Chapter One ~ Tolling Bells<\/p>\n
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In spite of the thousands of winking lights surrounding Trish James, a wedding somehow lost its luster in the wake of death. She nudged her shucked shoes out of the way with her big toe and adjusted the tulle on the wedding arch, the soft netlike fabric billowing beneath her fingertips as she encased the twinkle lights. The church sanctuary, with its white pews, stained-glass windows, and smoky blue carpet, served as the perfect backdrop to her design.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis wedding must be hard on you after Doc\u2019s death.\u201d Dani spoke the words as if uncertain she should speak at all.<\/p>\n
The ache in Trish\u2019s heart started afresh, a wound that never healed, but she pushed it aside with practiced expertise. This wedding wasn\u2019t about her. \u201cI\u2019m fine. It\u2019s not everyday my brother marries the most wonderful woman in the world.\u201d She forced a bright smile. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen Steve so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her sister-in-law-to-be didn\u2019t return the smile. Instead the area above her clear blue eyes creased. \u201cYou sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep.\u201d Trish snipped the word and bent low to snag a sprig of silk ivy, then inserted it in the proper place and blinked away tears. In truth, it would be great to have someone to share her concerns with, but within boundaries\u2014not right before the wedding, not with anyone who lived in Miller\u2019s Creek, and definitely not with family members. The last thing she wanted was for them to feel like they had to come to her rescue.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d told Delaine some of the situation, but her best friend since high school now lived the fast-paced, Austin lifestyle, their conversations limited to when Delaine didn\u2019t have something else on her agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t imagine how difficult it is to be both mother and father to Little Bo.\u201d Dani lowered her head, blonde ringlets framing her face. \u201cAnd then trying to start a business on top of everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oh, no. She wasn\u2019t going there. Trish clenched her teeth. Steve had already given her this lecture. With his best brotherly concern, he\u2019d told her she didn\u2019t have to be Superwoman. Yeah, right. Try telling that to her empty checkbook and refrigerator. She glanced at Dani, who sat atop the piano railing swinging her legs. \u201cAre you ready for the big day tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n
A happy glow wreathed her friend\u2019s face. \u201cAnd the day after, and the day after that. I think I\u2019ve been getting ready to marry Steve my entire life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy for you both.\u201d Though it hurt to speak the words, she meant it. It wasn\u2019t their fault her life was in the doldrums.<\/p>\n
Dani sprang from her perch and trotted down the steps to view the stage. \u201cYou have such a gift, Trish. Everything looks magical.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish gazed at the curly willow branches she\u2019d ordered and spray-painted white, now wrapped with tiny sparks of light. The fairy tale forest blanketed the stage and meandered down the side aisles in an aura of enchantment. Once the ribbons and flowers were placed, and candles inserted into globes and nestled among the boughs, her vision would be complete. \u201cI hope it\u2019s what you wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s better than I could\u2019ve ever imagined.\u201d Dani hurried over and draped an arm across her shoulder. \u201cOnce everyone in Miller\u2019s Creek see this, you\u2019re gonna get loads of business.\u201d<\/p>\n
A heavy sigh whooshed from her before she could contain it. \u201cFrom your lips to my bank account.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dani\u2019s eyes clouded. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to say this, so I\u2019m just going to say it and get it over with. Are you okay? I mean\u2026do you need to borrow money or something?\u201d<\/p>\n
No. Yes. Yes. She wasn\u2019t okay. She needed money. She needed\u2026something. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d The lie popped out as she stepped to the box perched on the piano bench. With care she lifted two delicate cracked-glass globes and moved to the candle stands. The words \u201cI\u2019m fine\u201d were her constant mantra these days, like saying them made everything all right. Who was she kidding?<\/p>\n
She closed her eyes and reopened them with a slow blink, weary of pretending. But what choice did she have? Her brother\u2019s wedding wasn\u2019t the time or place to air her personal problems. Besides, she was thirty-two years old, more than old enough to handle life on her own. A glance at her wristwatch sent her pulse on a stampede. Still so much to do to make the decorations perfect. God, please let this bring me business.<\/p>\n
Dani plopped back onto the railing. \u201cIs Little Bo doing better?\u201d<\/p>\n
How could he be? \u201cSure, if you don\u2019t count the nightmares and barely letting me out of his sight.\u201d She omitted the fact that he was a hairsbreadth away from flunking kindergarten unless she could help him catch up before the school year ended.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the psychologist is helping?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Trish could respond, the double white doors at the rear of the church burst open. Incessant rain poured from the April sky and silhouetted the form of a man. Dani let out a squeal. \u201cAndy!\u201d<\/p>\n
The petite blonde flew down the steps toward a man who looked vaguely familiar. He wore a lightweight suit with a loosened necktie, and had an easy-going smile that brightened the room. \u201cHey, how\u2019s the bride?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dani looked up at him, her face radiant. \u201cNever better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I can see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
She tugged his arm. \u201cCome here. I want you to meet someone.\u201d<\/p>\n
His loose-limbed gait gave the impression of someone always relaxed, like he\u2019d just returned from a vacation at the beach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Andy Tyler, my friend from Dallas. Andy, this is Steve\u2019s sister.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sea-green eyes sparkled. \u201cWell, does Steve\u2019s sister have a name?\u201d He jogged up the steps and held out a hand, his smile still bright.<\/p>\n
Trish laughed and took his hand. \u201cI\u2019m Trish James. Nice to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dani\u2019s face took on a crimson hue. \u201cSorry. Guess my mind is elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy\u2019s gaze rested on her bare feet. \u201cGlad to know you have a name. What about shoes?\u201d<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t help but smile. \u201cI have them, but kicked them off hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hall door squeaked behind them, and Mama Beth, Dani\u2019s mother and the mother figure of all of Miller\u2019s Creek, bustled into the room. Along with her came the smell of fresh baked bread wafting from the fellowship hall. Trish could almost taste the melt-in-your mouth rolls. Maybe she could sneak a few leftovers for her and Bo to nibble on next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goodness, Trish, if this isn\u2019t the most gorgeous thing I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d Mama Beth hugged Andy\u2019s neck. \u201cHi, Andy.\u201d<\/p>\n
A tender gleam lit his eyes as he wrapped his arms around the older woman\u2019s shoulders and kissed her cheek. \u201cHi, sweet lady.\u201d He turned raised eyebrows to Trish. \u201cYou did all this?\u201d<\/p>\n
She ducked her head, and pushed a silky strand of hair behind one ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of it.\u201d gushed Dani. \u201cAnd wait until you see the fellowship hall.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of fellowship hall, I could sure use your help in the kitchen.\u201d Mama Beth\u2019s voice took on a commanding tone as she scuttled to the door. \u201cWe\u2019ve got enough work to do for this rehearsal dinner to keep an entire army busy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dani looked torn. \u201cBut I can\u2019t leave Trish down here to do all this by herself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish wrestled the wieldy greenery in place, longing to comment that she didn\u2019t need help. It would suit her just fine if they\u2019d all go away and leave her alone.<\/p>\n
Andy rested his hands on his hips in mock protest, his tan jacket pulled back. \u201cWhat am I? Pork belly? I\u2019ll help Trish. You go help Mama Beth.\u201d He held up a hand. \u201cTrust me when I say I\u2019ll be more help here than in the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood point. I\u2019ve had your cooking.\u201d Dani grinned and rushed after Mama Beth. \u201cY\u2019all know where to find us if you need help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy chuckled and shed his jacket, then laid it across the front pew and turned her way. \u201cWhat can I do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish mentally checked her to-do list. \u201cI was actually waiting for someone with more muscles than me to come around. There\u2019s a box full of candles I need brought in from my Suburban.\u201d She pointed toward the side door. \u201cIt\u2019s out there and it\u2019s unlocked.\u201d<\/p>\n
He gave a mock salute that bounced his sandy curls. \u201cYes ma\u2019am.\u201d Andy\u2019s stocky frame loped down the steps and disappeared through the doorway.<\/p>\n
Her eyebrows rose as she made her way to the pile of greenery on the front pew. Dani\u2019s friend was more handsome than she remembered. Trish burrowed through the tangled mess, remembering the promise she\u2019d made Dani to help Andy feel welcome. As if she needed a man to take care of along with her other responsibilities.<\/p>\n
The door slammed, Andy\u2019s eyes and forehead barely visible above the box he white-knuckled. She ran to him. \u201cLet me help. I know that\u2019s heavy. I loaded it this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNah, I got it.\u201d The words wheezed out. \u201cYou loaded this by yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n
She ignored the question and pointed to the stage. \u201cCan you bring it up the steps?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shot her a \u2018you\u2019ve-got-to-be-kidding\u2019 glare then labored up the steps, his face red, his breath coming in agonized spurts. As he reached the last step, the toe of his leather loafer snagged the extension cord snaking along the edge of the stage.<\/p>\n
Trish tried to speak, but her words congregated behind locked lips. Andy stumbled, and the box flew from his arms, the candles launching like small missiles. He hit the floor with a thud, the box crash-landing at the base of the first tree.<\/p>\n
In slow motion, like carefully-placed dominos, the trees rippled to the floor in a sickening staccato of crashes and breaking glass. As if to punctuate the effect, the white metal archway in the center leaned forward with a creak as it teetered, then toppled forward with a bang.<\/p>\n
Her mouth hinged open, and her hands flew to her cheeks. All her hard work\u2026ruined. In shock, it took a moment to realize Andy still lay face down on the carpet. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
He pushed himself up on all fours and surveyed the devastation.<\/p>\n
Assured he was okay, she slung herself down to the top step. The scene replayed in her mind. A giggle gurgled out then burst forth in an almost-maniacal laugh.<\/p>\n
Andy chuckled and crawled to sit beside her.<\/p>\n
Without warning, her laughter turned to sobs. She covered her face with trembling hands, rage surging at yet another unexpected crying jag. Now she\u2019d never be ready on time. No one would be impressed. No one would want her services. No business. No money.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d Andy slid a hand down her arm. \u201cI\u2019ll fix it, Trish, I promise. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish fisted her hands, then straightened her spine and swatted at the tears on her cheeks. \u201cWill you please stop apologizing?\u201d There was no controlling her snappish tone. \u201cFor Pete\u2019s sake, it was an accident. I\u2019m not gonna sue.\u201d She clamped her lips, rose to her feet, and waded through the ruins. Fingers at rest against her lips, she knelt to retrieve shattered slivers of glass from the broken globes. These weren\u2019t even paid for.<\/p>\n
Andy stooped beside her, his eyes boring a hole into her skull. \u201cHere, let me get that. You start putting things back where you want them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish could only nod at his softly-spoken words, a knot wedged in her windpipe. She lifted a tree into position, the light strands dripping from the branches like a child had thrown them in place. So far her determination to prove herself capable had been met with nothing but industrial-strength resistance.<\/p>\n
* * *<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all your fault. The familiar words in Andy\u2019s head relentlessly accused, ushering forth memories and ghosts from the past. Trish obviously spent hours on the wedding decorations, and he\u2019d managed to undo her work with one false step. He forced the finger-pointing voice to the back of his mind and attempted to burn off the chill that now hung in the room. \u201cYou live here in Miller\u2019s Creek?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Her answer sounded pinched. \u201cMy son and I live here. At least for now.\u201d She didn\u2019t look at him while she maneuvered the lights back on the branches with agile fingers.<\/p>\n
Son? Now he remembered. Dani had mentioned something about Steve\u2019s sister losing her husband in a freak accident. A cow kick, or was it a horse? And how long ago? \u201cYou\u2019re leaving town?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to, but we don\u2019t always get what we want, do we?\u201d<\/p>\n
True, but sometimes what you thought you wanted wasn\u2019t what you needed. Andy rose, his hands cupped to contain the glass shards. \u201cNo, we don\u2019t. You have a trash can?\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish\u2019s tawny eyes looked his way. She grabbed an empty box and hurried to him. \u201cHere.\u201d She glanced around the stage, her face gloomy, her shoulders slumped. \u201cAre they all broken?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t know.\u201d He dumped the pieces in the box, where they pinged against each other. \u201cIs there some place I can buy replacements?\u201d<\/p>\n
She rubbed one arm and shook her head. \u201cNo. I had them shipped in. I\u2019ll drive to Morganville tonight after the rehearsal to see if I can find something that\u2019ll work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sadness on her face made his breath stick in his throat. He\u2019d been in Miller\u2019s Creek less than an hour and had already goofed things up. \u201cI\u2019ll go with you and pay for them since it\u2019s my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish\u2019s shoulders rose then fell. \u201cIt\u2019s no one\u2019s fault. It\u2019s just something that happened.\u201d She returned to the branches and hoisted another one back into position.<\/p>\n
Just something that happened. A shaft of light streamed through the stained glass windows and rested on her, and she slumped over like she couldn\u2019t bear the weight of the world any longer. Was she remembering the accident? He removed a pack of peppermint gum from his shirt pocket and popped a piece in his mouth. Her problems made the mess with Sheila seem trivial. What could he do to make things better?<\/p>\n
\u201cDani told me you\u2019re engaged. When\u2019s the big day?\u201d Trish strung lights along a tree branch. Perfectly.<\/p>\n
He shifted his weight to the other leg then squatted to pluck glass from the carpet. \u201cUh, we\u2019re not\u2026I mean\u2026well, it\u2019s over between us.\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised her head, and her brown hair shimmered under the light. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be.\u201d He stood. \u201cIt\u2019s for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy let out a half-laugh. \u201cTurns out she still had a thing for her ex-boyfriend.\u201d Thank the Lord he\u2019d found out in time. A wife would be wonderful, but not the wrong wife.<\/p>\n
For a moment she didn\u2019t speak, but her face took on a knowing look. \u201cThat must\u2019ve been painful.\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded, his lips pressed together. \u201cIt was hard, but God can bring good from hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish stared at him like she was trying to get a read on him then turned back to the lights. \u201cSo neither one of us are really in the mood to celebrate. Especially a wedding.\u201d Her face matched her cynical tone.<\/p>\n
Out in the hallway, muffled voices grew closer. The hall door swung open, and the smell of Mama Beth\u2019s home-cooking watered his mouth. A little boy that looked like Trish raced toward them, then stopped, his dark eyes round. \u201cWhoa! What happened here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dani and Mama Beth followed, their mouths ajar. After them came Steve Miller, the mayor of Miller\u2019s Creek, and Dani\u2019s soon-to-be husband.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d Trish rushed to the two women and laid a hand on each of their arms. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing that can\u2019t be fixed, I promise. We just had a little accident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy watched through narrowed eyes. Now she comforted the two women when just a few minutes before she\u2019d been in tears. A good way to get a severe case of whiplash.<\/p>\n
Steve sauntered toward him, his boots scuffing against the carpet, a friendly grin on his face.<\/p>\n
He shook Steve\u2019s hand. \u201cHow you doing, Mayor?\u201d<\/p>\n
The other man\u2019s grin expanded as he tucked his fingers in jeans that looked new. \u201cI\u2019ll be doing a lot better in a couple of days.\u201d Lightning fast, Steve untucked one hand and grabbed the boy\u2019s arm as he streaked by. \u201cHold on, tiger. I don\u2019t think you have any business up there. Have you met Aunt Dani\u2019s friend?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy skewed his lips in a thoughtful pose and shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my nephew, Bo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy stretched out a palm. \u201cGive me five, buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bo reared back and delivered a hearty slap.<\/p>\n
\u201cOuch!\u201d Andy pretended to shake off the sting. \u201cMan, I\u2019ll bet you can throw a baseball really far with that kind of muscle power.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy nodded, his face creased with a grin. \u201cYep, but I can\u2019t catch so good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d corrected Trish, as she came to stand with them. \u201cYou can\u2019t catch well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy assumed a catcher\u2019s position beside him. The little guy had to be missing his daddy. Maybe he could help. \u201cI used to be a catcher, so I can give you some pointers later. Would you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bo\u2019s eyes lit. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes sir.\u201d Trish\u2019s tone held a warning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, yes sir.\u201d He looked toward his Mama. \u201cIs it okay if we play catch, Mom?\u201d<\/p>\n
She sent Andy a tight-lipped smile, her expression cloaked with reserve, but when she turned toward her son her face softened, and she tousled his hair. \u201cOf course, but it might be tomorrow since Mr. Tyler\u2019s already promised to help me clean up this mess.\u201d \u201cAlmost looks like a tornado touched down in here.\u201d Steve rocked back on his heels and jangled the coins in his pocket.<\/p>\n
\u201cA tornado named Andy.\u201d Trish gave a play-by-play account.<\/p>\n
Steve laughed, but Mama Beth and Dani still fussed about like a couple of hens. \u201cThat\u2019s one way to get out of carrying more boxes.\u201d Steve winked. \u201cI\u2019ll have to remember that move.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, look at me!\u201d Little Bo perched on the piano railing, one foot in front of the other, his arms out to balance. Andy\u2019s heart moved to his throat. One wrong step would hurdle him toward the carpet, still full of glass.<\/p>\n
All of them raced for the railing, but Andy arrived first. He grabbed him by the waist and slung him over one shoulder, amused at Bo\u2019s contagious belly laugh. \u201cCome here, buddy, before you fall and hurt that amazing pitching arm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trish joined them, eyes wide with panic, her face white and strained. She gripped Little Bo\u2019s arms. \u201cHow many times do I have to tell you not to pull stunts like that?\u201d Her voice shook as she bent down, her face inches from his.<\/p>\n
The boy said nothing, his lips stuck out in a pout.<\/p>\n
Steve laid a hand on her shoulder. \u201cSis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volumes passed between the brother and sister before Little Bo bolted for the door. Trish raced after him, her dark eyes full of hurt.<\/p>\n
Both men faced the door, an awkward silence between them. Steve cleared his throat and turned, his eyes fixed on the floor. \u201cSorry about that. Trish is\u2026uh\u2026going through a rough time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy nodded. An understatement if he\u2019d ever heard one. Based on what he\u2019d seen, he was pretty sure not even Steve knew exactly how rough.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6 MY REVIEW: I thoroughly enjoyed Cathy’s first book Texas Roads and eagerly awaited her second book in the Miller’s Creek series. I can assure you that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,60,41,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books","category-contemporary-fiction","category-romance","category-western"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6494"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6506,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6494\/revisions\/6506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/a>It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour<\/a><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong> book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_cESuxv-WNX8\/TPCs0nTagLI\/AAAAAAAAEmM\/tc89txv5ccw\/s200\/cathy%2Bbryant.jpg\")
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