by Lyn Cote
Jane studied the expanse of the pine and birch forest that she would look at every morning after their house was built.
Cash continued. “I’m putting the great room and screened-in porch on the lake side as we agreed—”
“Mama.” Angie stretched her arms up to Jane who lifted the three-year-old and held her close.
Cash put his free arm around his wife’s shoulders. They stood, side by side with their daughters facing Lake Elizabeth. Beneath them, on gentle rises up from the lake, other homes were in the process of being built.
“I can’t believe we’re ready to break ground,” Cash murmured.
Jane smiled at him. Then, still holding Angie, she turned toward him and rested her head on her husband’s chest, almost eye-to-eye with Storme. Cash and Jane continued standing silently, listening to Storme’s rhythmic sucking.
Angie squirmed restlessly, and Jane set the little girl down. Cash and Jane trailed Angie as she walked forward a few feet to a patch of wild daisies. Angie began picking the yellow-and-white top off of each tall stem. Jane soaked in the sun’s warmth, the buzz of the boats on the water and the steady beat of nails being hammered into wood.
Smiling with satisfaction, Cash closed his eyes. Storme reached up and touched her father’s chin again. Without opening his eyes, he kissed the small, open palm. “We’re so lucky. God has been so good.” He sighed deeply and kissed the top of Jane’s head. “I love you.”
Jane nodded her head against him. “Love you, too,” she whispered.
“Love you, three,” he whispered in return.
*
Dear Reader,
Thanks for picking out my book! I believe being able to write fiction is a wonderful gift from God. And writing romance is a special treat for me. God so often uses our conflicts with others to change our hearts, especially as a man and woman work out their differences, marry and establish a new home. Cash didn’t know he was incomplete and lost Jane thought her love for Cash was hopeless. But as it is written, “a little child shall lead them,” little Angie drew them together, and in the end a new family was born. Cash will never be alone again. His sister’s last wish for him was fulfilled.
Never Alone is my first published novel and is close to my heart for that and another, deeper reason. A few years ago I lost one of my special friends, a former college roommate, to cancer. As I wrote about Jane’s grieving over Dena, I was able to work through my own deep sorrow and sense of loss. I named baby Angie after my friend. I know I will see my friend Angie again. But for now, this book is a tribute to her vivacious, loving spirit and a testament to God’s unfailing love in the most difficult of circumstances.
eISBN 978-14592-6456-4
NEVER ALONE
Copyright © 1998 by Lyn Cote
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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