Irene Brand - Second Chance at Love

“Amelia, I see you’re dressed for outdoor work, so you go with Chase, and…”

Stunned by this turn of events, Amelia didn’t hear the rest of Rick’s assignments. She could not spend the day alone with Chase!

When Chase appeared at her side, saying quietly, “This will be like old times,” Amelia knew it was too late to refuse politely. Were her steps destined to travel a path that would disrupt the even current of life she’d developed in the post-Chase era, as she always thought of the last fifteen years?

The eagerness in Chase’s clear gray eyes was disconcerting, and she forced herself to regard him dispassionately, as she might look at a stranger. Amelia considered the man facing her to be a stranger. Very little that she’d noted in the short time they’d spent together yesterday had reminded her of the man who’d loved her, married her and disillusioned her so thoroughly that she had no interest in marrying again.

Writing has been a lifelong interest of this author, who says that she started her first novel when she was eleven years old and hasn’t finished it yet. However, since 1984, she’s published thirty-two contemporary and historical novels and three nonfiction titles. She started writing professionally in 1977, after she completed her master’s degree in history at Marshall University. Irene taught in secondary public schools for twenty-three years, but retired in 1989 to devote herself to writing.

Consistent involvement in the activities of her local church has been a source of inspiration for Irene’s work. Traveling with her husband, Rod, to all fifty states and to thirty-two foreign countries has also inspired her writing. Irene is grateful to the many readers who have written to say that her inspiring stories and compelling portrayals of characters with strong faith have made a positive impression on their lives. You can write to her at P.O. Box 2770, Southside, WV 25187 or visit her Web site at www.irenebrand.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

— Psalms 91:11

With appreciation to:

Bill Davis, County Emergency Director,

Mingo County, West Virginia;

Cecil E. Hatfield, Executive Director,

Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce;

Judy & Tom Ashley, Red Cross volunteers,

Putnam County, West Virginia;

Charlie Erwin, Office Coordinator, Red Cross,

Putnam County, West Virginia.

Dear Reader,

By now, you’ve finished reading Second Chance at Love. Hopefully, you’re cheering for Chase and Amelia and sharing the joy of their reconciliation.

During the writing of this book, my mind has often dwelt on God’s willingness—indeed, eagerness—to give His people new opportunities to live abundant lives. Not only does He give the second chance, but the third, fourth, fifth—limitless opportunities for reconciliation with Him. No matter how many times we mess up our lives, His arm is outstretched to lift us from the mire of our mistakes. There is no problem so great that God cannot solve it.

Consider people in the Bible who have been favored with second chances—Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Samson, David, Peter and Paul. Although these people of faith are often remembered for their failures, we rejoice in knowing that they rose above their mistakes and took another opportunity to be faithful in God’s service.

Whatever mistakes we’ve made, God is willing and able to give other chances to serve Him.

May God bless you.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Amelia Stone didn’t consider herself an impetuous woman until she said, “I want to go and help. Can you manage without me for three weeks?” Many times during the following few days, she questioned this comment to her supervisor.

After her usual morning routine, when Amelia had entered the American Red Cross office, she’d greeted Tom Matney, her supervisor, picked up a cup of coffee and gone to her computer to check the local and national news.

“Six dead, ten missing in flood,” she’d read aloud.

“Where?” Tom asked.

“In southern West Virginia.”

Amelia continued reading the computer message. “Several areas have been inundated with floodwaters from the Tug Fork River, a border stream between West Virginia and Kentucky.”

Before Amelia had finished reading the account of death and destruction, Tom laid a fax sheet on her desk—a call for help from the West Virginia Red Cross. She experienced an overwhelming urge to answer that call. Amelia wasn’t naturally impulsive, so her reaction to this emergency surprised her, as well as her supervisor.

Tom had stared at her with incredulous eyes when she volunteered. A fourteen-year employee of the American Red Cross, Amelia had been exposed to many national tragedies, but she’d always been content to remain at her desk to do her part in helping the unfortunate.

“We’re very busy, as you know,” Tom said slowly, “but we must send help. Speed is of the essence in a calamity like this. If you can get ready to go today, I’ll round up other volunteers to follow you as soon as possible.”

The sudden devastation that had wrecked almost five thousand homes was enough to stir anyone’s sympathy, and Amelia had felt a wave of compassion that she’d never known before. She was a warmhearted person, but never until this moment had she felt the need to physically help others.

By midafternoon, Amelia had left Philadelphia and was on her way to West Virginia. After her sudden decision, she’d made arrangements for a volunteer worker to take over her office duties. She’d gone to her apartment, packed her car with everything she thought she would need for three weeks and headed south in her Buick, a Christmas gift from her parents. Only then had she taken time to consider her hasty action.

Having been pampered by rich parents for years, Amelia decided in her late twenties to seek a more worthwhile life than the one she’d had up to that time. She’d gained a new social perspective when she became a Christian, and a sense of mission had led Amelia to work for the Red Cross. She knew she’d been of service as an office worker, so why did she have this sudden urge, at the mellow age of forty-three, to become personally involved?

Last night, during her devotional time, Amelia had read the apostle Paul’s experience in the first century when he’d received a call to take the Gospel into Macedonia. “After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the Gospel to them.”

Paul’s experience fresh in her mind may have been the reason she’d responded so readily to the plight of the flood victims. But, to Amelia, it seemed more than that—it felt as if she’d had no control over the decision she’d made. As if there was no option at all—that God was directing her life in a way He had never done before.

“Why, God?” Amelia asked more than once as she traveled. When she reached Charleston, West Virginia, the next day, she still didn’t have an answer.