father, Lee, and in turn, he made me feel as if he adored me. He treated me like a princess.”

“I’m sure your father loved you very much, Megan,” Lee offered sincerely.

Much to Megan’s dismay, her eyes moistened and she kept dabbing at the corners attempting to keep the tears from escaping. Not quickly enough, it would seem, for Lee not to notice. Within an instant, he was pulling his truck to a safe place off on the side of the road.

He turned in his seat and took both of her hands, holding them in his larger ones. At his gentle nod, Megan cleared her throat and continued.

“Shortly after my eleventh birthday, I began to sense all was not as it should be. The tension in the house was tangible, and as the days passed, it seemed only to intensify. My mother did her best to shield me from the currents surging beneath the surface but…” Megan shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.”

“But you knew something was wrong,” Lee surmised correctly and Megan nodded.

“Just as before, my dad began working late at night, not coming home until well past my bedtime. My mother and I began having more meals without him than we shared with him. Then, he began to travel on weekends.”

Looking back now as she recounted the events for Lee, Megan didn’t know how her mother tolerated it for as long as she had. Perhaps, it was her love for her husband and for the sake of her daughter that Megan’s mother had held onto the marriage with the tenacity of a bulldog. At what cost to her pride and self-esteem? Unfortunately, her mother had been fighting a losing battle, and eventually, her pride would no longer allow her to hang on to a husband who wanted to be with someone else.

Megan finally spoke again continuing her story. “One afternoon, I slipped home early from playing at the neighbors, and once again, overheard raised voices coming from my parents’ room. It was the last argument I witnessed. My father left that day.”

Lee was gently making a circle in her palm with his thumb, offering silent comfort while paying close attention as her past poured out of her.

“I don’t know how my mother found the strength to offer comfort to me when her own heart was shattered. I remember praying every night for my father to come home but he never did.” Megan grew very still.

“Six months after he walked out of our home, he was in a fatal car accident. My last memory of him is standing beside his casket, holding my mom’s hand, as we grieved over his lifeless body. I still find myself struggling with what could have been and never will be.”

“I’m sorry, Megan.” His compassion was her undoing, causing the tears to stream down her face freely. She hated herself for crying in front of him, yet again.

What’s wrong with me? She felt like such a baby!

“You’re still very wounded by this,” he stated simply, and she nodded her answer.

“Understandably so. What your father did to both of you was wrong.” As he spoke, he tenderly removed a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “But, Megan, sweetheart, you’re going to have to forgive him.” His statement caused anger to well up inside her, anger that quickly stopped the flow of tears.

“I don’t know if I can, Lee. I’m still so angry. He left us; he left me. He just walked out of our lives, just like that…” She snapped her fingers for emphasis.

“The last time I spoke with him was on the phone and I shouted at him. I told him I hated him.” Her lip quivered with the memory, the anger being replaced by pain…and regret.

“You were just a child. A hurt and frightened little girl who’d lost her daddy. You didn’t really hate him, and you don’t hate him now, do you?”

With his question, the truth hit her hard and she could only shake her head. She whispered in a low broken voice, “I miss him, Lee. I still miss him terribly.”

Lee cupped her face with both hands, with one thumb he gently swiped at a lone tear that escaped, in spite of her determination not to cry anymore.

Megan leaned her head into one of his palms, drawing both comfort and understanding from the warmth of it against her cheek. That warmth seeped into the soft skin of her face, penetrating into her bones. Without thought, as if it were the most natural thing to do, she turned her face, placing a kiss on his long lean fingers. It was a kiss of gratitude, a kiss of thanks, for his understanding. It was a kiss that took her unaware.

His eyes lit with surprise, quickly changing to something more. They moved together and Lee’s head bent as his lips captured Megan’s. She surrendered in a kiss that was at once both sweet and passionate, her heart racing in her chest, beating erratically against her ribcage. Lee’s lips were firm, yet soft.

Lee was the one who pulled away and she immediately felt the loss. A part of her felt as if she could have stayed in his arms forever. He smiled tenderly at the bemused expression on her face. Without saying a word, he started the ignition and guided the truck back onto the road.

Somehow he seemed to know she needed some reassurance that though he had broken their embrace, he had not disconnected from her. He reached across the seat and wrapped her hand in his larger one. He held it for the remainder of the ride back to Laurel Ridge.

Megan faced forward in her seat, staring without seeing. She had seen the scenery enough times now that she really didn’t have to focus to know the passing countryside. Several times, she opened her mouth to say something, but could find no words. What just happened?

Drained of all energy, she laid her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. She couldn’t help but visualize the kiss in her mind. She raised her free hand and tentatively touched her lips where Lee’s kiss still lingered. She sighed and snuggled deeper into the seat.

Chapter Twelve

Grace Community Fellowship was buzzing with activity surrounding the annual Spring Fling, which was held every year on the Saturday before Easter.

Cindy successfully roped Megan into helping plan the Easter egg hunt and the other events for which the church would be responsible. Although, reluctant at first, Megan’s excitement grew as time passed and the event grew closer. Doing nothing half-heartedly, she threw herself into the planning with all of her energy.

Lee enthusiastically came alongside Megan, Alan and Cindy on the committee Pastor Dan put together for the event. This placed Megan in Lee’s company on a more regular basis. To everyone’s delight, the planning sessions, involving the six couples, ended up being riotous fun, filled with plenty of good-natured banter. In spite of all the hilarity, the committee still managed to map out the events for the entire day.

“All right, folks, we need two more events other than the Easter egg hunt. Any suggestions?” Pastor Dan requested at their meeting.

Everyone sat for a moment silently contemplating.

“How about a three-legged race?” Megan suggested.

“Of course.” Pastor Dan lightly smacked himself on the forehead. “What would a day of games be without a three-legged race?”

“Or a sack hop?” Penny added.

“Perfect,” Pastor Dan said, writing the two events down. “Now, we have all the events covered. Now, I need a couple of volunteers to take care of one more thing for me?”

“What’s that?” Alan asked.

“I need someone who’s willing to be interviewed by the local news station and give them the run down on our Spring Fling and extend an invitation for the community to come out and join us.”

No one moved. In fact, everyone sat frozen, covertly looking at each other from under lowered eyelids.

Suddenly, Alan piped up, “Why not Lee and Megan?”

The nominated couple simultaneously jerked their heads toward Alan in shock.

“That’s a great idea…they’ll look good on camera,” Cindy chimed in agreement.

“Cindy!” Megan exclaimed.

Lee recovered enough to say, “Thanks, buddy.”

Alan grinned at his sarcasm, “Don’t mention it.”

“Maybe we should take a vote?” Penny suggested.

“That’s a great idea, sweetheart,” Pastor Dan said, moving right along. “All in favor of Lee and Megan doing the interview raise your hand.”

It was unanimous, and a few days later, Megan and Lee found themselves standing on the front steps of the church being interviewed.

“Can you tell us what a Spring Fling is?” the reporter asked, smiling at them and the camera.

Megan’s palms were sweating and her hands shook as she stood next to Lee. He described the upcoming event for the viewers, seeming very comfortable with the conversation and the camera recording them.

“It’s an outdoor event held right here in the valley. Vendors come from miles around and set up booths and tents to display and sell their crafts and food.”

“So it’s kind of like a large craft fair?” the reporter asked.

“Of sorts.” Lee nodded. “With free games, drawings for prizes and an Easter egg hunt for the kids in the afternoon.”

“There will also be live music and entertainment,” Megan mentioned, surprising herself, and then could have kicked herself when the reporter pointed the mike in her direction saying, “Tell us about that.”

Megan cleared her throat nervously. “W…well, there will be a stage put up and we’ll have a couple of local bands playing throughout the day, as well as some comic routines.”

“Sounds like a great time,” the reporter said.

“It is and we’d like everyone in the community and surrounding area to come out and join us,” Lee finished with a welcoming smile.

The reporter signed off with a reminder of the time and location for the viewers, and then shaking Megan and Lee’s hand, she and her crew began packing up.

Lee turned to Megan. “You did great.”

She shook her head. “No, but you did. I can’t believe I said anything at all.”

“You did fine. I bet we’ll have a huge response,” Lee predicted.

****

When the Saturday finally arrived, the community turned out in record numbers assuring that the Spring Fling was going to be a huge success.

The valley surrounding the church was a myriad of color from the canopies spreading across the sloping land. The canopies stood as booths for vendors offering various wares. The Spring Fling had grown in huge proportions since its inception four years earlier. What began as a local celebration by Grace Community Fellowship now had the participation of several surrounding counties. Nearby locals would trek through the mountains, arriving before dawn to set up booths where they would offer original crafts, including blown glass, wood works and quilting, to name a few, all exhibiting the pride of Appalachian craftsmanship and skill.

As Megan stood on the hill and inhaled the aroma from the foods being cooked below, she could feel the pounds being added to her hips as she stood there. The temptation to sample one of everything was very strong.

From where she was standing, she could see booths offering smoked sausage dogs, brats and hamburgers; there was even an old-fashioned pit barbeque where they were doing smoked pork. There were displays of candy and caramel apples, homemade fudge, cotton candy, cookies and peanut brittle, plus an assortment of baked goods. But, spotting the funnel cake booth was her undoing. Megan vowed that even if she had to walk an extra five miles the next day, she would have one of those, sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with chocolate. Her mouth began watering in anticipation.

The three-legged race, sack hop, games and Easter egg hunt that she and the others were responsible for would begin later in the afternoon leaving Megan with a few hours to kill. Looking down at all of the canopies, she was uncertain where to begin.

Suddenly, her senses tingled in expectation. She realized why, when two large hands covered her eyes from behind and a familiar scent filled her nostrils. She breathed in the rugged, clean fragrance that was all Lee.

“Guess who?” a deep voice whispered.

“Uh, Humphrey Bogart?” she guessed, with a lilting tease.

“Aw, how did you know, sweetheart?” He feigned disappointment in his best Bogart voice and turned her around to face him. His eyes were alight with an emotion she was almost afraid to contemplate.

“I’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for someone I know to get here so I could go exploring.” Her whole body felt alive with anticipation.

“Exploring?” Lee asked, looking at her warmly.

“Yeah, silly.” She pointed to the valley of canopies. “I am so ready to head down there and check things out. I didn’t come last time, so this year I want to try everything. So how about it, Humphrey, do you want to go play?”

“Let’s not stand here wasting valuable time; we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”

“And a lot of food to sample,” she added, taking his hand and fairly pulling him down the hill.

“Good thing I’ve brought plenty of money with me,” Lee said.

Megan seldom let him pay for her meal, always insisting on taking care of her own. “So did I.”

“Let’s just use mine,” Lee offered.

Megan paused in her descent and looked up at him, contemplating his offer.

“Let it be my treat today,” he persuaded.

“Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Bogart?” Megan asked, with a hint of a smile.

“Yes, Ms. Bacall, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“Okay, here’s lookin’ at you kid,” was her simple answer and she continued pulling him down the hill toward the activity.

By ten o’clock that morning, the valley was filled with people, including many of the new friends Megan had made in Laurel Ridge. Everyone smiled and greeted her as they passed. However, she did notice they drew a few curious stares. It wasn’t until that point she realized they were still holding hands. She knew the local gossips would be wondering if they were a couple, especially with them walking hand-in-hand, but for the first time in a long time, she really didn’t care. This felt right; it felt good.

If Lee was surprised at the change in her, she couldn’t blame him because she certainly was. She couldn’t explain it. It was as if her heart were a flower, which had been tightly closed against the elements, but was opening up again beneath the warmth of the sun.

This was something that had happened over the past several weeks. She was unsure what was responsible for the change. She felt Lee may have something to do with it and perhaps God.

Being at the Spring Fling caused her to feel like a little girl again. She loved going from tent to tent examining the many different wares. The Appalachian craftsmanship had been handed down from generation to generation, and whatever their craft was, it had been completed with painstaking detail. Their finished products were displayed proudly.

Megan stopped so suddenly at the quilt booth Lee plowed into the back of her, nearly bowling them both over.

“Sorry.” She grimaced.

“Are you okay?” he asked. She simply nodded and then walked over to the object that had captured her attention.

It was the most beautiful quilt she had ever seen. It was alive with vibrant colors of deep violet interwoven in circle patterns with golden yellow. It was exactly what she had been looking for to cover her bed.

“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” An older lady stepped from behind the table and approached her.

“Quite.” Megan’s fingers ran over the detailed stitching. “It must have taken a long time.”

“It did. My daughter and I worked on it together. It’s identical to the one we made for her bed when she got married. You see this?” She pointed to the intertwined circles. “It’s the circle of love, or wedding rings.”

Megan stepped back and examined it again. Sure enough, the two circles could be intertwined wedding rings. “It is very beautiful. If I knew someone who was getting married, I believe I might have to buy it for them.”

“You could always buy it for yourself and put it in your hope chest,” the woman suggested kindly. Megan was speechless. Hope chest! That would indicate a hope of getting married and she just didn’t think that was possible. She glanced over at Lee out of the corner of her eye as she could feel warmth rising in her face. She knew she must be a hideous shade of red by now but couldn’t stop the process no matter how she tried to convince herself it wasn’t happening.

“It’s really very lovely; I’ll think about it.” All she could think about was getting away from this booth, this situation.

“All right, here’s my card; if you change your mind, phone me at home. I live just over in the next county.” Megan accepted the card with a smile and was relieved the woman had not pressed the issue. She placed the business card in her pocket, stepping away, only to turn back as a thought hit her.

While she steered clear of the wedding ring quilt, there was something else that caught her eye. She and Lee left the booth with a Mother’s Day gift for Megan’s mom. It was a plum and cream colored afghan just the perfect size for her mom to cuddle up with while she read or watched television. The patterns on the piece were simple, tasteful; something her mother would love.

Over lunch, Lee convinced Megan to partner with him in the adult three-legged race. Now, as they were tying their ankles together, Megan wondered if she was crazy for attempting such a thing, or perhaps Lee was the crazy one for even suggesting it. After all, he was fully aware of her klutz handicap.

He paused in his attempt at tying them together. “What is it?”

“Are you a glutton for punishment? You actually want the Queen of Klutz as your partner?”

Lee’s laughter rang out and he could only nod while trying to get himself under control.

“Okay,” she relented, helping to finish tying the rope that would bind them together. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. You are doing this at your own risk.”

“So noted,” he said, with one firm nod of his head. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take since it may be the only chance I get to roll around in the dirt with the prettiest woman here.” Heat flooded Megan’s face as he winked.

Finishing the race in last place, they hobbled across the finish line covered in dirt and grass, collapsing in a heap on the ground. Struggling to catch her breath, Megan couldn’t help reminding him of their earlier conversation. “I warned you that you were taking a risk so I don’t want to hear a word out of you.”

Everyone gathered around them laughing. Someone suggested they should at least be given a ribbon for being the most determined and the most hilarious contestants.

“You’d think a big strapping guy like you could have picked up a little thing like her, tossed her over your shoulder and still made it across the finish line in first place.” Alan ribbed Lee while a giggling Cindy tried to help Megan get their feet untied.

“And how was I supposed to do that with our ankles tied together, oh brainy one?”

Alan shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “It’s not my job to figure out the details, buddy, just to point out the mistakes.”

Lee laughed and shook his head.

“His mistake may have been allowing himself to be tied to the clumsiest woman in Laurel Ridge,” Cindy added, with a smile and a wink at Megan.

Both Lee and Megan took the teasing in stride.

They celebrated their loss over a hot funnel cake, drizzled in chocolate, before returning to help with the sack race and Easter egg hunt. By the end of the day, Megan was totally exhausted, but she couldn’t remember when she had enjoyed herself more. When she laid her head on her pillow that night, her sleepy thoughts were filled with images of a certain veterinarian. A very handsome, kind one.

****

The following morning, Megan attended the sunrise Easter service. It was a service she wouldn’t be able to easily push from her mind.

Standing in front of a packed church, Pastor Dan read from his Bible, “Matthew 13 verses 44 -46 says, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

As usual he left the pulpit and walked down in front of the crowd. “I want to put this in perspective for you on this Resurrection Sunday, if I can. You see you are a treasure to the Lord—you are so much so that when He found you, He sold all He had to purchase you.” The pastor paused a moment to let his words sink in. He had everyone’s rapt attention and moved on, “You are that pearl the Bible speaks of and Jesus is the merchant who gave up everything to have you.”

“In other words, Jesus left his home…heaven, giving up all He had to purchase you. He did this because He finds value in you. This is confirmed further for us in John 3:16. A verse we can all probably quote.”

The message conveyed by Pastor Dan was that God loved the people of the world so much He gave His only Son. On a more personal note, she was reminded God loved her—Megan—so much He sacrificed His son on her behalf. Of course, having made a commitment to Christ when she was a child, the story was familiar to her. But, when her father left and never returned, he had taken her faith with him. She had questioned how God could love her if her own father couldn’t.

However, on this beautiful sunrise Easter morning, her heart was more open than it had been in years. A small spark of hope was ignited in Megan. Hope that God, the Father, truly cared for her as an individual. Perhaps He had not forsaken her as her earthly father had.

Megan didn’t realize a tear had rolled down her cheek until she felt Lee’s touch. He was sitting next to her and reached down, covering her hand with his.

At the close of the service, Alan, Cindy and baby Katie got into their car and followed Lee and Megan across the mountain to Chatley. During the past week, each had received a warm invitation from Aunt Vera to come celebrate Resurrection Sunday at the Inn. The restaurant portion of the bed & breakfast would be closed in honor of the holiday. However, the foursome was invited to join Aunt Vera and Uncle Tom for a private meal.

None could refuse the sweet invitation to spend time in their company. They all had grown quite fond of Lee’s relatives and certainly wouldn’t forego the tempting and savory dishes awaiting them.

For a few miles Megan and Lee rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Lee spoke, “The message this morning was really well done.”

Message. Funny that it’s called a message. Was it a message to her? Was God trying to get a message to her?

“Yes, it was,” she answered aloud. Silence filled the truck again, and after a few moments, Megan whispered the question she’d been longing to ask.

“Do you believe it?”

Lee took his eyes off the road for a moment to glance at her.

“Do you believe God loves us so much individually that if we were the only ones He would still send His son to die for us?”

“Yes, I do, Megan,” Lee answered, without reservation. “Don’t you?”

Did she? Megan pondered it for a moment and Lee gave her space to think about it.

“I want to. I want to believe it, Lee,” she responded, with a catch in her voice.

“Then do,” he said, taking a hand off the wheel and covering hers.

The final ten minutes of the ride to Chatley was made in silence as Megan contemplated the message from Pastor Dan. And from God; it was a message of love.

Chapter Thirteen

April showers bring May flowers. Megan stepped onto the back porch of her cabin with her usual cup of coffee in hand. She looked across what she referred to as her mountains, at a virtual canvas of vivid color. The flowers were in full bloom, dotting the hills with a festival of yellow, violet, fuchsia and crimson.

As Megan sat in the cushioned patio chair, she reflected on the two weeks since Easter. She had been incredibly busy, spending nearly every day with Lee.

The busyness was due to encroaching deadlines with some of the work for her clients as well as a result of Katie getting very sick and needing her mommy at home. The girl who usually filled in for Cindy was away on vacation so she had no other option except to call on Megan for help.

“Just answer the phone, Meg, take appointments and help Lee and Alan when they need it. I know you can handle it or I would never have asked,” Cindy explained.

“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of our little angel,” Megan assured her.

“Amy will be in at three o’clock every afternoon to relieve you.” Cindy reminded her of the high school girl who worked afternoons at the clinic.

“Don’t worry; I’ll be fine. I’m sure it won’t run as smoothly as when you are there but we’ll manage.” As Megan spoke, she could hear the baby begin to cry hoarsely in the background.

“Gotta go,” Cindy rushed and then added, “Thanks, Meg.” Megan didn’t have a chance to respond as her friend quickly hung up.

Managing, as Megan had put it, was far harder than it looked. She had never realized just how busy Wolff Animal Clinic could be. Cindy always made it look so easy whenever Megan dropped by. Easy, it was not, especially when she was trying to squeeze her copywriting in between phone calls.

It seemed the phone never stopped ringing, and during the time she had been helping out, her assistance had been needed by either Alan or Lee for several emergencies.

Apparently, Alan was the most sought after, and most inexpensive, veterinarian in the surrounding counties. The waiting room was always full so it was no wonder he wanted Lee as a partner.

Being with Lee on a daily basis, and watching him interact with both pets and their owners, had increased Megan’s admiration of him. His positive attitude never waned. She’d studied him intently, watching for a secret side to be exposed, but there wasn’t one. He was constant. Even under pressure, he remained steady, always patient and kind.

Only once did he remotely look like he might lose his cool. That was when it appeared an animal was being abused. The dog’s owner became very belligerent toward Megan as she questioned him about the dog’s condition so she could write the information on the chart.

“He got caught in some barbed wire, okay? Why can’t you stop asking me so many questions about how my dog got hurt and get him seen about?”

“I’m sorry, sir, I’m just doing my job. Our doctor will need this information so he can properly treat your dog. It will save time once you get him back there,” Megan calmly explained.

“Get on with it then,” the man snapped.

Lee must have overheard the man’s tone of voice and stepped quietly from the examining room. It was obvious by the stiffness with which Lee carried himself that he was very angry. However, he maintained great control of his temper.

“Sir, could you follow me down the hall, please?” he politely asked the man. Megan never knew what Lee said to the man, for Lee never raised his voice. Nonetheless, the man returned to the waiting room with a subdued attitude. He gruffly apologized to Megan, informing her he would be returning for his dog in several days.

Megan turned at the gentle pressure of Lee’s hand on her shoulder, looking up at him. “I don’t know what you said to him, but it seemed to straighten him out.”

“I can’t tolerate anyone mistreating an animal, or a friend.”

Megan couldn’t help thinking that Lee, like Sir, could be intimidating without so much as a growl, probably due to their size. This thought made her giggle.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, I was just thinking how much you remind me of Sir,” she said, with a teasing sparkle in her eye.

With a puzzled look, he quipped, “Thanks…I think.” He cocked his head to one side in much the same way Sir often did, saying, “You’re going to have to explain that to me when we have more time.”

“Maybe,” Megan teased again before Lee rushed off to another patient and she returned to work at the front desk.

Explain it to him? She needed someone to explain it to her. What was she to explain? Should she show that he was both strong yet gentle, protective and kind, with a wonderful sense of humor? Besides, he was the most handsome man she had ever met and she found him completely irresistible.

Oh Lord, what is happening here? Am I falling in love with him?

Shocked by that prospect, she plopped unceremoniously hard into the rolling desk chair, causing it to roll backward with her in it. It stopped with a loud clang when it came in contact with the metal filing cabinet. Silence filled the room as everyone’s attention turned to Megan and all talking in the lobby ceased. A dog whined and a cat hissed at the clamorous disruption, which sparked a chain of barking, growling and hissing from the other pet patrons.

“Sorry,” Megan offered, in a bit of a daze, to the patrons and their pets. The befuddlement was less from the impact of the cabinet and more from the impact of the thought. The thought that she—Megan McCormick, the woman who’d sworn off men for eternity—could possibly be falling for Dr. Lee Grainger, veterinarian extraordinaire.

It was a preposterous idea!

Coming back to reality, after reliving the events of the day, Megan was still unsure what to think. Nonetheless, as she now sipped coffee and contemplated it on her back porch, it seemed not just likely, but highly likely.

The fact was that a strong attraction existed between them; she couldn’t deny it. The question she had to now ask was if Lee could ever care for her the same way she had grown to care for him. Was it possible?

An accusing voice whispered in her mind, you’re not worthy of someone like him and don’t deserve his affection. He deserves someone—better. Besides, there was the issue of his faith. To put it more concisely, the issue was her lack of it.

Although she was closer to believing and trusting than she was when she first met Lee, she wasn’t there yet. In her heart, she knew that would be an issue for him.

At the ringing of the phone, she pushed her thoughts aside and went in to answer it. The deep voice on the other end caused her heart to flutter and brought an involuntary smile to her face.

“Hi, are you busy today?”

She hesitated a moment. “Not really. I’ve pretty much wrapped everything up. Why?”

“I have the day off. We’ve both been working like dogs—pardon the pun—and I wondered if you’d enjoy a picnic in one of the most beautiful spots in the county?”

He posed the request in such a casual and non-threatening fashion that a quick yes escaped from her lips before she even had time to consider it.

“Great. One more thing, would you mind hiking to that beautiful spot?”

Again, Megan’s response was quick. “Not at all. Where is it?”

“It’s a surprise. I’ll get everything together. Can you meet me in Laurel Ridge in say…an hour?”

“Sure. Where?”

“The roadside picnic area, near the deli. There’s a small parking lot where your car will be safe.”

“Okay. See you in an hour,” she agreed, before they disconnected.

****

An hour and fifteen minutes later, Lee was pulling his truck off the road, several miles outside of Laurel Ridge headed toward Chatley. Throughout the surrounding area were miles and miles of hiking trails. These trails along with fishing, rafting and gorgeous scenery brought many of the vacationers to the area. Megan had only found time to go on a couple of the trails, especially since she didn’t like hiking alone.

Excited, she climbed out of the truck and slipped on the lightweight backpack she’d brought. Lee’s backpack was slightly bigger and she assumed their lunch was among the things he had packed in it.

She was prepared for the hike, dressed in hiking boots and khaki walking shorts that rolled up at the knees. She paired them with a brown tank top, which she’d thrown a lightweight white cotton shirt over and left unbuttoned.

Her hair was pulled back under the baseball cap she wore. She stood uncomfortably for a moment under Lee’s perusal but relaxed when he grinned and gave her the thumbs-up.

“I really like the cap,” he complimented, with a nod.

“Thank you.”

“Seriously, it suits you.”

Megan blushed at his forthright compliment but couldn’t help the thrill his words gave her. She knew Lee wouldn’t have complimented her if he didn’t mean it.

“Thank you, kind sir.” She curtsied to make light of it.

Lee nodded, and following her cue, asked, “Are you ready?”

“Absolutely,” she said, enthusiastically with a wide grin and a nod.

“Okay, let’s go.” He headed into the woods onto the path leading up the mountain. Megan followed close behind enjoying the solitude of nature and its encompassing sounds.

Lee kept a steady pace, stopping occasionally for water or to point out wildlife and flowers. When the path widened, he fell back, slowed his pace and took Megan’s hand. They walked this way for some time and talked quietly about everything and nothing. Then the path ran into the river, curving beside it and narrowing; Lee took the lead again with Megan following in amicable silence.

As Megan walked behind Lee, she couldn’t help but notice the way his shirt stretched across the expanse of his broad shoulders. For a mere moment, she allowed herself to wonder what the firm display of muscles would feel like beneath her fingers as her arms wrapped around him. She knew he would feel solid and strong and she, in turn, would feel protected and safe. What would it be like to throw caution to the wind and give in to the feelings she was having—to give him her heart?

Snap out of it, Megan!

“Megan—Megan? Are you okay back there?”

The sound of Lee’s voice snapped her out of the walking daydream, only to look up and find she wasn’t walking at all. She was standing still in the middle of the trail while Lee had advanced some distance ahead of her. He was now looking back at her in obvious concern. She knew she must look like an idiot just standing there gawking.

“Are you feeling okay? Is there something wrong?” he inquired, worry written all over his face.

She shook her head and smiled her reassurance. “No. I was just taking in…uh…” She looked around and then back up at him, answering truthfully, “God’s wonderful creation.”

Lee nodded his head in understanding, although Megan was sure he missed it entirely. Thankfully.

“Do you need me to slow down?” he asked as she closed the gap between them.

“No, no. The pace is fine,” she assured him. As long as I keep my thoughts under control.

“The path widens again not far from here, so if you get distracted again, I’ll be right next to you. We can stop and take as much time as you like to look around.”

Megan had no clue how to respond so she simply nodded and smiled as he turned and began the trek once again.

Around the next curve, just as Lee promised, the path indeed widened and once again they were able to walk side-by-side. Lee reached down and took her hand in his. Walking like this, next to him, seemed like the most natural thing in the world to be doing. It was comfortable. It felt right. Yet, for Megan, that could be all wrong.

Suddenly, Lee stopped in mid-stride and motioned to their right, across the stream and up the slope to a cluster of trees. At first, Megan didn’t see what Lee was pointing to and then something black moved in the bushes. She softly gasped in delight. A black bear cub was feasting on some berries from the bushes.

“He’s adorable,” Megan whispered to Lee, who gave her an amused look.

“Yes, well, his mother may not be quite so adorable.”

Megan grimaced. “Do you think she’s around?”

Lee nodded, looking around. “Most definitely.”

The cub, as if understanding their conversation, returned their curious stare with a tilt of his head and then turned, loping off into the trees. Most likely, he headed back to his mother.

“I’ve never seen a bear in the wild before,” Megan said, with excitement. “That’s not something you see in the city.”

Lee gave her a lopsided grin and quipped, “Oh, I don’t know; I think I’ve a seen a bear there on more than one occasion.”

Megan thought about some of the grizzly, grumpy men she’d worked with and laughed. “Now that you mention it, I believe I have, too.”

Without thinking, she nonchalantly reached down and took his hand as they moved forward. They’d only taken a couple of steps when she said, “But I like these better.”

“These what?” Lee asked, in a perplexed tone.

“These bears.”

He laughed, reached out with a finger from his other hand and playfully tilted the brim of her cap forward, saying, “Me, too.”

Lee and Megan continued on their hike, once again walking single file. They’d hiked only about another quarter of a mile when mishap struck. Megan, who was on the lookout for bear, was not paying close attention to where she was walking.

Lee’s warning came a moment too late as she felt herself falling. The toe of her hiking boot was caught in something effectively pinning her foot snugly. She couldn’t seem to find anything to grab to stop her fall and found herself quickly catapulted face down on the ground with a loud thud and a cry of pain.

“Megan!” Lee was kneeling at her side instantly. “Megan, are you okay?”

She responded by nodding her head and attempting to get up but Lee stopped her.

“Don’t try to get up. Let me roll you over and make sure nothing is broken. You hit the ground pretty hard.”

“You think?” she uttered as he removed her backpack and gently turned her over, letting her sarcasm pass without comment. Two sure and capable hands adeptly ran up and down the length of her limbs checking for breaks.

“Nothing’s broken,” they pronounced at the same time which brought a smile to Lee’s face. His hands moved back to her left knee, which was now sending painful notices to her brain with stinging discomfort. Lee bent over and examined it more closely.

“You’ve taken the skin off and will probably have a nasty bruise. Other than that, it looks okay. Can you bend it?”

Megan did so, with a slight wince.

“Can you sit up? I have a first-aid kit in my backpack. Let me get some antibiotic ointment and a bandage so that I can clean this up a bit for you.”

Lee removed his backpack and began rummaging through it. As Megan watched him, she shook her head. “No, no, don’t bother. Save yourself and leave me here.”

“What?” he questioned incredulously.

“Save yourself,” she repeated pitifully, but could not contain the mischievous grin. Lee lost his momentary look of alarm, chuckling as he began cleaning her scraped knee.

“Oh you’re real funny. For a moment there, I thought you were serious and I was wondering how far I’d be able to get with you on my back.”

They laughed at the image of Lee struggling down the mountain with Megan on his back.

“You know,” Megan interjected, “It wasn’t my fault this time.”

Lee raised his brows at her statement and she pointed to the culprit. “It was that wretched root. What was it doing growing above ground like that anyway?” she finished innocently and they both burst into more laughter.

When they were finally able to regain their composure, Lee applied the bandage and helped Megan to her feet. Much to her relief, she was able to put weight on her leg without any problem.

“Do we need to turn back?” Lee asked.

“No, it stings but isn’t too sore. Besides, we’ve come this far and I want to continue.”

Lee put his backpack on and adjusted the straps. “Okay, but how about you let me carry your backpack? Plus, if the knee starts giving you a problem, let me know and we’ll take a break,” he ordered gently.

Megan smiled at his concern and handed over the backpack. Just this once, she figured it wasn’t worth it to argue. It was rather nice to have someone looking out for her. “Yes, Doctor, whatever you say.”

Lee started off, once again leading the way. Staring at the fabulous physique in front of her, Megan knew she needed to get her mind elsewhere. Feeling the need to start up some conversation, Megan called out, “What does it mean when a veterinarian is your primary care physician?”

Lee’s laughter was her only answer.

Finally, after about a half mile climb up and then the same distance down again, the path widened considerably and the ground became more level. The rushing water of the river grew louder and the trees opened up into a small lush valley. Lee reached back and took her hand once more, leading her to the most beautiful waterfall she’d ever seen. For a moment, they stood in complete silence as they watched the white water forcefully leave the mountain, speeding down the side of rocks, before rejoining the river which widened into a pool at the bottom.

“It’s breathtaking,” Megan whispered.

“Yes, it is,” Lee agreed, with a smile. “I love coming here. My uncle brought me long ago during one of the summers I spent with them. Sometimes when I need to think, or pray…well, this is a good spot.”

Megan nodded and looked up at him. “I can see that. Thanks for sharing it with me.”

“My pleasure, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share it with.” Lee’s gaze settled upon her.

He’s going to kiss me.

The thought hit Megan with incredible force and for a moment she thought she said it out loud. Thankfully, she didn’t.

Lee broke the tension as he cleared his throat and continued, “In the summer, it’s a great place to swim even though the water is very cold.”

“So we wouldn’t want to try that now?”

“I don’t think so.”

Megan turned once more to stare at the beauty before her.

“Oh…” Megan uttered, with disappointment, “I didn’t think to bring my camera.”

“It’s okay,” Lee said, removing his backpack and unzipping it. “I brought one.” He rummaged around only a second before producing the camera, which he handed to Megan.

She took it with a smile and then quipped, “What else do you have in that magic backpack?”

She snapped the picture and Lee replied, “You’re about to find out.” He pointed to a place that was flat and smooth, probably used by more than one set of hikers. “Come on, our picnic spot is right over there.”

He took Megan’s hand and led her over to the spot where he unpacked his backpack. He placed a blanket on the ground for them to sit on, and then he pulled out some bottles of water, sandwiches and chips from the deli. Megan smiled at his choice.

When she thought he was finished, Lee reached his hand back into the bag, paused, looked up at her and wiggled his eyebrows, like a magician about to pull a rabbit from his hat.

Megan giggled. “Okay, Houdini, what else do you have in there?”

“Oh…just these.” He pulled out two slices of red velvet cake wrapped in cellophane.

“You went all out,” Megan teased. “You could make a girl lose her head, bringing her to a place like this and feeding her red velvet cake.”

Lee’s eyes darkened and he grew quiet. When he did speak, his words were so soft Megan wasn’t sure if she imagined it. “Maybe I want her to lose her heart.”

Chapter Fourteen

Megan dialed the number on the piece of paper in her hand.

“Why did I let Cindy talk me into this?” she wondered aloud as the phone rang. She’d let Cindy talk her into joining other young women from Grace Community Fellowship in giving of their time to some of the older women who were either widowed, had no children, or their children lived too far away to be able to visit them on Mother’s Day. The names of all of these special ladies had been placed in a basket and drawn out by the eager volunteers. Mrs. Nettie Mae Reeves was the name Megan chose. Now Megan was giving her a call to discuss an agreeable time for them to get together.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Mrs. Reeves?” Megan asked.

“Yes,” the older woman answered.

“Mrs. Reeves this is Megan McCormick and—”

“Yes, dear, you’re the young lady who’s going to be my daughter for the day.” Megan smiled at the apparent delight in her voice. After a brief conversation, they agreed on Tuesday afternoon and the older woman suggested Megan come to her home for lunch.

“I love to cook and entertain,” she explained, with a smile in her voice. “I don’t get enough opportunity to do so.”

She declined Megan’s offer to contribute to the meal. “Oh no, my dear, you just bring yourself; I’ll take care of the rest.”

The woman’s soft Appalachian drawl still rang in Megan’s mind as she drove down the winding gravel road. Being shy, she was never at ease when meeting new people and made the attempt now to still the nervousness she was feeling in her stomach. Still, in spite of the butterflies, it felt good to be doing something for someone else. She reminded herself of this and how sweet the woman seemed on the phone, as she turned the last bend and headed past the two stone pillars marking the entrance to the Reeves property.

Mrs. Reeves lived with her husband in a cozy cottage in the valley. The information on the slip handed to Megan said she was sixty-two years old and both of her sons lived several states away. This year, neither of them was going to be able to see their mother for Mother’s Day.

Megan put the SUV into park in front of the white lap-sided house with green shutters and a green metal roof. Tucked in the lush green valley with a meandering brook behind it, it looked like a cottage from a fairy-tale.

As Megan stepped onto the front porch complete with two rockers and a porch swing, she heard the tinkling sound of wind chimes. She paused for a moment to listen to the melody created by the wind and chimes; she loved the sound.

As Megan tapped lightly on the screen door, she could see into the cottage because the front door had been left open. The inviting smell of fresh baked bread wafted out to Megan’s nose, teasing her taste buds. A woman came to the door, wiping her hands on her apron, and opened the screen door for Megan.

“You must be Megan.”

“Yes, I am, and you’re Mrs. Reeves?”

“I sure am, love, come on in.” The smile on the woman’s face truly couldn’t have been any wider or more welcoming.

Megan returned the older woman’s smile as she entered a great room filled with comfortable overstuffed furniture, accented with many thick pillows and a couple of throws. Two of the overstuffed chairs faced a fireplace made from river rock, creating an inviting room that was tastefully decorated and beckoned guests to sit down and stay a while. When Megan looked down, she discovered the floor of the cottage was made of different sized round stones as well. Scattered across the stone floor, to add warmth in the winter, were several heavy woven rugs.

Mrs. Reeves noticed her looking at the stone floor. “It really adds to the cottage affect but it gets very cold in the winter time.”

“I’m sure it does, but it is very lovely and compliments the décor perfectly.”

“Thank you. I’ve set everything up for us in the sunroom.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Good. Then follow me on back.” Mrs. Reeves turned to lead Megan to the sunroom, which was just beyond the kitchen, but after only two steps, she paused and turned back to Megan.

“Thank you, my dear, for coming over today. I can tell already that you’re as lovely on the inside as you are on the outside.”

“It is truly my pleasure, Mrs. Reeves.”

“Oh now, none of that Mrs. Reeves mumbo jumbo. To all of my friends, I am simply known as Nettie, and I’d like to think, that before the day is done, you and I will be fast friends.” With that, she turned and led Megan to the sunroom.

Her prediction was true. It didn’t take long for Megan to feel completely at ease with her hostess, and over lunch, they were chatting like old friends. As usual, Megan was careful about sharing personal information, but she enjoyed talking about her work and life in the mountains. She also found she was greatly interested in learning more about Nettie Mae Reeves.

Megan studied Nettie as they ate the delicious meal. She was fascinated by her gentility and grace, not to mention the peaceful contentment she read on her face.

Megan had seen her at church many times, but would never have guessed her age. In fact, she could hardly believe it now, although that information had been provided on the slip of paper extracted from the basket.

Nettie was still trim and fit, carrying herself with the confidence and ease of someone, who in spite of her sixty- two years, was still very active. She was quite lovely, with medium brown hair that curled softly around her face. Her skin held the warm honey glow of someone who enjoys being outdoors, and the only evidence she had been touched by time was a few gray hairs and small lines around her eyes and brows.

Her blue eyes still sparkled with vitality, while at the same time still holding within their depths, youthful exuberance and age-old wisdom gained only through life’s experience.

Megan helped clean up the lunch dishes and soon they were moving their conversation outdoors, where Nettie proudly showed Megan her flower garden. “I enjoy the damp soil between my fingers. There’s something about gardening that I find very therapeutic.”

“I’ve heard that it can be.”

“I do a lot of talking to the good Lord when I’m working out here in my flower beds,” Nettie admitted.

This brought a smile to Megan’s face. “Creating what you do out here is a real gift. I’m afraid I kill almost every live plant I come in contact with and have no green thumb at all.”

“I just broke off some of my ivy plant and put it into a smaller pot. I’ll send it home with you. It’s a good hardy plant and a good place for you to start,” Nettie declared in a non-rebuttal tone.

“Okay, as long as you promise not to be mad when I kill it,” Megan said, only half-joking.

“You just do what I tell you with it; it will be fine, you’ll see.”

The two women found their way to a wooden bench resting beneath a huge oak tree.

“What an amazing granddaddy of an oak.” Megan marveled at the size and beauty of the tree.

Nettie smiled. “Granddaddy is right; it’s probably well over a hundred years old.” The two new friends sat down beneath the grand old tree, enjoying the shade its large moss-covered limbs offered.

Over the course of the afternoon, Megan’s respect for her new friend deepened as Nettie shared memories of a past filled with her fair share of heartache and disappointment.

Nettie was from a poor family who lived in a rural county in Georgia; she was born a sharecropper’s daughter. The family moved a lot, traveling from Southern Georgia to Central Florida and back.

“We went wherever there was work. Times were hard and so was life for a sharecropping family. My life was a repeat of long days filled with back breaking labor, working in the fields alongside my father, mother and brother, on land that belonged to someone else,” Nettie described.

As Nettie spoke in quiet tones, it was easy for Megan to picture a younger Nettie, lean from hard work and not enough food.

“My brother and I grew up knowing what it was to work long hours in the hot sun and go to bed hungry.” Nettie spoke in a matter of fact tone, without any bitterness or attempt to gain sympathy from her listener.

“It’s just the way life was then. When I was oh…fourteen or so, we’d gotten the crops all in from the fields and my brother and I were waiting for my father to come back from town. He had the money for our share of the work but he never came home with it.” She paused as if she was unfolding it in her mind again. “He never came home at all.”

Megan could not suppress a small gasp. How was it she drew the name of someone who had a similar experience to her own? True, Megan knew nothing of being hungry or the type of hard work Nettie had experienced but she knew what it was for a father to never come home. She knew how desertion felt.

“He had a problem with alcohol so he rarely was thinking coherently. I guess it got the better of him that trip as he took all our money and left. He left my mother, brother and me in the middle of nowhere without even a simple good-bye.”

“What did you do?” Megan asked, unable to help her curiosity.

“We stayed there as long as we could. We ate what food was left in the house and then…we waited.”

Megan could only guess what they were waiting for.

Nettie had a faraway look on her face, as if she were in that little sharecropper shack in rural Georgia instead of outside her cozy cottage.

“You ran out of food…?” Megan surmised and Nettie nodded. “And your father?”

“He didn’t come back.” Nettie finished for her. “Finally, some of my mother’s relatives came for us but that meant dividing us up, sending each of us to live in a different home. Soon after, my mother died and I was shuffled from one relative to another.”

Megan could only imagine how misplaced Nettie must have felt and her eyes filled with tears. Nettie reached over, placed a slightly calloused hand over hers, and said, “It’s all right, my dear. It has all worked out. After all that, I met a Christian young man, who I fell madly in love with. I came to know his Lord and Savior as my own. I gave my heart to both of them and we’ve been married forty-five years. God had a plan for my life. Though my earthly father left me, I discovered my Heavenly Father had not…and never would.”

“I don’t understand. You don’t seem to be bitter at all about what he did to you. You don’t appear to hate your father…”

“I’m not saying I’ve never struggled with those emotions and would be less than human if I hadn’t. But, the same forgiveness that Christ offered to me, He in turn helped me to offer to my father.”

“How?” Megan asked, nonplussed.

“God helped me to put aside my father’s desertion and forgive him. He enabled me to demonstrate that forgiveness by allowing him to move in with my family and me, in the later years of his life, when he needed it. I took care of him until he passed away.”

Megan was speechless. She couldn’t believe Nettie could do such a selfless deed, that she could repay her father’s desertion with so much kindness. It all seemed to be too much. Words escaped her.

After several hours of chatting, Megan realized how low the sun had become and how quickly the hours had passed. To say the afternoon was enlightening would be an understatement. She learned that everything is not always what it seemed. Though Nettie was the picture of peace and tranquility, hers was not a life untouched by tragedy or hardship. She had a lot to think about on the drive home.

****

After arriving home, she looked to the sky as she walked into the house. The sun was beginning to make its final descent, casting lavender and pink hues across a darkening sky. Megan placed the potted plant Nettie had given her on the ledge of her back porch. She and Sir both stood back, examining the plant. Sir looked skeptically at it and then at Megan, and back at the plant again.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Megan declared aloud with hands on hips. “You’re thinking I’m going to kill it. Nettie assured me it’s a hardy plant, and if I follow her instructions, all will be well.”

Sir looked doubtful, almost as if he was saying, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Megan took a seat in the porch chair while Sir plopped down, placing his large head on her feet. She then tore open the sealed envelope Nettie had given her as she was leaving. She unfolded the lavender notepaper and read the neatly scrolled words penned by her new friend.

Dear Megan,

I’m writing this letter just prior to you arriving for our day together. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your time with me; I have truly been looking forward to our visit. Since speaking with you on the phone, I have been praying for you. We have known each other only casually from church , therefore, I was not sure how to pray. I simply asked God to help me do or say something today that would be a blessing to you. Not knowing anything about you, I can only assume He has a reason for the scripture I feel impressed to share with you. It has been a comfort to me and is found in the book of Psalms, Chapter 27 verse 10. It is truly a promise that has come to pass in my life.

God loves you, Megan, and He wants you to find His truth and trust Him.

Nettie.

Megan stood up quickly and went indoors, returning moments later with a Bible. With a little difficulty, she located the scripture in Psalms and read aloud, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”

Tears sprang immediately to her eyes.

How? How could Nettie have known?

She didn’t know.

She couldn’t have. Nettie stated in her letter she didn’t know why, but she needed to share the scripture with Megan.

To believe it was mere coincidence that she drew this virtual stranger’s name from a basket, this stranger with an experience so similar to her own, was just foolish. Was God trying to get her to see His truth? The truth that He loved her, His son had died for her and He had never forsaken her. She, in her anger, had turned her back on Him. Yet, He directed her path to this precious woman to speak His love to her.

She began to cry, as the realization of truth sank in. She had forsaken Him when her earthly father had forsaken her. However, He was waiting to take her up, in other words to take care of her, if she would let Him. All this searching, this path Pastor Dan had spoken of, had led her to the mountains, to Cindy, to Lee, to Nettie and back to Him.

She bowed her head in remorse, whispering in a broken voice, “I’m sorry, Father. Please help me to accept Your forgiveness as Nettie has. Help me to forgive as well. I don’t want to be alone and I don’t want to be angry anymore. I’ve made a mess of my life without You. I need You. Help me to trust again.” It was a simple prayer; nonetheless, it received attention in heaven and she knew now that He would respond.

It was almost as if Megan could feel arms being wrapped around her. Like a gentle breeze, she felt peace begin to flow over her wounded spirit. With that came something else, a feeling of belonging. She felt something she had not felt in a long, long time.

The love of a father. Her Heavenly Father.

Chapter Fifteen

Megan was looking forward to her weekend. She and Lee had been talking the night before and came upon the fact they were both headed to Atlanta to see their mothers for the weekend. He had suggested they share the ride and she agreed.

After getting Sir dropped off and settled with Cindy, Megan was sitting in her vehicle with her hands on the wheel, ready to back out of the drive. Cindy reached in and tapped Megan. “Not so fast, my friend, what’s up?”

Her lovely eyes held Megan’s with a searching gaze. “You seem…different. More relaxed and…”

Megan smiled softly. “An enormous change has taken place in me.”

“A…spiritual change?”

“One that only comes from accepting a relationship with Jesus.”

“Oh, Meg!” Cindy exclaimed jubilantly, reaching through the vehicle window to grasp her friend in a hug. “I’ve been praying for so long.”

“I know, Cindy, and I appreciate it so much. God truly placed you in my life and directed my steps here so I could meet other people who would impact my life and help me to discover the truth.”

“Does Lee know?”

Megan shook her head. She was still shy about revealing private things about herself. However, she knew that as a disciple of Christ one of the first things she should do was share her conversion.

“He’ll be thrilled. He’s been praying for you, too.”

“How do you know?” Megan quizzed.

“He and my husband are best friends, silly, and Alan says he mentions you often.”

As a blush permeated her cheeks, Megan was at a loss for words.

“I don’t suppose you’ve told Lee you love him either?”

Leave it to Cindy to always go straight to the heart of a matter. Megan opened her mouth to deny it, only to immediately close it when no words formed. Once more, she opened it to speak, but promptly closed it again. There was no denying it, especially to Cindy. Cindy gave her a face-splitting grin and patted her on the arm. No words were necessary.

Megan was shaking as she pulled out of the drive. She had the drive back to her cabin to meet Lee to get herself composed again.

****

The trip with Lee to Atlanta was more than enjoyable. Lee had purchased a new saxophone CD and it filled the car with soft music as they passed the miles with conversation. They were not far into the trip, when Lee reached over and took her hand. Her fingers remained intertwined with his until they reached their destination. Occasionally, Lee would take his thumb and make soft circular motions on the inside of her palm. The touch of his rough thumb on her softer skin sent small shivers up her arm and down her spine. How could such a simple gesture give her that kind of reaction?

As they got closer to Atlanta, Lee shared some of the plans for the weekend with his mom. Megan joined in, and while quietly listing the things she was going to do, she slipped in, “I’m going to the cemetery to visit my father’s grave.”

Lee briefly took his eyes off the road, glancing at her in surprise. By her own previous admissions, she had not been to the cemetery since her father’s funeral.

“Does this mean you’ve finally forgiven him?” he inquired, gently.

“It means…with the Lord’s help, I’m trying,” she whispered, honestly.

Lee squeezed her small hand, asking, “Megan?”

She knew the question he wasn’t forming and simply whispered, “Yes.”

Yes, she had accepted the relationship God offered through His son Jesus. She had reconciled with her Heavenly Father.

Lee released a joyous and loud “Wahoo!” so startling Megan she nearly jumped out of her skin. His evident pleasure delighted her and she couldn’t help chuckling at his response. He joined her and they were both laughing when they crossed into Atlanta city limits.

Megan grew quiet as they crossed into the heart of the city. Atlanta held many shadows of her past. Shadows she had managed to avoid the last two years. Some of which she would face this weekend; others she hoped desperately to continue to avoid.

When they arrived at Helen McCormick’s home, her pleasure at seeing her daughter again was evident. When she greeted the twosome at the door, she threw her arms around her daughter, with a cry of joy, and held her close for several minutes.

Lee unobtrusively set the two overnight bags on the tiled foyer floor, while quietly observing the two women. It would be obvious to anyone they were very close and were related. With the exception of Helen’s darker hair, she was an older version of Megan and just as lovely. In fact, she looked more like Megan’s older sister, than her mother.

Releasing Megan, Helen turned to Lee with an extended hand. “I’m Helen McCormick, forgive me for being so rude. It’s been a few months since I’ve been to Laurel Ridge to see my girl.”

“No apology needed. I’m Lee Grainger.” Lee’s large hand swallowed Helen’s as he gave her a wide smile.

“I was going to make introductions, Mom, if you’d given me the chance,” Megan teased Helen.

“Lee, would you like to come in and have some tea? Or dessert perhaps?” Helen invited.

“Actually, I’d love to, but I’m afraid my mother is expecting me and she isn’t very patient,” he said, grinning to remove any insult to his mother.

“Oh, of course, you should never keep a mother waiting, you know.” She turned to Megan and said, “I’ll just carry these bags to your room, while you see Lee off.” With that, she departed, leaving Megan alone with Lee in the foyer.

“Thanks for allowing me to ride down with you.” Megan broke the silence.

“The pleasure was all mine. I enjoy spending time with you, Megan,” he said in a low voice, his heart quickening.

“Really?” she breathed, sounding almost as giddy as a schoolgirl.

“So much so that I’d like you to agree to go to dinner with me Sunday evening before we leave for home. If you have no other plans, that is?”

Without hesitation, she agreed, “I’d love it. What time?”

“I’ll pick you up here at 5:30. The place I want to take you is on the way out of Atlanta so we can just leave straight from there, if that’s okay with you?”

“Perfect,” she said, with an illuminating smile.

Lee inhaled deeply; when she smiled at him like that, he couldn’t think straight.

“Okay then, I’ll see you at 5:30 on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, enjoy your time with your mom.”

“You, too,” Megan responded.

Lee turned to go, but before he opened the door, he pivoted back toward Megan. Opening his arms wide, he didn’t have to say a word. She walked into his inviting arms and they closed tightly around her pulling her into his large frame. Heat radiated from him seeming to take on an energy that in turn coursed through her.

“I know it’s only for a couple of days, but I’m going to miss you,” he whispered into her hair.

She turned her face up toward him, her amber eyes glowing as she whispered huskily, “And I’m going to miss you.”

Lee’s eyes held hers in a magnetic stare for a few seconds before his head slowly descended and his mouth covered hers. Moments passed as his legs became unsteady and his mind fuzzy. Lee ended the kiss, cleared his throat and gently put her away from him.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” he said, leaning forward and tenderly kissing her on the forehead. “I really do need to go now but I will be thinking about you.”

“Bye,” Megan whispered weakly.

It took every ounce of strength he had to turn and head out to his car. Everything inside him wanted to run back, capture her in his arms and kiss her again and again. He knew now wasn’t the time and didn’t want to threaten the progress they were making.

Oh, but I can wish. He turned back to see her standing in the doorframe watching him as he settled in the car. As he drove away, he looked in the rearview mirror to see her still standing there.

****

When Megan walked into the kitchen, her mother took one look at her daughter’s face and released a knowing, “Oh my…”

Her comment was lost on a bemused Megan.

“What, Mom?”

“Never mind, dear; I’ve taken your suitcases up to your room. Let’s get your clothes unpacked.”

Later that night, mother and daughter sat up, catching up on lost time. They sat on Helen’s bed talking, much the same way they had since Megan was a little girl.

Megan shared her meeting with Nettie, her mother listening intently as she retold the details of the woman’s life. Helen’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears as Megan talked.

“She seems to be a remarkable lady,” Helen surmised, accurately. “I’d love to meet her.”

“She is and you will.”

“What about this young man of yours? Is he responsible for the change in you?”

“Partially, but he’s not really my young man,” Megan answered, truthfully.

“Anyone watching the way he looks at you would disagree,” Helen contradicted.

Megan wanted to explain to her mother what, or more accurately who, was responsible for the change in her. She wanted to tell her about the truth she’d discovered but she simply didn’t know how. Her mother had not attended church since Ray abandoned them, feeling pretty much the same way about God as Megan had.

Megan snapped back to attention when her mother said, “Well, judging by the way Lee Grainger looked at you, it’s only a matter of time until he is your young man.”

“Mom!” Megan’s cheeks flushed with warmth.

“Honey, it is so good to see you relaxed, without that tense haunted look in your eyes. I haven’t seen you this way since…” She broke off in midstream.

Megan was suddenly filled with shame. She’d never been able to tell her mother the reason behind the tense, haunted look. Trevor Raines. How could she? Her mother would have been so disappointed in her. Yet, it had been very difficult to keep the secret, especially since it was the first, and only, thing she had kept from her mother, adding to the guilt she carried.

All Helen knew was Megan’s relationship with Trevor ceased abruptly. Though her anguish was apparent, Megan never offered her mother an explanation. Respecting her daughter’s privacy, Helen did not pry.

After a few moments of silence with each woman lost in her own thoughts, Megan redirected the conversation, learning some interesting details about her mother’s life. As Helen spoke, Megan detected the same lilt as she had heard on recent phone conversations.

To Megan’s surprise, she discovered her mother, who had rarely dated a man after Ray’s death, was dating a gentleman five years her senior. She and Ben Cartier had been seeing one another exclusively for the last six months.

“Ben’s wife died three years ago,” Helen explained. “I met him through a mutual friend who had recommended me as an honest and knowledgeable real estate agent when Ben decided to buy a smaller home.”

Her mother paused for a few moments as if weighing what she wanted to say. “We liked each other immediately and continued enjoying one another’s company long after all real estate transactions were complete. I hesitated telling you about Ben in the beginning, because I believed it was a temporary situation.”

“And now?” Megan questioned gently.

“I believe we’ve moved beyond mere friendship into something more serious,” Helen admitted. Helen’s face was fairly glowing as she spoke of Ben. Her feelings for him were written clearly on her face.

“Oh my…” Megan repeated the words her mother used on her earlier.

Helen gave her daughter a confused look, which then turned to surprise before changing to revelation. Finding the situation humorous, they broke into chuckles, which soon erupted into laughter. Mother and daughter collapsed in a heap on the bed, like a couple of teens having a pajama party. They continued lying there until the wee hours of the morning, talking.

When Megan asked Helen when she would be able to meet Ben, her mother smiled, answering nonchalantly, “When he picks the two of us up for church Sunday morning.”

Megan could not hide the elation she felt at that small bit of news. As usual, her mother read her well, but teasingly asked, “Are you happy about meeting Ben or the fact I’m attending church?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Mom, I’m happy to meet the man who seems to be bringing you so much happiness, but honestly, I am thrilled you’re going to church.”

“Well, I’ve been attending with Ben for some time now. He seems to think it may help me finally let go of the past.”

Megan leaned toward her mom, grasping both of her hands and staring intently in her eyes. “God is helping me to do that very thing, Mom.”

With that, Megan was able to share her experiences over the past couple of weeks. Helen listened carefully, neither commenting positively or negatively. The fact she listened at all gave Megan hope that her mom would find the same peace she had.

****

The next morning, as Megan applied a small amount of gloss to her lips, she smiled into the mirror. Pausing, she whispered, “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for caring for us even when I did not believe You did. Forgive me, for not trusting You.”

With each passing day, it was becoming more apparent to Megan that though her earthly father had left them, her Heavenly Father certainly had not.

Helen and Megan’s day together passed all too quickly. After a late breakfast, they’d gone shopping. Not living near a mall in Laurel Ridge, it had been quite some time since Megan had an excursion in one, so she took full advantage of it. The McCormick women spent the entire day laughing and talking as they tried on clothes and shoes, and then while they tested new perfumes and make-ups.

Megan didn’t realize just how much she missed her mother and told her as much, as they walked side-by-side to the car. Helen stopped midstride and turned toward her.

“And I’ve missed my little girl. I don’t know if I’ve told you often enough, but I am very proud of you. You have grown into a lovely, independent, smart and compassionate woman.”

Megan gave her mom a quick hug. “Thanks, Mom, but I owe that to you. You did a wonderful job raising me alone and I’m proud of you as well.”

“Thank you, sweetie, but I’m beginning to believe I wasn’t really alone.”

Moments later, as they were pulling out of the mall parking lot, Megan found the courage to share what had been on her heart since leaving Laurel Ridge.

“Mom, I’d like to go by the cemetery to Dad’s grave.” She felt her mother tense and proceeded with caution. “If you don’t feel as if you can go with me, it’s okay; I can borrow the car and go on my own.”

Helen lost all color in her face but responded in a voice that was barely above a whisper, “No. I’ll take you.” With that they drove on in silence, each lost in thoughts of their own.

When they arrived at the cemetery, they had to park and walk, doing this also in silence. Helen led the way, as Megan could not remember exactly where the gravesite was. Megan could read the tenseness in her mother by the very erect way she was carrying herself. As usual, Helen put her own feelings aside and dropped back to allow Megan to match her pace. She reached down and took Megan’s hand in her own, offering her silent support.

Megan needed it; she was feeling pretty tense as well. Her stomach was in knots, her palms were sweaty and she could feel her heart racing in her chest. She had not been to the cemetery since the day her father was buried. As she walked with her mother toward the grave, Megan felt as if she were that little girl again, the child who’d just lost her daddy and was approaching the unthinkable.

Helen stopped suddenly. She pointed fifty feet ahead to a small stone-fenced area, with the name McCormick on it. Her hand was shaking.

“It’s over there, honey. I’m going to let you go on alone, but I’ll be waiting right here.” Her voice constricted with emotion.

“It’s okay, Mom,” Megan assured her. “I understand.”

And she did. She knew the simple act of bringing her here had taken a lot. She would not have the strength to be doing this, if it were not for God.

Megan walked gingerly through the columns of the fenced area, marking the beginning of the McCormick family plots. It held three graves. Two belonged to the grandparents she never knew since they passed away before she was born. The other was her father’s, Raymond Harrison McCormick.

She leaned down, gently tracing her father’s name, the letters etched in the cold slab of stone that marked where he was buried.

A tide of memories swept over her. This time they did not drown her. For so long, the only memories she allowed were those of his betrayal, but now buried memories began to surface. These were the memories which would not allow her to hang on to anger.

These memories were filled with images of the two of them sitting on the back lanai by the pool, racing to see who could finish their ice cream cone first before diving into the water. Another was of her snuggled warmly under the covers, while her father sat on the edge of the bed reading her favorite bedtime story; and of him, patiently, teaching her to ride her bright pink bicycle for the first time without training wheels and then cheering very loudly when she finally did it. Those were the memories she needed to hang onto.

Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. “I miss you, Daddy—I miss you so much. I don’t understand why you left Mom and me. I don’t understand how you could do that to us, but…I forgive you.” She was crying harder now. “I forgive you, Daddy, and…I love you.”

Megan did not even realize she had fallen to her knees beside the grave, but that’s where she was, sobs racking her slender frame. She felt her mother’s arms go around her, and like so many years ago, Helen’s tears mingled with her daughter’s.

****

On Sunday morning, following breakfast, Megan presented Helen with her Mother’s Day gift. She was gratified with her choice, when upon unwrapping the beautifully woven afghan, her mother let out a long appreciative sigh.

“Oh, Megan, this is so lovely. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I bought it at one of the craft booths at the Spring Fling. Maybe next year, you can come up and go with me. I think you’d really enjoy it.”

“We’ll plan on it,” Helen agreed, with a tender smile.

A short time later, just as promised, Ben Cartier arrived to take them to church. He was a well-dressed gentleman in his late fifties with tan features, dark eyes and dark hair that had grown silver at his temples. After a few hours in his company, Megan decided she liked him immensely.

He was handsome and charming with impeccable manners, but more importantly, he treated her mother like a queen. He showered her with attention while treating her with the utmost respect. Most importantly, though, he was a Christian.

It was quite obvious to Megan he was smitten with Helen. She could not have been happier for them. If anyone deserved to find love and happiness, it was her mother.

Megan enjoyed her visit to Ben’s church, believing it was a good place for her mom to worship. Before they knew it, their visit had come to an end. That afternoon, when Lee arrived to pick her up and take her to dinner on their way back home to Laurel Ridge, Megan left with a misty farewell and an invitation for her mother and Ben to visit her, soon.

Chapter Sixteen

Once they were on their way, Megan interrupted the silence, “So where are we going for dinner?”

“It is on the outskirts of town and is called Hilltop. Have you ever been there?”

“No, can’t wait to try it.”

Their discussion turned to the scenery they were passing. It didn’t take long to reach the restaurant. The name Hilltop fit the location perfectly, for it sat elevated on a hill surrounded by giant, old oak trees dripping with moss. The back of the large split-level restaurant was filled with tall windows, overlooking a large lake and giving the diners a perfect view. On the lake’s edge nearest the restaurant, large wrought-iron hanging lanterns, as well as the ones bordering the path meandering from the restaurant balcony down to the lake, were already burning brightly in anticipation of the soon-approaching sunset.

The Maitre D’ led them through the crowded dining room to the back, seating them at a round table for two, situated right next to the windows. Lee pulled out Megan’s chair, helping her to be seated before taking his place across the table from her.

On an elevated wooden stage near the center of the dining room, a jazz band led by a saxophone player entertained the patrons with soft, soulful melodies. The elegant interior, low lighting, soft music, and the picturesque lake created a romantic ambience.

After the waiter took their order, they both sat for a few moments in silence, relaxing in the soothing atmosphere. Megan was absorbing the feel of the place, while Lee was absorbing her.

Lee stared at her, as she stared outside at the couples making their way, hand-in-hand, to the water’s edge to enjoy the sunset. Some had already stopped and were sitting on the benches that were scattered along the path leading down to the lake.

As Lee studied Megan, he couldn’t help but think she had never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment. Her chestnut hair was swept up in a twist highlighting her high cheekbones. A few stray tendrils escaped which only served to draw attention to the graceful slope of her slender neck.

Her face radiated with a soft glow that it had not had before she came to Christ and this made her even lovelier. Lee loved everything about her, especially those few freckles that were lightly scattered across that pert nose of hers.

Her hand was lying idly on the table as Lee reached over and covered it with his. When she turned her head toward him, the look he thought he saw in her eyes took his breath away and caused his heart to skip a beat. Yet, it was there and then gone so quickly he wondered if he had been mistaken. He cleared his throat slightly, asking, “How was your weekend?”

At his question, her entire face lit up. Without reserve, she launched into a discourse of the past two days’ events, including how close she believed her mother was to coming to Christ, her meeting the new man in her mother’s life and her visit to her dad’s grave. She paused only long enough for the waiter to set their food before them and refill their glasses.

Lee enjoyed watching her. Her expressions were animated and she was talking with her hands.

“Wow. Sounds like God’s really been working on your behalf, as well as your mom’s.” He was thankful for Megan being able to visit the cemetery and begin putting things behind her at last.

“It’s amazing, Lee. I am so humbled by the fact He really has been faithful, while I on the other hand—” she broke the sentence off.

“I felt exactly the same way when I finally came to the realization God was looking after me and directing my steps, even while I was rejecting Him.”

She nodded as she swallowed another bite of the prime rib Lee had ordered her. “How was the visit with your mom?”

“It was good, though tense at times. She’s supposed to come visit me in Laurel Ridge soon.”

“Really, why?”

“Because she wants to see me,” Lee answered teasingly, knowing full well she was questioning the first half of his statement.

“Okay, smarty pants. I meant…why was it tense?”

“My mother is still unhappy about the possibility I may move to Laurel Ridge permanently. Plus, she doesn’t understand my Christian walk, or why I won’t ask Felicia to marry me.”

“Felicia who?” she asked softly hoping her voice was not filled with the tenseness she was suddenly feeling at the thought of Lee engaged or married.

“Someone I used to date.”

Megan grew quiet for a moment as she sipped her drink and looked out the window at the starlit sky and glowing lanterns reflecting off the lake.

“Do you want to marry her?” Megan finally asked, with baited breath.

“At one time I thought I did.”

“And now…?”

“Now, I’m a very different person from the one Felicia believes she fell in love with, or at least wants to share her life,” he answered, honestly.

“How so?” Megan probed, though she believed she already knew the answers.

“Other than the obvious reason of my conversion, my priorities have changed drastically.”

“Like the whole city/country thing?”

“Yeah that among other issues…I don’t believe it.” Lee changed the subject in midsentence.

****

Megan followed his gaze to a tall, statuesque brunette who was walking toward their table. Or rather sauntering seductively. She seemed very familiar and Megan felt certain she knew her from somewhere. As she tried to figure out where, the hair on the back of Megan’s neck stood on end.

Lee stood politely as the woman approached the table and then reached over to kiss him on the lips.

“Lee, darling,” she fairly purred. “Your mother told me you might be here tonight.”

Lee did not look overjoyed at this information as the beauty promptly turned her attention to Megan, and with a catlike smile, said, “Well hello…Megan, isn’t it?”

Recognition hit Megan, with no less of an impact than a punch in the gut. Her dinner lurched into her throat.

“You know each other?” Lee asked, in surprise.

Megan was completely unable to speak.

Felicia took full advantage of her silence. “I’d say we’re more like acquaintances, wouldn’t you, Megan? I don’t think we were ever formally introduced, but we traveled somewhat in the same circle.” She paused and looked at Megan with gleaming cat eyes.

“In fact, I believe another acquaintance of yours is here tonight, too, Megan. Perhaps you’ll bump into Trevor; I’m sure Lee would like to meet him.” Felicia gave her a malicious smile.

“Well, I must be off. Lee, darling, I’ll give you a call about that invitation to come visit.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Lee’s, this time pressing her body to his. Immediately, gently but firmly, he moved her away. When he looked down at Megan, his face was flushed with color.

“I’m sorry, darling; I forgot how proper you’ve become.” Felicia breathed, before turning to Megan, like a cat toying with a mouse.

“If I spot Trevor again, I’ll be sure to let him know you’re here. I’m certain he’d be interested in seeing you again.” With that final blow, Felicia turned and sashayed away.

Lee sat back down and stared at Megan, who simply stared numbly at him. She could feel all of the color draining from her face. She was shaken, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

Megan’s insides were in turmoil. She could not believe this woman was the Felicia who Lee dated. She could not believe, that of all the restaurants in the surrounding Atlanta area, her past would meet her here tonight.

She wanted to say something, but fear and shame kept her silent. Finally, when she did speak, she said in a strange voice, “That’s really not your color.”

When Lee looked nonplussed, she added, “You’re wearing your girlfriend’s bright red lipstick.”

****

The evening had such an enchanted beginning, Megan mused on the silent road home, but it had ended with a sickening jolt.

Thankfully, she had no encounter with Trevor and didn’t know if he was really even there. However, the fear that she may indeed run into him was enough to ruin her appetite, spoil her evening, and make her want to find the nearest hole to crawl into.

What made her believe she could ever escape what she’d done?

After Felicia left, they declined dessert and departed without taking the anticipated walk down to the lake. The journey home was overwhelmed with stiff silence. After several unsuccessful attempts to draw her into conversation, Lee finally gave up.

Upon arriving at her cabin, Lee parked his car and unloaded Megan’s bags, taking them up the front steps and putting them by the front door. He waited as Megan fumbled with the key and then tried to get the door unlocked.

She knew what she must do.

She could not keep her hands from shaking. After a couple more failed attempts, Lee took the key from her, slipped it easily into the lock and turned the knob. He pushed the door open and moved her bags, setting them down inside.

Lee turned toward her. “Megan?”

She had not turned the lights on, but the moon was shining brightly enough that she could read the confusion on his face.

She knew what she should do but she didn’t have the courage. Maybe she could wait. Sleep on it and maybe an answer would come to her. She couldn’t bear to let him go. Not now, not when she’d just found him. She looked up at his handsome face etched with lines of concern as he waited for her to answer him. He was such a gentle, caring man. He was her gentle giant.

Without thought, Megan wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest.

“I’m okay,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “I’m just tired.” That wasn’t untrue. She was tired and scared. And, she completely disliked Felicia. She supposed she should pray about that. Later.

As if reading her thoughts, Lee offered gently, “Look, I’m really sorry about Felicia. She can be…well…she can really be something else. I had no idea—”

“It’s okay—really. I shouldn’t have let it get to me and I shouldn’t have responded the way I did. I can’t picture you with someone like that.”

Lee rested his head on top of hers. “I can’t either—now.”

“But you could once?”

“Yeah, but it seems like a long time ago.”

Megan nodded her head. She was the last person to judge someone for making a mistake in a relationship.

She wanted to stay wrapped securely in his arms for the remainder of the night, perhaps even forever, but instead she gently extracted herself. “You must be tired and I know you’ll have a long day tomorrow. You better get going.” She smiled so he would know she wasn’t angry.

“You’re okay?” He wanted to know anyway. She nodded.

“We’re okay?” He rephrased the question and she could hear the disquiet in his voice. Megan reached up and stroked his cheek with her palm.

“Yes,” she reassured him and then stood on her toes, pressing her lips to his. She meant for it to be a quick kiss but their emotion turned it into something much longer and deeper. Megan was first to pull away.

“You better get out of here,” she said in a breathless voice. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she could tell by the look on Lee’s face that he was just as deeply affected.

“That’s probably a good idea,” he agreed, smiling down at her and stepping off the porch. This put him more on her level as she reached out and cupped his face between both her hands. They stood that way for a moment, staring into one another’s eyes before Lee captured Megan’s lips with his. Her arms slipped around him and she rested one hand on his shoulder and the other around his neck, while he laced his fingers through the thick tendrils of her hair. Time ceased to matter for either of them, for a moment, before reason interjected and Lee disengaged himself from Megan, stepping farther away.

“I’ve got to go…before—”

“I know.” And she did.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised.

Megan nodded and turned away, stopping inside to watch him through the window as he drove away.

Later that night as Megan lay in bed, she contemplated the evening. She tried praying for peace. Her heart ached at the thought of Lee discovering what she’d done. Tonight had actually been the second time she’d met Felicia. The first time was only months before Megan moved from Atlanta to Laurel Ridge.

She and Trevor had been at a party given by his law firm. It was a brief encounter, but one Megan remembered. Felicia obviously did as well. She dropped some strong hints in Megan’s direction about Trevor, but Megan failed to pick up on them. Harsh reality would come with a cruel blow only a short time later.

It would seem Megan could no longer avoid her past, or continue to run from the memories. They had caught up with her at last. Guilt and shame came with them.

She rolled over, punched the pillow in an attempt to get comfortable and released a sigh of frustration as she stared forlornly around the dark room, longing for the peace she experienced last week. More than anything, she wanted to be free of the guilt she’d carried for so long.

Why had it returned? It was like an albatross hanging around her neck. She’d sought forgiveness, so why did she feel so guilty? Now, the guilt was accompanied by fear.

An overwhelming fear that the man she loved would find out what she’d done. And he would be disappointed in her. Possibly despise her.

Chapter Seventeen

Megan slipped off her shoes, stretched her legs out and put her feet up on Lee’s coffee table. It was Friday night and he’d invited her to his cabin to hang out and watch a movie.

They had been together at least three times a week since their trip to Atlanta. They’d not discussed the return trip at all, which suited Megan just fine. After that night on the porch, they’d carried on as if nothing at all had happened.

“Hey, do you need some help in there?” she called into the kitchen. Lee was making a ruckus putting together some snacks for them to share while watching the selection Megan had brought with her.

“No, I’ve got it. Thanks. Kick your shoes off and relax.”

“Too late,” she called back, chuckling and wiggling her toes.

“So what do we have here?” she asked, referring to the goodies on the tray Lee carried in, placing them on the coffee table.

“Well, we have popcorn.” He picked up the big bowl and displayed it much like the girls on a television game show would show a coveted prize. Megan couldn’t help but giggle.

“And that’s not all…we have beverages.” He again offered his display motion while showing the beverages. Megan clapped her hands in game show jubilation until Lee held up a hand for her to stop.

“But wait…there’s more.” He picked up a plate covered with foil. Megan nodded, clasping her hands together in anticipation, as if she were waiting for what was behind door number three to be revealed. Slowly, Lee peeled back the foil to reveal the contents—chocolate chip cookies.

Megan squealed with glee at the latest prize, as Lee pretended to show it to the other contestants, the audience and the camera so that those watching at home could view it.

They erupted in laughter.

“You’re quite crazy, you know,” Megan offered, as Lee took a seat on the couch next to her.

“That doesn’t disqualify me, does it? Render me ineligible or eliminate me?”

“Eliminate you from what?” Megan asked, with a curious smile.

“From your consideration as a suitor.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Megan answered and shook her head.

“Good,” Lee said, before planting a quick kiss on her. “Now what movie did you pick out for us? Not a chic flick?”

“Even better,” she teased. “I picked up a great documentary.”

“Wonderful,” he said, giving her a pained but ‘I’ll tolerate it for you’ expression.

“It’s a suspense/thriller.” She laughed, pulling it out of her bag and placing it in his hand.

“Wow, that’s a relief.” He got up and put it in the DVD player before returning and sitting next to her on the couch.

Megan watched him as he fiddled with the remote, getting the movie set up. Once he had it, he looked up and caught her intense stare. “What is it?”

“You.”

“You’ve changed your mind about me being ineligible?” he asked, teasingly.

“No,” she answered softly. “You’re just…you’re too good to be true.”

“No, Meg, I’m not. I’m human, flawed. I make mistakes; in fact, I’ve made some really big ones, and unfortunately, I’ll probably make more.”

“I’ll bet they’re not as big as the ones I’ve made,” she said pensively.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Lee disagreed.

“I am.”

“I’m not concerned with your past, Megan. We all have one—some worse than others perhaps. I’m concerned with the woman before me, here and now.” He reinforced his words by gently cupping her face with his palm. “But if it’s something you want or need to talk about, I’m listening.”

Megan immediately felt her pulse quicken. She returned the penetrating stare of those beautiful gray eyes which seemed to see into the depths of her soul. She pulled her gaze away and took a deep breath.

Go ahead and jump, Megan; it’s now or never.

She took a deep breath and gathered her courage.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Megan jumped at the sound of someone knocking on the cabin door. She turned to Lee, who shrugged his shoulders at her unspoken question.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” he said, as he got off the couch and went to the door.

When Lee opened the door, Megan was unable to see who was on the other side but the riddle was quickly solved when Lee exclaimed in surprise, “Mom? I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

Megan immediately withdrew her feet from the coffee table, placed them on the floor and sat up straight.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, darling.”

“Don’t be silly, Mother, I’m not disappointed. I’m just surprised,” Lee explained, as he moved aside for his mother to enter the cabin.

Lee’s mother was a thin, very attractive woman. Her dark hair was perfectly styled, without a touch of gray, and accented by an aristocratic nose and prominent cheekbones. She was just inside the room when she noticed Megan.

“Oh, you have company,” she stated the obvious, appraising Megan coolly. Megan was very conscious of her attire which, at the moment, consisted of baggy sweatpants and a faded cotton shirt. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and not even a very neat one.

“Yes. Mom, I’d like for you to meet Megan McCormick.”

Megan stood and crossed the room. “Hello, Mrs. Grainger, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Megan offered, extending her hand.

Mrs. Grainger briefly clasped Megan’s hand while giving her a half-smile and a curt nod. She immediately turned to her son as if Megan were already forgotten.

“Our bags are in the car, son. Would you mind getting them?”

“Of course not,” Lee answered and then paused. “Our bags?”

Mrs. Grainger smiled, “Yes, Felicia rode up here with me to keep me company. She’s finishing a call in the car. I hope you don’t mind.”

If Megan could read Lee at all, the look on his face said he did mind. Or maybe that was what she was hoping?

“I really wish you had consulted me first—” Lee started.

“I didn’t think it would be a problem considering how long you and Felicia have been friends. We can leave, if you’d like?” Mrs. Grainger offered, with a hurt look.

“Don’t be ridiculous; you’re both here now,” Lee said tightly and his mother looked even more wounded.

“We’ll make the best of it. You can take my room, Felicia can have the spare and I’ll sleep on the couch,” Lee amended. “Either way, I’m happy to see you.” He leaned over and gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek.

Megan took that moment to interject, “Lee, if you don’t mind, I think it’s best if I go and let you visit with your company.” She quickly put on her shoes, while silently hoping he would stop her.

“That’s probably a good idea, dear,” Mrs. Grainger responded before Lee could. Lee shot his mother an irritated look, which she completely ignored. Instead, she was busy giving Megan a satisfied smile.

“It’s okay. I’m kind of tired anyway,” Megan said, walking toward the door. Lee looked both disappointed and confused. Megan felt sorry for him and added, “Can you walk me to my car on the way to get the luggage?”

Reluctantly, Lee nodded his consent and he and Megan headed out the door. Just before leaving, Megan turned back to Mrs. Grainger. “It was nice to meet you.”

Lee’s mother simply nodded at her. Megan felt her temperature rise but for Lee’s sake refrained from saying anything. Any comment she would have made wouldn’t have been nice and she’d feel the need to apologize later. Keeping her mouth clamped as she walked alongside Lee was definitely the better part of valor.

Of course, sleeping dogs could not be left to lie and just about the time they were passing Mrs. Grainger’s car, Felicia was exiting it. She quickly approached Lee, without sacrificing her usual catlike grace. She hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, before looking over at Megan. “Oh dear, we haven’t interrupted your evening, have we? I sure hope not.” Though she’d said it sweetly enough, Megan didn’t believe a word of it.

“It’s okay. We were just about to watch a movie, but we can do that later,” Megan responded just as sweetly, hoping the strain she felt did not sound in her voice. She didn’t want this woman to know she got under her skin.

“That’s good.” Felicia smiled, but her eyes narrowed at Megan and then just as quickly she turned to Lee with a pouting smile. “Don’t be too long; we’ll be waiting to catch up on everything you’ve been doing up here.” She reached up and patted Lee’s cheek before sauntering off toward the cabin.

Megan released a breath of frustration while trying not to act on the image in her mind of performing a few cat-like maneuvers herself, like pouncing on the catty woman from behind and scratching her eyes out. Instead, she walked quietly to her vehicle beside Lee.

Lee opened the door and she climbed behind the wheel. Leaning against the door, he assured her, “It would really be okay for you to stay…in fact, I’d really like it if you would.”

She smiled at him to let him know she believed he meant it.

“No, I think it’s best if I head home. I don’t want to make any of us uncomfortable. Besides, they’re only going to be here until Sunday morning, right?”

Lee nodded and she went on, “Then enjoy your time with them. I’ll see you at church and you can take me to Aunt Vera’s afterward.”

“I can’t wait.” He leaned in and kissed her. Before he closed the door, Lee added, “I really had no idea my mother was bringing Felicia, but I can promise you, she and I will have an understanding about it.”

“It’s okay, Lee,” she said, although she was heartsick over it, which was probably unreasonable because she’d staked no claim to Lee.

Had she?

“Go on and I’ll see you Sunday,” she encouraged. Lee nodded and closed her door.

Try as she might, Megan couldn’t help feeling dejected as she drove away and watched in her rearview mirror as Lee entered his cabin to spend the evening with his mother—and Felicia.

****

Fortunately for Megan, she was on deadline for some of her clients and that kept her busy Saturday. Even all of those projects, however, didn’t keep her from thinking about Lee during her breaks and at lunch. She couldn’t help wondering what he was doing and if he was enjoying himself with his mom—and Felicia

“What if he realizes he still wants to be with Felicia?” she asked herself. “After all, they do have a history together.”

Megan shook her head at her wayward thoughts.

And so what if he did?

She and Lee had made no commitment to one another. She didn’t even want one.

Did she?

In her heart, Megan knew the answer; she just didn’t want to admit it. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come the night before to telling Lee everything. She was about to tell him about Trevor when his mother knocked on the door. A part of her couldn’t help but be relieved at the interruption, while another part longed to just have it over and done with. It would be such a relief just to know, at last, if Lee would still care for her if he knew what kind of woman she was.

Later that evening, the subject of her thoughts for the day called her.

“How’s it going?” she asked.

“Good, I’m enjoying seeing my mom.” It grew quiet on his end and then, “I miss you. I’m sorry we didn’t get to finish our evening.”

Smiling at his words, Megan responded, “Me, too.”

There were so many questions running through her head, not the least of which was, “Has Felicia told you and your mom about me?” But she didn’t dare.

Finally, she did find her voice. “Will you still be coming to church tomorrow or will your mom and Felicia be staying over?”

“I’ll be there. They’re leaving in the morning so I was hoping we’d still make our usual trip over to Aunt Vera’s?”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Megan assured him. She could hear female voices in the background and surmised the ladies were trying to get Lee’s attention.

Lee confirmed it when he said, “I’ve got to go for now. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning,” Megan answered and hung up the receiver. It was good of him to call her and even better to hear his voice. He’d taken time out of his day with his family to talk to her. She should feel relieved, so why did she feel so despondent?

The next morning, Megan was thrilled to see Lee. She couldn’t keep from smiling or allowing her eyes to travel the entire length of him. He was so handsome and he smelled so good. She couldn’t help but notice these things as they sat shoulder to shoulder. She just prayed she would be able to keep her mind on the sermon.

During the service, Lee reached down and covered her hand with his. At that point, Megan had to concede defeat in listening to the sermon but she could definitely spend some time in prayer. She gave thanks to God for the day and basked at being in Lee’s presence, as well as spending the morning in the Lord’s house.

Later, on the way across the mountain, they continued to hold hands across the truck’s bench seat. After a few miles of silence, Megan finally got the nerve to venture, “Would you mind telling me about you and Felicia?” She knew she really didn’t have the right to ask, especially given the fact she had no desire to talk about Trevor. Maybe that wasn’t entirely true. It wasn’t desire she lacked; it was courage.

Lee took his eyes off the road for an instant to glance over at her. “Not at all. What do you want to know?”

Everything.

Megan felt mildly comforted by the lack of reservation in his response. “When did you meet? You mentioned you thought you wanted to marry her at one time. Were you engaged?”

“Felicia and I have known one another since we were born. I think I told you her father is a partner in my father’s law firm.”

Megan nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“So, we grew up playing together, going to the same private school and attending the same college. In fact, we started dating at the end of our senior year in high school and our relationship continued into college. I think everyone, including the two of us, assumed we’d end up engaged and married.”

“You got engaged in college?” Megan guessed but Lee shook his head. “You weren’t engaged?”

“No, once we finished college, I went on to vet school while she went to work with her dad in the firm. We’d already begun to grow apart, and then when I gave my life to Christ, the gap between us grew wider. We no longer wanted the same things, participated in the same things. We were on totally different paths.”

“So you broke up with her?” Megan surmised, again Lee shook his head.

“No, she broke up with me, but it was something I should have done. I knew in my heart, that although I cared about her and our parents wanted us together…we weren’t right together.”

“Did the breakup hurt?”

“Yes and no,” Lee answered truthfully. “In a way, it was a relief. It just wasn’t something that was good for me. God had different plans.” He glanced over at Megan; his gaze caused her heart to skip a beat.

“Have you ever wanted something that just wasn’t good for you?” he asked.

“Yes…yes, I have,” she answered firmly.

Megan swallowed the lump in her throat. Now was the perfect opportunity. She should tell him.

As they pulled up in front of Chatley’s Bed and Breakfast Inn, Megan asked, “Do you think Felicia would like to rekindle your relationship?”

Lee put the truck in park and turned toward her. “Sometimes I think so, though she has never come out and said as much.”

“Your mother was very disappointed over your breakup, wasn’t she?”

Lee nodded. “She wasn’t at all happy. She and Felicia’s mother are best friends. They had everything planned for us, but it’s not the plan God has for me. Hopefully, over time, my mother will come to understand that and accept it.”

Megan nodded and Lee asked, “Any more questions running through that beautiful head of yours?”

“No.” Megan smiled, continuing with, “Thanks for indulging me.”

“Not a problem. I have nothing to hide. Now let’s go get some lunch.” He leaned forward and kissed her, before opening the door and hopping out. He came around and opened her door, reaching up his hand to help her out. As Megan placed her hand in his, she wished with all of her heart that she, too, had nothing to hide.

Chapter Eighteen

“Wow! You look amazing!” Lee whistled when Megan answered the front door of her cabin. By the look on his face, she knew he meant it.

“Thank you,” she sighed. She was pleased with his compliment because she’d really gone out of her way to look extra nice. It had taken her a week to find the perfect dress. Finally, she’d settled on a simple black sleeveless which crisscrossed her chest before gathering at the waist and falling softly over her slender hips to swirl gently around her knees. She paired the dress with strappy black kitten heels and accessorized with a short strand of pearls and matching earrings.

Sitting in his truck beside her, Lee could hardly take his eyes off her to focus on driving. Her hair was swept up and clasped in lose tendrils on top of her head with a few escaping to caress her neck and fall down the sides of her oval face. Her lips were lightly glossed and her eyes glistened from the touch of mocha shadow applied to her lids. Megan wasn’t a vain person and knew her looks were average. However, sitting with Lee, created a whole new awareness. Tonight, for the first time, she really felt pretty.

“Thanks for agreeing to come with me.” He reached over and covered her hand with his as had become his custom.

“As if I’d miss your aunt’s birthday party—not likely. I’m so honored to be included.”

“She’d be upset if you, Cindy and Alan weren’t there. She’s become very fond of you.”

“And we love her,” she declared, hesitating a moment before adding, “I must admit I am a little nervous about meeting your father.”

“Don’t be. Just be yourself; what’s not to love?”

“I just hope I don’t break something…or trip…or…”

“Stop worrying. It’ll be fine.” He laughed.

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the Queen of Klutz,” she reminded him as she fiddled nervously with her hair. He laughed and squeezed her hand.

“I wouldn’t change a thing about you,” he said, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to shoot her an affectionate glance.

Her heart ached at his words. That’s because you don’t really know me. She couldn’t tell him the truth about herself and she couldn’t break it off with him either. Did that add selfish to the already long list of faults she had?

Aunt Vera’s sixtieth birthday was being held at a reception hall in Chatley. She was well loved by friends and family, and based on the numbers of RSVPs, the Inn simply would not accommodate everyone.

When Lee and Megan got to the hall, a good number of people had already arrived and the party was in full swing. Aunt Vera greeted them immediately with hugs. Megan handed her the gift she brought.

“Oh, honey, you didn’t have to get me a thing. Your presence is gift enough,” Aunt Vera said, giving her an unpretentious smile and yet another hug. She was such a gracious lady, and in the short time she’d known her, Aunt Vera had gained Megan’s respect and admiration.

“Lee, go introduce her to everyone,” Aunt Vera instructed.

Doing as his aunt bid, Lee slipped an arm around her waist and guided her across the room, stopping every several feet to introduce her to a family member or a friend. There was no way Megan could remember all their names. They spent several minutes chatting with Alan and Cindy before finally making their way over to a very distinguished looking gentleman standing next to the woman Megan knew to be Lee’s mother.

Instantly, Megan knew the gentleman was Lee’s father. He was an older version of Lee, tall with silver hair and the same unusual gray eyes.

Lee greeted his mother first with a hug and a kiss on the check and then turned to his father for a handshake before being pulled in by the older version of himself for a gruff hug. Mrs. Grainger inquisitively turned cool blue eyes on Megan.

“Dad, I’d like for you to meet Megan McCormick. Megan, you’ve already met my mother and this is my dad, Lee Grainger, Sr.”

Megan extended her hand, grasping each of their hands in turn for a handshake. Hillary Grainger barely allowed her hand to stay in Megan’s more than a second. Megan almost expected to see her wipe her hand down the side of her silk navy dress after releasing Megan’s grasp.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Grainger, and good to see you again, Mrs. Grainger,” Megan greeted, with a nervous smile.

“You as well, Megan,” Mr. Grainger said, with a smile that reminded her very much of Lee. Mrs. Grainger simply nodded her head and then turned to her son, dismissing Megan entirely.

“Lee, Felicia is due to arrive any time now,” Mrs. Grainger informed her son. Megan’s stomach tightened in a knot which Lee must have realized because he cast an apologetic glance over at her. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

She stood quietly for a few moments listening to their conversation about family members and the like before saying, “Lee while you’re visiting with your parents…I’m going to get some punch. Can I get you anything?” It was the first thing she could think of to make an escape.

“No thanks. I’ll come find you in a minute.” Lee smiled in understanding.

“Take your time. I’ll be fine,” Megan assured him before turning back to his parents and giving them the warmest smile she could muster.

“It was a pleasure,” she offered, feeling foolish for not being able to think of anything else to say.

They both nodded. Mr. Grainger gave her a smile but Mrs. Grainger continued to stare coolly. Megan made her retreat, hoping she didn’t seem too rude, as she weaved in and out of the guests making her way to the punch bowl.

His father was likable enough, but his mother was a downright snob!

She immediately felt guilty for having such a thought. She had hoped his mother’s original treatment was due perhaps to being shy and feeling awkward meeting new people, but as much as Megan tried, she was unable to excuse the woman’s less than friendly behavior and obvious displeasure at Lee’s interest in her.

It wasn’t long before Lee found her and they continued to make their way around the party, visiting first one person and then the next. They spent the majority of their time in the company of Alan and Cindy.

Lee and Megan found their place cards for dinner and discovered they would be sitting with Lee’s parents. Fortunately, Alan and Cindy were seated at their table as well, which helped Megan get through the meal. Throughout the dinner, Mrs. Grainger kept watching the door. Megan assumed she was watching for Felicia. That knowledge made it difficult for Megan to relax or to enjoy the food, which she otherwise would have found delicious.

Midway through dinner, a jazz band began playing and the ambiance of the music helped ease some of her tension. Soon, the center of the reception hall, which was serving as a dance floor, was filled with young and old alike.

Lee put down his napkin and looked over at her. Slowly, he stood and stretched out his hand, asking, “Would you do me the honor, Miss McCormick, of this dance?”

Megan hesitated only a second. When he looked at her the way he was at this moment, she could deny him nothing and placed her hand in his. He helped her to her feet and led her onto the dance floor. Alan and Cindy soon followed their lead.

Lee gently pulled Megan to him and held one of her hands up to his shoulder, enveloped in his larger hand. He placed his other hand at the small of her back and began gliding her slowly around the room. As she moved across the floor with him, the soulful echoes of the saxophone helped her lose herself in the depths of those incredible gray eyes. It seemed as if all of time stood still, all distractions disappeared, and for a moment, it was just the two of them swaying to the music. Megan felt completely safe and content to just be next to this man who had won her heart.

The music stopped and the band leader invited everyone to take their seats as they prepared the birthday cake. “Don’t go far, folks, we will be singing to this wonderful lady soon.”

Everyone began to make their way back to their tables. Lee and Megan had just taken their seats when Mrs. Grainger stated, with what seemed to Megan a bit of glee, “Oh look, Felicia has arrived.”

Everyone at the table turned toward the door as the dark-haired beauty made her way in.

“Mmm…it would seem she’s brought a date with her,” Mrs. Grainger added with interest. Megan, who had settled in her seat, turned once again in curiosity toward the door. Lee remained facing away from the door. Evidently, he wasn’t interested in any man who would come with Felicia.

Megan spotted Felicia and then the man with her. He was blonde, tan, rather good looking and… It couldn’t be; it just could not be. It wasn’t possible! It was Trevor Raines. Megan gasped, audibly drawing Lee’s attention to her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked in concern. She felt as if she might be ill.

She actually felt as if she might faint. This could not be happening. Not now. In all the places, at all the times, why now?

“Megan?” Lee leaned over and whispered, “Are you all right?”

“Y…yes, I’m fine,” she lied in a stammering voice. Lee didn’t look as if he believed it. She may as well tell him.

“No, not really,” she amended. “I’m not feeling very well.” That was the truth or at least a portion of it, but perhaps that could be her way out of the place. While she was debating it, all attention turned to Aunt Vera standing by her birthday cake. Those wanting to say something about the wonderful woman celebrating her birthday were encouraged to do so. Megan didn’t hear a word of it. Even when Lee stood and commemorated his aunt, she was too distracted to grasp much of what he said. She simply clapped when everyone else did, then numbly stood and sang the birthday song with the chorus of voices.

The band struck up their instruments again, and to a round of applause, her adoring husband whisked Aunt Vera onto the dance floor. Megan was about to excuse herself to go to the ladies room when Felicia approached the table.

Trevor was immediately behind her and Megan could feel her face flush as panic rose in her. She was trapped with nowhere to run.

Felicia greeted Lee’s parents with a warm smile as she rested a slender hand on Lee’s shoulder. Leaning down close to his ear, she breathed huskily, “Good to see you, Lee.”

He nodded and smiled politely. “Felicia.”

She turned to Megan with a canary-eating smile. “Hello again, Megan.”

Megan could say nothing. She was afraid of what sound would come out if she dared open her mouth but she did manage a nod.

“I’d like for all of you to meet a dear friend of mine, Trevor Raines.” Trevor managed to shake everyone’s hand, saving Megan for last. As he turned to Megan, Felicia said, “Oh that’s right, I believe the two of you are already acquainted.”

The table’s attention turned to Megan as Trevor took her hand. “Megan. How good it is to see you again. You look as lovely as ever.” He held her hand longer than was necessary or appropriate; Megan finally extracted it.

“Well, we’re going to get some cake and punch but will catch up with you later,” Felicia announced, sauntering off with Trevor in tow.

Megan turned to Lee whose brows were drawn together in confusion. “Bathroom…” she got out hoarsely. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Are you okay? Do you need Cindy to go with you?”

“No, I’ve got it.” She didn’t wait for a response.

She had to get away before she completely lost it. She was thankful no one else was in the room when she got there. She stood over the sink, trying to take deep calming breaths. After taking a look at herself in the mirror, she opted for wetting a paper napkin and pressing it to her face. Three women entered the ladies room, giving Megan a strange look before continuing their own conversation. Maybe she was being overly sensitive, but she decided she couldn’t stay in there. She made her way out of the room and down the hall toward the party. Her steps came slower and slower the closer she got to the ballroom, and just before she was to enter, she noticed a set of double doors leading out onto a balcony.

Fresh air, that’s what she needed.

She would take a moment to clear her head and decide what she needed to do. The last thing she wanted was a public confrontation with Trevor. Her guess was that if Felicia had her way public humiliation would be the order of the day. This was not how she wanted Lee to discover her past. Truth be told, she’d rather he not discover it at all.

As Megan stood on the veranda, taking in calming breaths of the night air, she felt a presence behind her. Thinking it was Lee coming for her, she turned only to discover Trevor. She sucked in a sharp breath.

He crossed the veranda quickly; his eyes practically glowing in the darkness.

“Megan,” he whispered in his most seductive voice. He put his hands on her shoulders and she stiffened at his touch.

Ignoring her tenseness, he proceeded, “Darling, you don’t know how I’ve missed you. I nearly went out of my mind when you left. It was as if you vanished, but now, I’ve found you again and we can be together as I promised.”

Megan stared up at him. Did he really think she would go back to him just like that? Did he find her so gullible and without conscience? Did he not consider his wife and daughter?

“What about your family?” she asked quietly.

“I’m leaving them.” At her sharp gasp, he rushed on, “Really. This is something I have to do for me. I have to make myself happy.”

Megan felt bile rise in her throat. She took a step backward and looked at Trevor. Really looked at him. What had ever attracted her to him? Beyond his good looks, what was there? When compared to the warm, caring, considerate man she had found in Lee, Trevor paled in comparison.

“Go home to your family, Trevor. What we thought…no…what I thought we had never existed. I want you to go away and leave me alone.”

Trevor took a step toward her and Megan raised both her hands as a signal for him to stop. “I mean it. I never want to see you again. The thought of our relationship sickens me. The thought of what I was to you…”

Megan heard a creak on the planks of the veranda floor and turned to see Felicia standing with Lee in the doorway. Felicia looked as if she’d just hit the lottery.

“Oh there you two are. Just catching up?” Felicia’s words dripped with honey.

“No,” Megan said, with tear-filled eyes and squared shoulders. “We’re actually quite finished.”

She moved around Trevor, and as she walked past Lee, she whispered, “Could you please take me home?”

Chapter Nineteen

The ride back to Megan’s cabin was made in silence. A couple of times, Lee looked over at her in the darkness of the truck and she could tell he wanted to talk to her. Or wanted her to talk to him. But he hadn’t pressed. She loved him all the more for it.

A war was waging within Megan. A part of her wanted to break things off with Lee, let him go so he could find the woman he deserved. The other wanted to come clean with him, tell him everything and see what happened.

Could she risk the reproach she might see on his face when he heard what she’d done? Could she bear it? Would it be better just to end it, instead of facing him with her past?

Tell him! a voice admonished her. The truth will make you free.

“Would you like to come in for coffee?” Megan asked, breaking the silence as they pulled in front of the cabin.

“Sure. Why don’t I walk Sir while you make the coffee?”

Time to get her courage up as well.

Megan let them into the cabin and handed Lee the leash for Sir; the poor dog was practically dancing by the front door as if to tell them he had waited long enough for them to get home.

“Come on, buddy,” Lee invited after snapping on the leash and opening the door. He glanced back at Megan. “I’ll see you in a few.” He smiled softly before closing the door.

When Lee returned with Sir, the coffee was ready and Megan was dressed in sweats and a baggy shirt. Her face was scrubbed clean and her hair was hanging loosely. Tucking it behind her ears as she poured them each a cup of coffee, she motioned for Lee to have a seat on the couch and handed him the cup. Sir promptly laid his large head across Lee’s big feet.

Watching the two of them, they looked so natural that Megan nearly lost her nerve altogether, but she was tired of running from her past.

“I have something I need to tell you…something about my past that I’m not very proud of.”

“Megan—”

She stopped him. “No. I need to do this. So hear me out, okay?”

He nodded and she launched into her story. She remained standing because she was too nervous to sit. “I graduated college and was successfully working my way up the advertising ladder at Adams and Gilmore’s prestigious firm, where I’d landed a promotional account with a prominent law firm. Trevor Raines was the junior associate chosen to work with me on the campaign, on behalf of the senior partner and the firm.”

“This is the same Trevor who was with Felicia tonight?” Lee asked and Megan nodded.

“He was handsome, successful and determined. I hadn’t dated much and was still feeling much like the awkward, gangly girl of earlier years and probably came across very standoffish. I think he was intrigued and challenged by my allusive behavior.” She paused and looked at Lee to gauge his reaction. He showed nothing more than sincere interest.

“I’d never been pursued before and certainly not by anyone like Trevor. At first, I was a bit put off by him, but Trevor was a patient man, a determined man, especially when it came to having something he wanted.”

She stopped to take a sip of her coffee and regroup a bit before continuing. “Looking back, I think the thrill of the chase was very attractive to him. He was not a man accustomed to being denied. Thinking he couldn’t have something only caused him to desire it more; he was ruthless when it came to pursuing what he wanted.”

“I made it very clear from the beginning that I could not date anyone I worked with because it would be a conflict of interest. I also made it known I was not, nor ever would be, in the market for a married man.”

Lee nodded his head in understanding which gave her some courage.

“Trevor assured me he was not married, and even displayed his tan, empty wedding finger. As we were nearing the completion of our project, he reminded me we wouldn’t be working together forever and made it sound so plausible. Then the day came that our project did end which meant we were no longer required to work together—removing my excuse for not dating Trevor.”

As she stumbled a bit for words, Lee asked, “So, I take it you began dating him?”

“I thought we were becoming friends as we continued to spend time together. Lunch meetings turned into an evening together and then another and another. He sent me flowers and gifts while taking me to the classiest restaurants. I even introduced him to my mother.”

“Did Helen and Trevor get along?”

“Something about Trevor made my mother very uncomfortable. She could never tell me exactly what it was but something did. I disagreed with her and a heated argument followed. Mom didn’t make any comments after that.”

Megan stopped her pacing and came to sit beside Lee. “Trevor told me he had no family living and was completely alone; he said there was no one to introduce me to. I didn’t really have any reason to think what he was telling me wasn’t the truth.” She took a deep breath and continued, “Six months into our relationship, he invited me to his high-rise, luxury condominium where he had flowers and dinner waiting. I thought Trevor was everything a girl could want in a man. When he told me he loved me and wanted a long-term relationship with me, I naively believed my dreams had finally come true.”

Megan rose and began pacing again, back and forth in front of the sofa as she told Lee everything, sparing no detail, making no excuses. She didn’t want to make herself look better; she wanted him to know everything, to really know her.

As Megan told Lee of the night she and Trevor sat alone on his balcony, she went to that night in her mind. Reliving each piece.

They sat admiring the sparkling Atlanta skyline, listening to the soulful music filtering out from the living room. Trevor purposefully stood and pulled her to her feet and into his arms. While gazing intently into her eyes, he whispered passionately, “Megan, I have never felt this way about any other woman. You are all I think about; I can’t concentrate, or even breathe, when you aren’t around. I love you and want us to be together forever.”

With that, he kissed her in a way he had never kissed her before and she melted into his arms. From that moment on, she gave Trevor Raines her heart and body. He took her innocence without a second thought.

Megan rubbed her eyes as she tried to clear the vision away. “There was always a sense of guilt about being intimate with him outside of the bonds of marriage, but I pushed all doubts aside, believing it would only be a matter of time before we married. I told myself he loved and respected me and would never treat me in a dishonorable way.”

She chuckled, almost maniacally. “You know the old saying hindsight is 20/20…well, that certainly applied here. I could finally see clearly when it came to Trevor. Clues I had been blind to before were there all along. For example, Trevor had to travel almost every weekend and we spent much more time at my apartment than his. While he kept some personal belongings at my apartment, I had nothing at his.”

Lee’s soft voice broke through the fog of memories coming fast and furious. “You really don’t have to finish this, Megan.”

“Yes, I do.” She smiled gently. “About one year into our relationship, it all came to a screeching halt. It was one of the rare weekends Trevor stayed in Atlanta, and on that particular Saturday afternoon, we were snuggled together on his couch watching a movie. You know, it’s funny; I never really cared whether or not we went anywhere. I just wanted to be together, which is a big part of why this worked so well for him.”

Once more, Megan traveled back in her mind to that fateful afternoon as she continued her story.

Their sanctum was interrupted by the doorman’s buzz. Trevor walked across the room to the intercom, and pressing the button, spoke into it, “Yes, Tony?”

Tony’s response caused Megan’s heart to stop in her chest. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Raines, but your wife is on her way up.”

Trevor’s face drained of all color and his mouth tightened. “Okay, thanks, Tony.”

It took a few moments for it to register with Megan. Had the doorman said wife?

There had to be some mistake.

Megan jumped to her feet. “Trevor?” she rasped, giving him a chance to deny it. It could not be true!

Trevor took her by the shoulders, forcefully propelling her toward the door. “You’ve got to get moving, Megan. I’m afraid you are going to have to leave for now.”

“Trevor?” Megan squeaked his name again. Trevor retrieved her purse and sunglasses, handing them to her.

“I don’t have time to give you the explanation you deserve now, darling, and I really don’t want a scene with Elise. I’m afraid she doesn’t know about you either.”

“Elise? Is that your wife?” Megan felt the room spinning.

Trevor didn’t answer. He just gave her a little push but Megan stiffened and stood her ground, nearly screaming, “Is that your wife, Trevor?”

“Yes,” he offered hoarsely through tight lips, opening the door and literally pushing her through it. Megan could hardly move; the signal her brain was supposed to be sending to her feet was being muddled. She felt like she was in a nightmare where the victim knows she needs to move or run, but her legs won’t cooperate.”

“You lied to me!” she accused.

“I had to, darling, or else you would never have agreed to go out with me. I love you, Megan, and I have to have you. I fully intend on asking Elise for a divorce, but it’s just…well, it’s complicated.”

This could not be happening to her! Wake up Megan! Wake up!

“I trusted you,” she said weakly. Trevor moved toward her and she recoiled like she’d been shot. “Don’t touch me!” Her voice was barely above a whisper but held enough venom to kill.

“Look, I know you’re hurt and angry right now, but I promise I’ll straighten all of this out.” He acted as if this was nothing more than a minor misunderstanding over a small detail he forgot to mention. Once he explained everything to her all would be well, rather than what it was—he was married!

“I can’t believe you!” Megan hissed.

“Look, I need you to go down the hall and wait around the corner until I get Elise inside the condo, then you can get on the elevator and leave. I’ll call you later.”

“Don’t you ever call me again!” She heard what he said about moving, but it was as if her feet had grown roots.

The bell on the elevator dinged, letting them know the doors were about to open.

“Megan!” Trevor said, now in a fierce panic.

She wanted to scream, railing accusations at him, calling him every vile name she could think of while making a horrible scene. Instead, she did as she was told. She wanted to wait around the corner, and when his wife got into the condo, knock on the door, march in there and expose him for the lying, cheating, conniving…

“What stopped you?”

Megan realized where she was with those words. “Well, as I was hiding in the hallway, a dark attractive woman stepped into the hallway with a blonde little girl around the age of eight or nine immediately following her. Trevor stood waiting for them outside his door, with a smile. The little girl called ‘Daddy’ and ran to him, flinging herself into his outstretched arms. Trevor lifted her off her feet, spinning her around.”

“What did you do?”

“I couldn’t breathe, much less move. My initial intention was to expose him but that vanished the moment I realized he had a little girl. I just stood there and stared numbly as he and his wife embraced, and then the three of them walked down the hall and into the condo. My stomach began to heave and I knew it was time for me to leave. I know I rode the elevator back down to the first floor but I can’t say I remember it. As soon as I got off in the lobby, I walked immediately into the ladies room and wretched violently.”

Megan realized she was sitting next to Lee again as he gently took her hand. “It took a little while before I was able to stand again. I barely remember walking out of the apartment building and to the parking garage much less getting into my car. I began driving, but I really didn’t have anywhere to go. I drove for miles and miles, having no clue where I was going. I only knew I had to get away, far away.”

Chapter Twenty

Now, as she shared her story with Lee, tears streamed down her face.

“Finally, as the sun was setting, I pulled off the road into the parking lot of a hotel in Savannah, Georgia. I was physically and emotionally exhausted. After I checked into the room, I called my mother. I knew I sounded terrible but didn’t have the strength to pretend otherwise. I let my mom know where I was and asked her to call into my job for me on Monday, claiming I was ill,” Megan explained.

“What did your mom say? I’m sure she could tell something was wrong.”

Megan nodded. “Oh yeah, she knew something was wrong and asked me what it was. I knew I was scaring her, but I assured her I was okay and offered her the partial truth.”

Megan paused a moment and then continued, “I told her Trevor and I had broken up and it was over for good. I explained that I just needed a few days to sort things out.”

“It had to be hard for you to keep everything from her. I know how close the two of you are.”

“It was; I so wanted to tell her everything. But, how could I tell my mom I had become everything she despised? The other woman.” Megan felt shame even now as she retold the story to Lee.

“Megan, you were naive and Trevor took advantage of you. Once you were aware of the situation, you did the right thing.”

She appreciated his lack of judgment toward her but she simply could not excuse her behavior or stupidity.

Megan didn’t respond except to continue with her story. “I stayed in Savannah for four days. The majority of the time I spent lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The rest of the time I spent on the beach, staring out at the ocean. I slept some and ate little. I cried the entire first night, but after that, I wouldn’t allow myself to cry again.”

“Why not?” Lee asked gently.

“I was racked with guilt and didn’t believe I deserved the luxury of tears. I hated Trevor for deceiving me; I hated myself more for being blind and allowing it. I am still tortured by the image of his wife and daughter getting off of the elevator. His little girl was close to the same age I was when my father left. That innocent child could have been destroyed…because of my relationship with her father. Because of me!” In anguish, she pounded herself on the chest. Lee moved forward to come to her but Megan held up her hand for him to stop.

“Let me finish. After four days, I returned to Atlanta. I came home much thinner and much wiser. My mistrust of men returned with a vengeance.”

“What about Trevor?” Lee asked. “Did he try to contact you?”

Megan nodded emphatically. “Oh yeah. He repeatedly called my cell phone and my apartment. When that didn’t work, he called my mother and my office.”

“I returned none of the calls. In fact, I changed all of my personal phone numbers. The only contact I had with him was an email. I wrote and told him I would not inform his wife of his extramarital activities because I had no desire to cause her, or their daughter, any pain. However, I wanted absolutely no contact with him again. Ever. Not long after that, I moved to Laurel Ridge and started over.”

Megan lifted her head, squared her shoulders and gathered her courage. “The night we returned home from Atlanta, I was going to tell you. I tried to tell you it was best if we didn’t see one another anymore.”

“What? Why?” Lee finally spoke. She hadn’t looked at him the entire time she was baring her soul, afraid of what she might see in his eyes. She looked now and saw confusion and concern.

“You deserve someone better than me. I hate myself. I nearly destroyed another woman’s life, another child’s life—much the same as another woman destroyed my mother’s and mine.” She buried her face in her hands.

Her sobs drowned out all other sound. She never heard him approach, but she felt his arms wrap around her and pull her against him. He began stroking her hair as if she were a child. When at last her sobs subsided to mere sniffles, he cupped her face in his large hands and tilted her face up so she was forced to look at him.

“I’m not perfect, Megan. I haven’t always lived for God, as I should. I still fail Him. He knows what I’m made of, and when I ask, He forgives me.”

When she began to put her head down, he gently forced her to continue to look at him.

“Have you asked Him to forgive you?”

“Yes,” she answered huskily as she nodded her head.

“Do you believe He has?”

“I…I think so.” She paused in answering. “Yes. Yes I do.”

“Good. Now you must forgive yourself. You’re human. You made a mistake, one you tried to correct the moment you discovered what was happening.”

She simply looked up at him, trying to grasp what he was telling her, reaching for it like a lifeline.

“You’ve beat yourself up over this for long enough. I do not—can not judge you—for I am not without sin.”

Her eyes began to fill with tears again.

“We have an opportunity for something wonderful between us. It’s a gift, but you can refuse it…if you choose. Megan, you have to trust again. You can trust God, and you can trust me.” He paused and moved his face close enough to her that he could have touched his lips to hers. “And you can trust yourself.”

He allowed his lips to lightly brush hers before continuing, “Megan McCormick, I want to offer you a lifetime of promise and hope. I want to live every day earning your trust. I love you.” He tenderly began to kiss away the tears that were drying on her face. “You don’t have to respond now. Take some time and think about what I’ve told you. If you decide you want a relationship with me, you know where I am. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, he covered her mouth with his and kissed her with more passion than ever before. It was as if he was trying to make her feel his love and it washed over her like an ocean wave. When he released her and headed toward the door, Megan felt as if she’d been knocked off her feet and had to sit down. My prince.

As if reading her thoughts, Lee turned back, and with a storybook smile, said, “Sleep well, princess.”

****

Over the next several days, Megan mulled over what Lee said. She considered it deeply, taking every word to heart, examining it and reexamining it. His response to her confession was not at all what she expected.

There were no accusations or condescending words. He’d offered his acceptance of her past, encouragement for her to forgive herself and hope for the future. Just like his Heavenly Father.

Your Heavenly Father, too. Just like her Heavenly Father.

As she walked Sir, she contemplated those words. No matter the activity or time of day, her thoughts were ever before her.

She used the days as a time of solace and refreshing. Megan spent a good deal of time in prayer—praying for wisdom and for guidance, asking God to direct her steps like never before. She also read the Bible where the Holy Spirit guided her to scriptures in God’s written word which offered her comfort and answers. It amazed her that in this old book were the answers she had searched for her entire life.

One week after Lee came to the cabin, while she was out hiking, she finally came to a decision. Needing to catch her breath, she paused near a meandering stream. A gentle breeze blew across her face, lifting a few tendrils of hair and directing her attention upward, along the path of the stream. Her gaze followed the stream as far as her eye could see.

It had a beginning somewhere up in those mountains. A place she could not see, but was there nonetheless. It ended somewhere far below. Again, she could not see its end, but knew it was there.

In between the river’s origin and its end were many twists and turns. There were many rocky places and boulders it had to flow over. Still, it flowed on, because God had set its course. The same hand, that gave the river its beginning, guided its course all the way to the river’s end.

A scripture came to mind that she’d discovered yesterday in the Bible. She couldn’t recall it exactly, but it was something about God knowing our beginning from our end and bringing us to it.

There seemed to be a lot of twists and turns in between the beginning of life and the end. But, there were a lot of opportunities. One just had to trust the creator of life to guide the course.

The opportunity to love again and find happiness, in spite of past mistakes, was right before her. Lee was a wonderful, handsome man who loved her and she did not want to throw that away because of fear or because of a lack of trust. She wanted to discover what having a God-ordained relationship could be like.

With that thought in mind, she hiked back to her cabin with renewed vigor. She was not going to waste another minute and was going straight to the clinic to talk to a certain veterinarian. She didn’t even bother to stop long enough to change out of her hiking clothes or pull her hair out of its ponytail.

Moments later, she strode into Wolff Animal Clinic with a purpose.

“Hey, Cindy,” she greeted her friend.

Cindy looked up from some paperwork and smiled. “Hey, Meg.”

“Is Lee busy?” Megan asked.

“No. But he has—”

Megan did not hear the rest of the sentence because she immediately went looking for Lee.

She did not find him in the first room or the second, but he was in the third one at the end of the hall. She could see him standing with his back to her and hear him talking to someone in a low voice. As she got closer, she recognized Felicia.

Megan could see Felicia glance over Lee’s shoulder and thought she saw a sly smile form on the woman’s face. Felicia choose that moment to step forward, wrap her arms around Lee’s neck and press her lips to his.

From Megan’s angle, all she could see were Lee’s hands placed on the woman’s waist. She gasped and whirled on her heel, heading toward the nearest exit.

****

Lee turned in time to see Megan’s ramrod stiff back as she speedily made her way out the hallway door. Lee wished she could have seen him push Felicia away before rushing out and knew he had to get to her. He got right up to Felicia’s face with his own, as he firmly whispered, “Don’t ever do that again.”

Without another word, he left Felicia standing there seething, to go after the woman he loved. Megan.

Megan was standing just outside the door, leaning against a concrete wall with her arms laced across her chest, when Lee found her.

He approached gingerly, like he would a wounded animal.

“Megan…” he said, getting close enough to look her in the eye. He wasn’t quite able to read the expression he saw there and her silence was making him a bit nervous.

She raised her brows. “Yes?”

“What you saw in there was not what you think.”

“Do tell,” she invited, but her voice sounded strangely calm and he was unsure if that was bad or good.

“Felicia decided to make a surprise visit. I think it was some last ditch attempt on her part to reconcile. However, I figured since she was here, now would be as good a time as any to let her know our break up was indeed final and would remain that way. I told her I had given my heart to you, although I wasn’t sure if you wanted it. Anyway, that must be when you walked up and she kissed me. She must have seen you coming and was trying to…” He spread his hands palms up. “Megan, I promise you—”

“I believe you,” she interrupted his defense.

“Look, I know it must look bad but I promise you…you what?” he asked midstream, as he realized what she said.

“I said I believe you,” she repeated, giving him a smile that could have competed with the sun.

He let out a sigh of relief. “You do?”

“Yes,” she said, emphatically.

“Why?”

“Because you are a good and honest man, who has never given me any reason to believe otherwise.”

“I hope you know I would never do anything to hurt you. Not intentionally. I won’t ever lie to you.”

“I know. I trust you, Lee Grainger.” With that said, she walked over and standing on tiptoe, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head close enough to reach it. Then with lips close to his, but not quite touching, she whispered, “I trust you and I love you.”

She pressed her lips to his, and with a sweet kiss, she demonstrated all the love and respect she felt for him. Her response nearly knocked him off his feet. But there was no place to sit down!

Epilogue

One year later

Following their wedding ceremony and reception, the local veterinarian carried his new bride across the threshold of her cabin. Now, it was their cabin. Sir was waiting just inside the door and nearly toppled them over in his excitement. Lee immediately put her on her feet before any mishap occurred.

Megan knew exactly how Sir felt. She thought her heart might burst with happiness. Her face ached from smiling so much. Her wedding was even more beautiful than she had dreamed it would be. The church literally overflowed with family and friends. The look on Lee’s face, when he saw her walking down the aisle for the first time in her gown, was one she would cherish for a lifetime.

With all of that though, her favorite part of the ceremony was when the pastor said, “Let no man separate what God has put together.”

God had put them together! She knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Cindy and Helen stood with her as bridesmaids and Ben, whom she had grown very fond of, gave her away. Nettie helped with all of the floral arrangements and decorations for the church, not to mention keeping the bride calm before the wedding.

The reception followed at Chatley Bed and Breakfast Inn and was hosted entirely by Aunt Vera and Uncle Tom as a wedding gift to the couple. It was well attended and enjoyed by all.

Even Lee’s mother seemed to be having a good time. Megan prayed, that over time, she would come to love her as a daughter. Megan’s love for her son and his love for her had gotten Mrs. Grainger to graciously concede she really was Lee’s choice.

Close to the end of the reception, before Lee and Megan departed to begin their new life together, Ben clinked a spoon on his glass to get everyone’s attention. Once he had, he cleared his throat. Megan noticed her mother was blushing.

“I have an announcement to make. I pray that this is an appropriate time and will only add to the celebration.” He looked over at Helen and she nodded. Megan caught her breath. Could it be?

“I have asked Helen to be my wife, and thankfully, she has consented.” Amid the cheers of jubilation, Megan hugged her mother and together they wept happy tears. Megan’s heart was filled with gratitude toward her Heavenly Father for filling their broken lives with faith, hope and love.

Later, Megan and Lee arrived at her cabin where it was agreed they would spend the first night of their honeymoon and married life together. They would be leaving the following morning to a location that was, as of yet, undisclosed by Lee. It was a surprise for his new bride.

However, that was not the only surprise waiting for her. Lee followed her upstairs to the bedroom they would now be sharing and Megan gasped as they walked into the room.

Covering the bed, and replacing her old bedspread, was the beautiful deep violet, hand-crafted, circle-of-love quilt she’d seen last year at the Spring Fling.

Turning, she threw both arms around her husband, who was grinning from ear-to-ear at her delight.

“I hope I wasn’t wrong in believing you loved this one. I snuck back and bought it for you. By faith.”

She was too overcome to speak, so she just buried her face against him. He tilted her chin and looked into her eyes saying, “I’ve been keeping it in my hope chest.” He was only half-teasing.

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