A New Life

A New Life
Dana Corbit

Widowed with three young children, Tricia Williams vowed never to get involved with another risk-taking man - ever. Her matchmaking friends thought she needed someone, and the blind dates began. No one could compare with her lost love - until she met Brett Lancaster, the quietly strong, handsome new man in town. Like Tricia's, Brett's emotional scars ran deep, and he too had lost his faith.They shared some quiet evenings, and her children grew to care for him as she did. But their budding relationship became strained once she learned that Brett was a state trooper. Another man with a high-risk job. Could she put her trust in God and find the strength to begin a new life with Brett?

“I want to see you again,”

Brett whispered.

“I don’t think—”

“I never got a real date. It wasn’t very nice to cancel that way.”

Tricia shook her head. “I’m sorry, but—”

“Good, then I’ll accept your apology Friday night when we go out. Think you can get a sitter?”

When Tricia hesitated, Brett pressed his advantage. “Because if you can’t, I can probably call your friend Charity to sit for you. But then I’d have to explain how you canceled out on the first date and—”

“I can get one.” And with that, she left with her kids.

He should have been counting his blessings that her son had tried to stop all this craziness before any real damage was done. But he could only feel relieved and grateful he’d get the chance to see Tricia again.

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 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 makes her home in Michigan, with her husband, three young daughters and two cats.

A New Life

Dana Corbit

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their

strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary; and they

shall walk, and not faint.

—Isaiah 40:31

To my parents, James and Janet Corbit and

Curt and Alice Berry. Thank you for being convinced

for me even when I wasn’t sure and for listening

to my stories, each more fanciful than the last.

I would like to wish a special thanks to

Lieutenant Joel Allen, Trooper Christopher Grace

and Trooper Rene Gonzalez of the Michigan State

Police for opening their world to me.

Any mistakes in the story are my own.

Contents

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

Epilogue

Letter to Reader