Free Reclaiming His Past by Karen Kirst

What did I tell you? Your sister is made of sturdier stuff than you think.” He winked at Jessica.
    Angling her face up to his, Jane shot him a smile that made Jessica feel as if she were intruding on a private moment. “I’d like a few minutes with her, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œWe’ll be inside.” Tom dropped a kiss on her forehead before holding out his hand to Clara. “Come along, my little bird.”
    The child obeyed, but not without numerous glances over her shoulder as they crossed the spacious expanse to the church steps.
    Jessica pointed to Jane’s round tummy. “How’s the wee babe?”
    â€œActive.” Her countenance went dreamy until her gaze cleared. “Don’t try to distract me. I want to know every single detail about this man. How old is he? Is he kind?” Her nose scrunched. “Or grouchy? Oh...is he covered in filth? Of all the homesteads in these mountains, why did he have to pick yours?”
    â€œGrant didn’t exactly pick us.”
    â€œHe knows his name? I thought he had amnesia.”
    â€œWe chose it for him. Couldn’t exactly address him as ‘Hey, you.’”
    Jane absently rubbed her tummy, her manner assessing. “There’s something in your voice...your expression...” Her hands stilled. “He’s young, isn’t he? And handsome. Jessica— ”
    â€œThere’s no need to worry, Jane.” She held up her palms, bitterness rising up. “I learned my lesson well. I’m not about to repeat my mistakes. No unsuitable men for me. Actually, there aren’t any men, suitable or otherwise.”
    â€œWhat happened with Lee is over and done with. It shouldn’t stop you from seeking love and happiness. I want you to have what I have, just with the right man.”
    A pair of young men dressed in their finest clothing strolled past. “Hey, Jess.”
    â€œHello, Pete.”
    â€œLookin’ mighty fine today.” Lowell turned and walked backward, wiggling his brows suggestively. The light in his eyes was harmless, however. “Sit with me?”
    â€œNot this time.” She rustled up a smile to soften the refusal.
    â€œI’m not giving up hope.”
    Pete elbowed him. With a tip of his hat, Lowell spun forward and loped toward the church.
    Jane’s expression was shrewd. Before she could voice her obvious opinion, Jessica said, “I’m not interested, and you know it. Besides, he’s only teasing.”
    â€œI disagree.” Sadness surfaced. “At some point, you have to forgive yourself and move on. We all make choices we wish we could undo.”
    Memories overtook her. Jane had been the one to first suspect Lee was involved in suspicious activity. After witnessing him selling moonshine to several locals, she’d pretended to be Jessica in order to investigate and had discovered an abundance of evidence on his property. Jessica had not only been livid over the pretense, she’d stubbornly refused to believe the man she adored could be a criminal. Her stubbornness had nearly cost them both their lives. Lee hadn’t been so fortunate.
    As if interpreting her thoughts, Jane linked their arms and began walking. The service would begin in minutes. “Lee made his own choices, just as we did. His death is not your fault.”
    â€œYou’ve said that before.”
    â€œI’ll keep on saying it until you accept it.”
    Jessica inhaled the brisk air, her attention on the fenced-in cemetery adjacent to the building. They’d held a funeral for Lee in the days following the fire. But Lee’s family had wanted him buried in their home state of Virginia, so they’d arranged for his body to be transported there. It hurt not to have a grave to visit or decorate with flowers.
    They stopped at the base of the steep steps. On either side of the double doors sat containers of yellow, orange and purple mums, their