One Tuesday Morning & Beyond Tuesday Morning Compilation Read Free Page B

leather-bound book of ancient letters was another. But to say so would only upset Jake. And the day was too beautiful, their time together too short for that.
    “I love you, Jake Bryan.” She slid her arms around his neck, letting herself get lost in his embrace. “I'm sorry for being afraid.”
    “I know.” He kissed her again, this time more slowly. The ferry was less crowded than usual, and they had privacy in the place where they stood. When he pulled away, he searched her eyes. “I'm not going anywhere, Jamie. God and I have a little deal, a secret.”
    “Is that so?” She tilted her face and batted her eyelashes at him. “I don't suppose you'll share it with me.”
    “Nope. But I can tell you this much. God isn't finished with me yet.” He brought his lips to hers once more. “And He's not finished with you, either.”
    They held hands as they returned to Jake's truck and climbed back inside. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into their tree-lined neighborhood and the same familiar street where they'd grown up. This was home. The quaintness of the island, the way she knew every front yard, every family that made up this part of Westerleigh.
    The old house was gray now with white trim, but it was still much the same as it had been when Jamie grew up there. They pulled in the drive, and the moment they walked inside, Sierra ran to them, her eyes lit up.
    “You're home!” She stretched her hands up toward Jamie. “Oooh, Mommy. You look pretty.”
    “Thanks, baby.” Jamie swung her up into a hug and nuzzled her cheek against Sierra's. She smelled nice, like baby powder and maple syrup.
    Jake paid the sitter, and when she was gone, the three of them moved into the living room.
    “Did you and Daddy go to church?”
    The question poked pins at Jamie's good feelings. Before she could answer, Jake came up alongside them. “Hey, little girl.” He took Sierra into his arms. “How was your morning?”
    “We had pancakes.” Sierra rubbed noses with Jake and giggled. “Did you and Mommy go to church?”
    “Sort of.” Jake twirled one of Sierra's curls around his finger. “It was a special church meeting for one of the firemen at Daddy's work.”
    “Oh.” Sierra searched his eyes. Her golden hair shimmered against her blue T-shirt. “Did he do something good?”
    Jake tilted his head and hesitated long enough for Jamie to read his heart. “Yeah, baby.” He pursed his lips and nodded, and Jamie felt the familiar ache from earlier. “He did something real good.”
    Sierra brought her chin to her chest and placed her hands on either side of Jake's face. “Is Mommy going with us next Sunday?”
    Jake gave Jamie a quick smile. He never pushed her, just left it open. In case she ever changed her mind. Jamie cleared her throat. “Mommy has her painting class next Sunday, sweetheart.”
    “Oh.” Sierra blinked at Jake. “But you'll take me , right, Daddy? Two times a month?”
    “Right, honey.”
    “Because Mrs. Ritchie looks for me two Sundays at class time.”
    “Yep. Mrs. Ritchie won't be disappointed. You'll be there next week for sure.”
    “Goodie!” Sierra jumped down and made a quick wave in Jamie's direction. “I'm gonna check on Brownie. She sleeped in my bed this morning.”
    Brownie was their faithful lab. Eight years old and graying around her jowls, she was wonderful with Sierra and didn't mind wearing baby bonnets. The two of them were best friends. Jamie watched their daughter scamper off, and a thread of guilt sewed itself around the perimeter of her soul. She looked at Jake and gave him a crooked smile. “Thanks.”
    “For what?” A lazy grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He crossed the room into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.
    She followed, her voice quiet. “For not making a big deal out of the church thing.”
    “I'll never push you, Jamie.” He took a swig of water and studied her. “You know that.”
    “Still …” She felt uneasy in a way she