CHAPTER1
Toronto
“And I’m going to close with what I always like to say, we can trust God with it all, yeah? Yeah!”
Sarah grinned as she wrapped up the podcast. “Thank you, dear friends, for taking time out of your busy lives to pause, connect, and remember God’s faithfulness. I’m Sarah Walton, and you have been listening toTime Out with Sarah. Until next time, keep trusting!”
She pressed the cued outro music, a sample from one of her independent singles, and waited the requisite five seconds until it was time to end and save. Nearly two years of doing her podcast and she was finally getting the hang of it. She placed a hand on her stomach. “Just in time for you, huh?”
Her eyes closed as a wave of thankfulness rolled over her. God was so good. So very, very good. Who would have thought six years ago that she’d be married and living in Toronto? She’d expected to be married, yes, but not to Dan. Her heart panged a little as she remembered Stephen, whose death in a car crash on New Year’s Eve had precipitated her exodus to Canada all those years ago. Sometimes she wasn’t sure whether she should admit to Dan that she still occasionally thought about her former fiancé. Not in any betrayal way, which was why she hadn’t said anything. But completely wiping all memories of her dead fiancé seemed impossible.
She blew out a breath, then pushed away from the desk, in the soundproofed second bedroom she’d commandeered in their high rise apartment. Half the room held an assortment of music and recording equipment and this desk where she did her podcast and connected with the other musicians from Heartsong Collective who lived around the world. The other half held an assortment of baby paraphernalia, ready for six months’ time.
Six months’ time. She shivered. No-one, apart from Dan and the doctor knew. After the doctor’s visit the initial elation had diminished as he’d examined her results and studied her previous medical records, warning that her hCG levels were low, and there was a possibility of miscarriage. But her other symptoms seemed to indicate her body was adjusting as it should. But even with the first ultrasound showing a little heartbeat she’d been reluctant to say anything to anyone, wanting desperately to get to twelve weeks, which the doctor had indicated was the best time to determine true viability.
But the doctor’s cautions were falling on deaf ears. She and Dan had just looked at each other in wonder. After all that they’d gone through, this was an absolute miracle; God would certainly not let anything happen to their miracle. But they hadn’t told anyone else yet.
Sarah delighted in hugging her secret to herself. Each day that took them closer to the twelve-week mark was brighter. The birds seemed to sing more sweetly. Even the sickness and tiredness were okay now she knew they were signs that her body was doing everything it could to help this baby along.
Dan was so excited. He tried to downplay it, of course, but she could tell. He’d become even more gentle, his caresses were more tender, and the light in his eyes was something she’d never seen before. Who knew such a tiny sac of cells could be responsible for so much?
Her prayers of thankfulness came from the very depths of her being. She’d never imagined—never dared to imagine—this possibility.
Please Lord. She placed a hand on her abdomen, her prayers for this one near constant. After the past two miscarriages, surely God would let this one live.Please Lord.
A faint siren stole through the window, and she got up to peer outside. Blue skies were always welcome for a transplanted Aussie, and the fact that Dan’s season was soon ending, and summer was on its way meant they’d finally get the chance to return to Muskoka. She couldn’t wait. It was her favorite part of the world.
The sound of keys clattering on a table outside drew anticipation, and she hurried to open the door. Then nearly slammed into Dan’s broad chest.
“Whoa.” He laughed, holding her upper arms to steady her.
Clumsy was as much part of her DNA as the vibrant color of her hair.
“Someone seems eager to see me.”
“Oh, you know it.” She slid her hands up behind his neck and tugged his face lower. “Hi.”
His eyes darkened. “Hello, Princess.”
His lips met hers, sending tingles shimmering across her skin. Who said marriage sucked away the sparks? Nearly three years of marriage and their relationship was just as hot as in the beginning.
A satisfyingly long smooch later, and she leaned back in the cradle of his arms. “You’re home earlier than I thought.”
“I was hoping you’d have finished your podcast by now.”
“Yep, all done, and ready for next week.”
“Organized as ever.”
“The only way to be.” Especially with their crazy schedules. Him with hockey, which meant six months of the year she barely saw him, between his training, road trips and games. Coupled with her own trips for recording sessions and tours with Heartsong Collective, time spent together that wasn’t snatched or planned to the nth degree was a rare commodity. He’d talked about being one injury away from retirement, and while she prayed daily for his safety, she couldn’t wait for the chance to slow the hectic pace of their life, as his retirement from hockey would do. Her heart sparkled. And allow for other things.
“And,” he continued, “I might’ve thought that hanging with my wife was better than hanging with the guys.”
She smiled, tracing a hand down his rough cheek. “You thought right.”
His lips curved higher, then he drew nearer, as if for another kiss, but she pulled back. “But I’m guessing someone also might’ve just remembered that his mom is expecting us for dinner tonight, and hates it when we’re late.”
“Do we have to go?”
