A Mother's Promise

A Mother's Promise
Ruth Scofield

Литагент HarperCollins EUR

Who knew a fresh start could be so hard? Not single mom Lisa Marley. She'd made her share of mistakes, but now she just wanted a chance to rebuild trust - and to raise her daughter, Cecily. All she needed was her new faith, not all-too-sure-of-himself Ethan Vance from New Beginnings at church. Widower Ethan could tell secrets hid behind Lisa's quiet facade.Between the challenges of raising three children, his church duties and pursuing a long-cherished dream, he took every opportunity to know her better. As their relationship grew, he wondered if Lisa held the key to his own new beginning, too.

“Haven’t you ever wanted to

change your life, Lisa? Start again? Do something entirely different than before?”

She stared at Ethan. Was he kidding? That was what brought her to New Beginnings. She honestly wanted to get her life back…and straightened out. She wanted to make a stable home for Cecily and be the kind of mother that won prizes.

Ethan’s eyes said she had a willing listener who would be sympathetic. She was tempted. “Can I trust you?” At his frown, she blinked. “Yes, yes, I can. It’s just…I can’t trust everyone, you know?”

RUTH SCOFIELD

loves to write about God’s love, and His Son, Jesus. Since she does not have a father, she loves to call God, Father, and to feel the faith that that builds. She also loves to play with her grandchildren.

Ruth’s first book was published in 1993 just a month after her return to her native Missouri after years in the East. She often sets her novels in Missouri, where there are lakes and hills aplenty, and as many stories and history as people. This is Ruth’s eighth Love Inspired novel.

A Mother’s Promise

Ruth Scofield

But seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

—Matthew 6:33–34

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

—Matthew 7:1–2

To all the young mothers in my family who give

unrestricted devotion and love to their young.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Letter to Reader

Chapter One

Lisa Marley guided the dual-wheel rusty red pickup truck into the deep shadows of the parking lot. A lighted sign declared she had reached the right place— Blue River Valley Community Church.

“Okay, God,” she whispered. “Here I am, as promised.”

She turned off the growling engine and headlights. A few windows illuminated nearby houses, but there was only silence, and the church stood quietly before her in the autumn mist of early evening.

Silence was good, Lisa thought, only she’d grown unused to it. She shivered. From the cool evening or from nerves, she wondered?

Only a small number of cars were scattered across the parking lot.

Her friend Beth Anne Hostetter had warned her there wouldn’t be a large crowd when she’d issued the invitation to New Beginnings. The organization was meant for men and women over forty who needed just what the name implied. A new beginning in life. A second start.

Beth Anne said the person in charge of this ministry, Dr. Michael Faraday, was a very capable, compassionate man, and Lisa could trust him.

Sure, sure… Trust.

Beth Anne knew Lisa’s fears. Lisa had faith in very few people these days. Sometimes not even in herself.