Heaven's Gift
The Vision of Love Series
It was one night that changed their lives forever
When Samyra Jefferies is booked as the photographer for an upcoming wedding, the night ends up full of surprises when temptation shows up in the form of Joshua Anderson. And she is somewhat troubled to find that her faith is challenged when he focuses his attention on her.
But after one night of unbridled passion, Samyra decides a relationship with Joshua is something she will never entertain. Except…five months down the line, she has no choice but to consider this again.
“I’m pregnant with Joshua’s baby.”
Samyra’s declaration to a church filled with friends and family changes the course of Joshua’s life.
A confirmed bachelor who fought marriage and commitment now finds himself in a predicament that he sees no way of avoiding. And maybe, he just doesn’t want to.
Excerpt
Samyra walked calmly into the church. The sun’s rays hit her as they burst through the stained-glass windows of the traditional church with its high ceilings, vast space, and pews filled with friends and family.
It was a glorious day, blue sky, not a cloud in sight. The perfect day for a wedding.
Scanning the congregation, Samyra wondered absently where Sara was. Her sister was most probably seated amongst the crowded church. Sara was engaged to be married to Joshua’s cousin, Daniel Anderson, so the expectation was that they would be here, but Samyra couldn’t see them through the sea of faces that filled the church. Only a few vacant seats were available at the back, but she chose not to take one.
Everyone looked cheerful and excited awaiting the marriage of the happy couple, the bridesmaids in pink and groomsmen standing at the front in striking navy-blue morning suits. The sounds of the bridal chorus filled the church, wonderfully announcing the bride. Some friends and family were taking pictures with their mobile phones as the bride and groom took their place at the altar.
Samyra wanted to sit, because her back hurt, a slow burn that hadn’t let up all day. Her feet hurt too in new shoes that she hadn’t broken in yet. They were tan high-heeled sandals that had looked so pretty in the department store and made her feet look beautiful. So she’d bought them to go with her dress, also new, as most of her dresses did not fit her anymore. At five months along, she could no longer hide her pregnancy, which was the reason for her attendance at the wedding today.
Her mind drifted as she recalled the day she’d discovered she was pregnant. She’d been mortified and terrified at the future that awaited her. She’d slipped to the bathroom floor, the pregnancy test in her hand, trembling from fear. She felt everything close in on her and suddenly felt sick. How would she ever live this down? Her mother, first and foremost, would not be best pleased, and the church… She couldn’t even begin to explain this one away. The condemnation, the shame hit her with both barrels. This was the ultimate sin that she could not hide.
What was she going to do?
Drawing her knees up, she hugged them, closing her eyes to pray. She blinked back the tears that threatened, wishing she could take this back—make it go away. But she couldn’t. It was too late. She’d made the biggest mistake of her life and there would be consequences for her careless actions.
After throwing the offending pregnancy test in the dustbin, she walked on legs that did not feel like her own into her bedroom and threw herself on the bed. There she cried and cried, as everything would be different now. Everyone would know how she’d failed her Lord. No amount of forgiveness could change the circumstances she’d put herself in.
Then she remembered the last time she saw him. He’d tried to call her after that night, but she’d felt so condemned. She just didn’t know what to say, and it felt easier not to talk to him rather than make excuses—and say what, exactly? It had been a mistake of epic proportions. He wouldn’t have wanted to hear that, and she just didn’t want to talk about it. She’d lost her virginity and broken one of the Ten Commandments. There was nothing she could say. She wanted to crawl under a rock and just stay there, hoping no one would notice the shame she felt.
Unfortunately for him, he wouldn’t leave it there and had been persistent. Her PA had passed on the numerous messages from him. Despite this, she’d ignored them, deciding it was for the best. But when Sara had passed on Samyra’s personal number, she’d had no choice but to meet with him.
She’d had a hectic day of photo shoots, and by the time she met him, she was tired and more than a little out of sorts. Not that that was a good enough excuse for the way she’d behaved, but she’d committed the ultimate sin, likening herself to Eve in the Garden of Eden after she’d partaken of the fruit. She’d failed, given in to temptation, and had to face the consequences of her actions. Having Joshua in her life was a temptation she could not afford to entertain again. Her only recourse was to end things; that way she could get back on track and re-establish her relationship with God.
Regrettably, she hadn’t behaved in a manner that was befitting as a Christian. She’d been awful and regretted rejecting him, but what else could she have done? She’d felt she had no choice.
The sound of the bridal chorus coming to an end drew her back to the present as the wedding party took their positions.
Samyra’s dress was bronze, simple in design, sleeveless, with a v-neckline of lace and a tapered waist that fell above the knee. Over the months, her waist had disappeared and her bump was prominent, more so than she would have thought at this stage, but it was undoubtedly obvious, as she was slim. Her hair was swept up high in a sophisticated bun. A few stray strands had come away, but that did not distract from the look she’d created. She looked pretty. Well, she hoped she did. This day would mark a series of events that everyone in attendance would never forget.
She ignored the inquiring looks from the guests nearest to her, no doubt wondering why she hadn’t taken a seat, or wondering who she was.
Lord, are you sure this is what you want me to do?
“It is what I have told you.”
Resigned, she took a deep breath, trying to draw courage from within, waiting for the words as she watched the bride and groom stand close together.
The pastor began reading the vows.
Her heart pounded hard in her chest as apprehension filled her.
What is he going to say?
No doubt he would be angry. He might never want to see her again after this. Suddenly afraid, she decided to back out the door, but her legs wouldn’t move and seemed rooted to the floor, and then she heard the words…
“We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together Joshua Kyle Anderson and Jeanette Ann Marcel in holy matrimony, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God, since the first man and the first woman walked on the earth. Therefore, it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly.
“Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Joshua and Jeanette turned slightly and smiled, but their faces fell as Samyra walked calmly down the centre of the aisle towards the pastor, amidst the low hum of murmured astonishment and disbelief from the congregation.
Stopping halfway, Samyra spoke loud enough so everyone could hear. “I have just cause as to why they should not be married today.” She paused to ensure everyone heard what she was about to say, then said, “I’m pregnant with Joshua’s baby.”
Jeanette gasped in shock. The sound echoed across the whole congregation as everyone looked stunned. Loud murmurs filtered through the church. The mood deteriorated even further when Jeanette fainted. Joshua caught her just before she hit the floor, and a few family members rushed forward to help.
As Samyra looked on, she waited for Joshua to look up, and when he did and his eyes met hers—his stormy, questioning—she was satisfied that her job was done.
Turning, she walked back down the aisle with her head held high, resisting the urge to take flight and run through the exit doors in a bid to evade the unavoidable impending storm.
****
Heaven's Gift
Coming Soon...
Release Date: 30th April
A Stormy Conception
Unmerited Grace Series
Shauna Roberts is at a place in her life where she needs more. She wants something more meaningful. She has a deep yearning for a child and prays that God will bless her with the gift of a life, but with the end to her marriage, she isn’t sure that’s a possibility now. On a dark, stormy night, she doesn’t expect to meet Brandon James. A man who is mysterious, that seems to send her emotions out of control. It is a night that’s a turning point in her life, and one she hopes will be for him, too.
Brandon isn’t prepared for Shauna. He is a man of control, organised, everything planned ahead of time, and Shauna is a very pleasant distraction—nothing else. He has no time or inclination for a woman in his life, and as long as Shauna accepts that, there will be no problem. So why can’t he stop thinking of her? Why does it feel as if his disciplined, orderly lifestyle is about to come undone, never to be the same again?
Mine For Always
Howard Family Series
“I am yours, and you are mine...”
It has always been that way between them, from the very first moment of love.
Kyle thinks his dreams have come true when he marries Faye. But soon they discover that their wants—never mind their needs—are the least of the challenges that lie ahead for them. Will her love remain his for always?
Find out in Book 3 of the Howard Family Series.