Donuts and Detours by Susan M Baganz

Author:Susan M Baganz [Baganz, Susan M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 9781522397885
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2018-05-18T00:00:00+00:00

15

On the other side of fear there is freedom!

Unknown

Titus drove to Lake Michigan. He didn’t know quite how to serve Bethany with what was going on inside of her. He grinned at thinking of her Army dad naming her after the pop artist. He was glad she was born a girl.

He found a spot in a public park along the lake and went around to assist her down from the cab. “You want the box?”

She nodded. He grabbed it and a blanket. Her leftovers wouldn’t survive the heat in the car, but Bethany was more important. He steered her to a shady spot where they could see the lake, listen to the waves, but also enjoy a little privacy. He set the box down and unfurled the blanket. “Are you OK here? I’ll go over to the concession and get us some water.”

“I’m fine. Thanks.”

She drew the box closer and removed the lid. The puppy was abandoned in her lap.

How did a legacy sustain someone when the lives of two people only fit into a box, and the heart was too young to remember?

Ty purchased the water and returned to their blanket. He dropped down next to her and placed a kiss on her hair again. Safer than her lips. Those lips were like a potent drug that shut off all his thought processes.

She glanced at him. “A scrapbook.”

“Cool.”

Bethany started to page through and he couldn’t help but admire the handsome couple. Her hair looked much like her mom’s. Their rapid courtship, simple wedding, and the separations. The joy of finding out about a baby. The shower pics and the baby photos. The proud papa and beaming mother. And the newborn Bethany Joelle.

“Oops. I’m not supposed to see you in your birthday suit unless we’re married.”

She giggled. Pictures of her walking. Pigtails and dresses. Riding a small bike. Attending the military funeral for the father she barely knew. Newspaper clippings. She dug back in and pulled out a smaller box. Opening it she found a purple heart.

“Wow.” Titus admired the medal. “He was a hero.”

Nodding she closed it back up. “My daddy. I don’t remember any of this. It’s like reading a picture book of someone else’s childhood.”

“I’m sorry, Bethany. My dad was a deadbeat and I don’t remember much but him beating me and my mom. And then he was gone never to be seen again. I was grateful. But my mom, she was my rock. I’m sorry you didn’t have that.”

“Thanks.” She placed everything but the dog back in the box.

“You wanted to adopt Cooper and I beat you to it, didn’t I?”

“It’s OK. He’s better off with you. You’re more stable financially.”

“You rescued him, and he would have rescued you.”

Bethany squeezed the stuffed animal. “Now I got this little guy back.”

“He doesn’t give you kisses.”

“True, but Cooper’s kisses don’t compare to his master’s.”

“I hope that means his master is a better kisser.”

“Definitely not as wet and sloppy.” She sipped her water. “Thanks for being with me today. And for this, being here by the lakeshore.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.