A Trace of Memory by Valerie Hansen

Author:Valerie Hansen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

The atmosphere inside Serenity chapel was as welcoming as ever, putting Travis more at ease. He’d known in his heart that the congregation had an overall loving nature; he’d simply needed extra confirmation that those who remembered Emma would treat her as a returning sister.

They not only did that—a local reporter spotted her and begged for a story while the music director shook her hand vigorously and invited her to sing an unplanned, special song during the service.

To Travis’s relief and delight, Emma blushed and agreed to sing, although a bit reluctantly.

That meant it was more advantageous for them to choose a pew near the front, making Emma visible to anyone who had not noticed her before. When she stood during the service to make her way to the raised platform in front of the choir, everyone applauded.

She picked up the microphone. Her gaze briefly roamed the dimly lit sanctuary before settling on him. He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

A piano and organ duet played the intro to “How Great Thou Art,” a well-known hymn he remembered was a favorite of Emma’s.

The moment she began to sing, it felt as if the entire building was holding its breath. Her voice was not merely beautiful, it was inspired in a way he had never noticed before. A spotlight made her blond hair glisten like spun gold. Her eyes sparkled with the emotion behind the words she was singing.

Travis folded his hands and prayed silently for her full healing. If this performance was any indication of her superbly honed talent, it was a wonder she had not found the fame she’d sought. Maybe, given another chance, she would.

That notion settled in his heart and made it ache. He had been wrong when he’d tried to keep Emma in Serenity. To have done so would have meant denying her gift, a gift that had never been more evident than it was at that very moment.

At the final crescendo, she bowed her head as if giving thanks, then looked up—and froze.

In spite of the thunderous applause, Emma looked petrified. Why? Surely she wasn’t disappointed in such a stellar performance.

She began to back up, looking quickly from side to side before thrusting the mic at the choir director and hurrying off via a side door.

Astounded, Travis was a few seconds slower in responding. By the time he’d jumped to his feet to follow her, Emma had disappeared.

* * *

Raising her voice to praise God had brought Emma an unexpected elation. She’d almost forgotten what a blessing it was to open her heart and sing like that.

Tears of gratitude had blurred her vision. She’d blinked them away and stepped back, intending to rejoin Travis in the pew near the front.

Her misty gaze had drifted over the congregation. Many were getting to their feet to show their support and appreciation.

Because of that, Emma almost missed a different kind of movement from the double doors at the rear of the sanctuary.

Having an usher hold the

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