The Winter Baby: Restoration Series, #3

By Rhonda McKnight

An unexpected snowstorm. Two broken hearts. A miracle only faith can bring…

Clyde Stowe is a reformed bachelor turned devoted boyfriend, but when Kim Haynes refuses to break her vow of celibacy their romance ends. An unexpected road trip forces them together where angry unresolved emotions push them even further apart. What they don't expect is for nature to intervene in ways they aren't prepared for.

Kim made it through Hurricane Katrina, but is she strong enough to survive this storm? Can Clyde find the courage to turn back to the God he abandoned long ago? And will Tamar and Stephen survive them both?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elevated Press
• Release date: Nov 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393594604

Rhonda McKnight

Rhonda McKnight is the author of several bestselling novels, including An Inconvenient Friend and What Kind of Fool. She is the winner of the 2015 Emma Award for Inspirational Romance of the Year. She loves reading and writing books that touch the heart of women through complex plots and interesting characters in crisis. Themes of faith, forgiveness, and hope are central to her stories. Originally from a small coastal town in New Jersey, Rhonda writes from the comfort of her South Carolina home. Visit her online at rhondamcknight.com; Instagram: @authorrhondamcknight; Twitter: @rhondamcknight; Facebook: @BooksByRhonda; and Pinterest: @rhondamcknight1.

Book preview

Chapter One

Pastor Jack

Pastor Jack left the warmth of his house, opened the door of his old pickup truck for Abel, his fourteen-year-old German Shepherd, and then got behind the wheel. The juncos and cardinals swarmed the bird feeders.

They’re wrong about the weather, Abel. This isn’t going to be heavy snow. Those birds say a storm is coming.

Abel whined and dropped his chin to his paws. Pastor Jack started the engine and blew on his hands. The sting of the early mountain cold was hard on them.

I can’t tell Nan I lost another pair, he said, referring to his wife and his gloves. Abel raised his ears. She’s already knit two pair this winter.

After allowing the vehicle to warm up, he made the three-mile trip to his second home – the church.  

Reaching into the backseat he grabbed the small heater he’d brought with him. His heart was unsettled, overwhelmingly so and he couldn’t wait to enter the sanctuary so he could pray. Not that he couldn’t pray at home or in the truck, but this temple had been sacred ground for more than twenty years. Passing under its doors gave him peace.

With Abel behind him, he entered the vestibule. The freezing air hit him. Its unforgiving bite took Jack’s breath. Abel groaned like the cold bothered him too. He parked himself at the entrance to the sanctuary like he always did.

I won’t be long today, boy, Pastor Jack said, petting the dog’s head. It’s colder in here than it is outside.

Pastor Jack stopped in the sanctuary. He stared at the carved image of Jesus over the pulpit. I know you have a plan.

He went to his office, plugged in the old heater, and sat. He decided to write his letter first. Then he would go into the sanctuary for prayer. He pulled a sheet of paper and envelope out of the desk, picked up the pen and began to write.

Dear God,

Today is the 18th of December. I think I’m writing this letter more for myself than you, because of course, you already know...

Chapter Two

Kim

Tamar winced.

I took the phone and looked at the video she was watching.

Girl, why are you acting like this is going to hurt you more than it’s going to hurt me?

Tattoo removal is painful. Tamar leaned in to continue watching.

My eyes fell on Tamar’s bulging eight-month pregnant belly. So is childbirth, Mommy. I don’t remind you of that all the time.

Tamar’s cheekbones rose as she smirked. I’ve done it before. I have babies fast.

You had Isaiah fast and that was a long time ago. I passed the phone back to her. All babies aren’t the same.

But most of us labor about the same. The second is usually faster, so...

You’re saying my tat removal will be worse?

I don’t know. All I know is this video is extra. I’m going to sit here. I’ll support you emotionally when you come out.

I laughed. This is a consult.

I know, but it’s too much. Tamar winced again. I can't believe you're getting it off. That you're going to go through all that discomfort. I would have found me another Tony.

I pinned the little smart aleck with a look. You’ve got jokes. Finding another man named Tony is easier said than done. I think it’s pretty obvious I've been having trouble finding a man period. We didn’t all fall in love with our high school sweetheart.

Elementary school. Tamar lurched forward. Wow, that was a hard kick.

It’s a boy. A little running back. I cooed. I’m glad you and Stephen are only children, because I get to be an auntie for real.

Godmother not good enough for you?

I’ll be that too.

Well, all I know is this baby is a kicker. We don’t know if it’s a running back or a ballerina.

Because in the new millennium only you and Stephen Pierce would wait to find out the sex of a baby.

I could tell by the expression on her face, Tamar took delight in not knowing. We want to be surprised. I don’t know why all of you people can’t accept that.

We accept it. It’s different though. I patted her arm. You need to be more concerned about whether it’ll be cute. Just because y’all both are doesn’t mean the baby will be. I’ve seen some things.

Tamar shoved me. You’re a mess. That’s why you’re sitting up here in this dermatologist office getting your ex-boyfriend’s name off your shoulder.

No, the why is because my best friend is rich and she’s paying for it. I leaned closer to her. Thank you, girl.

It’s my pleasure. I still would have found another Tony. Tamar’s silly words came out like she was being serious. I’m surprised Clyde didn’t offer to pay for it. I know he had to have seen it when you went to the beach.

He didn’t. I covered it with makeup.

Curiosity snatched up one of Tamar’s eyebrows. Is the makeup that good?

The good stuff is excellent. I mean he knows I have the tat, but he doesn’t know what it says. I told him it was personal.

Does he have tattoos?

Clyde is an ex-jarhead and a Q. What do you think?

Several.

I nodded. This isn’t about Clyde. It’s about me being free of my past and previous ratchetness.

Tamar’s eyebrows went up. I know a little about that.

Yes, you do, I said, laughing. I’m sorry I said your baby might not be cute. We’ll love it no matter what.

Tamar rolled her eyes. Keep trying me. Her phone rang, the video stopped, and she took the call. When she was finished, she said, Dell. She says the weather is going to be bad tonight. The snow is expected to pick up.

Is she nervous about the wedding?

No. Folks in Pine are used to moving around in snow. She’s more concerned about our travel. She wants us to leave earlier. Let me see what’s happening with Stephen.

Kim Haynes, the receptionist called. We’re ready for you.

I took a deep breath and stood. Tell your boo to hurry.

Tamar pushed herself up from the chair. I’ll call Stephen when we finish.

But I thought...

Tamar shook her head. I’m going in.

It was me who cocked an eyebrow this time. Are you sure?

If you can be my backup for the baby, I can support you all the way in this.

I looped my arm through hers. You are the best friend ever.

We walked into the doctor’s office.

Chapter Three

Clyde

W e broke up.

I dropped the barbells. They met the floor with a reverberating crash that matched my feelings about the matter at hand.

Stephen had been somewhat mottled on the video chat, but I could still see the disappointment on his face. Man, you’re going to be breaking up with your floor.

Sorry, I’m frustrated.

When did this happen?

The day before Thanksgiving.

Stephen looked all kinds of confused. Why would you break up before the holidays?

It wasn’t my idea.

Stephen’s frown deepened. Kim broke up with you?

Yeah.

What happened?

Sex.

Stephen’s frown turned into a scowl. Explain, bruh.

I’m sick of waiting for us to get to it. We’ve been exclusive for seven months. She keeps saying she wants to wait until marriage. I’m not waiting until marriage.

Clyde, you really, really like this woman.

I don’t deny that. She’s special.

Special is an understatement. Stop flexing. You know you’re in love.

I sighed. Okay, so maybe I have some extra kind of feelings for her, but that doesn’t mean I want to get married.

All dogs eventually have to stop running.

The sex thing is driving me insane.

Stephen laughed.

It’s not funny. I mean, Tamar is a beautiful woman. But Kim is stacked. She’s got meat in all the right places and in all the right proportions. You know I like my women robust.

Robust sounds like a coffee roast.

"Whatever, robust, big, I’m saying, the curves are crazy and she

Reviews for The Winter Baby

[Tara Johnson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not what I expected from the title but that's what a surprise is.sometimes we are like Kim and Clyde figuring it out as we search for our HEA in the midst of our journey. Enjoyable read Lots of feelings and hard decisions.