Have you ever taken something at face value because you didn’t want to know the truth? Had you sided with someone because you were loyal, never asking what actually happened or because you were unwilling to accept that the person you cared about would shift the facts?
Mack and Carly learned the hard way how much jumping to conclusions can distort a relationship far into the future.
Sometimes we have to stop and face the truth, ask the hard questions and stop accepting the standard explanation. It was only when Carly and Mack let go of the old notions and half-truths, and allowed the Lord to shine a light on the truth, that they were they able to put the past behind them and embrace the future they were supposed to have.
I hope you’ll enjoy their journey as they travel the winding road to their happily-ever-after.
I love to hear from my readers. Contact me on my website or through Love Inspired books or directly at [email protected].
Blessings,
Lorraine
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
—Luke 6:37
To my precious daughters-in-law, Robin and Cindy, who have made my sons happy all these years. You are a blessing to all of us.
Contents
The office was exactly what widow Carly Porter Hughes had expected from a small-town attorney. Wood paneling, thick carpets, massive desk and walls lined with legal books. It had been designed to instill trust and confidence in those who entered, none of which she was feeling at the moment. Nathan Holt came around his desk, greeting her with a smile and a firm handshake before smiling down at her six-year-old daughter, Ella.
Carly hugged Ella close to her side. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing her along. I had no one to leave her with.”
“Certainly not. In fact, I have some books over here she can look at while we talk business.”
With Ella settled in, Carly took a seat in front of the desk, smoothed the front of her gray skirt, then clasped her hands tightly in her lap. The reading of the will. The whole situation seemed surreal. She never expected to be back in Hastings, Mississippi, and she certainly hadn’t expected to inherit anything from her father. They hadn’t spoken in years. Mostly she resented the demand for her presence at the reading.
Carly swallowed past the tightness in her throat. All she wanted to do was get through this ordeal and head back to Atlanta, where she belonged. “Can we get started, Mr. Holt? I’m anxious to get back home.”
Holt nodded slowly. “I understand, but we’re waiting for the other beneficiary to arrive. He should be here any moment.”
“Other beneficiary?” Who in the world could he be talking about? She had no siblings, and only a very distant cousin she’d never even met. She started to ask who it was when the door opened behind her and Holt stood, a welcoming smile on his round face.
“Ah, there you are. Have a seat, Mr. Bridges, and we’ll get started.”
Carly’s heart skipped a beat. No. It couldn’t be. She turned her head to the side and her gaze traveled up the long length of the man who had entered. Her gaze collided with his and her mind hiccupped. Mackenzie Bridges. The last person on earth she wanted to see.
He
