A Blessed Life

A Blessed Life
Dana Corbit

THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG US AND SOME RIDE MOTORCYCLESSingle mother Serena Jacobs stopped praying for miracles when a year of battling her daughter's illness took its toll on her spirit. But even though Serena's faith was shattered, she turned to the church for solace–and found a Harley-riding youth minister waiting with open arms and an open heart.Andrew Westin was determined to restore Serena's faith and heal her troubled heart. But despite the growing love between them, the past still haunted him. Would their newfound love be enough to also mend Andrew's wounded soul?

“It’s not a mansion, but it meets my needs.”

Serena could feel Andrew’s eyes on her as she took in the view of his apartment, but he didn’t try to interrupt her. His scrutiny made her neck feel warm.

Serena smiled, her flush creeping higher. “It looks great.” The simple awareness of him made her so uncomfortable that she scanned the room again for a distraction. Her gaze caught behind the door on a Harley-Davidson poster that seemed so out of character for the stereotypical youth minister she’d created in her mind. She got the feeling there was more to Andrew Westin than she’d originally guessed….

DANA CORBIT

has been fascinated with words since third grade, when she began stringing together stanzas of rhyme. That interest, and an inherent nosiness, led her to a career as a newspaper reporter and editor. After earning state and national recognition in journalism, she traded her career for stay-at-home motherhood.

But the need for creative expression followed her home, and later through the move from Indiana to Milford, Michigan. Outside the office Dana discovered the joy of writing fiction. In stolen hours, during naps and between carpooling and church activities, she escapes into her private world, telling stories from her heart.

Dana now makes her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, three young daughters and two cats.

A Blessed Life

Dana Corbit

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Cast your burden on the Lord,

and He will sustain you;

He will never permit the righteous to be moved.

—Psalms 55:22

Dedicated to the little angels of my heart,

Marissa, Caterina and Alexa—especially to Caterina,

whose painful journey inspired this story. Also to

Randy, who makes me believe in miracles.

A special thanks to GDRWA and MMRWA

members, for endless support; to Melissa Baxter,

for always believing; and to Dr. Celia D’Errico,

D.O., and Dr. Hilary Haftel, M.D.,

for your answers and for your hope.

Dear Reader,

I started writing my debut novel, A Blessed Life, when my own heart needed healing. Like Serena, I have a daughter who lives with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I experienced some of the same guilt and hopelessness Serena feels and a similar joy when my child began to thrive. Also like Serena, I have struggled with giving up control to God.

I hope you enjoyed meeting the members of Hickory Ridge Community Church as much as I enjoyed creating them. Some of my favorite memories are from growing up as part of a large church family. Because these characters live on in my thoughts, I hope to meet them again in a future story.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Prologue

The waiting room stretched for miles in shades of warm tan and cheery peach, with pastel ocean scenes dotting the walls.