One Chance: A Thrilling Christian Fiction Mystery Romance (21 page)
Read One Chance: A Thrilling Christian Fiction Mystery Romance Online
Authors: Daniel Patterson
Tags: #Christian Books & Bibles, #Literature & Fiction, #Mystery & Suspense, #Romance, #Religion & Spirituality, #Fiction, #Mystery, #Religious & Inspirational Fiction, #Christian Fiction
It wasn't the same.
In the recording, Pete told her everything that he had in the interview, all the same information. Only he said it in Pete's voice. And he never once told Penelope to shut up. Never once called her cop. Never screamed at the top of his lungs.
It was like the whole thing never happened.
Penelope sat back in her chair and stared at the computer screen. She knew what she had seen. She knew what she had heard. She knew, too, what had happened to Pete, even if it wasn't easy to admit.
But none of that showed up on the recording.
In spite of herself, Penelope shivered.
*
Later that night, when she finally got home, she was pleasantly surprised to find Jacob waiting for her, sitting on her front porch. He was wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt that flattered his wide shoulders and muscular arms. The smile he gave her as she got out of her car warmed her heart.
"Hi there, Deputy Beautiful," he said. He stood as she got closer, and held her in his arms in a tight embrace. "I understand you've had a long day."
"I have," she told him, breathing in the subtle scent of his cologne, citrus and honey with a hint of coriander. "Did Doug tell you everything?"
He nodded, stepping back a bit to place his hands on the sides of her face and look into her emerald eyes. "He did. Are you okay?"
He always knew her so well. "Yes, baby, I'm okay."
"You know, Doug told me something else, too. He told me you finally laid down your burden."
"I did," she said, taking hold of his hands with her own. "Finally, after all these years, that guilt is gone. I'm not carrying it around inside me anymore."
"I can tell, Penny. There's a certain calmness about you."
"I guess there is."
She led him to the door but he stopped her before she could open it. Leaning down to her, he kissed her lips, a deep kiss full of love and reassurance. "I love you," he said to her, his lips still against hers.
"I love you back," she answered.
Just then the door flew open and little Trevor stood there. "Auntie Penny!" the boy shouted, jumping up into Penelope's arms, ready or not. "I love you too, Auntie Penny. And so does God."
Penelope's heart swelled at Trevor's simple words. This was what family was about. This was what her parent's sacrifice had been about, even. Love. Unconditional love that came from deep inside, from the strength and reserve that God allowed all who relied on Him to experience.
That strength had gotten Penelope through the most trying case of her career. It had allowed her to free a friend of false accusation. And, it had allowed her to finally release the bad feelings pent up inside of her over her parents' death. She was ready, now, to take on the mantle of being a wife and mother. Truly ready. She could use her parents' good example now, and give herself completely to Jacob. Start a family with him, without the fear and guilt of her own childhood marring the experiences they would have together.
During her evening prayers, she was able to thank God for so much. And she was able to finally thank her parents for their sacrifice that had allowed her to live.
"Thank you Mom. Thank you, Dad. I hope to live up to your example someday. I hope I've made you proud."
She went to sleep that night without the heavy heart that had weighed her down for so many years. A feeling of peace settled over her and she knew, somehow, that her parents were proud of her.
Coming Soon
Second Chances
Book Two in the Penelope Chance Mystery Series
Look for it early 2013
Bonuses
Thank you for purchasing One Chance, the first book in the Penelope Chance Mystery series. Your support means a lot to me and to show my appreciation, I like to do cool stuff... So for exclusive "fan-only" previews of upcoming books, access to bonus content, and to receive special offers—including free books promotions—become a fan on Facebook.
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Dedicated to my family, friends, and readers, thank you for your encouragement, patience, and love. Without you this book would never have been finished.
Acknowledgements
My father taught me at an early age that God would always be there when I needed Him, and He always has been. He brought an amazing group of people into my life to help complete the book you are holding in your hands. And now I have the honor and privilege of thanking those people here.
I remain deeply grateful to fellow writer James Davis for helping me tell Penelope's story. Without your inspiration and direction this story never would have been told. Thank you!
To my editor Shawn Wells, thank you for making sense of my rambling and helping to make a good story great.
To my friends who have always been there for me (you know who you are), thank you for helping me celebrate the good times and getting me through the tough times.
To my mom, dad, and sister, thank you for your unconditional love and support.
To all my readers, thank you for your support, I am truly blessed to have you.
Most importantly, I want to thank God for always being there when I needed Him.
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.
One Chance
Copyright © 2012 Daniel Patterson. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of a brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without the written permission of the author.
Cover and internal design by Kenneth Gorden
Background photo © Natalia Lukiyanova | 123RF.com
eBook edition first published—October 2012
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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 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
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 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38