Chapter One

“Bella Lucia.” She whispered the words, and a tear slid down her cheek as she thought about her hopes of becoming a mother and fears of never realizing that dream. Her heart ached with the pain of barrenness.

She heard her husband call for her from inside the bedroom. “Honey, where are you?”

“I’m out on the balcony. I couldn’t sleep.”

He came outside. She felt his breath on her neck. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you have to ask?” Immediately, she regretted her tone. She sniffled, trying to hold back tears as she faced him. “It’s hard, you know, hearing Kari’s news.”

Lucas’s features softened and he reached out to embrace her. “It’s gonna happen, Gwen. You’re going to have a baby. Bella Lucia, remember.”

She pulled back and tried hard to smile. “I know, our beautiful light. Six years is a long time to wait.”

Lucas kissed her lightly on the lips. Tingling warmth flooded her body at his touch. Yes, six years is a long time, but our love keeps growing stronger. She pulled aside, needing answers. “Am I a bad person for feeling jealous about Kari being pregnant?”

He brushed back her hair. “Of course not. It’s normal to feel this way, Gwen. We’re all human. As long as you don’t let it affect your behavior, you’ll be fine.”

She chuckled through her tears. “Hmm, maybe that’s why God brought us together—I have my own live-in psychologist.”

“If we have too many sessions like this, I may have to start charging you.”

Gwen dodged his attempts to tickle her, and she raced back into the bedroom. Lucas grabbed her playfully, running his hand along her shoulders. “Let’s make a baby now.”

She backed away, smiling. “It’s not the right time of the month.”

He kissed her. “Well, we can practice anyway.”

She succumbed to his kisses, and for the moment, thoughts of Bella Lucia fled to the back of her mind.

****

As Gwen sat in the outside café waiting for her best friend, Kari, she almost began to regret meeting her there that day. She lacked her usual patience to hear her friend’s constant chatter, especially more so because the conversation would be centered on baby talk. God dropped a gentle reminder into her heart to accept His peace, but tears still threatened to pour from her eyes. She hated feeling this way. I should be so happy for Kari right now, but when will it be my turn? The most frustrating aspect of this situation, in Gwen’s mind: Kari had gotten pregnant after only one year of marriage.

How can so many babies be born into this world by mothers who don’t want them, and so many are aborted, yet women like me who desperately want a baby can’t conceive? She sighed, sipping chamomile tea. As she stared out across the street, she saw the familiar form of her friend walking toward the table. Here goes nothing, Lord. Please help me to be gracious and happy for her. Gwen forced a smile and waved, then stood up as Kari reached the table. They hugged. “You look great. How are you feeling?”

Kari lovingly touched her belly. “Fine, but dealing with some morning sickness.”

Gwen offered encouragement as they sat down. “Hopefully the nausea won’t last too long.”

“I read how for most women, it usually stops after the first trimester.”

“Well, you’re just starting your second trimester, so I’m sure you’ll feel better soon.”

The waitress came by to take their orders. When she left, Gwen and Kari chatted about the coming baby. Gwen held up fine throughout the conversation until Kari asked the question. “How are you doing?”

Gwen glanced out at the street again. “Me? I’m fine. Book sales are picking up.”

Kari reached across the table and touched her hand. “How long have we known each other?”

Tilting her head, she leaned back against the metal chair. “Umm, let’s see, since kindergarten.”

“Right…so we know each other extremely well. Now why are you lying to me?”

“Lying?”

Kari leaned her elbows on the table. “Yeah, I know what’s wrong, but you need to say it.”

“Since when did you take up psychology? Did Lucas call you?”

“No, he didn’t, but I’m sure you had a rough night, and I’m sorry.”

Gwen struggled to hold back tears. She did not want to cry in front of her friend. “I’m fine. It’s just hard for me, right now. I’m so happy for you and Mike, but sometimes it feels like it’s never going to happen for Lucas and me.”

“It will happen. Just keep believing.”

Gwen wiped a tear away. “I want to be joyful for you guys, but just know I will probably have more tears along the way.”

“You’re my best friend, Gwen. I understand, and we’ll make it through this together.” The waitress returned with their wraps and drink refills, asked if they needed anything else, then left. “You know, you need to find some sort of distraction,” Kari added. “I’ll help you find something.”

“It’s gonna have to be a big distraction to get my mind off getting pregnant.”

“Maybe you should get involved with a kids’ ministry.”

“A kids’ ministry? Are you kidding?”

“No, I’m not. Why?”

“Because I thought I was trying to get my mind off of having children, and now you want me to surround myself with kids?”

“It could help.”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, at least talk to Lucas about it tonight. There has to be something to distract you.”

Gwen chuckled. “Yeah, he’ll say he can distract me.”

“A good distraction, but we need something more intellectually stimulating to get your mind off it.”

“I’ll pray about it.”

“You’d better, because I’m calling you in a few days to check up on you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

They chatted more and finished their lunches. Kari glanced at her watch. “I can’t believe time flew so fast. I have to be at my doctor’s appointment in thirty minutes.”

The familiar pang tried to erode her peace, but she pushed past it. “Yeah, I’ve got to get back to my laptop… You know, deadlines and all.” They said good-bye, and Gwen walked Kari back to her car, then headed toward her own. She kept thinking about finding something to distract her. She decided to discuss the topic with Lucas later on tonight.

****

Gwen added diced cubanelle peppers to the simmering tomatoes. Cooking came naturally for her, and it helped take her mind off life’s stresses. She loved the yield from their vegetable garden. They grew eggplant, a variety of peppers, green and golden zucchini, broccoli, and Juliet tomatoes. The thought of installing a hydroponic garden in their basement so they could grow vegetables all year long became more appealing, especially with the current downturn in the economy. She always kept an eye out for ways to save money.

She lifted the bamboo cutting board over the sauce and scraped the diced onions, garlic, and celery—and chopped basil and parsley—into the sauce. Stirring it, she shook in just the right amount of seasoning and a little bit of olive oil. One last ingredient for the perfect homemade marinara sauce: a few tablespoons of tomato paste. Now, to let it cook.

The front door opened, and she welcomed her husband with a smile as he walked inside. He nuzzled her neck with his smooth cheek—she loved his clean-shaven face. “Mmm, smells delicious, my dear. Do you need a hand with dinner? I just have to call Rick before I can help.”

“I’m fine. The only things left are the pasta and salad.”

“Can’t wait to taste the sauce!” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be right back to clean the lettuce.”

Gwen watched her husband walk down the hall to the home office they shared. She marveled at how God had brought this loving man into her life. She wanted to bring up her conversation with Kari to Lucas tonight, and she wondered how he would feel about the subject. After stirring the sauce again, she put on a pot of water to boil and added a pinch of salt and some olive oil. Then she began setting out two place settings on the large mahogany table with its eight noticeably empty chairs. Picturing a few small children sitting with them, she sighed and then went back to the kitchen to make Lucas’s favorite drink, pomegranate soda.

A moment later, he came into the kitchen and got to work on the salad. “So how was your day?”

“It was good. I had lunch with Kari. I’ve almost completed the edits on my manuscript and did more online marketing for Blind Date.”

He cut the lettuce and put it in the salad spinner. “So how was lunch?”

She listened to the noise of the spinning and tried to decide how to answer. “It was nice,” she said finally.

“Are you sure?”

“Kari’s my best friend. She knows me well and figured me out without me saying a word.”

Lucas laughed. “Maybe she should work for me.”

“I’m sure she’d love that. You’d probably psychoanalyze her all the time.” She took the salad bowl from his hands and dressed the lettuce with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings.

He shut the burner off and drained the pasta. After they sat down and he prayed a blessing for the meal, Gwen offered up Kari’s suggestion. “She thinks I need to get involved in something to distract my mind right now.”

Lucas leaned closer. “I can distract you, if you’d like.”

“Watch your shirt, honey. You’re going to get sauce on it.”

“Oh, what’s a little sauce gonna hurt?”

She rolled her eyes. “I care because I have to do the laundry.”

He finally moved away from his plate. “Let’s get back to the distraction topic. I have some ideas.”

“We’ve been married too long, because that’s exactly what I told Kari you’d say…how you could distract me.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be all bad, right?”

“I’ll take you up on those ideas,” she replied in between bites. “But maybe there’s something to Kari’s suggestion.”

Lucas took a sip of red wine. “And what does she propose you do?”

“She thinks maybe I should get involved in a children’s ministry.”

Watching him, she imagined smoke coming from his ears as the wheels seemed to turn in his mind. “What a great idea.”

“You don’t think it would be too hard? I mean being around little kids.”

“It might help. At least think about doing it. We’ll pray about it tonight.”

“Okay, doctor’s orders. I’ll think about it.”

“This could be good for you.”

They finished eating, and Gwen anticipated curling up on the sofa with Lucas. They picked a few shows from their DVR to watch before heading to bed. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, and she loved how he liked being a homebody with her. They made such a great pair. The love in their home was strong, and she knew deep in her soul that God called her to motherhood. Her heart was filled with love to shower on a baby. She longed to hear giggles and the pitter-patter of little feet traipsing around their home.

What would it feel like to trip over building blocks strewn across the floor? Theirs was a grown-up home just waiting to be filled with toys and baby stuff. She needed to trust. One day at a time, they’d get through this.

Chapter Two

Gwen sat in her office typing an e-mail to her agent. She’d completed the final edits on her latest manuscript and sent it off. Common sense dictated she needed to write another blog post and keep up with online marketing, but she decided to check her social media accounts first. After several minutes of mindless scrolling through the news from her network of friends and family, she lost interest and decided to get out of the house for a while.

She set the house alarm and went into the garage. Without any inclination of where to go, she opened the garage door and pulled out into the driveway. Thoughts of her lunch date with Kari earlier that week and the familiar melancholy threatened to overcome her as she drove down the road. Kari had asked her to go baby clothes shopping next week. Truthfully, Gwen dreaded such an excursion, but she’d agreed to go.

She tried to remember the verse she’d read that morning. It urged her to keep her mind “stayed on God” to allow perfect peace to reign. She drove around the bend and pulled into the parking lot of one of the local parks. Glad she’d worn sneakers, she parked the car and hid her purse in the console. Grabbing her cell phone and car keys, she got out and locked the door. She started down the nearest trail along the lake.

As she walked, Gwen wondered how she’d survive the next family get-together, a first birthday party for Lucas’s cousin’s baby girl. She loved little Andrea, but the pang of being one of the only wives in his family with no children still stung deeply. Especially since she and Lucas had married first out of the whole group.

A slight chill in the air encouraged her to pick up the pace, hoping to warm up a little if she exerted more energy. The pastor’s sermon from last Sunday came to mind. He’d preached on letting go and giving it all over to God. During worship she felt a release of stress, but daily living sometimes presented her with more anxiety and despair by the time she made it back to church the next Sunday. She read the Bible each day, and she and Lucas maintained a prayer time together each night before going to bed. However, the ache in her heart continued to grow no matter how hard she fought to keep her mind focused on God.

Usually, she shook off the melancholy by diving deep into her writing, but the tactic had failed to work today. Most days the fact that she remained childless never consumed her, but ever since hearing Kari’s good news, depression and jealousy overwhelmed her. She wondered if God had forgotten about her, or if He had planned out a life of barrenness. When she allowed Him to bring clarity to her soul, she realized how He loved her and wanted the best for their lives, and she desired to implement His gracious plan. Yet today, she pushed the clarity to the back of her mind.

She neared the end of the trail and came up to the playground. Taking a minute to stretch, Gwen watched the children laughing and climbing on the jungle gym, sliding down the slide with carefree smiles on their faces. Another group ran around the park, playing tag. The moms sat together on the benches, keeping a careful eye on their respective children.

Will I ever be one of those moms? She hated the selfish questioning because she’d always known with certainty God would someday bless her with a home full of children. Living without that blessing deeply affected her. Her heart struggled desperately to hold onto hope. Lately, she wondered if maybe she’d misinterpreted her feelings and He had never intended for her to become a mother.

If so, then take away these longings from my heart, Lord. I cannot live childless with these feelings overtaking my life. If I’m never to be a mom, please help me to accept it.

She remembered a scripture from her daily readings: I am the Lord your God. Worship me, and I will bless your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you. Every woman will be able to have children. No one will give birth to a dead baby. I will give you a long life. “Is this for me, Lord?” she whispered.

Her cell phone beeped. She peered at the calendar alert, realizing she needed to head back home to get ready for her date night with Lucas. Ever since they’d gotten married, they’d tried to keep on track with going out on a date a few times a month. They’d always hoped to continue this tradition even after children came along. Gwen and Lucas firmly believed in a God-centered marriage with the necessary alone time to be emotionally intimate with each other. She whispered as she walked toward the car, “Haven’t we had enough alone time, Lord?”

****

Gwen put the finishing touches on her makeup and stood back to inspect her reflection in the mirror. She’d given up on curling her light brown hair years ago. Instead, she usually left her layered locks down, or on special occasions, swept up into a French twist or bun.

Lucas wrapped his strong arms around her. “Are you ready, hon?”

“I’m just making myself beautiful for you.”

“You’re beautiful, perfect.”

She cherished the kisses he lavished on her. “Let me just grab my purse and shoes, and I’ll be ready.” She headed into the bedroom.

Lucas called out from the bathroom. “You didn’t tell me you took another test.”

She came back to face him, seeing the test stick in his hands. “Same result, so I didn’t see the point in telling you.”

His expression softened. He came forward and hugged her tightly. His silence spoke volumes, which Gwen appreciated. She loved his ability to empathize with her pain.

They walked wordlessly out to the garage. A few moments later, she broached the subject that had caused her so much angst of late. “Have you thought any more on what I said last night?” She waited, already knowing his answer.

He breathed deeply and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Yes, I’ve thought about it, but I haven’t changed my position. Only God can change my mind.”

“Maybe God doesn’t want me to get pregnant. We could adopt.”

“Even if He did want us to adopt, I don’t know how I’d feel accepting a child that wasn’t my own flesh and blood. I’m not sure you understand the emotional ramifications of bringing someone else’s child into your home.” Another moment of deafening silence ensued. “Maybe He doesn’t want us to have any children, natural or adopted.”

What a slap in the face, such cruel words. Gwen faced the passenger side window, staring blindly outside at the passing trees. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears and stifle the emotions raging through her. In the midst of the intolerable silence, she could think of nothing to say to sway Lucas to her mindset on the issue. She’d grown up in a home with an adopted sibling. They’d all welcomed her younger sister into the family with such love; Stacy had always been cherished and adored.

For that reason, Gwen had always wanted to adopt a child, particularly an orphan in need of a loving home. Of course, she also wanted to get pregnant. They’d tried for years to accomplish that goal. But what if God never planned for her to cradle her own baby in her arms? She would welcome a child in need into her heart and home in a heartbeat.

Lucas reached out and held her hand on her lap. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

She regarded him hesitantly. “Would you at least consider it?” Why couldn’t she leave this subject alone?

“I will, but we still haven’t followed through on going to the fertility center.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about IVF.” She glanced down at her hand in his. “Do you think God would be in it?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I do know if we’re not at peace with either option, then we need to halt further progress and wait on God for direction.”

Gwen squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. “Well, let’s try to have a nice time at dinner. We deserve it. And no baby talk tonight.”

“Sure, but real quick…did you think any more about Kari’s suggestion to join a children’s ministry?”

“Yes, but still not sold on the idea. I’ll be sure to let you know if anything changes.”

When they reached their favorite restaurant, she tried to put her worries out of her mind and hoped to enjoy a nice evening out. Lucas had made reservations, so the hostess seated them right away in a booth near the window. The dim lighting and candle burning on the table created a romantic ambiance—now if only she could forget about her husband’s harsh words and concentrate on having fun. The hostess provided menus and took drink orders. Avoiding eye contact with Lucas, Gwen focused on the menu as if her gaze could burn a hole through the laminated pages. Several moments of deafening silence ensued. Finally, their server came by to take their dinner orders. With no more menu to stare at, she gave her attention back to Lucas.

The walls started to crumble as Lucas began to crack jokes until Gwen laughed. She loved going out on dates with him. From the moment they’d met, she’d fallen for his dry sense of humor and striking appearance. His black hair and olive skin contrasted with her lighter complexion. People said opposites attracted, and it had happened with them. For a moment, she wondered what their child would look like—whose physical traits would he or she have? Wait, the topic is off-limits tonight. Focus.

“I’m glad you find me amusing, my dear,” Lucas teased, his brown eyes sparkling.

“You are entertaining, that’s for sure.”

“How’s your book coming along?” he asked.

Gwen glanced down at the appetizing plate of chicken marsala the waiter placed in front of her. Nodding and smiling a “thank you” at the young man, she focused her attention back on Lucas. “I actually finished the final edits and sent it to Rita this morning.”

“Great, honey.”

“Sorry I couldn’t let you read it first. Rita said she had a lead on a publisher who was anxious to see my work.”

“My famous wife.”

“Not so famous yet, but that’s why you married me.” He chuckled, and Gwen changed the subject to his work. “See any crazy patients today?”

“Aren’t they all?”

She responded with a smile. “Be nice.”

“Hey, you started it.” Rather than answering, she took a bite of the delicious chicken. He added, “I called Vincent today to let him know we won’t be at Andrea’s party this weekend.”

“Why? I already called weeks ago to say we were going.”

“Because something more important came up, that’s why.”

She stared him down. “What could be more important than family? It’s Andrea’s first birthday.”

“My wife is my priority, and our relationship matters more than extended family.”

“Me? What do I have to do with this? I never said I wasn’t going.”

He reached across the table, holding her hands. “We need to get away. We can’t wait for the end of the month, or next month.”

“Was Vinny upset?”

“No, he was fine with it. Besides, he’d better be. We got Andrea a nice gift.”

“Wow, I’m not sure what to say, other than I’ll drop the present off at their house tomorrow, and I’d better get packed.” She sipped her lemonade. “Where are we going, anyway?”

“Just pack some warm clothing. Although I know we’ll be spending most of our time snuggling by the fire.”

“You just gave yourself away.” She couldn’t contain her smile as excitement took root.

He held up his hand. “Don’t say any more. Let me think I’m surprising you.”

“Sure thing, honey, but you did surprise me with this.” She smiled at him, a weight lifting off her shoulders. Of course, she would miss them—she loved Lucas’s family dearly. Guilt gnawed at her. She shouldn’t be happy about avoiding another family party. But she and her husband desperately needed this time away together.

Chapter Three

Sabrina sat on the edge of the bed, watching her baby sleep peacefully in her crib. The little one remained totally oblivious to their current state of danger. It’s my fault, my Bella. You don’t deserve any of this. I know God’s going to find us a way out…

Sabrina quietly walked to the opposite side of the room and sat down at the desk. With the key that hung on her necklace, she opened the middle drawer. She reached inside to locate a stash of sealed envelopes tucked inside, all addressed to her Bella Lucia. She counted the envelopes again, fourteen in all, starting the day she’d learned of her pregnancy. Each month afterward, she’d written a letter. Glancing back at her beautiful baby, she thought, Six months old today. It’s time for another letter.

Ever since her agreement with Victor Reysen, her current husband, she’d despised her marriage to him. Staring at the blank page in front of her, she hesitated. When writing, she wanted to focus her mind on happy thoughts. She closed her eyes, remembering that horrible night fourteen months ago, the night that man had broken into her home and raped her. She’d never seen his face. The act had ended quickly because his entrance had triggered the silent alarm, and the police had soon arrived at her home. Sickened to the point of nausea, she’d lain hidden in bed, wishing she’d dreamt the nightmare. She’d heard the struggle downstairs, and then the ensuing gunshots.

A female police detective had knocked on the open bedroom door and asked to take her to the hospital. Sabrina remembered the formal rape kit testing they did, but nothing mattered. She’d learned from the detective on the way to the hospital that the perpetrator had been shot and killed after he’d drawn his own weapon on the officers, refusing to surrender. How random, she’d thought that day. This man violated me in my own home. Oh, Jimmy, why? Her husband of three years had passed a few months before the attack. He would’ve protected me.

Out of those ashes had come Bella Lucia. My beautiful light, my only hope.

Since the recession had begun, she’d almost lost her home. Jimmy had owned a landscaping business. He’d made a profit until the economic downturn had hit. Then he’d lost many clients because people couldn’t afford the luxury of the most manicured lawns and gardens anymore. The stress of the debts piling up had overwhelmed him, and he’d died of a heart attack.

The shock of losing her beloved husband nearly sent Sabrina into a tailspin of despair, but she knew the Lord, and He gave her the grace to continue her life’s journey. After the rape, Sabrina had wanted to end her life, until she’d seen the blue plus on the pregnancy test stick and the stirrings of motherhood quickened inside her. She and Jimmy had always wanted a baby, but she’d never imagined her child would come this way. Still unable to rise above the randomness of the violent attack, she pushed the ugliness to the recesses of her mind and knew the light must come back into her life sometime.

She’d first met Victor Reysen while her husband still lived. Victor owned a large estate property at the north end of town. Jimmy had handled all of his landscaping. Victor had kept a respectful distance from the young widow, which Sabrina had appreciated. She‘d never understood her feelings toward him. He seemed nice and respectable, but something inside her flashed a warning sign. Since she’d found no proof of unsavory activities, she’d reserved her judgment—until he’d knocked on her door one day when desperation ruled her emotions.

Three months pregnant, and with the bank ready to foreclose on her house in less than two weeks, she’d held little hope. She’d tried to trust God, but failed to see His plan in all the tragedy surrounding her. Victor had proposed marriage, claiming he wanted to provide for her and the baby, giving them both a good future. Thinking back now, Sabrina knew Victor had waited for the moment of least resistance before approaching her. She’d thrown caution to the wind in the hopes of a better life for her daughter.

Sabrina leaned back in the chair and sighed. Life had seemed to be going well until she’d discovered the true nature of Victor’s backdoor business dealings. Rather than risk scandal, he’d approached Sabrina, and they’d come to another agreement. If she remained his wife, he promised to care for Bella as his own daughter, and to provide for Sabrina as well, so long as she never spoke of his indiscretions to anyone. With no other choice, she’d agreed once again to his persuasive solution—at least until she could find a way out of her marriage. They slept in separate bedrooms, which suited Sabrina just fine. Victor only came to her room a few times a month. In the interest of Bella’s welfare, she closed her eyes and thought of Jimmy whenever the despicable man physically claimed her as his wife.

She knew Victor entertained several women on the side, but she lacked concrete evidence and had no money to fight him in divorce court. Fear plagued Sabrina, terror that he might try to take full custody of Bella and drive her out of his house and their lives forever.

Shaking off the dreadful thoughts, she focused on writing another letter to her sweet little baby. She wanted Bella to know that no matter what happened in life, her mother loved her and always would. After filling a page with careful penmanship, and satisfied with what she’d written, she folded the letter. Kissing it, she sealed it in an envelope. Hiding the precious gift with the other letters in the desk drawer, she made sure to lock it. Then she put the key back on the necklace, hiding it under her shirt.

****

Gwen opened an e-mail from Kari and clicked on the attachment. Her friend had sent her information on a new free IVF study hosted by one of the local infertility clinics. She read through the news article, not sure she wanted to participate in a clinical trial. Apparently the clinic offering the free study sought participants for a trial IVF drug. Instead of the daily injections, each participant received one per week. Sounds good about the free part, but I’m not sure I want to be a guinea pig.

Glancing at her watch, she realized she needed to get her packing done. They’d decided on a four-day weekend. Lucas owned his own practice, so taking off on Friday and Monday presented no problems. Hopefully he was able to reschedule any patients with such short notice. She was proud of her husband’s work, but she felt so loved that he held her as his highest priority under God.

The phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. “Hello?”

“Hey, Gwen, it’s me.”

“Hi, Kari, how are you feeling?”

“I’m doing all right. Did you get my e-mail?”

“The one you just sent me like five minutes ago?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

Gwen took the bait. “I was just reading the article.”

“Well, are you going to do it?”

“Don’t you think I should take some time to find out more information first, and pray about it, and talk to Lucas?”

“I guess I’m getting ahead of myself.”

“Just a little bit, I’d say.”

“Are you still able to go shopping with me on Monday?”

“Could we make it Tuesday, or later on in the week? Lucas surprised me with a four-day weekend trip to the mountains. We’ll be getting back Monday night.”

 “He’s so romantic. I think Mike should take lessons from him.” She heard the excitement in Kari’s voice.

“So you’re not upset?”

“No. We can shop anytime. It’s not every day you get a romantic weekend getaway. Go enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you. I’m sure we will.”

They chatted a few more minutes before hanging up. Then Gwen finished up packing. She knew exactly what her husband had planned. How wonderful; he wants to bring us back to where our marriage began. For their honeymoon, they’d lacked the funds for an exotic trip to one of the islands. Lucas had just graduated, and she’d been in her senior year at college. They’d gone away to the Poconos and stayed at a little cabin in the woods on a hokey resort.

Even though they’d vacationed in Hawaii on a belated honeymoon for their second anniversary, that week in the mountains remained her dream honeymoon. They didn’t need a fancy hotel or an exotic island when they had each other.

****

Sabrina woke to Bella’s quiet whimpering. “My Bella, Mama’s here.” She slipped out of bed, lifted her little one from the crib, and walked to the changing table. Early on, she’d bravely insisted on a room near Bella’s. Thankfully Victor had obliged, and she and her daughter slept in the same bedroom, which adjoined a larger sitting room. Eventually, that room would fill the role of Bella’s own room. Though not if we get out of here before then.

She changed her daughter’s diaper and put a soft, fuzzy sweater on her, as well as warmer pants. Then she grabbed a thick wool sweater for herself and walked through the mansion to the back door. An overwhelming desire to get outside consumed her. She’d take her daughter for a walk in the stroller. As she passed by Mrs. Hollister, the main housekeeper, she nodded and hurried out through the back door. The household staff kept their distance, but she always got the goose bumps around them. She remained suspicious that some of them reported her every move to Victor.

She trusted only one person in Victor’s life—his lawyer. One day Mr. Lewis had confided in Sabrina that he knew all about her husband’s nefarious dealings, but he felt powerless to help her stop Victor. Their conversation had ended as abruptly as it began, because Victor had come home early from his office in town. Sabrina still hadn’t discovered what he held as leverage to keep his faithful lawyer in his clutches.

Once she had Bella secured in the stroller and they started down the pathway, she breathed deeply of the fresh mountain air. Sometimes living in the big old house suffocated her—she missed the home she’d shared with Jimmy. It had been small, but enough for them.

She stopped midway around the lake pathway. Sitting down on a bench, she gently pushed Bella’s stroller back and forth. Her daughter’s trusting blue eyes stared back at her, and Sabrina hoped her choices never brought any harm to her child. God, please keep my Bella safe.

****

“Honey, are you ready?”

Gwen felt like beaming as Lucas came into the bedroom. “Yes. We’re all packed and set to go.”

“You’re the best. You didn’t make dinner yet, did you?”

“No.”

“Good. Let’s stop to get a pizza or sandwiches. This way you don’t have to cook, and we can get a head start on the rush hour traffic.”

She kissed him and pulled away. “Oh, someone’s trying to get on my good side.”

He wrapped her in his arms and whispered near her ear. “Yes, and I’m trying to get us there as quickly as possible. I thought this might help the process along.”

“Good thinking.”