Forgiven (31 page)

It’s the day I found it. We’d been dress shopping for hours and I was about to lose hope, but then Sam insisted I try this one on last. I almost wondered if she knew that it was the one before I did.

There is a message below the picture.

When you put the dress on and get tears in your eyes, then you’ll know that's the one.

There is a heaviness in my chest. I’m determined not to cry. I put my hand over my chest and try to take a deep breath. Bradley pulls me onto my side into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Sam.”

“What about Sam?”

“She sent me this message.” I hand him the phone.

“Wow. That’s pretty cool. Why’s she just now sending it to you now, though?”

“It’s the quote.” I swallow. “Mom left us each a video before she passed away to be watched the morning of our wedding.”

“Oh. I had no idea.”

“No, I don’t like to talk about it. It’s too hard.”

“I understand.”

“Anyway, when she was talking about choosing the right dress...this is what she said.”

“Who found the dress? You or Sam?”

“Sam.”

Bradley hands me the phone back. “That was really sweet of her.”

“I know Sam. I know this is her reaching out. This is her saying that we’re okay.”

“I knew you would be.”

I smile and text her a message back.

We’re in Venice. Gondola rides and the very best Italian food, ever. I love you. Thank you for
this
.

Visit
www.jbmcgee.com
to stay up to date on news regarding new releases.

Book 3.5 of the This series, Falling, is the continuation of Veronica’s and Ian’s story. It is coming early Fall, 2013. Be on the lookout for Blinded, Sam’s story, winter 2013.

J.B. McGee was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. After graduating from South Aiken High School, she toured Europe as a member of the 1999 International Bands of America Tour, playing the clarinet. While attending Converse College, an all girls school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she visited Charleston often. It quickly became one of her favorite vacation spots. She met her husband, Chad, during Christmas break her freshman year, and they married in 2001. They moved back to her hometown. In 2005, the couple welcomed their first son, Noah. J.B. finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children's literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.

In 2007, she welcomed their second child, Jonah, and she became a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. In 2009, they found out their two children and J.B. have Mitochondrial Disease. In 2011, a diagnosis also was given to Chad. Please take a moment and learn more about Mitochondrial Disease. Awareness is key to this disease that has no cure or treatments.

J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia, to be closer to their children's medical team. After a passion for reading had been re-ignited, J.B. decided to finally give writing a shot. Forgiven (This Series), is her fourth book and first series.

Please follow J.B. on
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to stay up to date on the latest teasers, giveaways, and new releases.

Broken (This #1) - Now Available

Mending (This #2) - Now Available

Conspiring (This #2.5) - Now Available

50 Ways to Market YOUR Online Business - Now Available

Falling (This #3.5) - Coming Summer, 2013

Blinded (This #4) - Coming Fall, 2013

Nitro vs. Niko (A children’s story co-authored with McGee’s two sons, ages 6 and 8) - Coming Fall, 2013

Breathe and Count to Three (A children’s story) - Coming Winter, 2013

*Points to the sky* I have to thank God, as cliche as it sounds. All good things abound from him. I am thankful for the talents He has given me. I am thankful for the voice He has given me to raise awareness about Mitochondrial Disease, and to be able to share my testimony with others. Thankful for the drive to know that if you try hard enough, that if you believe in yourself, have faith in the things you can’t see, and use His strength to carry you through the darkness, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. You can do anything you want.

To my husband, Chad. The last nine months have been a whirlwind. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes when you’re in that tunnel, it is especially hard to understand how you got there, or how you will get out and still be whole. I know that great things are yet to come for us. I know that this book writing venture scares you on multiple levels, primarily because you know that it makes me sick. Thank you for everything you’ve done to try to help keep me well, for being the very best nurse during that last crash, and supporting me. I know you’re not perfect, but lately you have been pretty darn close. Cooking, cleaning, watching our children, preparing and serving meals to me. I don’t think I could write a book boyfriend as good as you and actually have people believe me.

To Noah and Jonah. May you always know that with forgiveness comes healing, new beginnings, and hope. There will be things and people in your life that hurt you, as much as that pains me. During those times may you always remember that it’s the way you go about handling these situations that define who you are, they define your character. Remember that people are always watching you to see how you will respond. You reactions can make or break you. Make sure that you always do your best to lead by example. Everything I do is to make your life better, and I hope I have made you proud.

To KK (Krista Ashe/Katie Ashley). I think about how we met and it’s very interesting how God put all of us together. I am thankful to call you an ILR friend. Thank you for all that you do for me.

To the lovers at Literati Literature Lovers. You all have been so influential in my success. Simply put, I wouldn’t be where I am not without you all. I am forever indebted and grateful for you all.

To Nicole Andrews Moore. You are one of the funniest people I have ever met. I am thankful for our mutual friend, who knew that we could do great things together. Thank you for choosing me to do your graphics and I look forward to the many books I know we’re going to co-author. More than anything, I appreciate your friendship and your ability to support me in ways that no one else can...as a special needs mother.