Dear Friends,
Was there a doubt in your mind after reading Flirting with Disaster that Amanda and Caleb would have their own story? Certainly not in mine.
Amanda OâLeary is exactly the sort of woman about whom I love to write. Sheâs suffered through tremendous adversity and triumphed. On every page of Flirting with Disaster, she gets stronger. By the time sheâs ready for her own story, sheâs a more than even match for the wonderfully kind and protective Caleb Webb.
But naturally Amandaâs struggles arenât over. All of her old issues with Big Max, her stubborn, difficult father, are about to surface in an unexpected way, and Caleb is right in the thick of it. When Amanda wakes up to discover the secrets heâs been keeping, will she ever be able to forgive him? And will she be able to make peace with her father before itâs too late? Just turn the page to find out.
In the meantime, welcome back to South Carolinaâs Low Country, one of my favorite places in the world. Iâve loved sharing it with you.
All best,
Sherryl
Sunday services were over and most of the congregation had gone home for the traditional midday dinner. Caleb, however, was still in the church office trying to feel his way through an unexpected and troubling counseling session. He studied the couple sitting across from him and wondered if he dared tell them what he really thought, that they were way too young even to be thinking about marriage. Mary Louise Carter was just a few months out of high school. In fact, with her stylishly short, sun-streaked hair, she looked even younger. Danny Marshall, every bit the preppy overachiever, was barely into his sophomore year at Clemson. In Calebâs opinion, they were years away from knowing what they really wanted out of life.
Unfortunately, he could predict exactly how theyâd reply. Theyâd remind him that theyâd known each other since grade school, been sweethearts since Dannyâs freshman year in high school. They both thought their marriage was inevitable. So what if having a baby on the way had kicked up the timetable by several years?
âItâs not the end of the world,â Mary Louise said, her adoring gaze on Danny.
Though she rarely looked away from her fiancé, she evidently didnât see the barely concealed panic that Caleb spotted. Heâd counseled enough couples during his ten years as a minister to recognize the signs of a man being pushed toward a commitment he wasnât ready to make.
âDanny, is this wedding really what you want?â Caleb asked directly. Aware that Mary Louiseâs eyes had widened with dismay, he quickly added, âI know you love Mary Louise and I think itâs wonderful that you want to take responsibility for the baby and do the right thing by Mary Louise, but there are other options.â
Danny squirmed uncomfortably and avoided Mary Louiseâs hurt expression. âWhat kind of options?â
âYou could acknowledge paternity and pay child support. Or you both could agree to give the baby up for adoption to a family more prepared to give a child the life he or she deserves,â Caleb suggested, careful to keep his tone neutral.
Even so, Mary Louise leapt up. âNo way,â she said, quivering with outrage. She scowled at Caleb, then whirled on Danny. âThis is our baby. How could you even think about giving away our baby, Danny Marshall?â
Danny gave her a sullen look. âI didnât say Iâd do it. I asked Reverend Webb what the options are. Jeez, Mary Louise, settle down.â
âIâm keeping the baby and thatâs that,â she said fiercely. âIf you donât want to marry me, then donât. I donât want you if you canât love both of us. And you can keep your stupid money, too!â
âI never said I didnât want to marry you,â Danny said placatingly. âYou know I love you, baby. Itâs justâ¦â
âJust what?â she asked.
âHow are we going to make it?â Danny asked reasonably. âI canât quit school. I worked too hard to get accepted and win a scholarship to throw it all away now. I donât want to wind up in some dead-end job for the rest of my life, like my dad.â
âYou wonât have to. I can stay with my folks for now and keep working. Itâs only minimum wage, but Iâll get another job. I can handle two,â Mary Louise promised staunchly. âWe can put all that money into savings so weâll have it when I have to go on maternity leave. I wonât have to take off long. Once the baby comes, Iâll move to be with you. We can figure out a schedule so you can take classes when Iâm home. Then you can watch the baby while I work.â
It was evident sheâd already given this a lot of thought. Caleb admired her earnest conviction that she could handle a pregnancy and two jobs and that Danny could keep up with his classes and take care of the baby. But Caleb was more realistic. He knew the toll that would eventually take on the marriage and on Mary Louise and Danny individually. He also knew sheâd never listen to him if he tried to tell her any of that.