The Light We See
Page 26
I laugh out loud, dropping my head back.
Then, the tears come and go, and come and go.
Another wave of grief passes over me.
If my heart didn’t ache so much, it would mean I hadn’t had the opportunity to love the way we did.
Six Years Later
August 2020
“Mommy, I wish Daddy were here to walk me in,” little James says in his sweet tiny voice, holding my hand as we both stare from the walkway of Mrs. Love’s kindergarten classroom.
I decided to name our little boy after Luke’s father, James. I know he would have wanted it that way.
Fiona leans down. “That’s why you have a big sister. Unfortunately, Dad couldn’t take me to my first day of kindergarten either. But, James, I know he’s here with us in spirit; I feel it. Come on; I’ll walk you in.”
Fiona looks at me. I can’t help the tears as they begin to fall. For my little James, for Fiona, and for us, Luke and me.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Fiona nods. Smiles. She’s twenty-six now, and everything she does reminds me of her father. She moved out to California to be closer to us, to teach at James’s school. Her heart is her father’s. And I can’t help but love this beautiful young lady just as much as I love little James.
Fiona met a man named, of all the names in the world, Luke. Can you believe it?
He’s a nice man, and he’d have met all of Luke’s expectations. I know it. He plays the guitar and surfs. And I don’t question any of it anymore.
As for me and little James, I don’t know where we’re headed, but I see as far as today, and that’s okay.
Before Fiona walks James in, he spots an orange Starburst on the ground. “Mommy! Look, it’s Daddy!”
Sometimes, it’s the light within the storm that saves us even if we think we don’t need saving.
The End
Hang Le, my cover designer—You have a way of taking what I have in my head and putting it into a beautiful picture that encapsulates my stories. I adore you.
Jovana Shirley, my editor and formatter—You are extremely great at what you do. You take my books and make the words find their place. I’m so honored we get to work together.
Julie Deaton, my proofreader—Thank you for putting the finishing touches on my books, and your attention to detail blows my mind. I’m so thankful you’re in my corner.
Jessica Estep, my publicist, the other half of my brain—You are a dream. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Book bloggers—You promote our books for fun and for free. We can’t do what we do without you. Know that all your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for taking the time with mine.
My readers—Oh goodness. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. Thank you for believing in me.
The Bailey Bunch, my reader group—Together, we are strong. Thank you for your grace, your strength, and for pushing me to finish the next book. I’m so lucky to have you ladies.
Brandon, Teyler, and Kate—You are the greatest gift of all. Thank you for being my soft place to land.
THANK YOU FOR READING THE LIGHT WE SEE.
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J. Lynn Bailey is a best-selling and award-winning author who has loved to write since she learned to read, around the second grade. She’s earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Humboldt State University.
When she isn’t running her children to their next sporting event, watching North Woods Law, or on the hunt for her next Laffy Taffy joke, you can probably find her holed up in her writing room, feverishly working on her next book. She lives in Northern California with her family.
OTHER BOOKS WRITTEN BY J. LYNN BAILEY
The Granite Harbor Series
Peony Red
Violet Ugly
Magnolia Road
Lilies On Main
Black Five
Standing Sideways
THE DILLON CREEK SERIES (COMING IN 2020)