Excerpt: The Aymee Smile

He had taken her breath away, standing there, leaning on the porch railing as though he’d never been away. As though the previous 8 months had not happened. She almost dropped the groceries, but he took them from her arms and followed her into the kitchen. They put them away in a sort of surreal silence. Finally, he put the last item in the fridge and turned to her.

“Julie,” he said, “I know I’ve hurt you, and I am so sorry. Can you forgive me?”

“Of course I forgive you.” she said. Dear God, please help me make that true, she prayed silently, then put her mind back on what Brayden was saying.

“I know there are eight missing months from our marriage. My love for you never flickered. I’m asking you to let me back into your life. Without explanation.”

She thought of the pain of the last eight months. She thought of the gossips and of her own doubts. She searched his intense brown eyes, then closed her eyes and prayed. There was no choice. 14 years of a solid marriage earned him a second chance. Her vows, “’til death do you part,” earned him a second chance…to her way of thinking.

“I could never lock you out of my life, Brayden. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he said, drawing her into an embrace. Then he whispered into her ear, “Remember, Julie. Rose gardens are safe places.”

She drew back, laughing. “What?”

“No explanations, remember?” he answered quietly into her ear.