On Your Knees
Page 32
She returned to his arms, and they sat there and dreamed of the future for a while until Adam’s phone beeped.
“What’s up?” she asked.
He looked at his phone and laughed. “That dear partner of mine is apparently getting impatient.”
He turned the phone and showed her the text from Amelia. “Well, you guys coming or not? I highly doubt she said no, so, where are you? Baby wants to eat.”
Ella laughed. “Where’re we going?”
“My mom’s.”
“Amelia’s at your mom’s?”
“Yep, her and all of our friends.”
“You really were banking on me saying yes?”
“It’s not like we hadn’t talked about it. So yeah, I was quite confident.”
They stood and gathered their things and walked back up the path. Adam’s car was waiting for them. “That was not there when we came.”
Adam just smiled.
Less than five minutes later they were walking up the steps to his mom’s house. Inside all their friends and family were waiting to celebrate. Ella welcomed the hugs and congratulations from everyone.
Everyone ate pizza and mingled but Ella couldn’t help but notice Jocelyn standing in the corner of the kitchen barely picking at her pizza. Ever since they were kids Jocelyn had been the life of a party, talking to anyone and everyone. Something wasn’t right. Ella pulled Adam down, kissed his cheek, and whispered, “I’ll be back.”
“Okay.” He kissed her forehead before she turned towards Jocelyn.
“Hey, Jocelyn. How are you doing?”
“Hey, Ella. Congrats. I’m so happy for you and Adam.”
“Thanks. You all right?”
“Eh. I haven’t been feeling that great.”
“Yeah?” Ella tucked her hair behind her ear.
Jocelyn shifted to her other foot. “Yeah, not sure why. I’m headed to the doctor on Tuesday. I’m sure it’s nothing. Just a little heartburn. My mom has always had bad reflux. I’m sure that’s all it is. Makes eating pizza less than appetizing.”
“I’m sure. Don’t worry about feeling like you have to eat that. Come join us.”
“I guess.”
Ella took Jocelyn’s hand and pulled her over to join the group of detectives. Amelia handed Adam little baby Jonathan, and Ella’s heart did a little flip. Adam cradled the one month old in his arms. Ella put her arm around Adam and cooed at the baby.
“Oh, Adam,” she whispered, “you’re going to make a great daddy one day.”
He smiled at her. “I hope so.” Jonathan started fussing so Adam bounced the baby, but he didn’t calm down.
“I’ll take him. He probably wants to eat again.” Amelia took the baby.
Once Adam’s arms were free again, he turned to Ella. “Can I steal you away for a moment?”
“Of course.”
He winked at her, and they slipped out the door into the backyard. “I just needed to do this.”
Before she could ask what Adam pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers. Her heart took flight, and she kissed him back. Once their lips parted, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you, Ella,” he said softly in her ear.
“I love you, Adam.”
Also By Liz Bradford
A Shot at Redemption - Book Four -
The Detectives of Hazel Hill- Coming 2020!
Gavin Riley has been a detective with the Hazel Hill PD for two years, and while he and his partner, Becca Palmer, have by no means closed every case, too many unsolved cases in a row has left Gavin doubting his ability to do his job. Are his personal mistakes distracting him from doing his job well? He can't let them, especially when a sniper decides to terrorize the city of Hazel Hill. Gavin must tap into his training as a former Army sniper to help find the killer before he finds his way into the sniper's cross hairs.
Forensic photographer, Jocelyn North, knew she shouldn't have gotten as close to Gavin as she did, but he had always been such a good friend to her so it was too late by the time she realized it had gone too far. Now she was pregnant with his baby. She needs to tell him, but she also needs to tell Patrick, her husband. How will either of them react? Will God punish her and Gavin for their mistakes or do they have a shot at redemption?
A Shot at Redemption is a unique romance that shows how we must face the consequences of our sin and how God can redeem even our most foolish mistakes.
Book Five (title to be determined) - Coming late 2020!
A FRIGHTFUL NOEL - Prequel Christmas Novella
If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to grab Liz’s prequel to The Detectives of Hazel Hill series.
Can a gang execution, a pregnant witness, and a mountain-brewed snowstorm be the perfect recipe for a Christmas miracle?
Doug Ramirez, a detective for the Hazel Hill Police Department, and his wife, Paige, an EMT for the HHFD, thought they'd be dancing the night away even when the rest of North Carolina was hunkering down for a massive snow storm, but when Doug is called out to investigate a body in gang ridden area of the city, the dancing will have to wait. Doug and his partner, Rebecca Palmer, arrive on the scene of a gang execution and find a scared and pregnant witness to the murder. Their focus changes from hunting a murder to protecting this young girl from the killers. The snowstorm swirling overhead only increases the risk on everyone's lives. Will they all make it through the night alive?
Follow Liz on Facebook or subscribe to receive her newsletter via email to be among the first to get updates regarding upcoming releases.
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Author's Note
Thank you for reading ON YOUR KNEES. I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I loved writing it. I’ve tried to figure out why I love it so much, but I think it’s the characters. Something about Adam and Ella. Maybe it’s just because they developed in my head for a long time before I was finally able to sit down and write their story.
People are always asking writers, “Where do you get your ideas?” I was just asked this very question by one of my sweet younger cousins at a family reunion. And honestly, I have no idea where the ideas for Adam and Ella’s story stemmed from. Although, I do remember, during one of my early drafts of NOT ALONE, I was struck by Adam’s unexpected response that the killer was delivering his own sense of Biblical punishment. I had to think, where did that unexpected response come from? I knew there had to be a backstory to that. And can I say, I was honestly surprised when I discovered his dad’s past. (Be sure to pick up book four when it comes along to discover more about Adam’s dad’s redemption story.)
My husband thinks I’m a little crazy when I say that I didn’t see part of a character’s story coming, but as much as I create the characters in my head, it truly feels like they are independent of my mind. However, I do believe that God has given me the stories I write. I pray when I write, especially when I reach a difficult part or I’m stuck. I pray that God will guide my words and that He would use the words I write to touch someone’s heart. I pray that if there is any part of Adam and Ella’s story that strikes a chord in your heart that you would seek God in that area. Reach out to a pastor or another believer so they can pray with you and for you. And I’d love to hear from you too. Dear Reader, you are always in my prayers!
James 4:6-8
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
> So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you…”
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, Thank you, Jesus, for Your grace and mercy and for giving me the opportunity to write these stories. I pray that they honor You, Lord.
Thank you to my family, Ken, Mom, Dad, my girls. Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Thank you to my dear friend, Becky Shaulis. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your professional input and analysis of the Ella’s PTSD and Adam’s drinking problem.
Thank you to my editor, Teresa. Thanks for teaching me so much. It is so much fun working with you.
Thank you to my cover designer, Alyssa. Thank you so much for blowing my mind with yet another beautiful cover design.
Thank you to my formatter, Kari. Thanks for making my book beautiful and easy to read.
Thank you to my readers. I pray this story encourages to fall to your knees at Jesus’ feet and trust Him with your life.