Past Secrets, Present Love

by Lois Richer

  “Of course. We’ll see you tomorrow. And we’d love it if you joined us,” Pilar offered.

  “I might just do that.” Sandra turned and hesitated when she saw Gerald walking toward the group.

  Leah saw him also and motioned to the others to leave the couple alone.

  By the time Gerald reached Sandra, the sidewalk was clear. They were the only ones standing there.

  “I’m glad to see you looking so well, Sandra.”

  “Thank you.” She didn’t know what to say to him.

  “I’ve been meaning to write but I think what I need to say should be done in person. It’s probably too late, but I apologize for everything I did, all of it. And for what Lindsay did, too. I won’t blame you if you hate me.” He looked at his feet. “Some days I hate myself for taking her away from you.”

  “I couldn’t have given her the life Carol and Marcus did,” she told him softly. “God knew what He was doing. Besides, I’ve gotten to know Kelly better now and I couldn’t be happier.”

  “Can you ever forgive me?”

  His eyes were so sad. Sandra felt a rush of warmth for the suffering he’d endured.

  “Of course I forgive you. And Lindsay, too. Pain sometimes makes us want to strike out, let others feel what we feel. How could I blame you for trying to protect her?”

  “I don’t know if that’s what I was doing,” he said honestly. “Maybe I was just protecting myself. But you’ll be safe now. Lindsay will never hurt you again.”

  “I just hope she can get some help. But the past doesn’t seem as important now, does it? It’s over. It’s the future we’re here to celebrate. Her future,” she murmured as a car arrived with Kelly inside.

  “I should go,” Gerald whispered. “I thought she was already inside. I didn’t know—” He stopped, stared at Kelly as she emerged from the car, clad in brilliant white. “She’s so beautiful,” he whispered.

  “That’s God’s work. Turning ashes to beauty.” Sandra smiled at her daughter. “You’re a lovely bride, Kelly Young.”

  “Thank you.” Kelly brushed her cheek with her lips, then turned to her father. “Hello.”

  “I should be going. I never meant to intrude.” He turned, walked a few steps before Kelly reached out to touch his arm.

  “Don’t go.” She drew Sandra to her other side. “You’re my parents. I care for both of you. This is the happiest day of my life. I want you both to share in that. Will you walk me down the aisle, Mother? Father?”

  Sandra’s heart welled with joy and pride. She nodded at her daughter. “I’d be honored. Gerald?”

  She could see the sheen of tears in his brown eyes. He gulped, then nodded. “Yes,” he said huskily.

  “Thank you. Both of you. This wedding is everything I ever dreamed of, and more.”

  Like a beam of light, Kelly led them up the stairs. They paused in the foyer while Rachel straightened her train, Trista helped her adjust her veil and handed her a bouquet of richly fragrant lilacs gleaned from the Nobles’ yard.

  Kelly glanced toward the front of the church, saw Ross waiting for her and smiled. Everything in her world was under control, thanks to her Lord. She glanced at her parents.

  “It’s not the past and its secrets that matter,” she whispered. “It’s the present and the love we share.”

  She nodded at Trista, who stepped out to lead the way, followed by the Kierney twins, Chance and Luke, who proudly carried satin cushions with golden rings. Then Kelly slipped her arms into her parents’ and together they walked down the aisle to meet the future. One full of possibilities only God could fathom.

  If you liked the

  FAITH ON THE LINE series from Love Inspired,

  you’ll love the

  FAITH AT THE CROSSROADS series,

  coming in January from Love Inspired Suspense!

  And now, turn the page for a sneak preview of

  A TIME TO PROTECT by Lois Richer,

  the first installment of FAITH AT THE CROSSROADS.

  On sale in January 2006 from Steeple Hill Books.

  Brendan Montgomery switched his beeper to vibrate and slid it back inside his shirt pocket. Nothing was going to spoil Manuel DeSantis Vance’s first birthday party—and this large Vance and Montgomery gathering—if he could help it.

  Peter Vance’s puffed-out chest needed little explanation. He was as formidable as any father, proudly displaying his beloved child. Peter’s wife Emily waited on Manuel’s other side, posing for the numerous photographs Yvette Duncan insisted posterity demanded. Apparently posterity was greedy.

  Judging by the angle of her camera, Brendan had a hunch Yvette’s lens sidetracked from the parents to the cake she’d made for Manuel. Who could blame her? That intricate train affair must have taken hours to create and assemble, and little Manuel obviously appreciated her efforts.

  “Make sure you don’t chop off their heads this time, Yvette.” As the former mayor of Colorado Springs, Frank Montgomery had opinions on everything. And as Yvette’s mentor, he’d never been shy about offering her his opinion, especially on all aspects of picture-taking. But since Yvette’s camera happened to be the latest in digital technology and Frank had never owned one, Brendan figured most of his uncle’s free advice was superfluous and probably useless. But he wouldn’t be the one to tell him so.

  “Don’t tell me what to do, Frank,” Yvette ordered, adjusting the camera. “Just put your arm around your wife. Liza, can you get him to smile?” Satisfied, Yvette motioned for Dr. Robert Fletcher and his wife Pamela, who were Manuel’s godparents, and their two young sons, to line up behind the birthday boy.

  Brendan eased his way into the living room and found a horde of Montgomery and Vance family members lounging around the room, listening to a news report on the big screen television.

  “Alistair Barclay, the British hotel mogul now infamous for his ties to a Latin American drug cartel, died today under suspicious circumstances. Currently in jail, Barclay was accused of running a branch of the notorious crime syndicate right here in Colorado Springs. The drug cartel originated in Venezuela under the direction of kingpin Baltasar Escalante, whose private plane crashed some months ago while he was attempting to escape the CIA. Residents of Colorado Springs have worked long and hard to free their city from the grip of crime—”

  “Hey, guys, this is a party. Let’s lighten up.” Brendan reached out and pressed the mute button, followed by a chorus of groans. “You can listen to the same newscast tonight, but we don’t want to spoil Manuel’s big day with talk of drug cartels and death, do we?”

  His brother Quinn winked and took up his cause. “Yeah, what’s happened with that cake, anyway? Are we ever going to eat it? I’m starving.”

  “So is somebody else, apparently,” Yvette said, appearing in the doorway, her flushed face wreathed in a grin. “Manuel already got his thumb onto the train track and now he’s covered in black icing. His momma told him he had to wait ’till the mayor gets here, though, so I guess you’ll just have to do the same, Quinn.”

  Good-natured groans filled the room.

  “Maxwell Vance has been late since he got elected into office,” Fiona Montgomery said, her eyes dancing with fun. “Maybe one of us should give him a call and remind him his grandson is waiting for his birthday cake. In fact, I’ll do it myself.”

  “Leave the mayor alone, Mother. He already knows your opinion on pretty much everything,” Brendan said, sharing a grin with Quinn.

  “It may be that the mayor has been delayed by some important meeting.” Alessandro Donato spoke up from his seat in the corner. “After Thanksgiving, that is the time when city councilors and mayors iron out their budgets, yes?”

  “But just yesterday I talked to our mayor about that, in regard to a story I’m doing on city finances.” Brendan’s cousin Colleen sat cross-legged on the floor, her hair tied back in the eternal ponytail she favored. “He said they hadn’t started yet.”

  Something about the way Alessandro mov
ed when he heard Colleen’s comment sent a nerve in Brendan’s neck to twitching, enough to make him take a second look at the man. Moving up through the ranks of the FBI after his time as a police officer had only happened because Brendan usually paid attention to that nerve. Right now it was telling him to keep an eye on the tall, lean man named Alessandro, even if he was Lidia Vance’s nephew.

  There was something about Alessandro that didn’t quite fit. What was the story on this guy anyway?

  A phone rang. Brendan chuckled when everyone in the room checked their pockets. The grin faded when Alessandro spoke into his. His face paled, his body tensed. He murmured one word, then listened.

  “Hey, something’s happening! Turn up the TV, Brendan,” Colleen said. Everyone was staring at the screen where a reporter stood in front of city hall.

  Brendan raised the volume.

  “Mayor Vance was apparently on his way to a family event when the shot was fired. Excuse me, I’m getting an update.” The reporter lifted one hand to press the earpiece closer. “I’m told there may have been more than one shot fired. As I said, at this moment, Maxwell Vance is on his way to the hospital. Witnesses say he was bleeding profusely from his head and chest, though we have no confirmed details. We’ll update you as the situation develops.”

  COMING NEXT MONTH

  Be enthralled, moved, thrilled and delighted by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.

  Come back every month for newly released selections in a variety of categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.

  Have a great time!

  ON SALE IN JANUARY 2006

  Look for new titles in the following categories

  Bestseller

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  Passionate Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  AVAILABLE NOW

  Showcase

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)

  DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)

  GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)

  MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)

  CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)

  NIGHT FEVER by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)

  Passionate Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents

  UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze

  WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire

  SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze

  HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire

  TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze

  THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents

  BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire

  DON’T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS by Leslie Kelly, Harlequin Blaze

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue

  SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue

  EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  FEELS LIKE HOME by Maggie Shayne, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café

  LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  BLESSED BOUQUETS by Lyn Cote, Lenora Worth and Penny Richards, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café

  STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  HER BROTHER’S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  EVEN IN THE DARKNESS by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  PAST SECRETS, PRESENT LOVE by Lois Richer, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next

  RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next

  CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next

  THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next

  PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next

  STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next

  GRIN AND BEAR IT by Leslie LaFoy, Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell

  HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell

  DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell

  THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  LETHALLY BLONDE by Nancy Bartholomew, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  MS. LONGSHOT by Sylvie Kurtz, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  Chick Lit<
br />
  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink

  KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink

  DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink

  THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink

  SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink

  THE JINX by Jennifer Sturman, Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA

  URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA

  IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA

  WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  BRIGHID’S QUEST by P.C. Cast, LUNA