“Yes, son?”
Simon reached up his arms to his father and Grant pulled him up into his lap. Simon put his pudgy little hands on Grant’s beard. “I love you, Papa. Thank you for letting me be your son.” The little arms wrapped themselves around Grant’s neck.
“I love you too, son. You are definitely a gift from God to our family.”
Simon looked at Lily and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Mama. Thank you for letting us be your family.”
Tears welled up as Lily reached out a hand to touch his plump cheek. “I love you too, Simon. You are a tremendous blessing to me.”
Soon, all the children were running to their parents to share the gift of their love and gratitude. Words were exchanged as well as hugs, kisses, and many happy tears. It was a Christmas blessing remembered long after the material gifts were gone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. She is an Acquisitions Editor with Prism Book Group, specializing in bringing great romance novels and novellas to publication. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.
Her stories have been featured in in Splickety Magazine and in the I Choose You anthology with OakTara Press. This is her first contemporary romance novel in the Orchard Hill Series, the second, Salsa and Speedbumps, will follow. She is represented by Mary Sue Seymour for her adventurous Regency Romances.
Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church. Her favorite pastimes are lazy...snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.
You can learn more by following her blog www.susanbaganz.com, her Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz.
Please enjoy this sample from Pesto & Potholes by Susan Baganz.
Copyright © 2015
At last, Renata had the freedom to start life over. A clean slate. The past was dead and buried. She wiped sweaty palms on her skirt as she waited for the pastor’s message to end. He was talking about trusting God, even when times were hard.
She had lived that message, hadn’t she? Had someone forwarded her name and informed him she would be there?
Renata shook her head as she bent in prayer along with the rest of the large congregation.
Help me to trust You on this new journey, Lord.
Renata longed to slip out and go home, but her gregarious roomie, Stephanie, had driven and now held her hostage. Steph brought her a cup of coffee as Renata hid behind a plant in the crowded café where people mingled. Renata held the cup more as a prop. It gave her hands something to do as Stephanie introduced her to friends. She shifted her weight as people gathered close, bumping into each other.
Stephanie grinned at her, and Renata smiled halfheartedly as she took a deep breath. She had just met Gabby and Paul, and their ten-month-old son, Jacob, who was sleeping on his daddy’s shoulder. They were nice enough. Being that close to a baby was agony.
Just don’t look at him.
Some other young men had come to join them as well. Bryan, James, and John were the names she had been told. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck under her long hair as Bryan looked her over like a horse he considered for purchase. The hardness of his eyes reminded her of… No. Don’t go there. She was grateful nothing more was required of her other than “Hello.”
Was it impolite to look at their shoes? She’d heard a person could learn a lot about someone by his shoes. Bryan wore dirty athletic shoes. High priced, but unimpressive indeed.
Dark brown dress shoes entered the circle, and Renata’s gaze came up as a tall man in crisp khakis, a button-down white shirt, and no tie arrested her attention. Stephanie drew him closer to her side with a wide grin.
Was everyone here Steph’s friend? Renata chuckled mentally. Her outgoing, blonde bombshell of a roommate hadn’t changed much since college. Ren took in the details of this man. Tall. Muscular. Hair the color of a dark roast coffee. Deep chocolate eyes. His glance was warm and sincere. He looked...safe.
Hmmm. Isn’t that something?
Her shoulders relaxed as she released a breath of air, and her heartrate slowed. She paid close attention, which was not an easy task in the noisy chaos of the café area of the church after the worship service had ended.
“Tony, I’m glad you are here. I wanted to introduce you to my roomie. Renata. This is Tony, my boss at De Luca’s Cucina and Gabby’s little brother”—she turned to Tony—“and this is Renata Blake, a dear friend of mine who moved here from Oshkosh.”
“Glad to meet you. What’d you do in Oshkosh?” asked Tony.
Renata flinched, sucked in a breath of air, and held it.
“Let’s not talk about the past. Renata is here for a new start in life.” Stephanie gave Renata’s arm a squeeze as she spoke.
Renata exhaled slowly and gave her friend a look of gratitude.
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Tony’s voice was deep and resonant. He sounded sincere.
“Tony, the bonfire on Thursday night would be a great opportunity for Renata to get to know more people here at church.” Gabby jumped in to change the subject.
Blood pounded behind Renata’s eyes.
Other people planning her social life? This couldn’t be good.
She shook her head. She would rather sit at home and read a book. It was too soon.
Stephanie, however, disagreed. “What a great idea, Gabby. I can’t take her because I’m scheduled to work at De Luca’s. Renata, you should go. It’ll be fun. I’m sure Tony would pick you up.”
“Hey, what about me?” said Bryan as he thumped his chest. “Am I chopped liver or what? I’ll come get you, Renata.” His eyes lingered overly long on her body, and Tony cleared his throat.
James and John also chimed in with offers to escort her.
“No offense, but I have known you boys far too long.” Stephanie turned her gaze away from the trio. “It should be Tony. I can trust him to be a gentleman.”
Renata watched as Tony glanced at the men with a grimace at the rebuff they had received. He turned his attention back to her. “If you would like to go, I’d be pleased to give you a ride and help you get acquainted.” His eyebrows rose, daring her to turn him down.
A sliver of courage rose to the surface as Renata’s eyes darted to Stephanie and back to her friend’s handsome employer. “That would be fine. Thank you, Tony.” She wondered if he even heard her as her tentative words came out softly. Her gaze dropped to her hands clenched around the cup she held.
Brian snorted and stalked off. John and James faded out of the group to join him, mumbling their goodbyes. The tension left Renata’s shoulders at their departure.
Paul smiled as he switched his sleeping son to his other shoulder. “You can rely on Tony. I may be his brother-in-law, but there’s no one I would trust more than him. His parents set a high standard for any man to follow.” He turned to look into his wife’s eyes. “As I learned when I was courting his sister.” They smiled at each other.
Gabby and Paul turned to go. “It was nice meeting you, Renata. Bye, Steph. We’ll see you later at Mom’s, right, Tony?”
“Sure. And Paul? Watch out, I’m eager for a game of football.”
“You got it.” Paul gave Tony a fist bump to the shoulder as they left to visit with other people.
Tony turned back to Stephanie and Renata, since their group had shrunk to three. “What are your plans for this afternoon?” He sipped his coffee.
“I have some unpacking to do,” Renata answered.
Tony frowned. “Sounds like a less than relaxing way to spe
nd the day. I will pick you up around six-thirty on Thursday. I work until six when my brother will come to fill in for me. I apologize in advance if I arrive smelling like garlic.” He winked.
“You are forgiven in advance.” Renata giggled. “Does that mean we won’t be bothered by vampires?” She glanced up at him.
Where did that come from? I can’t believe I said that! A cute guy looks at me, and I become mush? Oh, I am in trouble. Haven’t I learned anything from the past?
Tony laughed, nodded and lifted his Styrofoam coffee cup in salute. “Till then.”
Stephanie led Renata away. She resisted the urge to look back at Tony.
What had she gotten herself into?
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