Waking Up In Charleston

Waking Up In Charleston
Sherryl Woods

Oh, God! She's in love with her preacher.But it's not as if Amanda O'Leary set out to fall for the most gorgeous (and unattainable) man this side of South Carolina Low Country. It's just that he organized building a cozy home for her and her children at a time when the future looked darker than blackstrap molasses.Not even her own father, the arrogant and wealthy Big Max, would have done as much for her. But that's a whole other kettle of fish. Caleb can count on fingers and toes why his attraction to widowed Amanda is plain wrong. How can he objectively counsel this chin-up spitfire without letting his emotions–and imagination–run wild?And now that Big Max has burdened him with not one secret, but two, he knows his priorities should be mending fences between father and daughter–but he can't help trying to build a place for himself in her heart first….

Waking up in CHARLESTON

SHERRYL WOODS

Waking up in CHARLESTON

Dear Friends,

Was there a doubt in your mind after reading Flirting with Disaster that Amanda and Caleb would have their own story? Certainly not in mine.

Amanda O’Leary is exactly the sort of woman about whom I love to write. She’s suffered through tremendous adversity and triumphed. On every page of Flirting with Disaster, she gets stronger. By the time she’s ready for her own story, she’s a more than even match for the wonderfully kind and protective Caleb Webb.

But naturally Amanda’s struggles aren’t over. All of her old issues with Big Max, her stubborn, difficult father, are about to surface in an unexpected way, and Caleb is right in the thick of it. When Amanda wakes up to discover the secrets he’s been keeping, will she ever be able to forgive him? And will she be able to make peace with her father before it’s too late? Just turn the page to find out.

In the meantime, welcome back to South Carolina’s Low Country, one of my favorite places in the world. I’ve loved sharing it with you.

All best,

Sherryl

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

1

Sunday services were over and most of the congregation had gone home for the traditional midday dinner. Caleb, however, was still in the church office trying to feel his way through an unexpected and troubling counseling session. He studied the couple sitting across from him and wondered if he dared tell them what he really thought, that they were way too young even to be thinking about marriage. Mary Louise Carter was just a few months out of high school. In fact, with her stylishly short, sun-streaked hair, she looked even younger. Danny Marshall, every bit the preppy overachiever, was barely into his sophomore year at Clemson. In Caleb’s opinion, they were years away from knowing what they really wanted out of life.

Unfortunately, he could predict exactly how they’d reply. They’d remind him that they’d known each other since grade school, been sweethearts since Danny’s freshman year in high school. They both thought their marriage was inevitable. So what if having a baby on the way had kicked up the timetable by several years?

“It’s not the end of the world,” Mary Louise said, her adoring gaze on Danny.

Though she rarely looked away from her fiancé, she evidently didn’t see the barely concealed panic that Caleb spotted. He’d counseled enough couples during his ten years as a minister to recognize the signs of a man being pushed toward a commitment he wasn’t ready to make.

“Danny, is this wedding really what you want?” Caleb asked directly. Aware that Mary Louise’s eyes had widened with dismay, he quickly added, “I know you love Mary Louise and I think it’s wonderful that you want to take responsibility for the baby and do the right thing by Mary Louise, but there are other options.”

Danny squirmed uncomfortably and avoided Mary Louise’s hurt expression. “What kind of options?”

“You could acknowledge paternity and pay child support. Or you both could agree to give the baby up for adoption to a family more prepared to give a child the life he or she deserves,” Caleb suggested, careful to keep his tone neutral.

Even so, Mary Louise leapt up. “No way,” she said, quivering with outrage. She scowled at Caleb, then whirled on Danny. “This is our baby. How could you even think about giving away our baby, Danny Marshall?”

Danny gave her a sullen look. “I didn’t say I’d do it. I asked Reverend Webb what the options are. Jeez, Mary Louise, settle down.”

“I’m keeping the baby and that’s that,” she said fiercely. “If you don’t want to marry me, then don’t. I don’t want you if you can’t love both of us. And you can keep your stupid money, too!”

“I never said I didn’t want to marry you,” Danny said placatingly. “You know I love you, baby. It’s just…”

“Just what?” she asked.