“You’d be wise to leave me alone, Gunnar, just like you did that night when I needed you.”
Memories rushed back—an assault of flashing cruiser lights and blood-spattered snowdrifts. The country road loomed ink-dark and petrifying as the cruiser carried him away into the black of night, into a terrifying unknown.
“You let the police take me away from everything that was familiar—mom, our home, my friends at school. I didn’t have anything, not even a coat on my back. And it was so cold that night…”
“I tried to stop you. I to you but you ran—”
“Because you were bleeding so badly that I thought you were going to die. I was trying to get help. I wanted help. And after all these years without so much as a word from you, I figured dying was exactly what had happened to you.”
“I’m right here, Morgan.” Gunnar placed a hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “I’ve been right here all along.”
Morgan shrugged away from his touch. “You’ve gone on with your life—made a new life—and I’m not part of it.”
“But you could be, I want you to be.”
“Why didn’t you come after me that night or in the days and weeks—the years—that followed? When you turned eighteen? It was so long…so much time alone, not knowing. You slayed me, Gunnar.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Not as sorry as I am.”
Morgan tossed his napkin on the table and, without another word, turned his back on Gunnar and the others. He strode to the exit and shoved through the door. It slammed behind him with a satisfying whap.
The breeze slapped heated skin. Every muscle fiber screamed with agony that seemed to center along his heart. He couldn’t think…couldn’t breathe.
He started walking, then broke into a sprint as the tears came.
Help me, Lord.
He hadn’t prayed more than a simple blessing over a meal in years. Not since he and Mrs. Haynes had buried Mr. Haynes following a massive stroke, and Child Services had once again come to take him away from all that had become familiar and comforting.
Morgan glanced back over his shoulder. The lights of the pizzeria cast a glow over the boulevard as music drifted. Just outside the entrance he caught sight of Lila watching him. He imagined her dark eyes wilted with confusion and hurt.
The thought punctured his soul.
His mind whirled with a cacophony of disjointed emotions.
Gunnar’s here, in Clover Cove. What now?
Diamond Knot Dreams: The Collection
Where friendship blossoms and love blooms…
Mary Manners lives in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and their rescue dog Axel, mischievous cats Colby and Rascal, a dozen chattering chickens, and an aquarium teeming with fish.
Mary writes small-town family romances laced with faith, hope, and humor. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.
Mary loves long sunrise runs, Smoky Mountain sunsets, flavored coffee, and chocolate…lots of chocolate.
~ More Titles by Mary Manners ~
Sweet Summer Love: Christian Romance for the Ages
Wildflower Wishes Series
Magnolias and Mercy
Tulips and Truth (Coming April 2020)
Gardenias and Grace (Coming May 2020)
Poinsettias and Promises (Coming July 2020)
Miracle Cove Series
Christmas in Miracle Cove
Mischief in Miracle Cove
Secrets in Miracle Cove
A Miracle Cove Reunion
Honeysuckle Cove Series
Sunrise at Honeysuckle Cove
Beyond the Storm
Honeysuckle Cove Secrets
Moonlight Kisses
Sweet Tea and Summer Dreams
A Pair of Promises
Honeysuckle Cove: The Collection
Honeysuckle Cove Collection 1 - Print
Diamond Knot Dreams Series
A Tender Season (Diamond Knot Dreams Prequel)
Veiled Gems
Jeweled Dreams
Precious Fire
Crystal Wishes
Diamond Knot Dreams: The Collection
The Mulvaney Sisters Series
Love on a Dare (The Mulvaney Sisters: Alana)
Captive at Sea (The Mulvaney Sisters: Claire)
Landing in Love (The Mulvaney Sisters: Erin)
Serenity Lake Series
Dream Come True
Christmas Collections
Love at Christmas Inn: Collection 1
Stand-alone Titles
Honor's Reward
Promises Renewed
Tragedy and Trust
Hopes and Kisses (A Sweet Little Sequel to Tragedy and Trust)
Proven Love
A Pocketful of Wishes
Winter Wishes and Snowflake Kisses
~ Connect with Mary Manners ~
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