Leap of Faith (La Flor #1) Read Online Free Page A

form or another. She’s my mini-fashionista who’s constantly going through Rylee’s and my closets, and she loves wearing our shoes. Ha! The only reason she’s ready on time today is because I made her pick out her clothes last night.
    It’s moments like these that I miss Jake the most; moments that are sweeter shared with your other half—your partner, your lover. Today, both of our girls are heading to their first day of school.
    Rylee’s starting her senior year at a new school; it surprised me she didn’t throw a fit when she discovered we were moving to be closer to my work, and because that’s what Jake always wished. Knowing college scouts would find her might’ve played a huge part in evading an epic melt-down. Julia was also offered a teaching and coaching position at this new school, and Rylee wasn’t losing one of her long-time coaches. But most of all, I think she needed a change. There were too many memories at the old place for her—she’s lost enough and I think she really needed to get away. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful I didn’t have a fight on my hands and a massive dose of teenage drama.
    Skylar, our precious little girl whom Jake never got to meet, is headed to her first day of Pre-Kindergarten. Oh my goodness, Pre-K! Where has the time gone? I still remember the weeks following Jake’s funeral. I thought I’d caught the flu in the middle of spring; not only was I grieving the loss of my husband and helping Rylee through her loss, but I was also puking my guts out. Sounds gross, but it’s true. I was miserable and couldn’t hold anything down. My mother finally convinced me to see a doctor. Let’s just say that doctor’s visit was one for the record book.

22 May 2008
    I’m sitting in the examination room after briefly speaking with the nurse and doctor about my symptoms. I had to pee in a cup even though I told them I wasn’t pregnant because my husband wasn’t here, but they told me it was “just in case.” I’m praying I don’t have some mutated strain of the flu when Dr. Brown steps into the room.
    “Well, Mrs. Duval, I have some good news for you,” she says smiling. “You don’t have the flu or anything contagious. On the contrary—congratulations, you’re pregnant.”
    My heart stops and I just look at her for several moments, before recovering my voice.
    “That’s not possible,” I reply. “It can’t be true. My husband’s gone. He’s dead.”
    She stands there completely speechless. That happens a lot when people find out; they don’t know how to behave or what to say.
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” she responds, finally composing herself. “With all due respect, how long has your husband been gone?”
    “Jake has been gone almost a month,” I answer, still struggling with the reality that I’ll never see my husband again. Sometimes it easier to tell myself he’s on deployment instead of facing the harsh truth.
    “It’s still possible. You’re about six weeks pregnant according to your last menstrual cycle,” she says.
    We conceived right before his death—I do the math as tears begin to fall.

    Coming back to the present, I remember how shocked Rylee, our parents, and all of our friends were. I was so angry that Jake would never get to meet our baby, but I was also grateful that God was blessing me with a miracle that Jake and I created. I was going to have another piece of Jake in my life.
    Rylee and I managed to make it through our move back to Texas, my pregnancy, and helping Gunner keep The Phoenix Corporation—his and Jake’s recently started company—afloat. I took over Jake’s dream and made sure it didn’t die. I wanted his company to succeed as an honor to him. As a result, I had to change and put aside my career, but I it was worth it. I went back to school to earn my MBA so that I could help run the company, and I acquired some other skills along the way.
    Today, Phoenix has made a name for itself and is well respected.