The Preacher's Son - Juliette Duncan Page 0,39

have the opportunity to walk this life journey with you. We have been truly blessed. Here today, in front of our witnesses, I repeat my lifelong commitment to be your spouse, your beloved and your friend, through the hard times and the good. As we explore new horizons together, may God bless our union and our children.”

Our guests chorused ‘Amen’ as we kissed briefly but tenderly on the lips. We were then showered with confetti as we left the small church for a fancy afternoon tea with our guests. It was the same church where I’d seen the mysterious homeless woman months earlier. I was completely convinced now, after all that had happened, that she had been no less than a messenger from God Himself.

“I love you,” I whispered to Hayden as we took our seats.

“I love you too, Pen.” He leaned close and kissed me gently on the lips.

My mother sat opposite us, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“What is it?” she asked, her forehead creasing as she laid a napkin on her lap.

I chuckled. “Do you remember when Gran told me to never kiss a preacher’s son? Yet here we are again.”

My mother smiled. “As wise as she was, she wasn’t right about everything!”

“She certainly wasn’t,” I said, holding Hayden’s hand under the table. “Kissing this preacher’s son was the best thing I ever did!”

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2-10

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed The Preacher’s Son as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you missed the prequel, “Never Kiss a Preacher’s Son”, it’s one of the 21 books in the Sweet Kisses boxset.

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If you enjoyed this book, please consider posting a review. As authors, we really appreciate feedback, and reviews also help other readers know what books to read.

Feel free to drop me a note any time at [email protected] or keep in touch on Facebook on my Juliette Duncan page. I love hearing from my readers and always respond personally!

Keep reading for a bonus chapter from Tender Love.

Warm Regards,

Juliette

Brisbane, Australia

Tender Love

Chapter 1

Early morning sunshine streamed through the white lace curtains of Tessa Scott's pocket-sized bedroom, but inside her heart, it rained. Nearly three months had passed since she had formally ended her relationship with Michael Urbane, and although she firmly believed it had been the right thing to do, pain still squeezed her heart whenever she thought of him.

Some days were easier than others, but the past two days had been especially hard. Yesterday had been Michael's birthday. How tempted she’d been to call him and at least wish him ‘happy birthday’. Last year she’d surprised him with a day trip snorkelling on Moreton Island. They’d had so much fun—they always did, and the very memory of that wonderfully happy, sun-filled day only made it worse. She shouldn’t let her mind go there, but she couldn’t help it, and images of their day snorkelling amongst the coral and the myriads of brightly coloured fish played over and over in her mind.

Burying her head in her pillow, Tessa sobbed silent tears. It hurt so badly. If only the accident at his work hadn’t happened. Or he hadn’t lied about the drugs. She inhaled deeply as a sob escaped, sending another wave of sadness through her body. Why couldn’t she let go? Maybe she should give him another chance? But it would never be the same. She knew that. Their adventure had died, and she needed to accept it.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. The gentle but firm voice of her housemate, Stephanie, sounded on the other side. “Tess, you need to get up.”

Tessa buried her head deeper