A Mom's New Start (Love Inspired)

by Margaret Daley

  “So this is a good thing?” Maddy snuggled against Sean, enjoying the feel of his arm about her shoulders.

  “I’ll answer the question after he’s apprehended.”

  The ebony shroud of night lured Maddy into a sense of isolation, as if the world didn’t exist beyond the dark. Tonight had been special. They’d laughed, exchanged stories of their childhood, and he’d even told her about his previous marriage. And for the first time she’d talked about her husband’s illness and death. It had felt so right to share it with Sean.

  As she looked into his eyes, all the defenses she’d tried to maintain to keep herself from caring for this man crumbled. In that moment she realized she’d given him a part of her heart—as though the Lord had led her to Sean to help him learn to trust and finally to heal her pain from her husband’s death. The realization left her speechless.

  He cupped her chin while his gaze searched her features. “You’re beautiful on the inside and out.”

  The whispered words fanned her mouth as he cocked his head and leaned toward her.

  Chapter Seven

  On the bench in the park, Sean cradled Maddy to him, his lips brushing across hers, once, twice. His mouth settled on hers in a deep kiss that sent her reeling with feelings she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She belonged in his embrace, and she didn’t want to move away.

  But reality descended when the sound of a horn honking in the distance finally parted them. His ragged breathing vied with the noises coming from their surroundings—a dog yelping, traffic passing on the street, a chain clanking against a flagpole by the gazebo.

  How in the world had she forgotten where she was?

  Sean. He made her forget everything but him.

  He smiled and rose, holding out his hand for her. “C’mon. I’d better take you home.”

  As his fingers encircled hers, and he gently yanked her up, all she could think about was his kiss. And how it had left his mark on her heart.

  * * *

  What had he been thinking? Kissing Maddy in the park? Kissing her, period?

  Sean turned down her street, her house in sight, when he slanted a look toward her. At that moment she shifted, her gaze connecting with his. A lump lodged in his throat the size of a baseball.

  He was in over his head. He quickly returned his attention to the road ahead before he had a wreck.

  Lord, what are You doing to me? My life was great before I met Maddy. Okay, maybe not great, but I was doing all right. No one to answer to. I could spend all the time I wanted working and not worry about letting anyone down.

  Suddenly he realized he was praying again. The thought stunned him. He slid a look toward Maddy again. Thankfully she was peering at her place.

  He drove into her driveway and came to a stop in front of her house.

  “I enjoyed this evening.” Especially that kiss. Suddenly he felt awkward, not sure what to say next. He was a veteran cop who had faced death and come out on top, and yet Maddy had stopped him in his tracks.

  “Me, too.” She pushed open her door.

  Sean quickly climbed from his vehicle and started for the passenger side. She met him halfway around, in front.

  What did he do now? If he did what he wanted to do, he’d drag her into his arms and never let go.

  Walk her to the door and say good-night, O’Neal.

  He took her hand and strolled toward her porch. He had some serious thinking to do. In the meantime, he should back off until he decided what to do. He didn’t want to lead her on. That wouldn’t be fair to Maddy.

  “I’m fixing pot roast tomorrow. Would you like to come for dinner? Nothing fancy.”

  “Can I bring anything? Some kind of dessert?” What happened to back off?

  “I’ve got everything covered.” She dug around in her purse and withdrew her keys.

  Before she unlocked her door, he did what he’d wanted to since he’d tasted her lips. He drew her against him and kissed her as if there were no tomorrow.

  * * *

  “I hear you’ve been dating Sean.” The following Friday, Kelli McKinney stopped Maddy as she left the shelter after a morning of volunteering.

  “We’ve been on several dates lately. Where did you hear that?”

  “David.”

  “He and Sean talked?”

  “Just an observation. My brother commented how unusual it is for his partner not to be at the station 24/7. And if you ask me, it’s about time.” Kelli smiled and headed for her office.

  Maddy made her way to her car in the parking lot behind the shelter. Is it possible to walk on clouds? That’s how I feel.

  Tonight would be the fourth night they would spend together. Like last Saturday it would be a quiet evening at her house—well, as quiet as it could be with a two-year-old running around, demanding Sean’s attention, which he gladly gave.

  Glancing at her watch, Maddy maneuvered through traffic as fast as the speed would allow. Her mother had a doctor’s appointment. Maddy would pick up her daughter and take her to the grocery with her. She had a meal to plan and cook for dinner tonight.

  At home Maddy quickly gathered up her child. After securing Carrie in her car seat, Maddy started out toward the store. She peered out the rearview mirror and saw a navy blue sedan pull away from the curb two houses down from hers.

  At a stoplight several blocks from the grocery, she noticed the same blue car behind her. Not a big deal. But dating a police officer made her more aware of her surroundings and the fact Bart Nelson still hadn’t been apprehended. The thought of that man made her hands clench tightly about the steering wheel. At least Penny was safe.

  Five minutes later when she spied the store’s parking lot up ahead, she checked the rearview mirror again and the vehicle was still behind her. She fumbled for her purse and retrieved her cell. Punching in Sean’s number with trembling fingers, she released a suppressed breath when he came on the line.

  “A car has been following me from my house. I’m on Sooner Street near the grocery.” Maddy glanced at her daughter. The very idea Bart might be behind her made her heart slam against her rib cage. She had to protect Carrie at all costs.

  “Pull into the parking lot near the store entrance. I’ll be right there. I’m not far. It may be nothing.”

  Just hearing Sean’s reassurances calmed her. She was overreacting. Bart was long gone from Cimarron City. “Okay. Should I stay in the car?”

  “Can you get Carrie out quickly?”

  Again Maddy peered at her daughter in her car seat. “No.”

  “Then stay put with the doors locked, and if the person in the car approaches you, lay on the horn.”

  She turned into the lot and found a spot near the front doors. Pulling into the space, she glanced behind her and noticed the blue car stopping behind her.

  After checking to make sure the doors were locked, Maddy watched through the rearview mirror as Bart climbed from his sedan with a tire iron in his hand and quickly headed toward her. She sucked in gulps of air, her pulse racing.

  Chapter Eight

  Bart was right behind Maddy’s SUV. She rechecked the locks, then crawled into the backseat with Carrie, unbuckling her and cradling her in her arms. She had to protect her daughter no matter what.

  I need help, Lord.

  Bart pulled on the door—only two feet from her. Panic slammed her heart against her ribs, constricting each breath until her chest hurt.

  “Where’s my wife and son?” Bart yelled over the thundering in her ears.

  Maddy flinched away, plastering her child against her.

  Suddenly the man peered to his right, then pivoted toward the left and fled.

  Maddy straightened, keeping her arms about her daughter, and glanced behind her SUV. Sean’s car screeched to a halt. As Sean jumped from his Camaro, a police car came barreling into the parking lot, lights flashing.

  Sean raced after Bart and tackled him to the pavement. Yanking the tire iron from the man, Sean tossed it to the
side and cuffed him.

  Maddy sagged against the backseat at the sight of Penny’s husband being apprehended. Closing her eyes, she inhaled gulps of air, hugging Carrie. The trembling in her hands spread to encompass her whole body as tears streaked down her cheeks.

  Today could have ended so differently. Thank You, Lord, for sending me Sean.

  * * *

  That evening after Maddy fixed Sean’s favorite dinner of fried chicken, she joined him on her patio to watch the sunset. Since he’d arrived an hour ago, he’d been quiet. Something was bothering him, and she intended to find out what. It couldn’t be Bart. He would be staying in jail until his trial.

  Maddy settled her hand on Sean’s shoulder. “You haven’t said much tonight.”

  He pivoted toward her, slipping from her grasp. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, thanks to you.”

  He frowned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t do this anymore.”

  “What do you mean?” Maddy took a step back from Sean.

  “Seeing you.” His expression closed, he clamped his jaw.

  His words robbed her of any reply. What could she say to that?

  “Today could have ended badly.”

  “But it didn’t.” She moved toward him, wanting to feel his arms about her.

  “I need to go.”

  Before she could respond, he hurried toward the driveway. Leaving her to stare after his retreating figure. Leaving her, period.

  The realization struck her in numbing waves. In a short time she’d fallen in love. And Sean didn’t want to give them a chance.

  * * *

  Late the following Thursday, Sean sat at his desk at the police station, having put in twelve-hour days—anything to take his mind off Maddy. In the past, working had always helped. It didn’t this time.

  He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t stop thinking about Maddy. About her smile. Her generous nature. Her strong faith in the Lord.

  She was the real deal, and he was letting her go. Because he was scared to risk his heart again.

  What if Bart had gotten hold of her? He couldn’t rid his thoughts of the image of something bad happening to her and leaving him alone again.

  Wasn’t it better to cut his losses now rather than later?

  He scrubbed his hands down his face.

  “I thought I would find you here.” His partner came into the room and crossed to Sean’s desk. “Go home. Or better yet, go see Maddy. She’s good for you.”

  Sean grunted. “So why are you here?”

  “I just got through with basketball practice. I left something I needed tomorrow morning in court.”

  “See, I’m not the only one who’s a workaholic.”

  David leaned against the side of the desk. “My sister keeps telling me there’s more to life than working.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”

  “When you find someone special, you need to grab hold and not let go.” His partner pushed off. “Ask yourself what you would really want in life if you could have anything you desired.” He rummaged in the top drawer of his desk, withdrew a folder and started for the door. “Go see Maddy.”

  What do I want?

  Maddy.

  Am I willing to risk getting hurt again? Put my trust in Maddy?

  He had prayed to the Lord when Maddy was in trouble. That prayer had been answered. Sean wanted to trust God—to trust Maddy.

  * * *

  The silence of her house grated on Maddy’s nerves. Her mother was gone to church and Carrie was in bed, but Maddy couldn’t sleep—hadn’t slept well since Sean left last week.

  We were good together. Why couldn’t he see that?

  Pacing her den, she chewed on her bottom lip, trying to decide what she should do. Fight for Sean? Tell him how she felt and risk him still walking away?

  The ringing of her doorbell echoed through the house. She hurried to answer it before it sounded again and woke her daughter. After checking the peephole, she fortified herself with a deep breath and opened the door.

  The urge to fling herself into Sean’s arms inundated her, but she held her ground. “Is something wrong?” She couldn’t take her eyes off the serious expression on his face. “Bart isn’t out on bail somehow?” She knew the man had come after her in the grocery parking lot because he wanted to find Penny.

  “No, that’s not gonna happen.” Sean stepped into the foyer. “I need to talk to you.”

  “I—I...” Words fled her mind.

  “Please, Maddy. I need to explain.”

  She closed the door and waved toward the den. After she trailed him into the room, he swung around and faced her. She halted a foot from him. His musky aftershave taunted her senses. A vivid picture of him kissing her popped into her mind. Her heartbeat throbbed at the memory.

  He plowed his hand through his hair. “I’ve messed up so many personal things in my life. I don’t...” Kneading his nape, he looked away for a few seconds then reestablished eye contact. “I don’t want to mess this up.”

  “As long as you’re truthful with me and yourself, you won’t.”

  “Last Friday I was plain scared. That’s the truth and not easy to admit. I’ve thought for years I didn’t want a family, especially children, because of the ugliness I see in the world. But you’ve changed all that. You and Carrie are so special. Being with you tapped into a need I’d been suppressing for years. I want a family.”

  Hope flared in Maddy, but she tamped it down—afraid she was hearing him wrong. “But the ugliness is still there.”

  “Yes, but so is the goodness. I’ve been choosing to look only at the bad. I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t like what I was becoming in here.” He thumped his chest. “I need more than my work.”

  She took a small step toward him. “What else do you need?” she asked in a breathless tone.

  “You. I want you in my life. I need you in my life.”

  “Are you sure?” A part of her still held back, needing him to commit totally.

  “I love you.” His brown gaze reflected his newfound feelings.

  Finally, she flung her arms around him. “I love you, Sean O’Neal.”

  He lifted her off the ground, hugging her to him as he swung her around. When he set her feet back on the carpet, he bent and claimed her lips in a deep kiss.

  When he pulled slightly back, he framed her face between his strong hands, riveting her attention to his love-filled eyes. “It’s been hard for me to trust anyone for a long time. You and the Lord have given me another chance.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt of The Promise of Home by Kathryn Springer!

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  Chapter One

  “Please follow the highlighted route—”

  Jenna Gardner tapped the tiny screen on the GPS and silenced the voice of her invisible navigator once and for all. Not only because the high-tech gadget seemed to be as confused as she was by the tangled skein of roads winding aroun
d Mirror Lake, but because Jenna was tempted to take its advice.

  She wanted to follow the highlighted route right back to her condo in the Twin Cities.

  “You passed it, Aunt Jenna!”

  A panicked cry reminded her that going home wasn’t an option. Not for awhile, anyway.

  Jenna glanced in the rearview mirror. Once again, she experienced a jolt at the sight of the two children in the backseat.

  Silver blond hair. Delicate features. Wide blue eyes.

  Jenna had met Logan and Tori for the first time only three days ago. The children were practically strangers.

  Strangers who were the mirror image of her younger sister, Shelly, as a child.

  For a split second, Tori met Jenna’s gaze. Then she buried her face in the tattered scrap of pink flannel that doubled as a blanket.

  Jenna pressed her lips together to prevent a sigh from escaping.

  One step forward, two steps back, she reminded herself. The five-year-old girl was adjusting to the idea of having an aunt the same way Jenna was getting used to the idea of having a niece and nephew.

  “You have to turn around,” Logan insisted.

  “Are you sure?” Jenna tipped her Ray-Bans down and tried to peer through the hedge of wild sumac that bordered the road. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Uh-huh. It’s back there.” Logan, the self-appointed spokesman for the two siblings, nodded vigorously.

  Under the circumstances, Jenna was willing to give the boy the benefit of the doubt. She put the car in reverse and began to inch backwards.

  In Minneapolis, a dozen horns would have instantly chastised her for the move. But here in the north woods of Wisconsin, the only complaint Jenna heard came from a squirrel perched on a branch near the side of the road. More than likely voicing its opinion on her presence rather than her driving skills.

  She spotted a wide dirt path that could have been—if a person possessed a vivid imagination—a driveway.

  Pulling in a deep breath, Jenna gave the steering wheel a comforting pat as she turned off the road. Her back teeth rattled in time with the suspension as the vehicle bumped its way through the potholes.