Calli Winson, anthropologist, returns to her hometown after many years absence. With no family, her quest for the last twenty years has been to discover her origins. Under the Blue Moon, she meets Jacob Isaacs, a young preacher who came to town after she moved away. He perceives Calli's longing and follows his heart and a remembered thread of evidence.
Excerpt:
Hitting the ground, a jolt shot through her; however, it wasn’t from the impact of the earth beneath her feet. In fact, she barely knew she’d touched dirt. Falling into Jacob’s arms rendered an electrical shock similar to one she’d received when a coworker who’d bought a home defibrillator for his mother wanted her to touch it to see what it felt like. One of the few unwise things she’d ever done. Come to think of it, it was called ‘Heart Start’—a relevant term for what had just happened.
He released her, grabbed her hand and started across the lawn, pulling her along. She matched his stride. He ran into the rear entrance of the house adjacent to the church property. She recalled this had been an empty lot.
Jacob entered a kitchen and closed the door behind him. Then he turned and pulled her toward him. With one arm wrapped around her, he peered into her eyes. He tenderly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She involuntarily quivered and closed her eyes. A feathery sensation coursed through her as though she’d been brushed by angel wings.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Calli Winson,” he uttered in a deep, throaty whisper. “Although that’s not the only reason I couldn’t stop thinking about you last night.”
Calli’s heart sang. He thought about me last night. If he were to let go, she’d sink to the floor. Words wouldn’t form in her mouth because she was unable to part her lips. That is, until Jacob’s lips parted them for her. It was the gentlest way she’d ever been kissed, and simultaneously earthshaking. She reached her arms up around him and held him tighter, moving into his hard, muscled body.
Reluctantly, Jacob relinquished her lips. “Lord, if I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me.”
Still atingle, Calli responded, “Me neither.”
Jacob released her and she grabbed the counter to steady herself. He stepped to the refrigerator and pulled out a container. “Oh, I forgot…we also have fresh lemonade.” He held it up for her approval. “Squeezed this morning,” he coaxed. When she nodded, he put ice in two glasses and poured the opaque liquid, little bits of lemon sticking to the cubes as they floated to the top. He placed them on a bistro table in the corner and swept his arm toward one of the stools for her to take a seat. Sitting across from her, he took one of her hands in his.
“Calli, I think I’d better tell you…”
She abruptly pulled her hand away and sat straight. “Oh great! You’re married!”
