Families in Faith

By Rachel Vanderwood

When homicide detective Damon Norse takes his family on a much-needed vacation away from the stress and chaos of work obligations and inner-city living, he expects to enjoy a relaxing and uneventful week. Not long after, he and his family arrive to their destination; however, Damon find that his well-intended plans are soon to be uprooted when unexplained events and disappearances start to occur.

At first settled in allowing the local law officials and now federal agents that have been contacted to solve the mystery, Damon quickly changes his plans when the threat reaches close to his own family.

The deeper that Damon involves himself in the case, the stranger and more dangerous his investigation becomes. But with the help of some unexpected new friends and unseen allies, Damon gains the necessary support he needs to fight the evil that plagues the woods around him.

In his race against time to protect the innocent from the darkness that he himself cannot yet explain, Damon realizes that the unbreakable bonds of his family and those sent to aide and protect him will become the strength he needs to face his fears and begin to understand that his purpose is more than what he ever thought it would be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639610358

Book preview

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Families in Faith

Rachel Vanderwood

ISBN 978-1-63961-034-1 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63961-036-5 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-63961-035-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2021 by Rachel Vanderwood

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 1

Come on, Serena, let’s go! Get a move on! Tonya, let’s go! Damon shouted up the stairs of his two-story split-level ranch-style house in the suburbs of New York City as he began to organize and stack together his family’s luggage in the entryway of his home in preparation for their soon-to-begin vacation Upstate.

When Damon opened the front door of his home, ready to carry what he had gathered together to the family’s metallic-gray Subaru, he caught sight of a familiar pearl-blue minivan pulling into his driveway.

Serena, Aaron’s here with the kids. What’s the holdup? Come on! Damon shouted once more while this time himself investigating the reason behind the delay.

Walking through his bedroom, straight into the master bathroom, he found his wife and eldest daughter, Tonya, to be engrossed in their daily beauty routines in front of the vintage elongated cherry framed mirror that hung above the his-and-hers sinks, neither feeling the same sense of urgency to be on their way as the patriarch of the family.

Daddy, beauty takes time and patience, Tonya affirmed as she continued to apply another layer of eye shadow to her left eyelid, taking care to meticulously frame and contour the design that she hoped to create.

Who do you need to look beautiful for, the fish? We are going camping, not to a royal ball! Damon sarcastically reminded. And, Serena, why the hell do you feel the need to straighten your hair? You know damn well that the humidity is only going to undo what you have already done?

I don’t care where I’m going or what I’m doing, I’m going to make every effort to look my best! Serena confidently assured as she walked over to Damon and kissed his cheek. Not everyone can be as naturally good-looking as you, baby!

Yeah, nice attempt to soften me up…it worked…sort of…but seriously, hurry up!

Babe, what are you in such a rush for exactly? It’s not like the camping grounds are going anywhere or the lakes are going to dry up, Serena curiously asked.

Serena, you know that I hate traffic, and if we don’t leave soon, our travel time will double! And don’t forget the last time our family took a vacation together when we got lost and ended up in the wrong state!

Obviously, you need this vacation the most, Daddy. You are way too tense, Tonya quickly interjected while she maintained her focus on her reflection in the mirror in front of her.

And I’m going to get even more tense if the two of you don’t get a move on! Damon assured.

All right, baby, we’ll be down. Give us ten minutes…fifteen tops, then we will be ready to go, Serena promised, hoping to placate her husband’s increasingly riled nerves.

Fine! But the clock is ticking, and it starts now, ladies! Damon demanded as he exited the master bath and made his way back down the stairs to greet Aaron.

Finding Aaron to be standing in his living room by the microsuede charcoal-gray sectional sofa, where the children sat patiently waiting for his return, Damon walked up to him and greeted him with a welcoming hug, grateful to have another male member of his family to converse with.

Hey, man, can I tell you that it’s good to see you? Damon remarked, appearing to be relieved at least temporarily from his frustration.

Same, Damon, Aaron lightheartedly replied, smiling to himself as he found amusement in the everyday trivialities that seemingly added to the stress that all humans endured.

Can I give you a hand with your luggage before I leave? Aaron offered as he took note of the amount of suitcases, cosmetic bags, tote bags, and coolers that rested against the walls by the front door, seeming to be excessive for the week’s trip that the family had planned in a remote wooded setting as compared to their lives in the city.

Before Damon could respond to Aaron’s offer, his recently turned sixteen-year-old niece, Mary Angeline, now pulling her attention away from her cell phone long enough to acknowledge that he was among them, asked, Uncle Damon, where is Aunt Serena and Tonya?

They’re in my room…in the bathroom, baby girl, getting ready. I’m sure they would be overjoyed to have you join them, so they have a new project to delay our departure, Damon reluctantly replied.

Thanks, Uncle Damon! Mary Angeline excitedly replied as she jumped up from the sofa and eagerly made her way toward her aunt and cousin.

As she walked past her father and uncle, Aaron called out to her, I love you, Mary Angeline. Have fun on your trip!

Although hoping for more of a sincere response, his daughter crassly responded, Yeah, whatever! before disappearing down the hall.

Seeing the disappointed and disheartened expression on his brother’s face and shocked that his niece had been allowed to talk back in the way that she had, Damon curiously asked, What was that about?

It’s nothing…I hope. I think that she’s just overwhelmed with everything. She’s had to take on a lot of responsibility with Benjamin Francis and her new sister…I’ve been trying to spend as much time as I can with all of the kids since Lyla Grace was born, but with the staffing shortage at the restaurant and trying to help Julia at home so that she can continue working, at least online for now before her maternity leave is finished, I guess I’ve had to rely on Mary Angeline to help me.

Aaron…brother…listen, that is no excuse for her to disrespect her father like that! You better squash that behavior really quick! Let Tonya or Alayna come off at me like that, I promise you, it would only take one time and it would never happen again! Damon confidently assured as he then called out to his youngest daughter sitting on the sofa nearby. Isn’t that right, baby? You love your daddy, don’t you?

Yes, Daddy, I love you! Alayna responded as she sat beside her cousin Benjamin Francis planning out the woodland adventures that they anxiously awaited to partake in.

Once satisfied with his daughter’s response, Damon looked up at Aaron as the two began picking up the luggage to pack the family’s SUV and said, My other daughter would prove my point too, but she’s too busy layering on her makeup to come out of my bathroom.

That’s because she wants to look pretty for the boys, Daddy, Alayna revealed.

Oh really, and where did you hear that, baby? he asked his openly honest ten-year-old daughter.

I heard Tonya talking on her phone with her friends the other night. She said she likes some boy in her class and wants to look good for him, Alayna innocently responded.

Seemingly agitated, Damon said to Aaron, Now that will definitely be a conversation for another time with Tonya, but for now I just want to be on our way…far away from any city boy that she thinks she needs to impress. All girls, Aaron…I have only girls. God must have done this to punish me for the stupid shit I got into when I was their age…but I love them, and there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for them!

After successfully loading all the family’s belongings into the trunk of the SUV, Aaron accompanied Damon back inside to say his final goodbyes to his children and extended family. As they stepped into the entryway of the home, he was greeted by Serena and Tonya approaching where they were standing, both seemingly happy and welcoming as they hugged and kissed his cheeks.

So good to see you, Aaron! How are you, honey? How’s Julia? Serena asked in sincerity.

Status quo, Serena, but not complaining, he replied with a grin.

Well, sometimes that’s all we can hope for! Life can definitely be demanding sometimes! Where is Julia and the baby? I wanted to get my hands on that little angel before we left! Serena eagerly inquired.

They are home, Serena. Julia had just put her down for a nap before I left to bring the kids to you. Lyla Grace isn’t the sleeper like Mary and Benjamin were, so when we do get the off chance to enjoy some peaceful rest time, we take advantage of it, Aaron replied.

You need it, honey! Both of you do! Don’t stretch yourself too thin, life is too short, Serena compassionately advised.

You’re right. Life is too short, babe, so let’s go! Damon quickly intervened.

Sweetie, I don’t know why you are in such a hurry to leave. We can’t go anywhere until Jeremy gets here. He is taking care of the house and watching over Ms. Muffins while we are away, Serena gladly reminded.

Great. Ms. Muffins…did you hear that, Aaron? Not only am I outnumbered by women in this house, but I also can’t even have a masculine dog. No, I have a teacup dog or whatever that thing is. I can’t brag about that to the guys at the station. I don’t ask for much, just a Lab or German shepherd. They’re good family dogs. No, I have a tiny doll-sized puppy named Ms. Muffins.

Don’t listen to him, Aaron. He spends more time with that dog than any of us do, Serena happily admitted as she walked over to stand beside her husband and put her arm around him to ease his frustration.

I’m sure he does, Aaron replied in jest as he prepared to leave.

Thanks, I thought you were on my side, Damon observed, feeling defeated.

I am, Damon, but you have to admit the dog is adorable…well, I should get back to make sure that Julia doesn’t need anything. Have fun, everyone! Aaron shouted to the kids all gathered together in the living room anxiously waiting to leave.

As he turned to walk out of the front door, he could hear the kids shouting back in response, Goodbye, Dad! from his ten-year-old son and Goodbye, Uncle Aaron! from his two nieces sitting close by. Although hoping to hear his daughter’s voice calling out to him as well, he was once again disappointed, finding himself struggling to determine a solution to the unknown cause of her recent aversion to him.

Mary Angeline! What’s the problem? Why didn’t you tell your father goodbye? Damon sharply scolded her.

I don’t know, Uncle Damon, she apathetically replied while she continued to share pictures and social media posts with Tonya who was sitting beside her.

You don’t know? You and I are going to have a conversation about this later, Damon assured.

Okay, Uncle Damon, Mary Angeline replied, not giving merit to the claim, assuming that it was only a passing warning.

All right, settle down, Damon. Don’t get the kids riled up or upset just because you are. Let’s just make every effort to have a fun, relaxing, meaningful family trip, okay? Serena redirected him, knowing his tendency to act too quickly.

I’ll settle down, Serena, when I see Jeremy pulling into my driveway, letting me know that we can leave. What’s holding him up, anyway?

He’s on a date. I think with a James something, she replied.

A date? Great! When he gets here, don’t ask him how it went because I don’t want to hear about the details. I want to leave, Damon demanded.

Damon! He’s family too. Why should it bother you so much who he dates? Serena asked in defense of Jeremy.

I don’t care if he chooses to date the twice-removed cousin of our neighbor’s cat! The issue is that when Jeremy and you girls get together and discuss details about anything, you are preoccupied for hours! And have you forgotten the never-ending roll call of partners that he’s fallen in and out of love with? I want to see him settled just as much as you do, but it’s hard to invest our time and attention into someone he dates because by the time that we learn the person’s name or anything about them for that matter, he has a new one to replace them, Damon responded in clarification.

You know that it’s not all Jeremy’s fault that he hasn’t been lucky enough to find the right one yet like I have, baby, Serena reminded as she kissed Damon and attempted to play on her husband’s ego to settle him.

He’s just too kindhearted and giving, and he always seems to attract partners that take advantage of that, especially since he runs such a successful party planning business. Plus, Jeremy has such an over-the-top, excitable, and creative personality that it really does take someone special to complement that.

"Special…now that’s a word that sums it all up," Damon replied.

Damon, as soon as he gets here, I’ll get the kids and get into the car…I promise, okay?

Now that’s what I wanted to hear! Damon responded as he pulled his wife close to him and began to kiss her.

Gross! Get a room! Tonya advised as she looked away in disgust of her parents’ open display of affection.

Hey, someday you’ll be married, and your kids will be grossed out too, brat! You should be thankful that your mom and I are still as attracted to one another as we were when we were young. Not everyone is so lucky, Damon shouted back as he kept his arms wrapped around Serena’s waist and laughed at his daughter’s distress in having to witness their affectionate exchange.

Did I hear someone say attractive? Jeremy asked as he entered the front door, seeming to be in his own state of euphoria. Damon, how did you manage to land yourself such a beautiful queen and keep her for all of this time? Jeremy walked over to Serena to greet and hug her.

I don’t know, Jeremy. She asks me the same thing all of the time. When we get back, why don’t the two of you get together and figure it out so I know how I can continue to keep her, Damon sarcastically rebuked.

Well, you can start by avoiding the cupcakes and carbs for one, Jeremy sarcastically recommended as he eyed Damon’s physique for imperfections.

I’ll remember that when you ask me to be your taste tester for whatever off-the-wall kitchen creation you concoct, Jeremy, Damon sharply reminded.

Point taken, Damon. I don’t want to be distracted anyway from the glorious morning I have had, Jeremy stated as he gleefully made his way up the stairs to greet the rest of the family.

I’m assuming the date went well? Damon commented aside to Serena still standing close by him.

Although in the process of being greeted by his nieces and nephew, excitedly shouting, Uncle Jeremy! as they all gathered around to hug him and show their affection, Jeremy, being a master at multitasking and meticulous to minute details, responded, I heard that! And yes, morning coffee was spectacular!

In support of her longtime friend and confidant, Serena excitedly raced up the stairs to her living room and told him, That’s wonderful, Jeremy! I’m so happy for you! When I get back, you have to tell me everything, but right now, you know who is rushing us out the door.

And I heard that! So let’s get a move on! Damon shouted up to them.

Come on, kids, it’s time to go. Get your things, Serena quickly directed as she rushed her family out the door in fulfillment of her promise to her husband.

With all in attendance securely fastened into their seats and each individual piece of luggage accounted for the long ride, Damon backed out of his driveway and began the journey toward the family adventure that awaited them.

Chapter 2

"You see, baby, we left just in time. The traffic has been steady,