Saving Grace (31 page)

Authors: Kimberly McKay

BOOK: Saving Grace

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She flew in Mercy and her grandfather, and Burke’s friends Chet and Natalie attended. Anne and Chet stood up for them, while they exchanged their vows.

“A penny for your thoughts...” Burke’s low voice snapped her back to reality.

Grace let out a deep breathe, and said, “I was thinking about how much God has brought us through ... how I never really called on Him, until I needed Him ... And now, since we got married right outside our home. And all I have to do is step outside to remember our special day – our special place to be reminded of how much we could have lost, and how much we have together. And how blessed we all are for the outcome we received.”

Burke knowingly smiled. He wasn’t vocal about his faith, not like she’d been since they’d come home, but she said everything he felt.

Grace grinned, and looked lovingly to her belly, rubbing the sides of it.

“I know. I think about that a lot. And today, we’re getting ready to board a plane for your sister’s surprise proposal.” Burke laughed at the thought.

To him, these things should be private, but Chad was planning to propose to Anne on national television.

Grace watched his brow furrow, and reached for his face.

“Why are you frowning at the idea? It’s a happy occasion! My sister is getting married. Just being able to have her in my life is amazing, and now I get to share in her joy, like she’s shared in mine.”

“No, it’s good. I just hope she won’t say no on T.V.” He chuckled and shook his head.

Grace shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Help me up. We’ve got to leave for the airport,” she said, pushing at his arm.

“You sure you’re okay to travel in your condition?” He stood and reached for her hands.

“Burke, stop it.”

“Okay … okay.” He laughed and helped her up.

“I was just thinking how much has changed in such a short time. It’s hard to believe it was just over a year and a half ago that I was sitting out here alone, not knowing what was next for me in life. And now here I am in love, married, and expecting our child.”

“I know,” he said softly.

He looked into her eyes, which were filled with wonder and continued, “I didn’t know it then, but I was lost until you ended up on my beach.”

Grace chuckled, “Lost? No, I was the one who was lost. And after all the times I’d gone to church and learned about how wondrous God’s ways were, I never really understood how big he was … until I ended up on your beach. He brought me to you. And I didn’t save you Burke. You saved me. You were my one saving grace in all that I’d survived.”

He looked from her smiling face, which had filled out some from being pregnant, and dropped his eyes to their hands, which were now entwined.

He was never more grateful in his life for what he had been blessed with than now. After all he’d suffered through war, a broken marriage, and his bitter heart – he now knew God was preparing him for loving Grace. Maybe if he’d not suffered in those ways, he’d not know what it was to love someone this deeply and appreciate life like this.

“What are you thinking about?” She leaned over and nudged him.

“Everything I’ve ever gone through led me to you,” he whispered.

“And me you…” Grace wistfully smiled.

Second Chances

Coming in the fall of 2016

Keep reading for your free preview …

A glimpse of Second Chances

Swift winds whipped through her hair, as she sat on her bicycle staring out at the Potomac River. Paige pushed a few strawberry locks from her eyes, and inhaled wondering how she came to this point in her life.

As she peered over the mirror-like waters, she was drawn to the reflection of bright billowy clouds that spanned across the surface. They reminded her of when she was a child, and would spent minutes which led to hours creating images and characters from a mere cumulous cloud. Back then; she could easily see bunny rabbits chasing carrots across the sky. Today, however, all she saw were clouds. The depths of her spirit had dampened her vivid, child-like imagination.

The crunch of gravel behind her brought her back to reality, as she turned in time to see a young hard-bodied girl running down the path that curved beside the pier. She eyed the jogger, noticing that not a single ounce of her bounced. Every inch was toned, taught, and on display for any passerby as the young woman blasted through the park with only a pair of running shorts and a small jog bra.

Paige couldn’t blame her really – after all it was the middle of July and if she had that body – she’d probably think nothing of it either. Casually, she glanced from the runner to her own legs, which had softened some over the years. In her forties, she no longer had the hard body she once was accustomed to but she wasn’t what you would call out of shape. She just wasn’t in her twenties anymore.

Paige grimace, running her hand through her matted hair, and was about to push off toward a nearby dock, when a young couple caught her eye. Laughing, they chased after their toddler, with arms outstretched. For a split second, Paige envisioned the family she’d always dreamed of but quickly berated herself for holding on to something that was likely never going to happen now. She exhaled as the reality of it washed over her much like the tides, which lapped against the boats at the dock.

Her heart seized with envy as the young mother scooped her baby up and tightly cradled her, knowing this could never be a reality in her life. She quickly wiped away a tear, and fought the bitterness that was bubbling from beneath her broken heart.

Paige Jefferson took one last look at the young family, and mentally wished them well. Lord knows they’d need it. After years of living what she considered a happy life with her husband, today everything had been turned upside down without any notice.

For the last two hours she’d searched for any tells or red flags that may have given her any hint that something was about to change, but there wasn’t anything that was out of the norm until she awoke to find a letter on her nightstand, along with a set of divorce papers.

Paige bit her lip. Yes, she knew better than anyone that one day’s joy could instantly turn into the next morning’s despair. She was living proof.

Just yesterday, she was walking this same path with her husband, Davis, thinking they’d had a great afternoon … just like the many they’d shared before. He seemed a bit distracted but nothing was out of place, as he often had work on his mind.

Shell shocked, she looked to the sky and let out a deep breath before dropping her gaze to her left hand, where she wore Davis’ grandmother’s antique diamond. The divorce decree, what little of it she read, stated that she return it immediately, as it was a family heirloom.

Paige twirled the ring on her finger, and fought back the tears. How could everything change with the flip of a switch? One day she had what she thought was a happy marriage and the next, she was asked to give up everything she’d built.

She slowly slipped off her bike and parked it under a shade tree, before strolling down the dock. In walking past one of the boats, she noticed it had bold letters painted on the transom, which read
For Better or Worse
. She tried not to stare as a young couple cast off, thinking it was fitting they take their voyage as her marriage was ending. They were sailing out to happily ever after, as she was about to turn the next page in her story, unsure of where she’d land next.

As boat crossed to the other side, she stopped to stand at the end of the dock and bitterly laughed.

“This is just great,” she said to no one in particular. “I can’t believe I’ve worked my whole life for this.”

As the world went on around her, anger slowly replaced the hurt that had broken her heart. She glared as the boat pulled out of view, and then gently slipped off her wedding ring, holding it for a few moments mulling it over, before tossing it high into the air. She watched as Davis’ heirloom diamond sailed across the Potomac and sliced down into the deep waters never to be seen again.

“Take that,” she muttered, before running back for her bike. She grabbed her handlebars and threw her leg over to navigate through the crowds. As she maneuvered through the tourists, tears freely flowed from her eyes blurring her vision. Instead of trying to wipe them away, she pedaled faster and faster toward an unknown future.