They stopped just out of sight, waiting for the music to begin. Melissa got a quick glimpse of Sully and Marc walking out with the pastor as they took their places in front of the altar.

At that point, the organist struck a chord, the signal for the congregation to rise. And as they did, they also turned toward the entrance. When the organist began the traditional wedding march Melissa had chosen, Lovey appeared in the doorway with her shoulders back and her chin up, just as she’d done the night she left her baby behind, and started slowly down the aisle. Only this time she wasn’t crying. She looked neither to the right nor to the left, but to the two men standing at the pulpit as peace flowed through her.

And then Melissa appeared, pausing in the doorway until Sully saw her. Only then did she take her first step toward him, then had to fight the urge to run into his arms.

Sully remembered her arrival at the altar, then taking her hand and turning toward her. After that, everything faded except her and those bright-green eyes looking straight into his soul.

The rest of their lives had just begun.

Not ready to leave Blessings, Georgia? Read on for a peek at

Once in a Blue Moon

Coming August 2020 from Sourcebooks Casablanca!

Chapter 1

Streaks of moonlight slipped between the blinds in Cathy Terry’s bedroom, painting silver-white stripes across the dark hardwood floor. The lights of a passing patrol car swept across the wall where she lay sleeping, but all she saw was the man coming at her in her dream.

Blaine Wagner’s face was twisted in rage—his fists doubled, ready to strike a blow.

“You’re not going anywhere, dammit! Nobody walks out on me!”

Cathy was scared of him, but she’d had enough, and the luxury of their lifestyle was no longer the draw it had once been.

“I’m not nobody! I am your wife, not one of your whores, and I’ve had enough! You have cheated on me for the last time. I’ve already contacted a lawyer, and I’ll be staying in the Luxor here in Vegas until I can find an apartment.”

“Like hell!” Blaine roared, and swung at her.

Cathy ducked and ran, locking herself into their en-suite. Then she called the police, crying and begging them to hurry as Blaine pounded on the door in continuing rage.

It was the sirens and the flashing lights pulling up to the house that gave her the reprieve she needed. The moment she heard him leave the room to answer the door, she flew out of the bathroom, grabbed from their closet the bag that she’d already packed, and followed him down the stairs.

He was already playing the part of surprised spouse and telling the police it was all a misunderstanding when Cathy appeared. Her eyes were swollen from crying and her fear was unmistakable.

“Help me! I’ve filed for divorce and he won’t let me leave!” she said, and was trying to push past him when he grabbed her by the arm.