Child of Grace Read online

  Grace raised her arms toward him, and without thinking, he lifted her to his shoulder, his hand supporting her back. She snuggled close and nestled against him, emitting a tiny sigh as she relaxed in his arms.

  When had he last held a baby? Medical school, maybe? Long enough ago to forget how soft and fragile and vulnerable they felt.

  As he continued to rock, he stroked Grace’s back. She burrowed deeper against his shoulder—as if she belonged there. As if he were her father. For her, it was simple.

  Could it be for him too? Maybe, instead of thinking about how she came to be when he looked at her, he should think about the precious gift of life she represented—and the sweet, innocent love she so willingly offered.

  A love that was his for the taking. From a child who could be his daughter.

  Her tiny hand worked its way across his chest toward his heart, and a rush of tenderness tightened his throat.

  This must be what it felt like to be a father—even if he wasn’t Grace’s dad.

  But he could be.

  Because in the end, fatherhood wasn’t just about genetics and biology. It was also about love. Most importantly about love.

  As for the past—perhaps he should leave it there. In the future, why not think of the joy this child had brought Kelsey? And give thanks that God had showered his temporary neighbor with the grace to turn tragedy into triumph and recognize the blessing he’d sent her way?

  The same grace that had helped him turn Carlos’s dream into a reality that would forever honor the young soldier.

  The same grace, perhaps, that would allow him to love Grace as his own and to thank God for the blessing Kelsey—and her daughter—had been in his life.

  If he embraced that grace, they could make this work. He could make this work.

  Luke settled back into the chair as Grace slept against his shoulder—and in the silent early morning hours, he made a vow.

  If Kelsey gave him a chance, he’d prove to her that he could be a worthy husband—and the loving father Grace deserved.

  * * *

  She had to feed Grace.

  Fighting off the drugged sleep that had sucked her into a black hole for the past…Kelsey peered at the clock on her nightstand…three hours, she swung her feet to the floor and stood.

  Strange that Grace wasn’t fussing by now. She had to be hungry.

  Still trying to shake off her heavy slumber, Kelsey padded down the hall to the nursery—and gaped at the empty crib, the air whooshing out of her lungs.

  Where was…

  Oh. Wait.

  Luke had offered to watch Grace while she got a few hours of sleep.

  Sucking in a breath, she limped down the hall, passed the mess on the kitchen floor, and paused at the entrance to the living room.

  They were both out cold.

  Luke was half-sitting, half-lying on the couch, his broad shoulders wedged into the corner as he held Grace, his large hand cradling her tiny head against his pristine white tux shirt, her gossamer golden ringlets peeking through his long, lean fingers.

  They looked as if they belonged together.

  Her throat tightened.

  If only.

  Tamping down a wave of melancholy, she moved beside them and touched his shoulder. Wishing for something that could never be was foolish.

  “Luke.” She whispered his name, keeping tabs on her daughter. “I have to feed Grace.”

  His lashes flickered open. After a few blinks, he straightened up, keeping Grace cradled in his arms.

  Puckering her mouth, Grace focused on Luke. He smiled at her…and Kelsey could have sworn her daughter smiled back. But that was silly. Babies this age didn’t do that. It must be gas.

  “Chow time, Grace.” He touched the infant’s cheek with his finger.

  The baby gurgled.

  Kelsey reached for her, but even though her daughter had to be hungry, she clung to Luke’s shirt.

  “It seems you’ve made a friend.”

  Luke disengaged her fingers with a gentle tug and handed her over. “It’s mutual. She and I have come to an understanding. Right, sweetie?”

  Sweetie?

  “Have I missed something here?” Kelsey shot him a cautious glance.

  “You have. I’ll fill you in while you feed her.”

  An ember of hope sparked to life in Kelsey’s heart. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait until tomorrow? It’s almost four o’clock. You have to be tired.”

  “This can’t wait.”

  The spark ignited. “Let me get a blanket.”

  Kelsey retraced her steps to the nursery, snatched one off the bed, and rejoined Luke. He patted the cushion beside him, and she sat.

  After draping the blanket over her shoulder, she got Grace started. Then she turned to him. “So what couldn’t wait?”

  “This.” Leaning close, he brushed his lips over hers.

  Kelsey’s heart stopped. Raced on.

  When he backed off, she willed her lungs to kick in again. “Wh-what was that for?”

  “To let you know I’m falling in love with you—and with Grace.”

  She tried to convince her lungs to keep working. “Why the sudden change of heart about Grace?”

  Luke touched her cheek. “When I held her in my arms tonight, I realized that what counts is the future, not the past. I saw her for what she is—a blessing from God. Without her, you’d still be clawing your way up the corporate ladder and we would never have met. When I look at her now, I feel gratitude for the role she played in transforming your life and bringing us together. And I’ll give thanks for her every day of my life.”

  Kelsey’s vision blurred.

  God did, indeed, work in mysterious ways.

  Who could have guessed that here, in this tiny town on the shore of Lake Michigan, a man who exuded integrity and honor would enter her life? A man whose selflessness and compassion had driven him to keep a promise made to a fallen comrade, and thereby led him into her arms. Whose kindness and caring had helped her heal and find the courage to love.

  Reverend Howard had been right. God had envisioned a larger role for them, one that went far beyond simply being neighbors or working together to help make a young man’s dream come true.

  Shifting toward her, Luke put one arm around her shoulders and laid his other hand atop hers, where it rested on Grace.

  “Here’s what I’d like to propose. We’ve only known each other a handful of weeks. I’m leaving Tuesday. But as Hannah reminded me, distance doesn’t have to be a problem. We’ll talk often, and I’ll come back for frequent visits. Take as long as you need to feel comfortable that my love for Grace is real and that what we have is strong enough to last forever. I’ll wait until you’re as certain as I am.”

  He motioned toward Gram’s wall hanging. “I was reading that tonight as I rocked Grace. And it reminded me of a comment Hannah made the day she showed me her wall hanging. She said you’d smoothed out the rough edges on it.” He smiled at her, and the love shining in his eyes was as warm as an August day on Pier Cove beach. “You did the same for me, Kelsey. You smoothed out the rough edges of my life. A life that was pretty tattered after ten tough years. And I’d like to spend the rest of it returning the favor. So will you let me try to prove I’m worthy of you—and Grace?”

  At the mention of her name, Grace batted away the blanket and peered up at them. Then she reached out her tiny hand and touched their linked fingers.

  Luke’s mouth curved up. “I think I won her over. What about her mom?”

  A tear spilled out and tracked down Kelsey’s cheek. “For the record, I’m not usually a crier.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for that.”

  “It’s the hormones.”

  “I don’t care what it is, as long as you’re willing to give me a chance.”

  “I’m absolutely willing to give you a chance. In fact, I’d throw myself in your arms to prove it if I wasn’t otherwise occupied.”

  “Hol
d that thought for later. For now, I guess this will have to suffice.”

  He leaned toward her, and as she prepared to meet him halfway, she caught sight of Gram’s wall hanging.

  “Live. Love. Rejoice.”

  It was sage advice.

  And she intended to follow it every day for the rest of her life.

  EPILOGUE

  Shovels poised, Luke and Father Joe posed as cameras clicked around them and a dozen network and local news teams recorded the groundbreaking ceremony for the Carlos Fernandez Interdenominational Youth Center.

  From her spot on the sidelines, Kelsey gave the hood on Grace’s snowsuit a little tug and sent Luke a silent reassurance as he looked their way. It was cold on this late-December day, but her daughter was well bundled up. Besides, with Dorothy preparing to walk down the aisle later this afternoon, the older woman had been unavailable for babysitting duty.

  And missing this moment hadn’t been an option.

  Once the photographers were satisfied, Luke shook hands with Father Joe and the other board members, then started toward her. He was intercepted several times by reporters, and while he answered their questions graciously, it was clear he was anxious to rejoin her.

  No more anxious than she was to have him by her side.

  In these past four months, they’d talked every day—often more than once. Their phone calls had been supplemented with long weekend visits when he’d flown up to see her, once again occupying his friend’s house next door.

  Now it was her turn to visit him. Tomorrow the three of them would fly to Atlanta so she could meet his parents and spend Christmas with his family.

  Meeting the parents was a big step.

  One she was ready to take.

  For over the past few months, all her concerns had been put to rest as she’d watched Luke interact with Grace. Every tender touch, every gentle smile, every loving cuddle had proven he did, indeed, consider her daughter a blessing.

  Coming up beside them, his breath making frosty clouds in the cold air, he adjusted the scarf that covered the bottom half of Grace’s face and leaned down to give Kelsey a quick kiss.

  “Wow. Cold lips.” He reared back with a grin.

  “Warm heart.”

  He winked. “I know. Come on. Let’s get you two out of the wind.” He ushered them toward her car, settled Grace in her safety seat, and slid behind the wheel. “One down, two to go.”

  “Two? Is there another event on our agenda today besides Dorothy’s wedding?”

  “Maybe.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “Want to let me in on the secret?”

  “Nope.”

  With that, he pulled onto the street and accelerated toward Pier Cove so they could get ready for the wedding.

  Leaving her to wonder what he had up his sleeve.

  * * *

  Two hours later, as Luke climbed the steps to Kelsey’s screened porch after freshening up at his friend’s house, he fingered the ring in his pocket.

  This was the day.

  He could have waited until Christmas Eve. Or Christmas. That would have been more traditional. But somehow it seemed right to propose here, in the place Kelsey had always loved.

  He only hoped she was ready.

  Because despite his assurance that he’d wait as long as necessary, it was getting harder and harder to leave at the end of every long weekend. He wanted her and Grace with him all the time, not just six days a month.

  He knocked again, and a few seconds later she pulled the door open. “Aren’t you early?”

  “More like anxious. I was missing my girls.” He slipped inside, shut the door behind him, and gave her a slow head-to-toe. She’d returned to her pre-pregnancy weight, and although she complained that she’d gained a permanent inch on her waistline, she was still more attractive—and appealing—than any woman he’d ever dated. “Is Grace awake?”

  “Yes.”

  “Want to get her for a minute?”

  “Why?”

  “I have a surprise.”

  She retreated without further questions.

  As she disappeared down the hall, he moved into the living room and sat on the couch, holding up his arms for Grace and patting the seat beside him when Kelsey returned.

  “Aren’t we pretty today.” He inspected the little cherub in the crook of his elbow, all dressed up in her first Christmas outfit—a red velvet number with a plaid taffeta insert at the bodice and a skirt edged with lace. Kelsey had even added a red velvet headband with a bow. Then he lifted his head and spoke to the woman he loved. “That goes for both of you.”

  A becoming blush pinkened Kelsey’s cheeks as she started to sit.

  “Leave room for Grace.”

  Kelsey edged over slightly.

  He propped Grace on the seat between them. “I want our little lady here for this. Because it wouldn’t have happened without her.”

  Once Grace was settled, he took Kelsey’s hand in his and twined his fingers with hers. “Your hands are as cold as your lips.”

  “But my heart’s warmer than ever.”

  Her husky response, and the encouraging spark of anticipation in her eyes, helped calm his unexpected jitters.

  With his free hand, he removed a square jeweler’s box from the inside pocket of his jacket. As he set it on the sofa between them, she went absolutely still.

  “Before I make my speech, tell me if this is too soon. If it is, I’ll put this away.”

  “No.” The word came out in a croak, and she tried again. “No. I love you. We love you.” She smoothed Grace’s hair, her voice stronger now. Firm and sure. “And we know you love us.”

  When he spoke, his own voice was hoarse. “You’re making this much easier than I expected.”

  “Luke.” She leaned toward him and put her hand on his shoulder, her glorious green eyes giving him a window to her heart. “Whatever doubts I once had are long gone. We belong together.”

  Hearing her speak his own conviction gave him the confidence to open the box and take out the sparkling solitaire on the gold band.

  “I bought this in Atlanta, a few days after the benefit dinner. I was hoping that if I had it in hand, things would progress as I hoped. I guess it worked. Along with a ton of prayers.”

  Between them, Grace was watching the proceedings with a solemn expression, her thumb stuck in her mouth as he dropped to one knee beside the sofa and took the hand of the woman who’d stolen his heart.

  “Kelsey, I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone, and I would be honored to have you as my wife. I promise I will love, honor, and cherish you all the days of my life. Will you marry me?”

  Before Kelsey could respond, Grace pulled her finger out of her mouth, grinned at them, and clapped her hands.

  Luke stared at her. “She’s too young to do that.”

  “I guess she’s a woman who knows her mind. And I’ll take that as a sign of approval.” Turning back to him, Kelsey smiled too. “On behalf of the two of us, my answer is yes.”

  Luke slipped the ring on her finger, then framed her beautiful face with his hands. If he lived to be a hundred, he would never forget the love shining in her eyes at this moment. Or the sudden, distant strains of “Amazing Grace” that unexpectedly echoed in the recesses of his mind.

  Carlos’s favorite song.

  How appropriate. For though he’d come to this place to honor his friend, he’d been blessed tenfold in return.

  And as he claimed Kelsey’s sweet lips in a kiss that spoke of love and hope and a bright tomorrow, he sent a silent thank-you heavenward for the gift of grace that had, indeed, led him home.

  Ready for another heartwarming story from Irene Hannon?

  Keep reading for a preview of Seaside Reunion!

  ~Excerpt~

  Seaside Reunion

  Starfish Bay—Book 1

  Encore Edition

  1

  At the jingle of the bell over the front door of Starfish Bay Mercantile, Lind
sey Collier put aside the town council meeting agenda she’d been perusing and looked up with a smile to welcome the new customer.

  But her usual cheery greeting died in her throat.

  The man who’d entered the store was a stranger.

  A scruffy one.

  And she didn’t trust strangers.

  Especially scruffy ones.

  She gave the tall, lean, mid-thirtyish man a rapid scan. His dark brown hair needed a trim, his cobalt eyes were bloodshot, and his worn jeans and faded black T-shirt looked as if they’d been slept in—for several nights.

  Standing slowly, she kept him in her sights as she edged toward the button that would summon the police—and the drawer that held her compact Beretta. “Can I help you?”

  The man angled toward her. For a long moment he studied her, faint furrows etching his brow. As if he were assessing her—or the security in the store.

  Both were formidable.

  But please, God—don’t make me prove that!

  Swallowing past the fear congealing in her throat, she wrapped her fingers around the handle of the drawer and eased it open.

  He cocked his head and squinted at her. “Lindsey Callahan?”

  Her hand froze—and she gave the stranger another once-over.

  Nothing about him was familiar, yet he knew her maiden name.

  “Have we met?”

  The barest hint of a smile played at his lips. “Long ago. Nate Garrison.”

  He didn’t approach her, or extend his hand. That was fortunate. She didn’t want to be rude if she did happen to know him, but neither did she intend to let her fingers stray far from the 911 button—or the gun.

  “I’m sorry…the name isn’t ringing any bells.”

  He shoved his fingers into the pockets of his jeans, a muted flash of disappointment echoing in the depths of his irises. “You may remember me better as Nathaniel.”

  Nathaniel.

  The image of a pale little boy with light brown hair and thick, always-smudged glasses flickered across her mind. But he’d come and gone quickly in her life, and she’d only been…what? Eight? Nine? She hadn’t thought of him in years.