This Time with Love: A Christian Romance (The McKinleys Book 1) Read online

  This Time with Love

  By

  Kimberly Rae Jordan

  Copyright ©2015

  Kimberly Rae Jordan

  A man, a woman & their God.

  Three Strand Press publishes Christian Romance stories that intertwine love, faith and family.

  Always clean. Always heartwarming. Always uplifting.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations being used in reviews or articles about the book.

  This is a work of fiction. The situations, characters, names and places are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to locales, events, actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment and may not be re-sold or transferred via any method to any other individual. If you are reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please respect the hard work of the author who has spent many hours creating this story for your enjoyment and purchase your own copy of this eBook. Please do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials by illegally downloading or sharing this eBook. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

  Available Titles

  By Kimberly Rae Jordan

  (Christian Romances)

  ~*~ The McKinleys ~*~

  This Time with Love

  Forever My Love

  When There Is Love

  ~*~ Home to Collingsworth ~*~

  Home Is Where the Heart Is

  Home Away From Home

  Love Makes a House a Home

  The Long Road Home

  Her Heart, His Home

  Coming Home

  ~*~ Those Karlsson Boys ~*~

  Waiting for Rachel

  Worth the Wait

  The Waiting Heart

  Marrying Kate

  Faith, Hope & Love

  A Little Bit of Love:

  A Collection of Christian Romance Short Stories

  For the latest news on releases and sales for Kimberly Rae Jordan’s books, please sign up for her newsletter.

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  CHAPTER ONE

  ERIC McKinley slumped into the cavernous easy chair near a large glass window, the low murmur of conversation swirling around him. With his head resting on the back of the chair, he stared out at the snow-covered landscape, the absence of trees being the only indication of where the lake lay. Even though it was just past five o’clock, the colors of nature were easing into shades of gray as twilight descended. Daylight didn’t hang around too long in the midst of winter in Minnesota. Unfortunately, the dreary world beyond the window did nothing to lighten his mood.

  “What’s up, man?”

  Eric looked away from the window to see his best friend, Trent Hause, settle into the chair across from him. Trent was a reformed hacker who now headed up the virtual security division of BlackThorpe Security while Eric worked in the corporate division. Given the six year age gap between them, they were an unlikely pair, but their friendship worked for them.

  Trent pulled off the bright red ski cap he’d been wearing. His brown hair stood on end, but he didn’t bother to try to tame it. “Where’s Mel?”

  Just the question Eric didn’t want to have to answer at that moment. He gave one version of the truth. “She ended up having to work.”

  Trent shook his head. “That’s the problem with being in a profession that works twenty-four seven. Is she going to make it at all?”

  “Doubt it.” Eric stared out the window again.

  When his foot was jostled, he looked back at Trent.

  “Is Mel not being here what has you so bummed? This isn’t like you.”

  “That and the fact that she broke up with me.” The words slipped out before Eric could stop them.

  Trent gave a low whistle as his eyebrows shot up. “She broke up with you? Good gravy, man, what’s up with that?”

  Eric lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “I haven’t a clue.”

  “She didn’t give you a reason?” Trent leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “That doesn’t sound like Mel.”

  “She gave a reason.” Eric rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Something about us not connecting like she wanted. I know we’ve both been busy, but she wasn’t interested in trying to work it out apparently.”

  “And she won’t even meet to talk it over with you?”

  “Oh, she will. We agreed to get together when I get back to the city, but she made it pretty clear it was only to give a definite end to things, not to try to patch things up.”

  Trent flopped back into the chair with a huff. “Wow, that’s kind of a downer way to start the New Year.”

  Eric arched a brow at his friend. “You think?”

  They sat without speaking for a couple of minutes before Trent said, “Are you going to stick around?”

  “I guess. Not much to do at home since I cleared my schedule to be here.”

  “And maybe you’ll meet someone interesting.”

  Eric shot Trent an exasperated look. “My girlfriend just dumped me, man. I’m not looking for someone interesting. Something tells me I should take this weekend to figure out what on earth is wrong with me.”

  Trent gave him a lopsided grin. “Can I start the list?”

  Eric kicked Trent’s boot. “You’ve stuck with me longer than most of my girlfriends, so I think I must be doing something right in the friend arena. My trouble seems to come from being a boyfriend.”

  “Well, from what I hear from the ladies, it’s not your looks, so it must be a personality defect.”

  “A personality defect.” Eric couldn’t help but laugh. If nothing else, he could always count on Trent to lift his spirits. “That’s a good one.”

  “What have your other girlfriends said? Is there a consistent theme in the excuses they give when they dump you?”

  Eric winced. He didn’t really want to be reminded of just how often he’d been dumped in the past five years. Was he really that bad a guy? Since he’d recommitted himself to Christ, he liked to think that he’d improved remarkably, but clearly there was something wrong somewhere. A defect, to use Trent’s term.

  “They’ve given a variety of reasons. We’re not right for each other. I travel too much. I’m not letting them get close. I hold myself apart from them.”

  Trent’s brow crinkled. “Too bad women don’t come with a handbook. Would help immensely.”

  Eric agreed one hundred percent with his friend. Trying to make sens
e of the opposite sex gave him a headache. “It’s just a waste of time and energy trying figure out what Melanie means until we can actually talk it over.”

  “So you’re going to try to enjoy the weekend in spite of this latest downturn in your social life?” Trent waved his hand toward the room at large. “I think it’s going to be a great retreat. We’ve already got a good crowd here with representation from five different churches.”

  Eric let his gaze roam the room. People stood in clusters of three and four throughout the large meeting room of the camp’s main lodge. He recognized a few of the people—the ones who had come from his own church. This was his first time at this particular camp, but he found the décor similar to places he’d been before. Log walls, large windows, old furniture. There was a piano in the corner that looked like it had been made before he was born—maybe even before his dad had been born. From his vantage point, he could see clusters of framed photographs on the wall, but Eric couldn’t tell what they were pictures of. At some point during the weekend he’d take the time to have a look at them.

  His gaze snagged on a woman talking with a tall, slender man. There was something familiar about her. Something familiar in the profile of her face, in the tilt of her head. She had long blonde hair that ended about midway down her back. From this distance, it looked like she had a cell phone clutched in her hand, and she was gesturing to the man with it.

  The rigid postures on both of them made it pretty clear that the conversation wasn’t an easy-going, friendly one. Eric felt a spark of sympathy for the man. It appeared that he wasn’t the only one having a less than perfect weekend. He wondered if the guy was having as much trouble understanding his woman as Eric was Melanie.

  Trent stood up and thumped him on the knee. “I’m going to find out when supper is. I’m starving.”

  Eric nodded absently to his friend while keeping his attention on the couple who were still tangled in their intense discussion. In apparent frustration, the woman looked away from her companion, and Eric caught a glimpse of her face.

  Recognition slammed into his gut with the force of a sledgehammer.

  Of all the places—of all the times—he never dreamed he’d find her like this.

  Why couldn’t he just understand?

  Staci Moore gripped the phone in her hand, trying her best to keep from stamping her feet. Her frustration with Vince was outweighed only by her frustration at not being able to get hold of Miriam so she could check on Sarah. Was it because he was a man that he didn’t understand her concern? He acted as if she was being completely unreasonable in wanting to make sure her daughter was okay. It had been with a great deal of reluctance that she’d agreed to come on this singles retreat over the New Year. She hadn’t even been here two hours and was already regretting her decision.

  “This weekend is not going to be enjoyable at all if you spend the whole time worrying about Sarah. She’s fine.”

  Staci swung back around to face Vince. When she saw the boredom on his face, it was all she could do not to walk away, get into her car and leave the camp. She’d hoped that during their time out here, she’d have a chance to get to know Vince better. They’d been on three dates so far, and he’d been the ultimate gentleman with her. Too bad that wasn’t carrying over in his attitude toward Sarah. She didn’t need the rest of the weekend to know that this wasn’t going to work between them.

  “Vince, I’m going to keep trying to get hold of Miriam. Maybe it would be better if you just found someone else to hang around with for now.”

  “C’mon, Staci, don’t be like that.” He grabbed her arm in a grip that was just a little too tight for her liking. “I’m just trying to get you to relax. If you spend the whole weekend worrying, no one will have a good time.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Staci jerked her arm away. “But this is the first time we’ve been apart. I don’t stop being a mother just because I’m not with her.”

  “Fine.” Vince took a step back. “Don’t come looking for me if you get bored.”

  Staci shot him an angry look. “Somehow I don’t think you need to be concerned about that.”

  As she watched Vince stride away, Staci felt a measure of regret that this first foray into serious dating in over half a decade had gone so poorly. She hadn’t figured that her first dating experience after all these years away from it would end in marriage. However, it would have been nice if it had been a pleasant relationship with someone who respected her—not just as a woman, but as a mother.

  Staci turned her phone over to look at the display. It still showed a signal so at least that was a bonus. She wasn’t stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. Now if only Miriam would answer the phone.

  The swell of conversation in the room grew as more people joined the crowd already there. Knowing any conversation on the phone would be impossible with the noise, Staci left the main meeting room and headed for the dining room. Though there was some activity there, it wasn’t as loud.

  She tapped the screen for the fifth time in the past fifteen minutes. This time the phone rang four times before it finally connected on the other end. Miriam sounded winded when she answered.

  The older woman’s breathlessness concerned her. “Is everything okay, Miriam?”

  “Everything is great. Sarah wanted a bath, so we’ve been in the bathroom for the past half hour.”

  Staci smiled. Yes, her daughter did love the water. Showers were a frequent occurrence, but baths were a special reward. She was glad to hear that Sarah was okay and having a good time.

  “I was just concerned because I couldn’t get an answer on the phone.”

  “I’m sorry, Staci,” Miriam said, regret clear in her voice. “I forgot to take the phone into the bathroom with me and didn’t want to leave Sarah alone to answer it. You know, with her being smaller and all.”

  Staci understood and appreciated Miriam’s concern. “Not a problem. Just glad to hear that all is well. Don’t let Sarah twist you too far around her finger.”

  “Oh, my dear, you know that warning comes way too late,” Miriam said with a warm laugh.

  Staci felt her heart lighten at Miriam’s words. Not everyone could see past Sarah’s physical differences to the sweet spirit within her. Miriam had absolutely doted on the child since she’d begun attending the same church as Staci three years ago. And as much as Miriam loved Sarah, the little girl adored the woman who had become a surrogate grandmother to her.

  “Is Sarah up for a chat?” Staci asked. Bedtime was in about an hour, so Sarah was probably having a snack and watching her favorite show on television.

  “Yes, I think she’d like to talk with you.”

  Staci could hear murmurs in the background and then Sarah’s sweet voice said, “Hi, Mama.”

  Staci swallowed before answering. “How are you doing, baby?”

  “Fine. I had a bath.”

  “I heard. Are you having fun with Miss Miriam?”

  “Oh, yes.” Even without seeing her, Staci could imagine Sarah nodding, her dark brown curls dancing. “We’re having sundaes.”

  Staci smiled when she heard Miriam laughing in the background. Yeah, Sarah was working her charm for sure. “Eat a couple of bites for me, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll let you get back to your ice cream now. Remember Mama loves you. Be good for Miss Miriam.”

  “I will,” Sarah reassured her. “I love you, too.”

  “Sleep well, baby.” Staci blinked rapidly, thinking of the precious bedtime routine she’d be missing. “Let me talk to Miss Miriam again, okay?”

  “You’re not mad about the ice cream, are you?” Miriam asked when she got back on the phone.

  “No. Not at all. You two enjoy yourselves.” Staci paused. “Listen, my cell phone gets service out here and my battery is fully charged, so if you need to get hold of me for any reason—any reason at all—please don’t hesitate to call.”

  “I’d tell you not to w
orry, but I have a feeling you still will, so just remember that God is taking care of us here just like He is you there.”

  Staci took comfort in Miriam’s reminder. God had opened the door for her to come to this retreat. She still wasn’t sure why. But she needed to remember that she had been willing to trust in His will—even just this morning—though now her weakness was being preyed upon. Doubts and worries plagued her.

  “Thank you for watching her, Miriam. I couldn’t have come up here with anyone else taking care of her.”

  “You go and enjoy yourself. Make some new friends and watch for opportunities the Lord might send your way to broaden your horizons and strengthen your faith.”

  Staci ended the call feeling much more at peace than she had a few minutes ago. Maybe Vince had been right in cajoling her to lighten up. Perhaps she owed him an apology.

  Perhaps…

  “Ana?”

  The name.

  The voice.

  The past.

  It all came crashing down on her.

  Clutching her phone, Staci turned, hoping—praying—it was all in her imagination. Or maybe it was just a dream. She’d wake up in her own bed, her past still safely behind her. But there before her stood the man she’d left six years ago. The one who hadn’t wanted to be a husband or a father. This was not the things dreams were made of. This was her worst nightmare.

  What was he doing here? He’d said more than once during their time together that hell would freeze over before he moved back to Minnesota. Last she’d heard, that hadn’t happened. Her alarm at his presence here in Minnesota equaled her shock at running into him at a Christian singles’ retreat.

  “Ana? Is that really you?” He stared at her with astonishment that was surely mirrored on her own face.

  His dark hair was a little longer than he’d worn it back then but his brown eyes were familiar and it looked like he still enjoyed working out. The jeans and sweater he wore were a little more casual than his previous style but he looked good as ever. Too good.