She examined the culprit who’d plagued her dreams for weeks after the break-in. His designer jeans and bomber style leather jacket fit him well; he appeared to have put on a few pounds. Same haircut, but his hair shone, not greasy like before.
“Ms. MacArthur, I’ve been clean for four months now, since the day I was arrested the second time after robbing your house.”
Amy gasped and glanced back at Kevin.
“Confidentiality,” he whispered.
“Figures,” said Amy, shaking her head. She returned her attention to the kid standing in her doorway.
“I’m in a recovery program, and one of the steps is to apologize to you, and that’s why I’m here. I’m not the same guy who uttered those threats that day. I look in the mirror and I don’t even recognize myself sometimes. I’ve totally changed.”
His blemish-free complexion suggested improved health, his face was clean-shaven, and his clear eyes indicated he was clean. Perhaps he was attempting to reform, thought Amy.
The teenager continued, “One of the main reasons that I got involved with drugs was boredom with high school. My parents forced me to change schools, and I’m enrolled in an advanced program. I’m taking some university courses even though technically I’m still in high school. I’ll be graduating as an honor student in June.”
He glanced over at Kevin and then returned his attention to Amy.
“If I hadn’t been caught, if you hadn’t pressed charges, I might not even be here today. I could have overdosed or been shot by some gang member. You may have saved my life, and I’d like to thank you for that.”
Amy stared into his eyes, waiting for some indication he was lying, playing her for a fool. Never once did he flinch, look away. A sudden flash of forgiveness swept over her.
“I believe you mean it,” she heard herself say.
“Blaine has come a long way from the rebellious little brat I encountered at the first meeting he attended.” Ronald grasped Blaine’s shoulders and gave him a playful shake. “A lot of folks thought I was an absolute fool for volunteering to sponsor him. But I saw a glimmer of good in this young man, and I wasn’t wrong about him. He’s an exceptional guy, and he plans to start university next fall, study to become a psychologist.”
“My parents can certainly afford the tuition.” Blaine grinned. “If I hadn’t gotten that darn huge weekly allowance, I wouldn’t have been able to afford all those drugs.”
Amy smiled and peeked over at Kevin. “Note to self. Never give our kids a huge allowance.”
Kevin grinned back. “Duly noted.”
“Blaine asked me to accompany him today. He noticed a cop lived here now, and he didn’t want to get shot when he rang your doorbell.” Ronald smiled and stuck out his hand. “It’s been a pleasure talking to you folks, and Merry Christmas to you both.”
“Thank you,” replied Kevin, shaking the man’s hand.
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Ronald.” Amy shook his hand, and then turned back to the boy. “Merry Christmas, Blaine. And good luck with your studies.”
Blaine beamed. “Thank you, Ms. MacArthur. I intend to do my best. And thank you for listening to me.”
“I can do one better, Blaine.” Amy took a deep breath and then smiled. “I forgive you for breaking into my home, and frightening me half to death, and issuing those threats. Just promise me you’ll never touch drugs again. Ever.”
Blaine shook his head. “Ms. MacArthur, I’ll never touch that poison again. At least, I’ll do my best.”
“Good,” said Amy, smiling.
Just then Rover brushed against Amy’s leg and planted himself in front of her. The dog sat there, whining, and looking up at the young man standing in the doorway.
“Rover? Is that you?” Blaine dropped to one knee, leaned over and ruffled the dog’s ears.
Rover’s tail wagged furiously and he licked Blaine’s face.
“Where did you get this dog?” asked Blaine, meeting Amy’s eyes. “I see he’s still wearing that same old metal name tag.”
“I adopted him from the Humane Society shortly after you broke into my house,” she answered truthfully. If Blaine put two and two together, well, so be it.
As if he’d read her mind he asked, “Because of my threats that day, right?”
Amy nodded. “Do you know this dog?”
“Yeah, I do. The people that lived next door to us owned him.” Blaine stood up. “Rover belonged to his wife, and she spoiled the dog rotten. Then she died of cancer. Her husband couldn’t cope, started drinking like a fish, and totally ignored Rover unless he was kicking him out of the way. Eventually, he just chained him in the backyard, forgot to feed him most of the time. I’d sneak scraps over the fence for him.”
“How did he end up at the Humane Society?” asked Kevin.
“I climbed the fence one night, cut the chain. When I opened the gate to take him home with me, Rover ran off. I spent half the night looking for him, but I never saw him again. Until today.”
“That makes so much sense. The lady at the Humane Society suspected he’d been a woman’s dog. And then for some reason he’d been abused by a man. And he had a definite aversion to the smell of alcohol.” Amy bent over and petted the dog’s head. And then she met Blaine’s eyes. “Thank you for telling me his history. Now I know exactly what he’s been through. No wonder he’d become so distrustful, going from extreme love to total neglect like that. He must have been so confused.”
“I’m happy Rover ended up in a good home. Even if it resulted from my terrible behavior.” Blaine grimaced for a second, and then the smile returned to his face. “I’d wondered what happened to him. He was such a nice dog. And I see he still is.”
“Wait here a second.” Amy raced into the living room and grabbed two of the wrapped boxes of chocolates intended for those unexpected holiday guests that pop in. They don’t come more unexpected than this, she thought. She strode back to the front door, smiling. Blaine’s effort to rescue the abused dog proved he’d been a good boy at one time. Wasn’t totally rotten, totally hopeless. She suspected he would become a good man some day. “Merry Christmas to you both,” she said, extending the peace offering to first Blaine and then to Ronald.
“Thank you,” they exclaimed in unison.
“Merry Christmas,” called Kevin, closing the door as the two gentlemen moved down the three cement steps and headed toward the car.
Amy collapsed against the closed door. “That was the last thing I expected today.”
“You and me, both.” Kevin’s hands reached out, rested on her shoulders, and gently massaged her tight muscles. “The chocolates were a nice gesture.”
“Nothing says forgiveness like chocolate.” Amy closed her eyes, savoring the massage. And then she opened them again and admired her ring. “And nothing says ‘I love you’ like a diamond.”
“Didn’t your mother once say cooking for someone was the ultimate way of showing love?” Kevin grinned. “The aroma in this house tells me you love me a lot, too.”
Amy looked down and noticed Rover was still sitting beside her. Sarah skipped over to her father’s side. “Look, Daddy, I put Barbie’s new dress on her. Isn’t she pretty?”
“Very pretty, sweetheart.” Kevin ruffled his daughter’s curls, and then he peeked over at Amy. “Very pretty.”
Amy felt thankful Fate had intervened in her life. Although having her home burglarized wouldn’t have been her first method of choice, she was so pleased Kevin came into her life when he did. And now with nothing to fear and secure in each other’s love, she and Kevin returned to the family room, arms entwined, ready to start the rest of their lives together.
As a family.
Amy smiled and thought, a second happily ever after doesn’t just happen in romance novels after all.
The End
Check out other books by Brenda Sinclair
Escape to Alaska Trilogy
ebooks available through Amazon and Smashwords
; NOT WHAT IT SEEMS
Book One released June 2012
ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT
Book Two released September 2012,
NEVER A BRIDE
Book Three to be released in 2013.
A BANDIT CREEK MIRACLE
ebook available through Amazon and Smashwords
print book available through Amazon
Check out http://www.banditcreekbooks.com
to learn about other Bandit Creek authors and Bandit Creek releases.
WHEN DREAMS COLLIDE
Sequel to A BANDIT CREEK MIRACLE
to be released December 2012
About the Author
Brenda Sinclair is a writer of historical American West and contemporary romance, a member of her local chapter of Romance Writers of America, a healthy lifestyle advocate and past leader of her TOPS weight-loss group, a gardening enthusiast and dog lover. She is young at heart, regardless of what her driver’s license says.
Brenda was raised on a farm in southern Manitoba and taught school on a semi-remote reservation in northern Manitoba where, during frequent visits to a nearby town, she met her husband, a Treaty Cree member of the local First Nations band. She worked in the accounting field for over twenty-five years. A few years ago, she retired and traded in numbers for words when she decided to be a writer when she grew up. The latter part of the previous sentence is still up for debate.
Brenda and her husband have been married for over forty years, and during that time they raised two sons. She is extremely proud of her three wonderful grandchildren.
She is currently completing the sequel to A Bandit Creek Miracle and putting the final touches on book three of the ‘Escape to Alaska Trilogy’. During writing breaks, Brenda enjoys walking the beautiful Fish Creek Park trails near her home in Calgary, Canada with her little dog, Kelly, checking out what Jack Abbott is up to on today’s installment of The Young and The Restless, or snuggling with Kelly on the sofa and enjoying a good book.
Brenda believes life is good, and for days that life isn’t so good, just get over it. There’s always tomorrow.
Thank you for purchasing Love To The Rescue. 50% of the royalties from the sale of every copy of this book will be donated to Humane Society shelters. Please continue to support your local animal shelters.
Have you rescued an animal from a shelter?
If you’ve given a rescued pet a forever home, please email your story to me at mailto:[email protected], including a picture of your beloved pet if available.
Stories provided by readers relating the rescue and adoption of their pet
will be posted on my website for everyone to share.
I will post as many stories as possible.
Thank you, readers, and please drop by my website www.brendasinclairauthor.com
to read and enjoy these true tales.
You can find Brenda at:
Website: http://www.brendasinclairauthor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brendasinclairauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bsinclairauthor
Email: mailto:[email protected]
###
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Note to Readers
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Check out other books by Brenda Sinclair
About the Author
You can find Brenda at
Love To The Rescue Page 20