Their relationship has been exposed, and now their lives are changed forever.
For Cadence Miller, the fast track to adulthood proves intimidating and frustrating. She’s a little girl lost—abandoned by her family and uncertain of her future. She doesn’t think she “fits” anywhere. She’s eighteen. She wants to be older. And the result is both comical and heartbreaking.
Mark Connelly will do anything to provide Cadence a stable, loving home—to be her protector. But he’s just as broken and lost, and his heart won’t let go of his past so easily. He knows he should share his secret with Cadence. He should trust that she’ll understand. But what if she doesn’t? What if their love doesn’t grow stronger?
What if it doesn’t get better?
For Cadence Miller, the fast track to adulthood proves intimidating and frustrating. She’s a little girl lost—abandoned by her family and uncertain of her future. She doesn’t think she “fits” anywhere. She’s eighteen. She wants to be older. And the result is both comical and heartbreaking.
Mark Connelly will do anything to provide Cadence a stable, loving home—to be her protector. But he’s just as broken and lost, and his heart won’t let go of his past so easily. He knows he should share his secret with Cadence. He should trust that she’ll understand. But what if she doesn’t? What if their love doesn’t grow stronger?
What if it doesn’t get better?
(Flashback)
His heart dropped when he watched
her walk into the room. He ignored the snickers and whispers and followed her
with his eyes as she walked to one of two remaining seats in his class. Both up
front. She had no choice. She’d have to be close to him.
When realization dawned that he was
the guy from Highway 28, the fear on her face was unmistakable. He felt no such
fear. He felt extreme disappointment. And hopelessness.
And then, there was the matter of
her orange jumpsuit. He didn’t know how to address it or if he even should
address it. A large part of him said to leave it alone. She was clearly being
bullied, and she thought she would try to turn the tables.
But she looked ridiculous. She had
to know it. He wasn’t sure if she’d actually won or just thought she did. He
tried for a gentle, non-confrontational approach.
“Cadence, you might wanna go
change,” he said softly.
Her eyes went wide. He wasn’t sure
why. And then it hit him. He said her name! Yes, he remembered her name. How
could he ever forget that name? Cadence. Rhythmic. His song. His life. He
decided that afternoon on the side of the road. She was his cadence. It was an
alarming moment of clarity now muddled by the realization that she was his
student. He thought God was playing another cruel joke on him.
Amazon
S. Walden used to teach English
before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She
lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks
over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must
have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie
instead. Her dreams include raising chickens and owning and operating a
beachside inn on the Gulf Coast (chickens included). When she's not writing,
she's thinking about it.
She loves her fans and loves to hear
from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her blog at http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.com where you can get up-to-date information on her current
projects.
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