Lily of the Valley in May

 

 

Blurb:

Forced into hiding after witnessing her fiancé commit murder, artist Faith Chadwick finds her own faith lagging. For safety, she temporarily moves in with her sister.

Best-selling author Joel Wallac is on death watch. His son is dying and Joel can only sit helpless in the hospital room. As grief overwhelms him, he employs Faith to help him bring a storybook to life for his son, and they begin to forge a relationship even in the midst of danger and fear. Witnessing Joel’s steadfast belief in God spurs Faith’s own wobbling faith, but when she is threatened once again, the police insist Faith needs to leave the area.

Joel convinces her to accompany him on his upcoming book tour. What better way to keep her moving around too much for anyone to catch up?
With armed escort, they embark on what soon turns into a dangerous journey. When Faith's ex finds her, Joel pulls her from a dire situation. But there are consequences…Could God have brought them together in trial and tragedy for some divine purpose, and can she overcome her doubts and fears to accept God’s will?

extract:

“Yesterday was pretty horrid all the way around I think.” He glanced down at his black suit. “Elliott and I went to a funeral after I spoke to you about the book illustrations.”
“I’m sorry.”
“My ex-wife’s. So if I was a little short with you in the car park and in church, that’s why.”
Faith looked at him. “That must have been hard.”
“We’d been divorced several years, any love there once was had long gone.” He sucked in a deep breath. “She cheated on me almost from the word go. Kept saying it wouldn’t happen again, but eventually I made her choose. Him or me. She chose him, and got the house, the dog, my son. I got Elliott’s spare room and every other weekend with Bradley, my son.”
“I’m sorry.” Bradley…wasn’t that the name of that little boy they prayed for last night? She wished she’d paid attention to what Grace had said about Elliott and Joel the night she’d moved in.
“Don’t be. Like I said, it’s over and done with.” He glanced down at Patches. “That is one very well-behaved dog.”
“He’s a former guide dog whose owner died suddenly. They decided he was too old to start over with a new blind person, so Patches retired and I got him. He’ll run off to collect a ball or stick, but won’t leave my side when we’re walking. I guess old habits die hard.”
“It’s a good habit to have.”
Faith let Patches off the lead as they reached the park. She pulled a tattered ball from her pocket and threw it. “Has there been anyone in your life since your wife left?”
Joel shook his head. “No, not unless you count Elliott. I have a sister, Helen, as well.”
She watched Patches retrieve the ball. “I’m guessing you know about my family.”
“You have a sister called Grace. She lives next door and is going to marry Elliott. Though they haven’t decided where to live yet—or if they have, they haven’t told me. Don’t think El’s realized that’ll make me homeless when they do decide.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something. Maybe you could buy his place if they move into Grace’s.” Faith threw the ball again. “Aside from Grace, I have a brother called Rick and a sister we haven’t seen in years called Hope.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Ex. Very ex.” She shoved her hands into her pockets. “I don’t want to talk about him though.”
“Fair enough.” He walked up a steep hill, keeping step with her. “How long are you here?”
“I don’t know. Have to see what happens.” She glanced shyly at him. “I had this job interview yesterday.”
A light flickered in his eyes for a moment before the sadness returned. “Oh, aye? How did it go?”
“It could have gone better. Turns out I broke the bloke’s headlight with a shopping trolley, so he was probably just humoring me all the way through the interview by saying he liked my work.”
Joel raised an eyebrow. “That would be pretty mean of him to do something like that. It sounds to me like you don’t have a very high opinion of men.”
She caught her breath. She’d gone and put her foot in it again. “Just basing it on personal experience, and I’ve had plenty of that.” She whistled to Patches. “Time to go home, boy.”
Patches ran to her side, and she clipped on his lead again. She retrieved the ball from her feet and slid it back into her pocket.
“Not all men are the same. Some of us can be self-opinionated, rude, arrogant…” he paused. “And I can’t think of a polite word to say next.” He winked as her lips crept upwards unwillingly. “I make it a rule never to swear in front of a lady.”
“You swear otherwise?”
His grin became a chuckle. “Not since I became a Christian, no. Although very occasionally something will slip out if I get angry.”