Desert Rescue
Author
Lisa Phillips
Reads
15.7K
Chapters
1
EPILOGUE
“Go, Nate!” Jennie jumped up and down, but it was short lived given how exhausted she felt. She watched her son from the sidelines as he ran with the ball, avoiding all the other kids on the opposing team trying to snatch his flag.
“Run! Run!” Beside Jennie, Patrick’s mother cheered, also. Then she turned to Jennie and they shared a smile.
It had taken some time, but the two of them had rebuilt trust, and now Nate’s grandma was a huge part of his life. Mostly trying to balance being the “fun” grandma to make up for everything she’d missed and not letting things get out of control. Too many snacks wasn’t good for anyone. But Jennie was enjoying watching them figure it out as they got to know each other.
As for the letters Patrick had written, Jennie figured her father had thrown them away. However, there was no way to ever know. So she’d let that go. Along with the rest of the hurt.
She sat on the blanket, letting out a satisfied sigh. The ring set fit snug on her left hand. Patrick had slid it there nearly two months ago now. Longer than either of them had wanted to wait, but it was for the best and gave them all time to adjust. They were different people now than they had been, building a relationship with God and with each other.
They were a family for real, both Jennie and Nate having the last name Sanders. Nothing of who she had been was a part of their lives now. How could it be, when that life had been loneliness and dishonesty and this one was filled with life and blessing?
Jennie lay back on the blanket and closed her eyes, overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. Well, that wasn’t the only reason.
Thank You, Lord.
So many blessings.
She woke to a strange sensation. As soon as she opened her eyes, she realized what it was. “Tucker. I told you how I feel about you licking my face.” She shoved the dog away playfully and sat up.
Patrick crouched by her, dressed in his state police uniform. “I brought sandwiches.”
She was about to thank him when pandemonium erupted on the flag football field. Barely seconds later Tucker had stolen some kid’s flag and made a run for it while all the players and the coaches chased him. Nate fell on the ground, laughing.
Patrick sat by her, tugging her to his side. “You were asleep when I got here. Tired?”
She didn’t like the worry on his face. “Yes, but it’s not bad.”
“What...?” He didn’t finish.
Jennie leaned in, touched both his cheeks and spoke close. “I’m pregnant.”
Cheers and congratulations erupted along with laughter on the blanket. And not just from his mother.
If you enjoyed this story, look for the other books in the K-9 Search and Rescue series:
Trailing a Killer by Carol J. Post
Mountain Survival by Christy Barritt
Keep reading for an excerpt from On the Run by Valerie Hansen.
