Healing Her Spirit: Serenity Springs Series, #2

By Dawn Sullivan

Lacey Donovan moved to Serenity Springs, Texas hoping to connect with someone from her past.  She did not plan on falling in love. 

Clinton Brody is a teacher in the small town Lacey now calls home.  He opened his heart to Lacey when they first met, only to have her pull away from him.  Hurt and confused, he let her go.

Will Clint and Lacey get a second chance to show each other how they feel?   Will Lacey have the courage to fight for Clint's love?  When danger threatens the woman and child who have stolen his heart, will Clint be able to protect them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Sullivan
• Release date: Jul 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781524223038

Dawn Sullivan

I have a wonderful, supportive husband and three beautiful children.  I enjoy spending time with all of them which normally involves some baseball, shooting hoops, taking walks, watching movies, and of course reading. My passion for reading began at a very young age and only grew over time.  Whether I was bringing home a book from the library, or sneaking one of my mom's romance novels and reading by the light in the hallway when we were supposed to be sleeping, I always had a book.  I read several different genres and subgenres, but Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense have always been my favorites. I have always made up my own stories, and have just recently decided to start sharing them.  I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

Book preview

Chapter 1

E than’s test results show he is in remission. Dr. Michael Forbes’s declaration brought tears to Lacey Donovan’s eyes. Letting out a huge sigh of relief, she whispered softly, Thank you, God.

The last few months of chemotherapy for her son had been very draining on his small, frail body. With the cancer in remission, they would be able to concentrate on helping him build his immune system back up and gaining strength. It broke her heart that her baby had been through so much sickness and pain at such a young age. Four-year-olds were supposed to be going to preschool and interacting with other children. Ethan had an in-home nurse who stayed with him while Lacey was at work. She doubled as a nanny, playing with him and teaching him the things he should be learning in a normal preschool environment, but it just was not the same. He needed to be around other children.

Rising out of his chair, Dr. Forbes walked around his large desk, coming to a stop in front of Lacey. Leaning back against the desk, he crossed his arms over his chest. Lacey, he said gently. I want Ethan on some preventative medicine for the next couple of years. He’s in remission now, but I want to do everything I can to make sure the Leukemia doesn’t return.

I understand, Lacey responded, running a hand through her long, dark hair in agitation. It was time to tell the doctor her plans. She really did not want to get into this conversation with him, but knew she may as well get it over with.

Watching her closely, the doctor arched an eyebrow and asked, What are you not telling me, Lacey?

Shrugging her shoulders slightly, Lacey said, Remember I told you that I have been looking for my brother for several years? When he nodded, she continued, Well, my private investigator found out that his family lives in Serenity Springs, Texas. He’s in the military and is deployed right now.

Go on, Dr. Forbes said as his dark gaze narrowed on her.

Straightening her shoulders, Lacey looked him in the eye. There is a job opening for a coroner in Serenity Springs. I applied for it last month. I had two phone interviews, and last week I drove down and had a face-to-face interview with the people in charge. They hired me. I also found a place for us to rent. I know my brother’s not there right now, but I was hoping to get to know his family. I want to see what kind of man he is, where he comes from.

Lacey, what does that matter? Dr. Forbes asked bluntly. You haven’t seen the man since he was a child. Right now your main objective should be getting in contact with him and seeing if he even has any interest in meeting you.

Swallowing hard, Lacey nodded and lowered her head, her eyes on her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I know, she said softly, but he’s my brother, Michael. A brother I haven’t seen since I was nine years old. I don’t know anything about him. He’s not there right now, anyway. He is out of the country. If I can’t get to know him, I want to get to know his family; the people who have raised him. I want him to be a part of our lives. It has taken me over twenty years to find him. I don’t plan on letting him go.

I get that, Michael said, his eyes full of compassion. Reaching forward, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. But do you really need to up and leave everything you have here and move to this town? Can’t you just go visit his family to get the information you need?

Lacey shook her head adamantly. No, she told him, the resolve in her voice. I need to do this my way. I’m sorry, Michael. You are a good friend. I don’t know what I would have done without you and Miriam these last few years. I value your opinion, but this is something that I have to do.

Nodding, the doctor stood and walked back around his desk to sit down in his plush, leather chair. What about Ethan’s medical treatment? Is there a doctor in town I can speak with to make sure he is properly taken care of?

Yes, Lacey responded quietly. It’s a small town doctor, so he doesn’t have the facilities you have here, but I have already spoken to Dr. Adams about Ethan. We just need to have Ethan’s records transferred.

When do you move? the doctor asked as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk. You know Miriam will be upset if you leave without stopping by to see her first.

Lacey laughed softly. I have a month before I have to start my new job. I needed to give my current job notice and sell my house. I also want to make sure Ethan is well enough to travel.

You assumed the prognosis today would be positive? Dr. Forbes asked, his light blue eyes twinkling.

Let’s just say I prayed it would be, and was moving forward under the assumption the man upstairs was listening, Lacey said as she stood, smiling. I need to get home. I promised Ethan pizza and a movie tonight. Walking toward the door, Lacey stopped and looked back, I will call Miriam later in the week to set up a time for us to come by. Thank you for everything, Michael.

We are going to miss you, Lacey, he said with a grin.

I’m going to miss the both of you, too, Lacey replied, already feeling the loss of two of her closest friends. I have to do this, though.

I understand, Michael said, his eyes filled with concern. I know you, Lacey, and I know you would do anything for family. Even move hundreds of miles away. I want you to keep in touch with me regarding Ethan. You need to check in at least once a month.

Looking at him in surprise, Lacey protested, But I’ve already talked to the doctor in Serenity Springs. Ethan will be under his care now. Not only that, but he’s in remission.

Holding up a hand, the doctor said, I know, but I have been Ethan’s doctor since the beginning of this journey. If you insist on taking him from here, I want to follow his progress. I need to make sure he doesn’t have a relapse.

Taking a deep breath, Lacey nodded. Okay. I’ll call you monthly to let you know how Ethan’s doing.

I also want to see him before you leave town, Dr. Forbes told her. He’s not allowed to leave until I approve it.

Her green eyes snapping, Lacey cocked her hip, placing a hand on it. I would never put my son in danger. If I thought for any reason he couldn’t make the trip, I would wait until I knew he was able to.

I know, Lacey, Dr. Forbes said in a placating tone, but as Ethan’s physician, I need to know he is going to be fine. Please, for me, make one last appointment on your way out today.

Pushing down the anger that she was feeling, Lacey told him, I’ll make an appointment. She knew she was being irrational, but she could not help how protective she was of Ethan. He was the most important person in her life. She would do anything for him. To have anyone insinuate that she would put her son in danger in any way, shape, or form had her hackles rising.

Lacey, Dr. Forbes said as she opened the office door to leave. Turning back, she waited impatiently for him to continue. I’m proud of you. Proud of the person you have become. You are a good mother, a good doctor.

Grinning, she said, I’m a coroner.

Chuckling softly, he replied, You have to be a doctor to be a coroner.

Shaking her head, Lacey smiled slightly before heading down the hall. Stopping at the receptionist’s desk, she made an appointment for the day before she and Ethan were supposed to leave for Serenity Springs. Once everything was set, she walked out the front door and into the chilly, brisk air. February in Nebraska was always cold, but the rain that had started to fall while Lacey was in the doctor’s office made it miserable. She was hoping the weather in Texas would be warmer.

Walking quickly to her car, Lacey opened the driver’s side door, sliding in behind the wheel. Sitting there, she let the first tear fall. Ethan was finally in remission. Not only was Ethan in remission, but she was so much closer to finally reconnecting with her brother. She wondered what kind of person he had become.

Lacey grew up in a trailer park on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada with a mother whose main concern was where she would score her next hit. When Lacey was four, her mother became pregnant, this time with a little boy. Lacey had doted on him. Her mother, however, thought of him as nothing but a bother. He was always crying, always in the way. She did not want to have to worry about him. She just wanted to drink, do drugs, and party.

Finally, when Lacey was nine and her brother five, her mother left him on the front steps of a church in Las Vegas. She never mentioned him again.

Lacey’s home life was difficult with all of the