A look ahead

His Heart is about the beginning of a new journey for the family. I have put them all through a lot, I know that. Each of the couples has faced unique challenges that tested their love and strength in each other and the world. When I think back to the beginning of the series, I am amazed at the things everyone has been through.

Moving forward with the series nine years has enabled me to have a new look on many of the stories and the couples. What happens in book 20 is a shock to everyone. I’m pretty sure the title and cover give much of it away.

It is Tommy’s story, and because of that,  it is Jack, Julie, Naomi and Brittany’s story, too. What happens to him shocks everyone and it will forever alter the make up of the group.

I am posting a flashback scene from the book that is part of exploring the way that Tommy has effected those around him.

I hope you’re as excited for His Heart as I am for you to read it. Please click the pictures below to preorder your copy today.

Thank you!

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Julie walked into the house after celebrating her high school graduation with friends. Tommy and Jack had taken her to dinner and then dropped her off at her friend’s house to celebrate. Jack had gone into work to consult on a case and Tommy was sitting in the family room, watching TV.

“Hey, I thought you would be out later,” Tommy smiled as she sat down and put her bag of things on the floor.

“I kind of wanted to come home and talk to you,” she said and pulled her shoes off.

“Sure, are you hungry? Do you want me to make you something to eat?”

She smiled as he went to get up and she shook her head.

“No, I’m not hungry.”

“Okay,” he moved and faced her, turning the television off. “What’s going on?”

She took a deep breath and stood up, pacing.

“Jules? You’re scaring me. Did something happen?”

“Yeah,” she turned and looked at him. “Mom and dad died.”

He raised his eyebrows and nodded.

“Six years ago,” he added.

“Right, and I was 12 and had no control over anything that happened in my life. I was sitting at Taylor’s house and there were so many people there talking about how excited they were to get away from their parents and move off to college and see how the world works without mom and dad watching over them.”

He nodded and looked at his hands.

“I’m sorry about that.”

She walked to the couch and sat down.

“No, you misunderstand what I mean,” she smiled. “I was thinking about the 12 year old girl I was and how infinitely worse my life could have been had you not stepped up and made a choice that changed all of our lives. I kept thinking that I’m the age you were when the accident happened and what you did by taking me in altered the entire course of my life. It was simply the greatest blessing I could have ever received.”

He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head.

“No, it wasn’t. What I did was selfish. I needed you to stay with me because I didn’t think I could survive without you. I looked at you as a connection to mom and dad and I desperately needed that. Everyone told me it was a bad idea and you would be better off with adults who could love you and care for you in a way an 18 year old boy couldn’t, but I refused to listen. I couldn’t lose you like I lost them. I needed to keep the family together and I needed you to help me survive.”

“Whatever the reason, it was you who saved my life. I am the woman I am today because of you and Jack and I know I will be okay because you are here for me. I have watched you become a doctor and you are pursuing this pediatric oncology residency and it’s everything you wanted to always be. Your compassion and intelligence is an inspiration to me and I know it’s time for me to move on to college, and I need for you to know it’s not because I want to get away, but because I want you to know you did the right thing. You and Jack have enabled me to be a strong and confident woman and I can never thank you enough for what you did for me. You make me feel important and loved and there are times I feel mom and dad in the room with us, laughing and cheering us on. I just wanted to thank you.”

He wiped his eyes and smiled at her.

“I have something for you,” he said and went to get a small box he had wrapped on the table.

“When I graduated high school, mom and dad gave me a picture of them to keep in my dorm room so I would always remember where I came from and who had my back. I know it was also because mom didn’t want me to forget to call every day, but I wanted to do something similar for you. Jack wanted me to give it you when you came home because he knew he would be out late, but it’s from both of us.”

He handed her a small wrapped box and she opened it, pulling out a bracelet with a locket attached. She opened it and saw a picture of her parents on one side and a picture of Tommy and Jack on the other.

“I just want you to know where you come from and how Jack and I will always have your back. No matter how old you get or how independent you become, we will always have a home for you. You always have somewhere you belong.”

She put it around her wrist and wiped her eyes.

“Thank you. I love it and I love you and Jack so much,” she walked over and hugged him and he smiled.

“Mom and dad would be so proud of you, Jules. I know it.”

She sat with him and they watched television and just appreciated all they had.

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