HP #924ISBN 978-1-60260-993-8
HISTORICAL
Shane is not a family man….
Shane would rather be footloose and fancy-free, paying others to care for his younger orphaned sisters. But when their latest home is burned to the ground and the woman caring for them passes away, Shane decides it’s time to go home. On the way, he collects not only his two sisters but another child, a young woman beaten and left for dead, a runaway slave. . .and the promise of more!
Lydia allows herself to be taken to the refuge of Shane’s home, even though she knows can’t leave her siblings with their cruel stepfather any longer. But can Lydia trust this gambling man to help her when it seems he’s deserted his own family in the past?
God’s plans are definitely a surprise, but if Shane and Lydia surrender to them, will there be happiness in the unexpected?
Luke 12:7 kjv
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Excerpt:
“You could find us a ma. She could watch us while you work. You could marry her and could stay home and be our pa. We’d be a family again.”
“We’re still a family, Van.”
“I want a ma.”
“And I’m not going to find you one. Settling down like that isn’t in my plans, Savannah.” A niggling thought made him pause. If he thought about it, planting his feet at home called to his heart. The thought scared him. “Listen, I’m doing the best I can. You’re proving the fact I don’t have a clue on the best way to raise you.”
“If you found us a ma, she’d know how to raise us.”
He leaned against the trunk of the tree and stretched his legs out in front of him. He crossed his ankles with an air of nonchalance. He held out his arms. “Fine, Savannah. I’ll tell you what. If God wants me to find a wife and make her a ma for you girls, He’ll have to drop her on my lap.”
“You know that won’t happen.” Savannah narrowed her eyes and pinned him with a glare. Her nose wrinkled as she growled at him. “Don’t make fun of me.”
They froze in a standoff of wills. Shane wanted to laugh. His sister couldn’t be any more like him in nature. He raised his eyebrow to egg her on, his arms still outstretched. Savannah slapped her arms into a folded position across her chest and resumed her pout.
“Sorry, sis, I guess it isn’t meant to be.” Shane wiggled his outstretched fingers. “If He’d wanted me to have a wife, she’d surely be here by now.”
Savannah looked away.
He closed his eyes. “Are You sure, God? Vannah really wants a ma.” He opened his eyes to see Savannah staring at him, her blue eyes questioning his sincerity. He felt a pang of guilt. Gabriel would be so disappointed in him.
I’m sorry, Lord, I didn’t mean to be sarcastic or disrespectful. The wisp of a prayer surprised him.
“I’m sorry, Savannah. Gabriel has tried to teach me about God and His love for us. Sometimes I do stupid things without thinking.” Shane relaxed his arms on his legs, palms up in a partial shrug. “That right there was a perfect example. If a person is going to talk to God, he should do it with respect and reverence.”
Gabriel picked that moment to walk up.
“Shane, there’s something I need to tell you—” He perused Shane’s upturned arms. “What are you doing?”
“I was waiting for God to drop a ma for Vannah on my lap.”
“I see.” Gabriel shook his head, used to Shane’s oddities. “As I was saying—”
A shrill scream filled the air and a bedraggled woman fell from above, landing perfectly in Shane’s relaxed arms.
“Aaaieee!” Shane jerked upright, the motion allowing the woman to settle fully onto his lap. “Wahh. . . ? How. . . ?”
Savannah screamed and scurried out of the way. Shane wanted to do the same, but remained frozen in place.
PAIGE WINSHIP DOOLY enjoys living in the warm panhandle of Florida with her family, after having grown up in the sometimes extremely cold Midwest. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Troy, and they have six home schooled children. Their oldest son, Josh, now lives in Colorado, while the newest blessing, Jetty, rounds out the family in a wonderful way. The whole family is active in Village Baptist Church. Paige has always loved to write. She feels her love of writing is a blessing from God, and she hopes that readers will walk away with a spiritual impact on their life and a smile on their face.
What a fun excerpt! Six kids Paige, wow! How many kiddo's or sibblings do you have? Can anyone beat Paige?
Wow! That was definitely a fun excerpt! ;) Very cute, and it sounds like an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteI can't beat Paige--just one sister, but I'm very thankful for her! :D
~Amber
This story sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteI have two wonderful sisters. But my mother was one of twelve, and she was also one of a set of triplet girls. Sounds great, Paige!
ReplyDeleteI can't beat Paige--only one brother and one sister for me. But my cousins were always over, which made them feel more like siblings than cousins...does that county?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the story sounds amazing. I can't wait to read it!
*I mean "count", not county :)
ReplyDeleteWow Paige! That is some excerpt. Can't wait to read this one. Oh and I have only one sister, her name is Kathryn. She's not a blood sister, she's a heart sister and I love her with all of mine.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 siblings and 3 kids. I can't compete with Paige!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Rhonda! It's nice to see you here on the blog.