“What? Why would you do that?” Agony laced her dad’s voice.
Sean squeezed her hand, giving her the courage to go on. To say what she’d planned to say to them when she contacted them before she moved. This meeting just moved it up. Who knows, maybe she came today in hopes of running into them when she had Sean by her side.
“Toodles.” Her dad used his nickname for her, bringing tears to her eyes. “Why?”
“You made it clear that you blamed me for Jeremy’s death,” she got out through a throat that was closing fast. “And I figured you didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
“That’s just not true.” Her mom planted her hands on her hips, jutting one out as she did when she felt a need to defend herself. “Did we handle losing him the best way possible? No. Did we get upset when you first told us you’d found the pills? Yes. Not because of what you did, but because it was just one more chance that could’ve stopped Jeremy. But we tried so many times while you were still living at home to tell you that it wasn’t your fault.”
“I don’t remember that.”
“You were in such a bad place that you never heard it,” her dad whispered.
“I . . .” She started to argue, then let her voice fall off.
Were they right? Had they told her that and she couldn’t see it? Maybe, but did it matter? No. Fifteen years had passed, and now they could end the rift between them.
Her dad took a step closer. “We want nothing more than to have you in our lives.”
“I planned to come see you this week to say the same thing.”
“Really?” Her mother’s expression perked up, and ten years disappeared from her face.
“Really. And so . . .” She drew Sean forward. “It’s only right that you meet the man I’m going to marry this summer.”
“Sean Nichols.” He held out his hand to her father, who took it like a man offered a precious gift.
“I’m Vern Mills.” Her dad pumped Sean’s hand, hard. “Glad to meet you, son. Glad to meet you. This is my wife, Grace.”
He released Sean’s hand, and Sean extended it to her mother, who was a bit more reserved, but a wide smile remained on her face.
Her mom held up a bouquet of flowers. “Would you mind if we joined the two of you at Jeremy’s grave?”
The request closed off Taylor’s throat. Not a word would come out. She nodded and turned to take the last steps to where Jeremy rested. She quickly placed her own flowers by the headstone, and as she let the tears flow, she stood back.
Sean slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her so tightly to his side, not a hair could fit between them. Together they watched her parents settle their flowers. They stood alone for a moment, before her mom kissed her fingers and laid them on the stone. “I love you, my sweet, sweet son and miss you as much today as I did fifteen years ago.”
Her dad clutched her hand and led her back to stand next to Taylor. Tears rolled down her mother’s face, and Taylor felt her own running down her cheeks.
Her mother silently took Taylor’s hand, and they stood there crying together. Reunited in grief and in hope.
She was home with her parents. With her future husband. She’d given up her guilt to fully trust and was finally at home with God again too. All was well.
Acknowledgments
THANKS TO:
My family, for your support and the many sacrifices you make that enable me to continue to write the books of my heart. God has blessed me mightily with each one of you, and you are the reason I’m able to write. A special thanks to Mark. God has blessed me with such a supportive husband, and I couldn’t keep writing without your encouragement.
My fabulous agent, Steve Laube. Your advice is always spot-on, and I appreciate it more than you can know. It’s wonderful to have such a godly man in my corner.
My editors, Dave Long and Luke Hinrichs. I’m so blessed by your insights and suggestions for crafting a stronger novel and am honored to work with you and the other staff at Bethany House.
The amazing romantic suspense author Elizabeth Goddard, for always being my sounding board and a friend through thick and thin. I am blessed by our friendship, Beth, and I couldn’t do this writing thing without you!
The very generous Ron Norris, who gives of his time and knowledge of police and military procedures, weaponry details, and information technology. As a retired police officer with the La Verne Police Department and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, the experience and knowledge you share are priceless. You go above and beyond, and I can’t thank you enough! Any errors in or liberties taken with the technical details Ron so patiently explained to me are all my doing.
The Portland FBI agents, for sharing your knowledge, expertise, and heart for your jobs at the Citizens Academy. I still smile when I think about our day at the firing range. I hope the FBI agents in the HOMELAND HEROES series are reflective of your incredible dedication to the job.
Pastor Samuel Wilson, for bringing an inspiring message each and every Sunday to enrich and deepen my faith. And to Kasey Sanchez, for music that lifts my soul and rejuvenates my heart each week. You both are so instrumental in helping me to share God’s love.
And most important, thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to share stories filled with the hope He gives to all of us, and for the ability to write them. You have blessed my writing in ways I could never have imagined, and I look forward to seeing what you will do next.
Susan Sleeman is the bestselling author of more than thirty romantic suspense novels with sales exceeding one million copies. She’s won several awards, including the ACFW Carol Award for Suspense for Fatal Mistake, and the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Thread of Suspicion. In addition to writing, Susan hosts the popular Suspense Zone website, www.thesuspensezone.com. She’s lived in nine states but now calls Portland, Oregon, her home. For a complete list of the author’s books, visit www.susansleeman.com.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
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Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
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