Mirror on the Fall

By Mildred Colvin

Appearances can be deceiving.

Sonya White’s world crashes as one calamity after another falls. Her step-mother has cancer, her long-time friend next door begins making advances toward her as if he’d like to be her boyfriend. Then she catches the man she loves kissing another girl. As if that isn’t enough, a caped figure makes three attacks on her life, and she’s forced to run to the safety of a family of siblings named Little.

Is Sonya living a Snow White story? If so, will her prince rescue her and pledge his faithfulness forever? Or will she always be on the run not knowing who is trying to kill her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Colvin
• Release date: Oct 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310464072

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

Book preview

Mirror on the Fall

Mildred Colvin &

Jonathan Colvin

Contemporary Christian Romance

Mirror on the Fall

Copyright ©2014 by Mildred Colvin

& Jonathan Colvin

All Rights Reserved

Cover photo copyright © Jonathan Colvin

Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

DEDICATION

Sonya’s mother, although only a step-mother, loved her as if she had been born to her. Granted, she was distracted by outside forces for a short while as she faced sickness and loss, but always her love for her daughter won out even when Sonya didn’t see it.

We dedicate this book to all true mothers. If her heart is true, it doesn’t matter how a woman becomes a mother. Her children will rise up and call her blessed. May God richly bless all mothers who love and guide their children in His way.

Chapter 1

Sonya White sank into the softness of the leather seats and swung her feet into Loren Price’s car. He hesitated, gave her a wink that set her heart pounding then shut the door with a gentle click.

She laid her head back and closed her eyes. How had she captured the attention of the most eligible man in all of Fairwilde? They didn’t go out on actual dates often, but they’d been a couple for two years now. Getting together at each other’s houses, going on walks, and joining into church functions together allowed them time together more often than dating did. But tonight was special. Dinner and a movie to celebrate their second anniversary. Maybe tonight would be the night he would ask her to be his wife. A tremor ran through her body at the thought. She opened her eyes and looked into the blue depths of Loren’s concerned gaze.

Are you cold?

No, I’m fine. How could she be cold with him looking at her as if she were the most important person in his world? Just anticipating a wonderful evening.

He flashed his heart-stopping grin. Me too. I got reservations at your favorite restaurant.

Oh, we’re eating Italian? Sonya settled back as Loren started the car and pulled away from the house where she lived with her step-mother.

Yep, none other. Loren kept his gaze toward the road. So how’s work going?

Oh, it’s great. We fed lunch to over fifty people today. I didn’t stay for the evening meal. The familiar rush of enthusiasm for her work ran through Sonya.

Well, you can count on a good donation from my dad. Loren glanced toward her. He thinks you’re doing a wonderful thing feeding the homeless and those down on their luck.

Really? Mr. Price’s approval meant more to her than she wanted to admit. The Kitchen has grown a lot since Dad started it. Mom kept it going after his death, but this year she’s left it up to me. Now she almost never goes in.

Yeah, I’ve noticed that. She isn’t sick, is she? Loren pulled to a stop at a red light.

No, of course not. Sonya straightened. Why would you ask?

Loren shrugged. No reason. She’s been acting different lately. Haven’t you noticed?

Different? Like how? Sonya thought about her stepmother, stunningly beautiful in spite of her age. No, I don’t think she’s any different.

Probably isn’t. Last time I talked to her, she seemed a little absent minded. You remember when I stopped by your house last week she asked how my mother was. I told her she was fine. Then, when I left she said she hoped my mom would soon get over her cold.

Oh, that doesn’t mean anything. Sonya brushed his concern away with a wave of her hand. Your mother did have a cold. So now she’s over it, maybe Mom didn’t realize.

Loren lifted his eyebrows. Maybe so. Of course, offering me cookies and milk—twice in five minutes—makes me wonder.

Sonya laughed. I remember that. But Loren, Mom is getting older. Don’t forget, she had her fortieth birthday last week. And she probably has a lot on her mind.

Yeah, probably. Loren parked at the restaurant and shut off the ignition. His grin chased all thought of her mother from Sonya’s mind. Are you ready to go in?

She smiled. Yes.

Loren hurried around the car and opened her door. He took her hand as she stepped out, his touch warm and familiar against hers. As they walked to the restaurant, he tucked her hand under his arm and leaned close. Tonight is great. Two years with the prettiest girl in Fairwilde. No, the most beautiful woman in the entire world. The fairest of them all.

Our second anniversary. Sonya breathed the words. Two years with the best boyfriend a girl could want.

Tonight was special. She loved Loren so much. Everyone thought they would eventually marry. If only he would ask tonight.

~*~

Loren held the chair for Sonya before sitting across from her. Being with her always made him feel as if he could conquer the world. She was by far the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. Her beautiful long silky hair had just enough curl to wrap around his fingers. A lot of the guys liked girls with blonde hair, but he preferred the exotic combination of Sonya’s dark hair and large blue eyes with long dark lashes. Ah, he could sit and look at her for hours and enjoy every minute.

May I get you something to drink? A waitress he hadn’t noticed placed a menu before him.

Loren looked at Sonya.

She smiled at the waitress. I’d like sweet tea.

Loren picked up his menu. Diet soda sounds good to me.

While the waitress left to fill their drink order, Sonya studied her menu. Loren glanced at his, but he knew what he wanted. Nothing better than Prosciutto and Provolone Chicken Rollups.

Are you ready to order? The waitress set their drinks on the table.

I’ll take the Caprese Salad. Sonya laid her menu down.

The waitress nodded then took Loren’s order, scribbled on her pad, and returned to the kitchen.

So how’s college this year? Sonya looked across the table at Loren.

The edge in her tone alerted him that this was not a casual question. Great. Science is better than I thought. Surely, she hadn’t gotten wind of Khloe Collet trying to talk him into being her lab partner. If not for Merl Johns needing someone, he might’ve ended up with Khloe. He owed Merl at least a soft drink for that.

Sonya met his gaze. Have you made any new friends?

Ah, he was right. She’d heard about Khloe. He sighed. Best way to fight a rumor was to get the truth out in the open. A few. There’s a girl who’s shaping up to be a nuisance.

If anything, Sonya’s eyes grew even more round. He’d hit the nail with that one. Who told her these things? Her good friend, Cindy? She’d always gossiped too much. "Her name’s Khloe Collet. I don’t think she’s from here, maybe just came for college.’

What kind of a nuisance? Sonya frowned.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. I may have to introduce her to someone else so she’ll leave me alone. He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. You’re my girl, Sonya. Always will be. Any other girl fades next to you.

The light returned to Sonya’s eyes as she smiled. A blush kissed her cheeks, and Loren’s heart leapt. How could she think he’d look at another girl when he had her? He squeezed her hand then let go when the waitress returned with their plates.

They ate and talked about nothing important then left for the movies. Loren held Sonya’s hand as they walked from the car to the theater. At the ticket booth, he leaned close. When you see what we’re watching, you’ll have to know I love you.

She turned her wonderful smile on him. I saw the ad. Thank you. You think the way to my heart is to take me to a chick flick. But I know you like romance too.

He winked. You bet I do.

When her cheeks grew rosy, he chuckled. Nothing he liked better than teasing Sonya—unless it was kissing her.

Loren guided Sonya toward a seat in the darkened theater near the back where he could slip his arm around her shoulders while they watched the romantic comedy she enjoyed. He didn’t care what the movie was, just so he could be with her.

When the movie ended, Loren took Sonya’s hand and together they turned away from his car toward a nearby park as if they had planned it. He smiled into her eyes when she looked up at him. They always seemed to want the same things. Didn’t that prove they belonged together?

That was neat when the girl floated away from the guy when they kissed, wasn’t it? Loren chuckled.

Oh sure, you would think so. Sonya squeezed his hand. The point was, she didn’t let go of him. Their love kept them together regardless of everyone trying to keep them apart.

Yeah, I guess so. That’s probably why their second kiss brought them back together. Loren kissed her hand. I’d never let anyone tear us apart, Sonya. You mean too much to me.

As you do to me. Sonya turned to look behind them. What was that?

Loren looked over his shoulder. I didn’t hear anything.

Someone is here. I can feel it. Sonya moved closer to Loren. I’ve got chill bumps running down my spine.

He released her hand and slipped his arm around her then spoke close to her ear. You’re safe with me, Sonya. I’ll never let anyone harm you.

I know, but there’s someone here. I can feel it. She moved even closer to him.

He didn’t mind, but he hated for her to be scared. "Look, over there. A man and