Stormy Surrender - By Nicole Andrews Moore Page 0,7

greet the sunrise. And she would start building the life she wanted. She exhaled slowly. It was as though she had been holding her breath. Now, her lungs were aching from it, and she could breathe normally once more.

If asked, Martha wouldn’t be able to explain what made her leave Vermont at midnight on what was now December 30th. All she knew was that she wanted to wake up in a new town on New Year’s Eve, ready to start this new life she envisioned. The weather wasn’t particularly accommodating, what with the mixed bag of snow and rain that they were currently experiencing. It simply further cemented her belief that she was making the right decision in choosing to leave the frigid north.

The snow stopped once she hit the Virginia border mid-afternoon. She had stopped only a few times, careful to combine her needs. The Pilot gas stations meant she could go to the bathroom, fill her tank with gas, and get food without having to interrupt her travel repeatedly. Martha smiled at her cleverness. And the one thing she noticed in her travels was that people were just friendlier the further south she went. She couldn’t help but feel better about her decision.

The best part of her long drive, however, was that it was giving her the opportunity to get to know her new vehicle. She and Blaine had agreed to not exchange presents this year since they were moving, but he had still managed to surprise her with a new vehicle for the move. He claimed the Aztek was getting too old and he was concerned about her safety. Whatever the reason, she now drove a Saturn Vue Hybrid. He had selected a vibrant orange color that just didn’t fit her at all. And it had a practical tan leather interior which did. She had quickly discovered that her favorite feature was not the stereo or the six disk changer, but the heated seats that were working overtime to keep her warm.

For the most part, Martha was enjoying the drive. Watching the climate shift the further south she went was greatly elevating her spirit. And if she concentrated really hard, she could almost feel that glimmer of hope begin to take hold. Slowly, almost hesitatingly she began to do something she hadn’t in such a very long time. Martha began to hum. Before she knew it, she was singing. “And I know it’s gonna be…a lovely day!” Soon, she was giggling to herself.

Just before six that evening, after making excellent time due to her minimal stopping policy, she rolled into the town of New Hope. Her breath nearly caught in her throat as she realized it was so much more beautiful than the pictures truly showed. The white gazebo in the town square was decorated in white lights, as were all the trees up and down Main Street. Wreaths hung from every light pole decorated in ivory ribbon and white lights. Couples were walking hand-in-hand. People would pass each other with a greeting of ‘hey’ that was at least three syllables long. Many would even stop and chat. It was better than a Norman Rockwell painting. Martha’s throat swelled from the effort of trying to choke back tears. She longed to be a part of this life, this town. Taking a deep breath, she pulled down the vanity mirror and swiped at her eyes.

Drawing in another fortifying breath, she reached over to grab the directions she had printed off the Internet. Glancing at the street signs, she realized she was only a few short blocks from her destination.

“Hope House, here I come,” she said quietly. Then forcing a smile on her face, she turned the corner to Magnolia Drive.

Once she arrived at her destination, one short turn away, she gasped at the entrance. It was everything she had ever dreamed about. A large circular drive led to a spectacular butter cream yellow three story home. The main level welcomed with its wrap around porch and wicker furniture that suggested a place to relax and rejuvenate. The yard was immaculately landscaped with two large magnolia trees on either side of the home, thick vines that probably belonged to wisteria dangled from the porch. Overall, it couldn’t have been a more perfect place for her stay and start her search for a new life.

After parking in one of the spots to the side of the house, she fiddled a moment, deciding which of her bags she truly needed to