“Yes.”
“Then you know that the Lord has opened His arms wide for you. Whatever is bothering you He can wash away.”
Slader stared into the clear blue eyes of the old man.
“Just open yourself up to His love, for it’s bountiful, my son.”
The minister’s raspy voice eased the remnants of his guilt from his soul as if the Lord had indeed washed it away. Emotions, held at bay for so long, crammed Slader’s throat, preventing him from saying a word.
“‘The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe,’” the old man said as he struggled to stand.
Slader leaped to his feet to help the minister. Placing his arms around the man, Slader realized how frail he was. “What can I do to help you?”
“Nothing, my son. Your presence is all I need. When a lost sheep returns to the flock, I rejoice. Remember what I said about fear.” The man started shuffling toward the back of the sanctuary. “I’ll lock the door. Just pull it closed when you decide to leave, and don’t worry. Take all the time you need with the Lord.” At the glass doors he turned and added, “‘For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.’”
With those last words, the minister disappeared into the foyer. Slader walked to the step that led to the altar and knelt before it.
“You don’t have to hit me over the head, Lord. It’s my fear of commitment that is holding me back.” He remembered Kate’s lack of fear and her strong confidence in God. That was what he wanted in his life. Throwing back his head, he spread his arms wide. “I’m Yours to do as You wish.”
* * *
Her first day back at work, Kate sat at the back of her church with her fingers laced together in her lap. After having come from her sister’s grave site where she’d finally laid to rest her guilt over the fight they’d had the day of the fire, she was ready for the rest of her life—without Slader. Her chest burned whenever she thought of him. It probably always would.
As she had done over the past few days since returning to Red Creek, Kate wondered where Slader was at that moment. Was he back in Mandras? Was he planning a trip to the Quentas territory to explore the Incan ruins further? Was he missing her as she was him? There wasn’t a second that went by that she didn’t ache for him.
She knew all the reasons it wouldn’t have worked. He didn’t believe in God. He lived thousands of miles away in a self-imposed exile. The two of them were like oil and water, and yet when she thought about their journey in the jungle, she couldn’t dismiss the bond that had formed between them. She understood him, and strangely she was sure he understood her.
With a sigh, she pushed to her feet and turned to leave. Slader stood a few feet behind her, watching her. When their gazes connected, he smiled, the gleam in his eyes drawing her toward him.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
He blinked. “That wasn’t quite the reception I had hoped for.”
“I was just thinking about you and that you were back in Mandras planning your trip to the Incan ruins.”
“Well, I’m glad you were thinking about me, but there isn’t going to be an expedition to the Quentas territory. They are one of the last tribes in the Amazon who haven’t been exposed to civilization. I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.”
“You’re passing up excavating those ruins? That was your life’s dream.”
Slader took a step nearer to her. “That was my old life’s dream. My new life’s dream is to be with you wherever you want to be. I love you, Kate.”
Throat tight, she murmured, “I love you, too.”
In two strides he covered the short distance between them and dragged her against him. “I want a family with you. I want children. I want to live again. Will you marry me, Kate?”
Every thought vanished from her mind. All she could do was stare at him.
“Before you answer, I want you to know that I’ve changed my mind about God. I want our children to be brought up in the church. We had a long talk that night in Dallas after I left you.”
“You talked to God?”
“Yes, and every day since.”
Joy showered down on her, bringing forth a bright smile that if it had been dark would have lit the church. “That was three days ago. Where have you been?”
He wound his arms around her and brushed his lips across hers. “I had a debt to pay off, then I needed to make arrangements to support my family.”
“What are you going to do? There aren’t too many opportunities in Red Creek to be an archaeologist.”
“Through some contacts I have, there’s an opening for a professor in archaeology at a college just north of Dallas starting the spring semester. Until then, we’ll just have to use the time to get to know each other better.”
“Will you be going on any digs?”
“Yes, but it can be a family affair if you’re willing to have an adventure from time to time. What do you say? Will you marry me, Kate Collier?”
“On one condition.”
He quirked a brow. “What?”
“What is your full name? I figure a wife needs to know that about her husband,” she said, although she would always think of him by the name of Slader.
Tossing back his head, he laughed. “My full name is Augustus Cornelius Slader.”
Epilogue
“Daddy! Look what I found.” On short, stubby legs Gus ran toward his father and thrust his hand up into his face.
Slader pried his four-year-old’s fist open to discover a pottery shard. “Where did you find this?”
Gus pointed to the underbrush near the archaeological site. “There. My ball rolled under that bush.”
“Show me.”
Gus took his father’s hand and tugged him toward the spot. Slader knelt and pushed the branches away. In the dirt lay several more pieces of white-and-black pottery.
“Well done, son. There might be a whole pot if we dig around some.”
“Can I? Can I, Daddy?”
“Of course. This is your discovery.” Slader hovered close to make sure Gus didn’t damage the pot.
Gus jumped up and down. “Wait until I tell Mommy.”
Slader watched his son race toward the tent at the edge of the site. A few minutes later his son returned dragging his mother behind him.
Slader rose, dusting off his pants. “Our son has found his first piece of pottery.” He showed Kate the white-and-black geometrically designed shard.
“It’s beautiful.” Kate turned it over and examined it from all angles.
“There’s my ball.” Gus bent and scooped up his red ball, then raced back toward the group of Indian children waiting for him to return.
Slader wiped his sweat-drenched forehead with the back of his hand. “You know, when I lived in the jungle, I didn’t realize how hot and humid it really was.”
“How does it feel to be back after six years?” Kate cuddled up to her husband on the outskirts of the Incan ruins.
“Strange. Exciting. Sad. I had hoped the Quentas would have a little more time before civilization caught up with them.”
Kate combed her fingers through his damp hair. “At least you respect their ways and won’t exploit them. You were the perfect person to head up this expedition.”
“You’re all right with returning?”
She chuckled. “Isn’t it a little late to be asking me that? We’re standing in the middle of a jungle on a plateau that still isn’t easy to get to.” Standing on tiptoes, she kissed him. “I love you, and I will follow you to the ends of this earth if need be. So yes, I’m all right with this. I want this to be done right, and you’re the only one I know who will do that.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “That’s the reason I love you, Kate Slader. You are my biggest fan.” He slanted his mouth across hers and proceeded to show her how much he loved her.
Dear Reader,
I loved reading ab
out the Amazon. I immersed myself in the research. I even have a few stories concerning my trek through the jungle—it isn’t called a rainforest for nothing. It can really rain a lot. Duh! I discovered that very fact when I ruined a new pair of bright yellow pants because of all the mud I got on them, and I was wearing high rubber boots.
In my story, Slader has to rededicate himself to the Lord. His faith was shaken when his wife died. Sometimes we struggle to keep our faith through the tough times when we feel our prayers have gone unanswered. Kate shows him what faith in the Lord can do for him and becomes a light in the dark for Slader.
Take care,
Margaret Daley
Books in the
EVERYDAY HEROES Series
HUNTED
Book One
Murder. On the Run. Second Chances.
Luke Michaels' relaxing camping trip ends when he witnesses a woman being thrown from a bridge. He dives into the river to save her, shocked to find her wrapped in chains. As a canine search and rescue volunteer, Luke has assisted many victims, but never a beauty whose defeated gaze ignites his primal urge to protect. When Megan Witherspoon’s killers make it clear they won't stop, Luke fights to save her, but can he keep her alive long enough to find out who is after her?
OBSESSED
Book Two
Stalker. Arson. Murder.
When a stalker ruthlessly targets people she loves, a woman flees her old life, creating a new identity as Serena Remington. Her plan to escape the madman and lead him away from family and friends worked for three years. Now he's back. With nowhere else to run, her only choice is war. Quinn Taylor, her neighbor and a firefighter with expertise in arson, comes to her aid, but will it be in time to save her?
TRAPPED
Book Three
Second Chances. Cornered. Murder.
Sadie Williams receives a cryptic and terrifying call from her scared sister. But when Sadie arrives at her identical twin’s home, there's no sign of Katie, only evidence of a quick flight. The puzzling situation turns potentially deadly when intruders storm the house. With help from Brock Carrington, her ex-fiancé and an ex-Marine, Sadie narrowly escapes.
Brock is an injured veteran dealing with PTSD. He's finally piecing his life back together when his ex-fiancée needs his help. Can Brock reignite their relationship and find her missing twin before they're both killed?
Books in the
STRONG WOMEN, EXTRAORDINARY SITUATIONS Series
DEADLY HUNT
Book One
All bodyguard Tess Miller wants is a vacation. But when a wounded stranger stumbles into her isolated cabin in the Arizona mountains, Tess becomes his lifeline. When Shane Burkhart opens his eyes, all he can focus on is his guardian angel leaning over him. And in the days to come he will need a guardian angel while being hunted by someone who wants him dead.
DEADLY INTENT
Book Two
Texas Ranger Sarah Osborn thought she would never see her high school sweetheart, Ian O'Leary, again. But fifteen years later, Ian, an ex-FBI agent, has someone targeting him, and she's assigned to the case. Can Sarah protect Ian and her heart?
DEADLY HOLIDAY
Book Three
Tory Caldwell witnesses a hit-and-run, but when the dead victim disappears from the scene, police doubt a crime has been committed. Tory is threatened when she keeps insisting she saw a man killed and the only one who believes her is her neighbor, Jordan Steele. Together, can they solve the mystery of the disappearing body and stay alive?
DEADLY COUNTDOWN
Book Four
Allie Martin, a widow, has a secret protector who manipulates her life without anyone knowing until…
When Remy Broussard, an injured police officer, returns to Port David, Louisiana to visit before his medical leave is over, he discovers his childhood friend, Allie Martin, is being stalked. As Remy protects Allie and tries to find her stalker, they realize their feelings go beyond friendship.
When the stalker is found, they begin to explore the deeper feelings they have for each other, only to have a more sinister threat come between them. Will Allie be able to save Remy before he dies at the hand of a maniac?
DEADLY NOEL
Book Five
Assistant DA, Kira Davis, convicted the wrong man—Gabriel Michaels, a single dad with a young daughter. When new evidence was brought forth, his conviction was overturned, and Gabriel returned home to his ranch to put his life back together. Although Gabriel is free, the murderer of his wife is still out there and resumes killing women. In a desperate alliance, Kira and Gabriel join forces to find the true identity of the person terrorizing their town. Will they be able to forgive the past and find the killer before it’s too late?
DEADLY DOSE
Book Six
Drugs. Murder. Redemption.
When Jessie Michaels discovers a letter written to her by her deceased best friend, she is determined to find who murdered Mary Lou, at first thought to be a victim of a serial killer by the police. Jessie’s questions lead to an attempt on her life. The last man she wanted to come to her aid was Josh Morgan, who had been instrumental in her brother going to prison. Together they uncover a drug ring that puts them both in danger. Will Jessie and Josh find the killer? Love? Or will one of them fall victim to a DEADLY DOSE?
DEADLY LEGACY
Book Seven
Legacy of Secrets. Threats and Danger. Second Chances.
Down on her luck, single mom, Lacey St. John, believes her life has finally changed for the better when she receives an inheritance from a wealthy stranger. Her ancestral home she'd thought forever lost has been transformed into a lucrative bed and breakfast guaranteed to bring much-needed financial security. Her happiness is complete until strange happenings erode her sense of well being. When her life is threatened, she turns to neighbor, Sheriff Ryan McNeil, for help. He promises to solve the mystery of who's ruining her newfound peace of mind, but when her troubles escalate to the point that her every move leads to danger, she's unsure who to trust. Is the strong, capable neighbor she's falling for as amazing as he seems? Or could he be the man who wants her dead?
DEADLY NIGHT, SILENT NIGHT
Book Eight
Revenge. Sabotage. Second Chances.
Widow Rebecca Howard runs a successful store chain that is being targeted during the holiday season. Detective Alex Kincaid, best friends with Rebecca’s twin brother, is investigating the hacking of the store’s computer system. When the attacks become personal, Alex must find the assailant before Rebecca, the woman he’s falling in love with, is murdered.
DEADLY FIRES
Book Nine
Second Chances. Revenge. Arson.
A saboteur targets Alexia Richards and her family company. As the incidents become more lethal, Alexia must depend on a former Delta Force soldier, Cole Knight, a man from her past that she loved. When their son died in a fire, their grief and anger drove them apart. Can Alexia and Cole work through their pain and join forces to find the person who wants her dead?
DEADLY SECRETS
Book Ten
Secrets. Murder. Reunion.
Sarah St. John, an FBI profiler, finally returns home after fifteen years for her niece’s wedding. But in less than a day, Sarah’s world is shattered when her niece is kidnapped the night before her vows. Sarah can’t shake the feeling her own highly personal reason for leaving Hunter Davis at the altar is now playing out again in this nightmarish scene with her niece.
Sarah has to work with Detective Hunter Davis, her ex-fiancé, to find her niece before the young woman becomes the latest victim of a serial killer. Sarah must relive part of her past in order to assure there is a future for her niece and herself. Can Sarah and Hunter overcome their painful past and work together before the killer strikes again?
About the Author
Margaret Daley
Margaret Daley, a USA Today’s Bestselling author of over 105 books (five million plus sold worldwide), has been married
for over forty-seven years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling or being with her two granddaughters, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense/mystery thread and corralling her cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at www.margaretdaley.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/margaretdaleybooks
Twitter: twitter.com/margaretdaley
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/238174.Margaret_Daley
Link to sign up for my newsletter on front page of website:
www.margaretdaley.com
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