Love Builds the Bridge
By Debra Harris
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About this ebook
Jennifer Miller is a young woman who is making a big transition in her life. She moves to a new state to be closer to her family and to start a new career. As Jennifer reconciles her past and present, life takes her down paths that she never expected. On her journey, Jennifer will discover God's power to rebuild broken relationships and create n
Debra Harris
Corrie and Debra Harris are a mother and daughter collaboration team. Corrie graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Her mother Debra is a retired educator. Ten Little Flakey Turtles is their first collaboration with Debra helping to illustrate the story.
Read more from Debra Harris
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Love Builds the Bridge - Debra Harris
Love Builds the Bridge
The Sequel to Love Builds the House
Debra Harris
Love Builds the Bridge: The Sequel to Love Builds the House
Copyright © 2022 Debra Harris
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Stratton Press Publishing
831 N Tatnall Street Suite M #188,
Wilmington, DE 19801
www.stratton-press.com
1-888-323-7009
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in the work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-64895-731-4
ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-64895-732-1
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
There are so many people who have inspired me throughout my life, but I want to say a special thank-you to my parents, John and Ida, for their many years of love and support. I also want to thank my mentor, Glenda Funchess, who was with me at the beginning of my journey as a writer. Many years ago, she gave me a pen and said, Write what God reveals, and as the Holy Spirit leads, run with it.
Those words were the catalyst for my becoming a Christian fiction author.
It is my hope that readers will not only enjoy, but also learn from the journeys of the characters as they grow in their relationships with each other and their relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Chapter
One
As Jennifer Miller crossed the river bridge into Vicksburg, memories from her childhood came flooding back. She had never forgotten the summer that she spent in Mississippi with her grandmother, Ruth, when she was a child. Jennifer was leaving the life that she had known in Texas in order to be closer to her family. She was still grieving the untimely death of her mother, Maria, which had been emotionally devastating for her. Jennifer longed to be near her grandmother and her father again.
Jennifer’s father, David, had left Texas and moved back to Mississippi two years ago and found a new wife. She wondered if her father would have room in his life for her now that he was remarried. She wanted to be happy that her father had found love again, but she was a bit resentful that her new stepmother, Lynette, was living the fairy-tale life in the magnificent mansion that her father built in the quaint town of Crystal Springs. Jennifer hoped that Lynette did not try to take her mother’s place in her life because that was not possible.
*****
Lynette Miller pulled into the parking lot of Grace’s on the Lake Restaurant. After driving around for a while, she finally found a spot on the side overlooking the lake. She turned off her ignition and gazed across at the beautiful botanical gardens on the other side. The restaurant, the lakefront, and botanical gardens had become Jackson’s premier tourist destination. It was Lynette’s favorite place for sentimental reasons. She fondly remembered her first date with her dearly loved David had been at Grace’s. They had taken many walks across the footbridge from the restaurant to the other side of the lake to tour the magnificent flower and sculpture gardens. It had been a dream come true when the owner of Grace’s had allowed them to host their wedding reception in the main dining room.
As soon as Lynette stepped inside the doors, the Tuscany-themed decor took her back to the evening of her wedding. She reminisced about David taking her into his arms and leading her across the dance floor.
Lynette was lost in thought until the sound of the hostess’s voice brought her back to present. Do you have a reservation?
asked the tall brunette impatiently.
Lynette looked at the hostess’s name tag and gave her a disapproving look. She understood that it must be stressful trying to get all the patrons seated, but Lynette was not in the mood for bad customer service.
Yes, Erica,
replied Lynette sternly. The reservation is under my friend’s name, Candace Jacobs.
The hostess immediately softened and gave Lynette a smile. Your friend is already here. I seated her a few minutes ago. Come right this way please,
she said in a more cheerful voice.
Lynette followed her to the side of the restaurant overlooking the lake. Her friend Candace was seated at a table by the window. She almost didn’t recognize her. All her long black hair was gone, and she was now sporting a short pixie cut.
Candace greeted Lynette with a big hug. You look good, Lyn.
Candace could tell that married life agreed with her. She looked happier than she had ever seen her.
You look pretty amazing yourself. That new cut makes you look ten years younger.
Thanks,
Candace said with a smile.
Not only that,
continued Lynette, you look radiant. Your skin is positively glowing.
There’s a reason for the glow,
said Candace with a coy grin.
Is it the reason that I think it is?
asked Lynette tentatively.
Yes. I’m pregnant!
she proudly proclaimed.
Lynette knew that Candace desired more than anything to have a baby. As she approached forty, she thought that maybe it was not meant to be, but she never gave up hope. Congratulations! I am so happy for you, and I know Steve must be overjoyed.
Overjoyed is not the word. His feet have not touched the ground since we found out.
How far along are you?
I’m three months pregnant. We’re due in October. Apparently, I conceived in January during the infamous ice storm.
I remember that storm. The roads were treacherous to travel. David and I were shut in at our home Crystal Springs, but we took full advantage of the time alone together. He lit a fire in our bedroom fireplace, and we didn’t get out of bed for two days.
Ah,
sighed Candace. I remember the bliss of being a newlywed.
Bliss does not begin to describe what David and I share. I can’t thank you enough for encouraging me to join a gym when David and I were dating.
Candace laughed. I had almost forgotten about that. I took you through my version of Honeymoon Boot Camp. How has that worked out for you?
It has worked out very well. Let’s just say you were right when you told me being David’s bride would require a great deal of stamina and endurance.
Candace giggled. Does Colonel Miller still go for five-mile runs every morning?
Not as often as before we were married. He sometimes goes for a run on weekends. We have a home gym, so he usually does his cardio on the treadmill in the evenings after work while I’m making dinner.
Steve and I converted one of our bedrooms into a home gym. We enjoy working out together.
David and I rarely exercise together. I prefer to get my workouts done first thing in the morning. That way, it’s done for the day. Now that we’re married, David likes to start his day with prayer and devotion. After that, he makes us breakfast.
The colonel cooks? I don’t believe it.
He doesn’t actually do much cooking. His idea of breakfast is fresh fruit, yogurt, and whole wheat toast. He also likes to make us a protein smoothie that we drink on the ride to work.
Is he still a health fanatic?
He’s still a very healthy eater. He’s even gotten me to give up coffee.
You don’t drink coffee anymore?
No. I’ve finally kicked my three-cups-a-day coffee habit, and I actually feel better. I sleep great, and I wake up refreshed every morning.
I’ll bet you do sleep great, Mrs. Miller.
Lynette blushed.
Has married life been the fairy tale that you thought it would be?
Married life is wonderful, but we’ve already faced a few challenges.
We haven’t talked in while,
said Candace. Give me an update. What challenges are you referring to?
As you know, my mother in law, Ruth, fell on the ice after the storm.
I remember you called me right after it happened.
Well, we ended up leaving our home in Crystal Springs for a while and staying with her in Jackson until she got back on her feet.
It must have been difficult giving up your privacy so soon after getting married.
Not as difficult as I thought it would be. David and I stayed in the upstairs master suite, and Ruth stayed in the downstairs bedroom, so we were able to maintain a little bit of privacy.
I don’t understand why Ruth didn’t stay at a rehabilitation center until she recovered, or she could have stayed at your home in Crystal Springs.
Ruth is so independent. She refused both of those options. She wanted to recuperate in her own home, so David and I made the sacrifice and stayed with her.
How is Ruth now?
Good as new. She is out of her casts and is able to walk with very little pain.
I’m sorry for losing touch with you for a while, but I have been so busy this tax season that I can barely see straight. At the end of each day, I’m so tired. I usually shower and go straight to bed.
That reminds me of being pregnant with Kevin,
said Lynette. I didn’t have morning sickness at first, but I felt physically drained at the end of every day.
You were twenty-two when Kevin was born, and now he’s grown. I’m so old, I’ll be a senior citizen by the time my child graduates from college.
Forty is not old. Besides, everyone knows that forty is the new thirty. You taught aerobics for years, and you still have the body of a twenty-year-old.
Thank you for saying that. I wish now that I had gotten married in my twenties. Back then, marriage and children were the last things on my mind.
It’s good that you waited and married the right man. You and Steve are a perfect match.
Steve was definitely worth the wait. Being married to a younger man has its advantages. When I’m too old and too tired to play with our child, Steve can step in.
Enough of this ‘I’m so old’ business. I’m a few years older than you are, and I feel fabulous.
And we both look fabulous,
said Candace.
Lynette laughed. Yes, we do.
But seriously, we both are very blessed. We have successful careers, and we’re married to the men of our dreams.
And the icing on the cake is that soon you’ll experience the joy of being a mother too.
Speaking of being a mother, update me on what’s going on with your son, Kevin.
He’s doing great in Atlanta. He completed his MBA and got a big promotion on his job, but the best news is that he closed on his new house this week.
That’s wonderful, Lyn. I know you must be proud of him.
I’m very proud. Kevin is a good son.
Lynette’s cell phone rang. Candace could tell from the sour expression on Lynette’s face that it was not someone whom she wanted to talk to.
Hello, Teddy,
said Lynette.
Theodore Teddy
Welch was Lynette’s ex-husband. The two had not spoken in almost two years. The last time that she had seen him had been at their son’s college graduation.
Candace wondered what he could possibly be calling Lynette about after all this time. The breakup between them had been very painful for her dear friend, and just knowing that Teddy was on the line made Candace defensive. She could hear only one side of their conversation, but apparently from what Lynette was saying, something had happened to Kevin. She tried to read the expression on her face to glean what was happening. She held her breath and waited for Lynette to finish the call so she could find out what was going on.
After Lynette hung up, she explained that Teddy had asked if the two of them could meet in person to discuss Kevin. He had assured her that it was not an emergency and that Kevin was okay, but it was important to him that the two of them meet and talk.
If it’s not an emergency, then what could be so urgent that he needs to talk to you in person?
I don’t know. Teddy was very vague.
Does he know that you are remarried?
Yes, he knows. Teddy says he was sad when he heard that I got remarried.
How in the world can Teddy be sad about your getting remarried when he was the one who cheated on you and left you for another woman?
Lynette could tell from the shrillness of Candace’s voice that she was becoming agitated.
Calm down, Candi. Don’t upset the baby.
Candace took a deep breath and relaxed. I just think it’s curious that he’s calling you out of the blue after two years. Where’s his wife?
I don’t know. He didn’t mention her, but he did have a strange request.
What is his request?
He asked if just the two of us could meet at noon tomorrow at the Jackson College Grill.
Why does he want to meet with you there alone?
I don’t know, Candace. Maybe the restaurant has sentimental value to him. It’s where we went on our first date when we were in college.
Do you actually believe that Colonel Miller is going to allow you to meet with your ex-husband alone?
Teddy is the father of my son. Surely David will understand once I explain that he wants to discuss Kevin. I believe that David trusts me.
Candace shook her head. She wondered what world Lynette was living in. It’s not about whether David trusts you. It’s Teddy who can’t be trusted. Why don’t you pick up the phone and find out from Kevin what’s going on?
Teddy asked me not to. He wants to tell me.
Candace was exasperated. She thought Lynette was being naive for blindly trusting Teddy and agreeing to meet with him. Seeing him could only bring Lynette trouble.
I’m meeting David at Ruth’s house after I leave the restaurant. His daughter is due to arrive from Texas this evening. I guess I’ll talk to him about Teddy after we get back to Crystal Springs tonight.
Your stepdaughter is coming for a visit?
No, it’s not a visit. She’s moving here permanently. She accepted a job offer in Jackson. She’s a physical therapist and wants to be here to help Ruth in her recovery. She also wants to move here so she can be near her father.
I will definitely say a prayer for you tonight,
Candace said with a sigh. You don’t know it, but you are about to have your hands full.
Lynette smiled. She