Hola. Evidence of spring is in bloom on my morning walks. These were taken on the edge of downtown San Antonio.
Today I wanted to talk series. I love series. Revisiting the same town, the same family and touching base with favorite characters. Right now I’m listening to Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. I’m on book 11. (side note..she lived in San Antonio for a time.)
I love writing series too. The Bergmann sisters of Clear Water, Texas have their own series. There are three books. Texas Daddy, The Texan’s Twins and Lone Star Christmas.
Texas Daddy is the first in a Lone Star Legacy. The story of four sisters raised by a single dad in a small town lumberyard.
Texas Daddy (Lone Star Legacy)
In Texas Daddy one of my most popular secondary characters, Adrian De La Cruz finally gets his own story. With his identical twin brother, he walked onto the page in book one helping Pastor Levi restore an old historical ranch house. He shows back up as the first on the scene to look for two lost children. In book two he’s volunteering at the 4-H party and helping other single parents juggling kids and work. At seventeen he became a father and gave up bull riding to fully committed to raising her after her mother left them. That was ten years ago.
I started receiving massages from fans after book two, wanting his story. But as you can see he is such a great guy. A good hero has flaws. It’s dealing with those flaws that makes a good story. Once I knew the issues he was hiding, I went looking for the women that would challenge those issues.
And I did. His one sided high school crush returns to town. Navy officer and extreme adventurer, Nikki Bergmann needs to recover from an injury.
Oh, man! I love these two together and the fireworks are set off. She pushes him right out of his safe, overly controlled world and makes him face his worse fears.
Of course he does the same for her. He is hiding to avoid being hurt and she is running. Together they find that God has the perfect plan if they are willing to trust.
The Texan’s Twins Lone Star Legacy #2
Next is Danica’s story in The Texan’s Twins. All we know about Danica from the first story is she is the single mother of five year old twins and has a deeply wounded heart that she doesn’t talk about.
Between providing for her five-year-old twins and achieving her dream of running a wildlife sanctuary, Danica Bergmann has no room for anything—or anyone—else. So when the wildlife volunteer she’s taken on turns out to be Reid McAllister, her secret husband, who disappeared before she got a chance to reveal she was pregnant, it flips her world upside down.
He vanished without a trace six years ago, before she knew they were expecting, now he’s back needing community service. While she was raising thier twin daughters, he had been in prison. The worse part? He’s still the only man she’s ever loved.
It’s a long road to redemption, but can Danica learn to trust Reid with their children…and their future?
Lone Star Christmas Lone Star Legacy #3 by Jolene Navarro
The third book is Jackie’s, Danica’s twin sister. In Lone Star Christmas, she determined to restore the historic buildings in Clear Water, Texas, Jackie Bergmann needs permission from the property’s absent owner—her ex-boyfriend. After the death of his father Max Delgado is temporarily staying on the family ranch with his younger brothers. He agrees to give her access, with one request: that she help him care for his orphaned brothers. But when she starts to fall for Max again, can she convince him not to sell his family’s ranch…and stay home for Christmas and forever?
If you want to get updates on my releases you can follow me at a couple of places.
I have the official title to my next release with Love Inspired Historical – Yes I said historical. 1838 Texas. Jackson McCreed wanted a new start and Sofia De Zavala wanted adventure. I have cattle drives and pirates. Can’t wait to tell you more – but for now enjoy some of my inspiration.
2009 I decided to stop dreaming about being a published author and actually pursue a career as a romance novelist. In 2013 my first completed story, Lone Star Holiday, hit the shelves with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Line. (faith based fiction)
Today I’m excited to announce that two more stories of Clear Water, Texas will be in stores in 2017.
I signed a contract for two more books from Clear Water, Texas. The should hit bookshelves 2017
Book five in the series is single dad, Adrian De La Cruz. He has been helping out in the background throughout all the books and now he gets his own happy ending with the oldest Bergmann sister, Nikki. Book six is another Bergmann sister, Danica. Boy, is she in for a surprise.
But before you get to meet them, I hope you fall in love with book four. It will be in stores Aug 23. It is already available for preorders and today I get to reveal the cover!!!!! (Shh… it hasn’t been made public so you get to see it first)
I’m proud to introduce you to Garrett Kincaid, Anjelica Ortega-Garza and Garrett’s son Rio. They are sitting on the porch of Anjelica’s old family farmhouse. Don’t you want to join them and watch the sunset over the hill country of Texas?
The Soldier’s Surprise Family by Jolene Navarro. Love Inspired. In stores August 23 2016
Garrett and Anjelica’s story is a touching tale about letting go of the past and moving boldly into your future.
Here is the backcover blurb:
Unexpected Daddy
Texas state trooper Garrett Kincaid is a lone wolf—until he becomes an instant father of two young children. The former solider never knew he had a son…or that his little boy has a baby sister with nowhere to go. His landlady, lovely widow Anjelica Ortega-Garza, offers to help, and suddenly Garrett’s life is all about nap schedules and baby bottles and trying to make his traumatized son smile. Falling for Anjelica isn’t part of the plan. Yet even Garrett can’t deny that love has begun building a family of four right around him.
I can’t wait until they arrive in the real world. To preorder you can use the links below. The other three are also available online.
New book release from Jolene Navarro. A Texas Christmas Wish. On shelves September 15, 2015A quote from Tyler Childress, hero of A Texas Christmas Wish. By Jolene Navarro
So excited to show you the cover for the third book in my Clear Water stories with Love Inspired. A story of family, faith and finding a place to belong all in time for Christmas.
A Texas Christmas Wish.
Pre-order book so you can have it September 15. Ebook can be downloaded October 1, 2015
Two of my favorite secondary characters are horses, Quarter horse, Jet set Lena and Rescued Appaloosa, Tank.
And yes, as the cover indicates there is some snow and a Christmas Eve foal. Along with a hero that’s a pilot. I loved writing Karly & Tyler’s story. Their book will be in most Walmarts September 15 and available for pre-order at Barns & Noble and Amazon. The E-books will download October 1, 2015
Links below.
Karly Kalakona’s new nursing job is the perfect Christmas gift she and her son needed for their future. The single mom just never counted on dealing with not only a stubborn patient, but also with his prodigal son. After years away, pilot Tyler Childress is only a temporary traveler to the Texas ranch he’s spent his life escaping. But the chemistry he shares with his father’s nurse is undeniable—and has him thinking of sticking around past the holiday season. Can Tyler learn to trust the woman whose caring ways are bringing his father back to life…and who might just be the partner his wandering heart can find a home with?
Karly turned the wipers to the highest setting, but they didn’t help much. She knew the ranchers in Clear Water, Texas, were celebrating after the long drought, but she just wanted to get to her new home without drowning.
New home. If everything worked out the way she planned, her young son, Bryce would be celebrating Christmas in a real home for the first time ever. Last Christmas they had been living in her car. At church deacon Dub Childress had always made her feel welcomed. Now he was recovering from a stroke and broken arm—and it was her turn to help him.
On the huge plus side, if she could pull this off, no shelter or cheap hotel for them this year. But would she be able to care for Dub and his house? She didn’t even finish high school. Doing some research on stroke patients online might not be enough.
Deep breath in…out. She made herself relax. This last year had brought so many changes, with the help of her new church family, she was free of bad relationships. Hopefully no one expected her to cook. She could clean. She was very good at cleaning.
The rain pounded the roof, making it hard to hear anything else. In the backseat, Bryce finally calmed down. Her five-year-old son hated storms—or any loud noise. She leaned forward, her knuckles white around the steering wheel. God had gotten them through worse storms.
Glancing in the rearview mirror at her son, she continued the game. “Let me see. Is it your baby picture on my visor?”
Kicking his feet against the passenger seat, Bryce grinned at her. His smile shone through the dark, dreary day. “Yes! Now it’s your turn.”
“Okay…let me see….I spy something…blue and white.”
Bryce gasped. Karly turned back to see what startled him. He pointed to the road in front of her.
“Airplane.”
Squinting to see through the heavy rain she saw it, too. “No…” She blinked to clear the image, but it was still there. A small aircraft hovered over the road. The spinning blades on the nose of the plane headed straight for them. The wings tilted from one side to the other as if trying to balance on the air.
Instinctively, she hit the brake and jerked to the right, taking them through a muddy ditch. The car bounced over the rocky terrain. Their seat belts were the only thing that kept them in place. The boxes and bags weren’t so lucky.
After a hard stop, just short of a barbed-wire fence, she looked back at Bryce, reaching for him, needing to touch him. “Are you okay?”
He twisted in his booster seat, pulling himself around as far as the seat belt would let him go. “It’s an airplane.” He looked at her for a second before pointing around the overturned boxes in the back. “An airplane on the road.”
Through the back window, in the gray, water-blurred scene, Karly saw a figure run toward them. She slowly filled her lungs, making every effort to breathe and stop the shaking of her hands. Eyes closed, she counted and relaxed each muscle.
A tap on the window caused her to jump. A drenched man stood outside her car. Rolling the window down, she was hit with rain. She cupped a hand over her face and found Tyler Childress staring at her.
Tyler pulled his leather jacket over his head to block her from the onslaught of rain. Leaning closer to her, he looked into the car. “Is everyone all right? I’m so sorry. Cattle were on the airstrip and I thought I could make it to the field, but the pressure came in low.”
“We’re fine. A little shaken up, but fine. Tyler Childress, right?”
“Oh, no.” He smiled—the smile she heard the women of Clear Water sigh over whenever they gossiped about the good-looking son of Dub Childress. Wild and impulsive, but good-looking as all get out. This phrase was repeated often. “We didn’t go to school together did we? I’m horrible with names.” The rain started dripping off the sides of his jacket.
“No, we’ve never met. Why don’t you get in the car and out of the rain?
He gave a quick nod and ran in front of her car as she rolled up her window.
Reaching across the seat. She pulled the lock up, then started stuffing bags and containers in the seat behind her. The off-road adventure had scattered their worldly possessions throughout the car. They would have to repack everything. Tyler slid into her `97 wagon. The space got a lot smaller with his tall, well-built body. He looked like a pirate just rescued from a shipwreck.
She focused on her hands. He was dangerous, the kind of man that could bring trouble to her new safe world.
I write in a genre that is called inspirational. I take messed up people and help them through a journey of self discovery and of course love. I do wright romance after all. I love a hero that carries scars inside and out. Sometimes a real life hero comes to my attention and I’m captivated by their strength and fearlessness.
When I was younger I would always wonder what if…what if I lost both of my parents…what if I was in an accident and lost my ability to walk…what if I lost my eyesight…my journal was full of stories about other people that had survived horrible events and I wondered if I would have the courage and faith to stay strong. Was my faith real are just an act I could use in good times?
I think that is why I love writing stories of people overcoming huge obstacle and finding their own happy ending. I like having that kind of control. (LOL just ask Fred)
There is one TV show I watch now, Dancing with the Stars. If you follow me on Faceboock you have seen the video of Veteran Noah Galloway dancing to American Solider. He lost his left arm and leg in an explosion. I think his story is breathtaking and if I wrote it as a fictional inspirational romance, people would not believe it.
You have to watch the video. #noexcuses.
So do you have excuses for not doing things you should be doing?
Confession time. I am living out many of my dreams but I need to move more…I need to take better care of my phyical health. Oh, I have plenty of excuses…I’m busy….I’m tired…I sit in the car for almost two hours a day…I have a deadline…I don’t have time. OK people no more excuses.
So what are you avoiding, where are you using excuses?
Join me Saturday August 2 11:00 at Bergmann Lumber for the book signing of my second book, Lone Star Hero.
Walking down Main Street in my hometown of Boerne, Texas is one of my favorite things to do on a beautiful Hill Country day. I love life in a small town. People know people. They know your grandmother, your cousins and your children. People have long memories and will talk about people and days gone by at a drop of a hat.
Main Street Boerne Texas, Bergmann Lumber. Family owned for three generations. Taken by Jolene Navarro
You have a history. You’re part of a story. You belong.
I also love writing about it. I have created a fictional town called Clear Water, Texas. With less than 400 people in this town it would be consider small by anyone’s standards. Generations of ranchers, workers and business owners share a common history, good, bad and sometimes ugly. Preschooler to twelfth graders are on the same school campus. Community is strong. Not a great deal has changed there over the years. And yes it has a great deal in common with the town of Leakey Texas where my parents, grandparents and great grandparents have strong roots.
In my second story with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Line, Vickie Lawson comes home after her dreams are shattered. She is looking to rebuild a solid future in her old town for her kids. Her childhood sweetheart, Jake Torres, challenges her resolve to stay clear of all men.
It it easy to fuse fiction and fact. In my fictional stories of Clear Water Texas there is a hardware store on Main Street, called Bergmann Lumber. Just like my made up business, the real one in Boerne is a family owned businesses that has survived the big box stores. When other mom and pop shops have closed and moved on, the Bergmanns has found a way to redefine themselves and keep the charm of small town alive on our Main Street in Boerne.
In honor of Texas small towns and family I encourage you to take the time to shop small, it can make a big difference in our communities.
I’m proud to announce my second book signing at Bergamnn Lumber, the real one.
I will be signing copies of Lone Star Hero on Main Street in Boerne at Bergmann Lumber August 2 from 11:00 am until 2:00pm.
Main Street Boerne Texas, Bergmann Lumber
The two story limestone building is a historical site and owned by the same family for three generations. Randy Bergmann and his daughters have managed to reinvent their store front and focus on customer service.
Numb, Vickie hardly noticed the squeak of the green vinyl chairs in the hospital waiting room. She closed her eyes, tired of staring at the gray sterile walls. Her father’s big hand engulfed her smaller one.
The clicking of her mother’s heels on the laminated floor broke through the muted hospital sounds. Elizabeth stopped in front of her and pushed a tall cup of steaming coffee into Vickie’s hands. After a minute of silence, her mother sat beside her.
Vickie took an obligatory sip. The warm liquid—without any flavor—slid down her throat to a turbulent stomach. Pulling the steam in through her nose, she let the rich latte aroma wash out the antiseptic smell.
Sighing, she added thanks for her parents to her silent prayers for her son. There was a comfort in having them on each side of her as they waited for word on Seth. Her sisters, Annie and Di, sat across from them. She shook her head whenever she thought of her mother’s strong sense of self-importance. The names she chose for her daughters all had royal connections. It never even occurred to her mother that two of them had tragic endings. She dropped her head and covered her eyes with her hand. Please, God, keep Seth whole and healthy.
Right now she knew Seth was alive, but that was all anyone would tell her. With a head injury, his condition could change in a matter of minutes.
Her father had prayed with her, and now they sat in silence. Her mother played with her bracelet, a sure sign she was nervous. Vickie laid a hand on her mother’s arm.
“It’s going to be okay, Mamma. No news is good news right?”
Elizabeth patted Vickie’s arm and nodded. “Have you heard from Tommy?”
She bit back a groan. “Mother, he made it clear not to call him until two tomorrow. After two o’clock.” She glanced at her watch. It wasn’t there. Wrapping her fingers around the bare wrist, Vickie sighed. “Now it’s today. Anyway, he’s busy.”
“Busy? But his son needs him.” True confusion creased her mother’s forehead.
Vickie stopped short of an adolescent eye-roll. Her mother refused to see the real Tommy. “Mamma, Tommy has his own life and decided the kids and I are an inconvenience.” Her father patted her hand. Vickie managed to give him a weak but grateful smile.
Elizabeth crossed her arms and glared at her daughter. “Well, I called. Someone needed to let him know Seth’s in the hospital.”
A new knot formed in Vickie already upset stomach. “What did he say?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips and looked off to the side. “He didn’t answer, so I left a message.” She cut her glare back to Vicki, lifting one disapproving eyebrow. “But you should be prepared to greet him, in case he shows up. I’m sure he will. Did you really have to wear that out in public?” Her mother’s gaze dropped to the dirt-covered Crocs, up the Coke-a-Cola pajama bottoms, over the two sizes too big Baylor t-shirt and stopped at Vickie’s hair. The perfectly shaped brows seemed insulted to be in the same room as the mess that was Vickie. Elizabeth crossed her arms and glared at her daughter’s tangled mess of curls surrounding Vickie’s face.
“Sorry, Mother. I didn’t stop to think about how I looked.” Why couldn’t her mother ever be on her side? She turned her head and took a deep breath, pulling the scent of Jake from his coat. The room wasn’t cold, but she needed him close and his coat was all she had for now.
“Victoria, that’s not what I meant. You could have at least combed your hair.” Her blue eyes narrowed. “Why are you still wearing that trooper’s jacket?”
“You know his name, Mother.” She burrowed deeper into the jacket and leaned on her father’s shoulder.
The door opened and Pastor John walked in with Lorrie Ann Ortega and his daughter, Rachel. Vickie leaped to her feet and crushed Lorrie Ann in a death-grip hug. She didn’t care how unladylike the action looked.
“Thank you, oh, thank you.” Despite her mother’s best training about public outbursts, Vickie started to sob. This woman, who had every reason to hate her, saved her son’s life. “They said you saved him. If not for you, I would’ve lost him.”
Lorrie Ann kept her face turned to Pastor John while patting Vickie on the shoulder. “Uhm…It was…I’m glad I could help.”
Rachel’s father, Pastor John gently pulled Vickie’s attention to him with a hand on her shoulder. “How is Seth? We’ve been praying. Celeste wanted you to know she’s praying, too.”
Vickie sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she saw Rachel. Anxiety filled the girl’s young eyes. “Oh, Rachel.”
She cupped the girl’s face, cradling the soft cheeks in her hands before pulling Rachel into her arms. The fresh smell of apple shampoo tore at her heart. Rachel and Seth were so young and innocent.
“How is he?” Rachel’s timid voice could barely be heard.
“He’s alive.” Vickie smiled and tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind Rachel’s ear. “Thanks to you and Lorrie Ann, he made it here.” She pulled the girl back against her chest and looked at Pastor John. “They’re running tests on his brain and spine.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Pastor John asked.
“No.” Vickie shook her head. “Other than pray. We need all the prayers we can get.”
Her mother approached. “Vickie, the doctor needs to talk to you.”
With a quick scan of the room, she saw the doctor standing by the double doors next to her father. Her mother took her hand and together they rushed over. She prayed for good news.
“Seth is very fortunate. There does not appear to be any permanent brain injury, no swelling. He does have a concussion. We want to keep him twenty-four hours, but you should be able to take him home tomorrow. He will require a quiet environment, no stimulation. It might be hard, but he needs to stay away from video games, loud music or TV.
The blood left her knees. She could take Seth home. The urge to hug the doctor overwhelmed her. Instead she threw an arm around her father. Biting her bottom lip, she nodded as the doctor kept talking. At this point most of what he said buzzed right over her head. She just wanted to touch her baby.
“Can I see him?” She’d have tons of questions in the morning, but for right now, she just wanted to hold him and hear his voice.
“Of course, we want to keep his room quiet and lights low. The visit needs to stay brief.”
What if he was still mad at her? What if he didn’t want to see her?
He would want to see Rachel, make sure she was safe. She looked behind her and found Rachel leaning against Pastor John.
With fast steps, she had Rachel by the hand. As they headed to Seth’s room, she continued to thank God for granting her a second chance to make things right.
If you want to read Jake and Vickie’s story you can find Walmart next week or buy it online at Amazon, Barns & Noble or online Walmart. The ebook will be available for download August 1st.
The cool November breeze washed over Vickie as she stepped out the front door. Clenching the phone in her hand, shethought about calling her parents.
She hesitated.
Neither of her sisters had ever run away. A few times in high School she’d secretly dreamed of doing it, but never actually had the nerve to leave. Seth running away just laid one more failure at her door.
Her mother would blame her, and her father’s disappointment would tear her heart in two.
Relief surged. It had to be Jake, please let it be Jake. Coming to an abrupt stop, he stepped out of his patrol car. Broad shoulders silhouetted in the moon light.
“Vickie?”
Barefoot, she ran to him. “Jake, Seth snuck out and he took Rachel with him. He wants to go to Florida.” Without thought she hugged him.
“I know. John called. We have a group heading this way.” His fingers wrapped around the back of her arms. The warmth of his hands anchored her.
“Don’t worry. They aren’t even officially missing.” He patted her back, then stepped away from her.
“This is just great.” Staring into the cedar brake surrounding her little trailer, she focused on keeping her eyes dry. “My son has corrupted the Pastor’s daughter. What is everyone going to think?”
“They’ll think he’s a teenage kid with a lousy father and a mother doing the best she can.” An edge to his voice cut at the words, making them sharp and taut.
Behind Jake, more headlights came towards them. She couldn’t believe how fast people arrived. George and Adrian De La Cruz climbed out of their old work truck. The identical twins were local carpenters.
“Hey, Vickie.” Adrian gave her a quick hug, causing Jake to take a step farther back. “Don’t worry we’re going to find them.”
She pressed her lips together, afraid tears would start falling if she spoke. She managed a tight smile and nod instead.
She looked down at the phone gripped in her fingers. It was time to call her parents. Thinking of Ashley safely tucked in bed at her parents’ house gave her some relief.
Bringing the phone to her ear, she listened to the rings and watched Jake. People, from the church gathered around him as he unfolded a map on the hood of his car. George held a flashlight high so everyone could see where he pointed.
“Vickie? Vickie, what’s wrong?” Her dad’s sleepy voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Daddy, Seth ran away. He snuck out his window and went to Pastor John’s house. He took Rachel with him.”
“Oh, baby, do you want us there? What do you need me to do?”
“Jake’s already here along with some of the church volunteers. We’re going to start walking the property between the two ranches. I need you to keep Ashley and pray. He might come to your house.”
Vickie tensed as her mother’s voice came on the phone.
“We’ll call Ray and have him check the barns. Seth likes hiding up in the loft.” Rey Pepper had managed her father’s stables for the last ten years. Seth hung out with him any opportunity he got.
“Oh, that’s a good idea, thanks, Mom. Didn’t even think of the barns.” Vickie took a deep breath. Talking to her parents helped.
“You call Tommy. I know this’ll get him back here.” Hermother just had to go and ruin the good feeling.
Vickie rolled her eyes. “Really, mother? You want me to use this to get my ex-husband back in Texas?” That was classic Elizabeth. Before her mother could respond, her father spoke up.
“You can call him, sweetheart, but I wouldn’t count on him coming back. Let us know when you get any news.”
“I will, Daddy. Love you both.”
When she disconnected, a hand on her shoulder caused her to jump.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Jake dropped his arm and stepped back. “One group has started walking.”
Vickie looked over and noticed the spotlights going through the trees. More people stood around the cars, talking. A lump formed in her throat. They were all here to help, not because of the good things she had done or because she deserved it, but because they cared.
Jake touched her arm. “You might want to get some shoes on so you can walk with me.”
Looking down, Vickie was surprised to see her bare feet poking out from her pajama bottoms. With nothing to say, she nodded and rushed to the house. Jake yelled after her.
“Call Tommy, then we’ll start down the west fence line towards the pecan farm.”
While she jammed her feet into some rubber slip-ons, her thumb hit Tommy’s number and she held her breath.
“This better be important.” His sleep roughened words bit at her over the phone.
“Seth’s missing, he ran away.”
“And what do you expect me to do from Miami?”
Her throat burned, he didn’t get it. “I don’t know. He’s your son, I thought you….”
“No, you never think. You just want someone to fix the problem. Well, he’s your problem tonight.”
She rubbed her forehead. “Tommy, he wants you. I think he plans to run to Florida.” How could she make him understand his son was hurt and angry? He needed his parents to act like grown-ups.
“Listen, I can’t deal with this right now. I’m juggling several projects and if I drop one, the whole plan will collapse. I’ve got a meeting in the morning that I can’t miss. Call me after two if you’re still having problems with him.”
With that, he hung up on her. She swallowed and bit her lip. Jake was right. She couldn’t change Tommy. She didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself. She needed to focus on her son. Please God, just keep them safe.
“Vickie?” Jake stood in the doorframe, leaning in with his hands braced on each side. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” The one word was all she could manage. She wiped her face with the long sleeve of her old t-shirt. “Tommy’s…” Breathe, just breathe. “Busy.”
With a growl, Jake crossed the living room in a couple of long strides and without asking, pulled her into his arms. Her arms pressed between them, she let the phone drop, and clung to the front of his shirt. The strong, steady beat of his heart calmed her.
“You’re not alone, Vickie. We will find him and get him safely tucked into bed, okay?” He pulled back and looked her in the eye. “You ready to walk with me, or do you want to stay here?”
“I can’t stay here.” Shaking her head, she followed Jake out of her trailer and into the moonlight. “He has to be close, right?” As they walked, Vickie could hear people calling out to Seth and Rachel. She continued to pray. She wrapped her arms tight and rubbed her hands up and down, trying to ward off the chill. The trees loomed over them. The land and hills were vast. All the dangers of the Hill Country marched across Vickie’s imagination.
“It’s cold. Here, you forgot a coat.” Jake quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders before moving forward again. He stopped every few minutes to call out to the kids.
His phone whistled. “Torres.” His gaze cut back to her.
Her heart leaped up to her throat. It had to do with Seth. She watched him nod.
“Thanks, we’re on our way.”
“They found them? Where is he?”
He grabbed her hand. “Lorrie Ann found them at the swimming hole behind the old Childress’ place.”
Relief flooded her whole system. Newfound energy and adrenalin propelled her to Jake’s SUV. Jogging through the trees, she got to the patrol car first. Without waiting, she opened the door with the state emblem and sat down. She watched him as she strapped on her seatbelt. Why was Jake moving so slow?
Ugh, he was on the phone. She pounded her fist against her thigh. “Come on, let’s go!”
He stood with his door ajar. “I need to let Adrian know we found them.” He yelled back, still on the phone. As he slipped into the Ford Explore, the radio dispatcher called out a string of words and numbers.
Vickie froze. “What was that? Did they just call for air life to the swimming hole? Jake, what’s going on?” She stared at his profile.
Jake gripped the steering wheel. “We won’t know until we get there.”
“But air life’s not good, is it?” She wrapped her arms around her middle. Even as a chill caused her to tremble, cold sweat coated her skin. “Is it for Rachel or Seth?”
His eyes stayed on the road ahead. “We won’t know until we get there.” He repeated slowly, like she hadn’t heard him the first time. “Victoria, I have a verse I use frequently to help me. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.”
The pit of her stomach bottomed out. “Jake, I don’t want God to be good in times of trouble. I want my son and Rachel to be free of trouble.”
Jake didn’t look at her. “I know. All we can do right now is pray.” His gaze stayed fixed on the road ahead. His hands held the SUV steady as they cut across the back roads through the pecan farm to get to the old Childress house.
She knew he drove to get her to her son as soon as possible, but time had become twisted. A detached feeling blanketed her in numbness. Maybe if she spoke her prayer aloud God would hear it faster.
She intertwined her fingers and bowed her head. “Dear God, please wrap Seth and Rachel tightly in your arms and keep them safe. Allow me another chance to be a good, faithful mother.” The vehicle came to a stop, and Vickie’s head went up. Flashes of red and white blinded her for a moment.
Jake was already out of the car and opening her door. Holding his hand, her heart froze at the sight of her eleven-year-old son on a stretcher. She stood, fingers gripping the top of the frame. For a moment, all feeling rushed out of her knees. She needed to get to her son.
“Seth! No!” The scream echoed in her own head. Something held her back as she tried to reach her son. She pounded her fist against the steel band around her middle, stopping her from getting to her baby.
“Shh.” Jake’s calm voice whispered against her ear. “You’re not doing him any favors acting hysterical.”
Somewhere in her mind, she knew he was right, but he didn’t understand. The lanky boy on the gurney was her little boy. Breathing was hard. She leaned into Jake’s chest and let her hands fall.
Someone else talked to her. Turning her head, she blinked and tried to focus on the words Brenda said. The EMT’s mouth moved, but Vickie couldn’t get her brain to work.
Breathing, she heard the word breathing. She blinked a few more times to clear her thoughts. Vickie concentrated on Brenda’s words, words that started to penetrate the fog in her brain.
“…we don’t know how long he was in the water, but the CPR has given him a chance. We’re driving him to the landing pad. The helicopter will be taking him to Children’s Methodist in San Antonio. You can ride in the ambulance if you stay calm, but you won’t be allowed to fly with him. Can someone meet you in town?”
“I’ll call her parents.” Jake’s strong voice lifted her.
She could stay composed. She had to for Seth. She nodded. “Thank you, Brenda.”
Jake’s arms dropped, and he moved his warmth away from her. Standing alone now, she shivered.
“I’ll call your Dad to meet you,” Jake said, “and let him know what’s going on. Call me if you need anything. Okay?”
She mourned the loss of his support, but her son needed her. Jogging, she followed Brenda. Climbing up one high step,she entered the small space next to Seth. Vickie clung to the cold hand of her little man.
The high energy and easy smile she loved had vanished under his colorless skin and still form. Trying to stay out of the way, she fell to her knees. “Seth, stay with me, baby, please stay with me. We’re getting you help.” She pressed her forehead to the back of his hand. “Please, please, God, I beg you to return Seth to me whole and healthy.”
Brenda patted her arm. “Lorrie Ann arrived soon after he went in the water and performed CPR. She gave him a fighting chance.”
Vickie thought about all the hurtful words she had carelessly thrown around, things she had done out of jealousy. She had blamed her mother, Tommy, Lorrie Ann, even God, but she had made the choices. She had brought her family to this point.
God, I turn everything over to you, my life, my children and my anger. May I follow your will. Please show me your desire.
She opened her eyes and looked at her baby, lying so still. Wrapping her fingers around his limp hand, she continued to pray.
The final scene will be posted Wednesday July 9th
Lone Star Holiday is available online – Lone Star Hero will be in stores July 16 and available online Aug 1st
“Well, you reap what you sow.” Her mother disconnected the call.
After trying to talk to Seth one more time, Vickie headed to the refrigerator and pulled out the Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
Before she could settle in, the phone rang again. Moaning, she threw back her head. Really, couldn’t she have just one hour of uninterrupted misery? She decided the answering machine was her friend. Maybe even her only friend.
“Hello, Vickie? Are you there?”
John Levi’s voice had her reaching for the phone. All the reasons the pastor might be calling so late darted through her head. “Hello, Pastor John. What can I do for you?”
“Hey Vickie, I’m looking for Rachel.” He paused. “We think she might be with Seth.”
Vickie’s stomached tightened. Why would he think his daughter would be with Seth? “No, he’s in his room. I just spoke with him. Why is Rachel out so late? I thought Lorrie Ann was babysitting the girls for you.” Vickie shook her head. Lorrie Ann had been Vickie’s nemesis in high school, but now she was getting all friendly with Jake and Pastor John. How could they not see through her?
“Vickie, would you please check and see if he knows where she is?” His usually calm, soothing voice sounded strained.
“Sure.” She walked to his door and knocked once before forcing it open, pushing past piles of clothes. “Seth?”
She froze as she scanned the room again. Clothes and notebooks covered his floor and bed. He had to be here. “Seth, where are you?” Dread made her limbs heavy as she noticed the open window.
She tripped over something on the floor, trying to reach the small opening. “Oh, no. He’s gone! I can’t believe he left. We had a fight.” She leaned out the window. “Seth! Seth! They’re going to get lost or hurt.”
“Vickie, calm down. Do you know where he might have gone?”
“His father called, and we fought.” Her fingers clenched the windowsill. “Seth heard us and got mad at me. I said something I shouldn’t. He hates me. He hates me so much right now.” She heard herself babbling but couldn’t stop.
“Maggie’s already started the phone chain. People from the church are meeting here at my place to walk the area.”
Vickie closed her eyes and nodded. She needed to focus and stay calm. Kids sneak out all the time. Overreacting would not help. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’ll call Jake and have him take a group to your place. We’ll start walking. They should be somewhere between our houses.”
Her son’s angry threat popped into her mind. “He wants to go to Miami.” She headed to the front door, not knowing where she was going, but the need to do something—anything— overwhelmed her.
“Florida? Why would he try to–?”
She didn’t let him finish. “His dad, Tommy’s in Florida. Would Seth take Rachel to Florida with him?”
“Vickie, don’t worry.” His voice became stronger. “Rachel wouldn’t run away to Florida, but she would probably try to stop him from going. They’ve been gone from here less than . . . twenty minutes. We’ll find them. Call your parents. I’ll touch base with you in a little bit.”
Jolene Navarro 