Free Dreaming Of You by Marie Higgins

her car and shut the door. “Give Amber my best,” she said over her shoulder as she opened the driver’s side door.
    Shane should have known this would happen. In fact, it surprised him she didn’t know already. “Well, I would, but Amber died a few months ago.”
    Gasping, she spun around, her hair flying to rest over her shoulder. “Oh, please say you’re kidding.”
    “No, Mags. I wouldn’t joke about something like that.”
    She frowned and touched his arm. “I’m so sorry, Shane. Is that why you’re here in San Diego?”
    “Mostly, yes.”
    She shook her head. “Those poor children.”
    “Yes, they are having a hard time with it, too.”
    “Well, if you need anything—a shoulder to cry on or just a listening ear—I’m here for you.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. “Call me night or day. I mean it.”
    As he studied the card, he realized he’d missed having a woman friend to share his thoughts with. Perhaps it was time to rekindle his friendship with Margaret. “Thanks Mags. We’ll definitely have lunch some time.”
    She hugged him then climbed in her car. Slowly, he walked toward his. Right away, he scanned the parking lot, wondering if his stalker was still here watching him and taking notes for her next story. He rolled his eyes, wondering for the umpteenth time why he couldn’t stop thinking about Katelyn Palmer.
    * * * *
    Nostalgic memories enveloped Shane as he walked into the church alongside his parents. Casey held one hand while Cori held onto her grandmother’s fingers. The organ played a soothing hymn, and for a moment, he thought he could hear the words ringing in his ears. The moment disappeared too quickly. Too many years had passed since he’d gone to church, but his mother insisted he go with them today. His children’s happy smiles told him they too enjoyed coming to church with Grandma.
    As he sat beside his children, he remembered the last time he’d attended a meeting like this. It was before he met Amber, and back then his very existence revolved around religion. He’d always prayed and read the Good Book…until he’d entered college. But the kids in college were different. He wasn’t surrounded by his religious friends any longer and had to rely on his own faith.
    The first girl he’d dated seriously, hadn’t been religious. Neither were her friends. Slowly, he spent more time with them and followed their examples. At first he didn’t think it mattered, but with time, his habits changed and he didn’t feel guilty about drinking alcohol or staying out late with his friends as they attended keg parties.
    The congregation started singing, and Shane focused on the song. When the words came to him from the dark recesses of his mind, peace filled him. And when children in the congregation belted out the words as if they sang directly to God, tears stung his eyes. Blinking, he tried not to let the emotion take over him.
    His mother brought crayons and workbooks for the twins during the meeting, so there wasn’t much for Shane to do but listen. The preacher’s sermon centered around one main theme: Families. As Shane listened intently to the words, emotion choked his throat and misted his eyes. He’d learned about this as a boy. Strange how his plans had changed so much from when he was younger.
    What a mess he’d made of his life!
    He glanced at his beautiful twins and his heart clenched. He should have concentrated more on his family instead of how much money he could make for them.
    By the time church was over and Shane left to return home, many thoughts weighed his mind. One thing is for sure—he wanted to be happy again. He wanted to become the best father for his children.
    Blowing out a frustrated sigh, he realized his twins were the reason he needed to start living a better life—one where God was welcomed. And he knew there was only one way to reach this goal.
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    For the next two weeks, Katelyn