Because of Me

Pre-Order Because of Me now on my Book Store page!

 

Would the rain ever stop?

Sheets of water folded over the Jeep’s windshield. The wipers worked as effectively as oars on a cruise ship. Issie fought to see the road. At least when on the pavement, she could stay close to the white line on the side and feel relatively safe. On this dirt road, she couldn’t see how close she might be to running into a ditch.

They approached the covered bridge, and she prayed she wouldn’t hit the side or leave the road, plunging them into the raging creek below.

Issie rolled down her window and leaned her head out, straining for a better view. Rain pelted her head and stung her face like a thousand tiny needles. They were close now. She could make it.

“Mommy, what are you doing?” Cole clutched her arm.

With a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, Issie guided the Jeep onto the wooden planks and inside the shelter. The water pounded the bridge’s tin roof. They were safe.

She stopped the Jeep, threw it into neutral and kept her foot on the brake. The bridge was on her property. Home wasn’t far, but this storm was one of the worse she’d ever experienced.

“Why’d you stop?”

“Give me a minute, okay? I can’t see through the windshield.” She measured every word, struggling to control her fear.

“Okay.” He sat back in his seat and stared out at the rain falling over the eaves of the bridge. His pasty face tore at her heart. She’d made the wrong decision, letting hurt and anger cloud her judgment. Why hadn’t she stopped and asked Matilda Reilly for refuge? The cows weren’t worth the life of her child. Neither was her anger with Kevin and Sissy.

Issie rested her forehead on the steering wheel and allowed the ugly scene at her sister’s house to replay in her mind. Sissy’s hurtful words, Kevin’s betrayal, and Cole’s startling assertion that he’d seen Michael all swirled like an inner storm.

She did not doubt Cole, but perhaps he’d only seen someone who looked like Michael. That would explain the reason the man didn’t speak to her.

Her heart thumped wildly, each pulse beating out her son’s name, “Cole. . . Cole. . . Cole.”

If he ever learned the truth, it would destroy him.

“Percy.”

She turned at his alarmed outcry and a sob-like intake of breath.

“Tate.” Tears welled, and his small lips puckered.

She offered him the smile she did not feel. “They’ll be fine until we get there.” She pushed strands of wet hair from her face. “Mommy just needs to catch her breath.”

Cole rose up in his seat and looked out his window. “Mommy, the water’s coming over the bridge.”

Issie shook off fear and eased her foot onto the gas pedal. Too fast and they might spin. The Jeep crept forward, its tires losing traction, the rear pulling against the front, and both threatening to take the wheel from her control.

“Please God, help us.” The plea from her son’s lips echoed in her heart.

The wooden beams surrounding them groaned under the weight of the vehicle and the water, the sound nearly drowning out the pounding rain. Issie focused on straightening their course. Just a few more yards and they’d be safely away from a possible floating  deathtrap. If the bridge gave way while they were still inside, they would be swept away by the current.

Issie pushed on the gas pedal. The Jeep shot from the bridge and onto the road, skidding against slick mud.

Using both hands, she battled for control of the vehicle, but gravity pulled against her body as the car spun in circles. With a cry, she let go of the wheel and grabbed Cole, pulling him close.

“Not the water, Lord. Don’t let us drown. Please, don’t let us drown,” she pleaded.

With a deafening crash and bone-jarring impact the vehicle came to a sudden stop. Issie held onto Cole, too afraid to move. After a long moment, he wiggled in her arms. She had pulled him to her despite his latched seatbelt. “Are you okay?” She inspected him from head to chest.

He nodded.

“Thank you, Lord.” Thunder boomed, drowning out her words of gratitude.

Looking out her open window through the pouring rain, Issie stared in amazement at the ruts gouged deep in the mire where they’d spun in circles. Their path had taken them away from the creek and across the road to slam up against one of the hundred year old elms. A miracle for sure. Her airbags hadn’t even deployed. Deep, shuddering breaths shook her body. She collapsed over the steering wheel again and sobbed.

Cole touched her. “Mommy, we’re safe. We can walk from here.”

So calm. Where did he get that part of his nature?

Yes, they were safe for the moment, but she’d feel even safer at home with Cole in his pajamas after a warm shower.

Issie groped around in the back of the Jeep, feeling for the blanket she always kept there. Rough wool grazed her fingertips. She pushed open the door, stepped out of the vehicle, and tugged the blanket over her head. Cole climbed across the seat and out to stand under the blanket she’d spread over her. The make-shift shelter did little to protect them against the driving rain.

Cole’s hand gripped her shirt. Water dripped from his bangs onto his straight little nose. His drenched clothing stuck to his body. His teeth chattered, and he let out a broken “Brrr” under his breath. She kept the woolen cover over them and started down the road toward home.

She looked down at him. “What do you say to a warm shower, a grilled cheese sandwich, some warm cookies, and a glass of milk?”

He smiled up at her. “Yeah.”

“Are you okay?” The voice emanated from outside their cloth protection.

Someone was on her property. She was alone and vulnerable. Issie screamed and pushed her son behind her.

“Are you okay?” the man asked again.

Her entire body quaked. Even in the downpour she caught the faint scent of his bay rum cologne. She lifted the blanket.

A smile turned his lips and years fell away from his worn and weary features. Water ran in rivulets through his too-long hair and dripped from his scraggly mustache and goatee.

Michael.

Issie placed her hand over her heart—the heart that would forever belong to him.

“Mommy, it’s Michael, just like I told you,” Cole sang out.

Issie swayed. Would God be so merciful to her to send him now when she needed him most?

Michael reached out and steadied her. She closed her eyes at his touch. This wasn’t a dream. He was home.

“Issie?” Her name on his lips brought a shiver, and she opened her eyes. Lightning illuminated the area for a brief second, and a boom of thunder broke over them. “My truck’s over here. Let me give you a ride home.”

“Are you really Michael?” Cole blinked the rain out of his eyes.

“And how would you be a’knowing that, lad?” Michael asked.

Issie giggled at the brogue he always mimicked so easily when he’d been around Matilda. Michael’s gaze fell on her lips as if fascinated by her action, the way he’d always done when she laughed.

“Michael.” She found her voice. “It really is you.”

[Because of Me will be available in February through Treble Heart Books www.trebleheartbooks.com  or, when released, signed copies may be purchased here at this website.]