What was it about Sarah that was
different from all the others?
She brought out a surge of protectiveness and tenderness, true. He wanted to hold her, protect her. But why? Why her? His feelings were disconcerting.
Justin shook his head, feeling an emotion churning in his gut.
Loneliness.
He had to admit he was lonely. He loved his daughter. But he missed having someone closer around to share his experiences with. Someone to talk with in the evening when he got home from work, someone to laugh with over a joke or share those little secret smiles when Mickie did something really adorable. Someone to hold when he felt overwhelmed. Someone to love with all his heart.
But Sarah?
No. Anyone but herâ¦
Growing up in a small military town in Oklahoma, where she used to make up stories with her next-door neighbor, Cheryl says sheâs always written, but never dreamed of having anything published. But after years of writing her own Sunday school material in the different churches where sheâs taught young children, and wanting to see more happy endings, she decided to give it a try, and found herself unable to stop.
Seeing so many people hurting, afraid to reach out and accept Godâs forgiveness, she felt inspired to begin writing stories about Godâs love and forgiveness in romances, because, she says, âWe canât truly have happily ever after, if we donât have that happily-ever-after relationship with God, too.â
Cheryl now lives in a small Louisiana town and has been happily married for fifteen years. She has two wonderful children who think itâs cool to have a âwriting mama.â Cheryl would love to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 207, Slaughter, LA 70777.
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake
His faithful ones. They will be protected foreverâ¦
âPsalms 37:28
To Janet Abbott for always listening. Thanks to Anne Canadeo, the greatest editor in the world, and Jean Price, the greatest agent!
And I canât forget Dee Paceâwho went above and beyond for this book! Thanks! And three other very special ladies: Denise Gray, Donna Blacklock and Cheryl Crews.
With love to my husband who is so patient and thoughtful when Iâm going crazy over computer problems, and my kids, Christina and Jeremiah. You guys are the love of my life.
Dear Santa:
All I want this year for Christmas is a mommy. I know itâs sorta early still to ask, but it is almost cold out, and I miss Mommy, and so does Daddy. He doesnât exactly say he misses her, but he stares at Mommyâs picture a lot. I heard my baby-sitter on the phone telling someone Daddy needed to get married again. Well, thatâd mean Iâd get a new mommy. And if I had a new mommy, then I wouldnât have to play Go Fish with Daddyâs secretary anymore when he couldnât find a baby-sitter. And I wouldnât have to take store-bought cookies on party day at school. I could have a real mommy to bake chocolate chip cookiesâand make me peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches as much as I wanted. But most of all, Santa, I would have a mommy to hug me the way the other kids do when we get out of school. It would be just too cool to have that. So, Santa, thatâs what Iâve decided I want for Christmas. I told Jesus so He can look around for the right mommy, then tell you which one to bring me on Christmas Eve. I know this is going to be the best Christmas present ever.
Thank you, Santa.
Signed,
Mickie Warner
âSarah?â
Sarah Connelly smiled sweetly at her brother-in-lawâs incredulous tone, then watched as his surprise slowly turned to cool remoteness. âSurely, Justin, it hasnât been so long that youâve forgotten me,â she quipped, doing her best to hide her fear that heâd slam the door in her face.
His mask fell into place just the way Sarah remembered it had in the past. His critical gaze slowly took her in. Sarah did her best not to gather the thin sweater around her shoulders against the cold wind or his icy scrutiny.
âMaybe itâs just because Iâve never seen you in jeans,â he replied indifferently. âRemember the last time I saw youâin court? That nice little blue suit you wore whenâ¦â
âYes, well.â Sarah shrugged dismissively.
âSo what brings you here?â He leaned against the door frame, blocking her way into his house. âIt has, after all, been two years.â
âI wanted to see Mickie,â she replied, deciding that any hope sheâd had of getting the baby-sitting/housekeeper job was just a dream. He was still furious with her, and she didnât blame him. Although sheâd hoped it would be different