Matt frowned and looked out to sea.
“Matt, please. I think you and I…well, I think we started to have rather strong feelings for one another, but we’re both too scared to admit it. I’ve got nothing to hide now. You know everything about me. Well, almost everything. Am I such a terrible person that you wouldn’t want to have a relationship with me?”
“Goodness no, Peg. I enjoy talking with you, spending time with you. I knew from the first moment I stepped on the island who you were. But that didn’t stop me from—”
“From what, Matt? Say it.”
“From falling in love with you,” Matt whispered. He knelt down beside the seat where she was lying down with her leg propped up on the outer rail.
“Oh, Matt. I love you too. I’ve fought it, but when you kissed me I couldn’t deny it any longer.”
“What about the past? What about Esther and me raising your son?”
“Our son. You and Esther will always be his parents. The best I can hope for is a close adult relationship with Micah. Maybe, in time, a special bond. I love him with all the passion I felt for my child when I thought he was dead. But it doesn’t erase the fact that I had no hand in raising him. He’s a lot like me, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” Matt grinned.
“Oh, I suppose you do.”
“How’s Micah with all of this?” Matt asked.
“Wondering when you’re going to be a man and kiss the woman,” Micah piped in from the dock.
“Micah,” Matt and Peg called out. There he stood, with his arms crossed over his chest and a foolish grin on his face. The past hours had not been wasted. Peg had been able to share some of a parent’s heart with Micah, helping him understand Matt’s actions, and convincing herself in the process of why Matt had done what he had. Why he had kept the secret so long.
“Well, are you going to kiss this woman and begin our new lives?” Micah demanded.
“Hmm.” Matt wiggled his eyebrows.
Peg giggled.
“Should we seal our future with a kiss, Miss Martin?” Matt brushed the top of her lips ever so lightly with his finger.
Peg groaned and felt her face flush.
“Micah, would you please turn around?” Matt motioned with his finger.
“Father, you can’t be serious,” he said, but he obeyed his father.
“Now, where was I?”
Peg felt her face grow hotter still.
“May I?” he whispered.
She blinked her agreement and relished the sweet surrender of their lips connecting, of becoming vulnerable one to the other. Her life verse flooded back in her mind, Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
God had turned her painful mistake into a long-awaited blessing.
Micah coughed, then tapped his foot loudly. “Folks are gathering, you two.”
Matt pulled away. Peg tried to draw him back. His finger touched her lip. “Not now, my sweet, my southern treasure. What a wonderful Christmas gift you are. Merry Christmas, Peg.”
“Merry Christmas, Matt.” She smiled, her heart spilling over with joy. God had given her a special gift this year—a new family of her very own.
About the Author
Lynn A. Coleman is a Martha’s Vineyard native who now calls the tropics of Miami, Florida, home. She is a minister’s wife who writes to the Lord’s glory through the various means of articles, short stories, and a web site. She has three grown children and seven grandchildren. She also hosts an inspirational romance writing workshop on the Internet, manages an inspirational romance web site, and serves as president of the American Christian Romance Writers organization. Visit her web page at www.lynncoleman.com.
Dedication
To my church family. May God continue to bless us as we work together to bring God’s love to various cultures and people in Miami, Florida, and beyond. I love you all and thank you for your faithful prayer support.
A note from the author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lynn A. Coleman
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Southern Treasures Page 15
