That’s where she’d gone wrong. Have I really been so foolish, God? So prideful that I thought I knew better than You?

She’d been planning every detail of her life since she was young, but clearly she didn’t know everything. Clearly she needed more than plans. She needed God’s guidance. She needed to find His will and follow it. Is it too late to ask for help now? Because I need it now more than ever.

Kate checked the clock. She had four and half hours to find a way to fix this mess. Four and half hours to develop a plan, this time with God’s help.

Kate jumped out of bed, took a quick shower, then dressed. Realizing she detected the robust aroma of brewed coffee, she entered the kitchen, Bo on her heels. A note, scribbled on the back of the utilities bill sat beside the coffeepot.

Kate,

Went out for a while.

Be back soon.

L

Where had he gone so early in the morning? It was pouring buckets outside. Maybe he really was having an affair with Red. Maybe he’d gone out to meet her. Maybe he realized the marriage was over now.

She’d no sooner finished the thought when she heard the door open. By the time Lucas appeared, she’d poured herself a mug of hot coffee and added cream.

“Morning.” His voice was deep and groggy, a welcome sound. Even the stubble on his jawbone had grown on her.

“Morning,” she replied. His navy T-shirt was plastered to his shoulders, and his hair was spiky-wet and tousled from the rain. Or maybe someone had run her hands through it.

She wasn’t going to ask where he’d been. It really wasn’t her business anyway.

“Don’t suppose you heard from your editor,” he said.

“My agent called. We have a conference call with the people from Rosewood at noon. The news has hit the press in a big way.”

Kate realized this was bad for Lucas. It was his life they were talking about too. Everyone would wonder why he’d stepped in last minute, and he could hardly admit it was because of his parents’ souring relationship. She’d put him in a tight spot.

“I saw the papers.” He poured himself a cup of coffee and let Bo out the back door.

“Is that why you went out?” She didn’t mean to ask.

“I was hoping to bring back good news.” He tucked his hands in his pockets.

Kate pulled her laptop from her case and flipped it open. She still had—she checked her watch—almost four hours to come up with an idea. Something that would make the media back off or at least soften the blow.