MORNING in the countryside, veiled still in darkness but nudged awake by soft devotional songs on the radio, the aroma

IT was night—not quite dark, for the moon was partially hidden in the clouds, its soft golden light flirting with

ONE month later, Tina managed to settle down in the small apartment she had rented and started a job as

SHE did not sleep at all that night, the ache in her heart so deep it numbed her mind. She

“I WAIT fuh you to come back,” the young girl said softly, quiet sadness in her eyes as she sat

RACHEL didn’t sleep well that night, still feeling the soft touch of his lips and seeing that deep attraction in

RACHEL’S lunch routine at the café continued on her business days, and whenever she reflected on that moment when she

RACHEL opened the door to her little antique shop in her small but thriving hometown. She stepped in, turning the

ON the edge of the creek, a painter sat, the silent swishes of her brushes capturing that splendid scene. She

SHE took a deep breath and said, with a tinge of fear in her eyes, “I guess it’s now or