Granted Redemption
The Northern Lights Book One
|
Book 1 of 4
|
When Grant Harris walks through the doors of Carla’s Kinky Café, his cold dead heart thumps against his ribcage for the first time in a lifetime.
When Carla Coffer's gaze meets the man's standing across the counter of her small coffee shop in Duluth, Minnesota, her heart wonders if he’ll bring her the one thing she’s always wanted-unconditional love. A cup of coffee, a car, and a confession will bring them together, but it will be up to them to decide if their pasts will tear them apart or be their catalyst for redemption. CLICK FOR EXCERPTI wandered to the patio and stood under the eave as the snowflakes fell, and the sky lightened. This was the call I hated to make every year but knew I had to do it. It was nearly midnight in Australia, but my Mum would be sitting by the phone, no matter how tired she was, until I called. I pulled my cell phone out and dialed the number, listening to the funky ring and holding my breath. “Hello.” My mother’s voice reached across the distance to my heart, and I closed my eyes to fight off the tears. “Hi, Mum, it’s Grant. Merry Christmas,” I said, forcing my voice to sound normal. “Merry Christmas, Grant. You’re up early this year.” I chuckled a little. “I am, I have to go to the hospital this morning and visit some patients. It’s snowing here, too. I’ve never had a Christmas with this much snow.” She chuckled. “You’ve never had a Christmas with snow period, hun.” “How’s Pop?” “He’s good, honey. He’s been working on another didgeridoo. He seems to sell them as fast as he makes them.” “I often wish I had one. I can’t play it, but it would be a great piece for the living room.” “Really? He always wondered. You’ve been gone for so long.” I let out a sigh, watching my breath puff into the cold morning air. “I’m sorry, Mum. I ran, plain and simple.” She was silent for a moment. “Grant, that's not at all what I meant.” “It is, Mum, but it’s okay. I know it’s what I did. I ran, far and hard. I couldn’t deal with staying there. I’m starting to see that might not have been the best thing for any of us.” “We miss you, but we’re happy you’re happy. That’s all we’ve ever wanted, just for you to find happiness and maybe a little peace.” “I love it here in Duluth, and I feel like I have finally found the place that fits me. I can’t stand the cold, but the locals here tell me I’ll get used to it. They say soon I’ll be wearing shorts in December, just like them.” She laughed freely then, knowing I’m not a lover of the cold. “I told them they were crazy, too.” I joined her in her laughter. “Your Pop and I are glad you have found a nice place like Duluth. We’ve done some Googling, and it looks like a beautiful place.” That brought a smile to my face, and it sounded exactly like my parents. When in doubt, Google. “It’s beautiful alright, and I’ve met the most beautiful woman.” I heard her surprised intake of breath, even though I know she was trying to hide it. “Her name is Carla, and I’ve been seeing her since I moved here. She owns her own coffee shop, which is how I met her, and she … well she’s helped me. She’s really great, Mum.” “She owns a coffee shop? I already love her.” My mum was a coffee lover who would very much get along with Carla. “So, um,” I blew out a breath and tried to put my thoughts together, “I was wondering if I sent you and Pop a ticket would you like to visit me?” There was silence, and I looked for ways to fill it. “I would come home, but I’ve committed to helping Frank. I would really like to see you, though.” There were tears on the other end of the line. “Grant, you know your Pop and I would come tomorrow if you asked. We miss you desperately.” “I miss you both, too. So much with each passing day. If you email me some dates, I’ll find a time when I can take a few days off and show you the sights. I would really like you to meet Carla, too,” I said, trying to keep the tears from my own eyes at the thought of seeing them again after so many years. “This is the best Christmas I’ve had in a lot of years,” she whispered, and I nodded my head in the dark, knowing she couldn’t see me, but afraid to speak. I caught motion out of the corner of my eye and noticed Carla cleaning up in the kitchen. “Me too, Mum. I’ve messed up too many Christmases, and I want that to change. I’m working hard to make that change.” “I can hear a change in you, Grant. Usually when you call you sound detached, but … I don’t know.” She trailed off, but I knew. That woman in my kitchen was responsible for the change in me. “Do the Martin’s have an email?” I asked out of the blue, and she paused. “Yes, doesn’t everyone?” Her tone was rather perplexed. “Can you send it to mine? I would like to drop them a note,” I explained. “Of course, honey, I will do that when we hang up. I love you, Grant. Thanks for calling, and I hope you have a good Christmas. I want you to know, you just made mine.” I ran my toe around in the snow, making a cross pattern with the sole of my shoe. “I’m going to go spend it with some really great kids. I’m the honorary Santa Claus at the hospital party today.” “Now that I would love to see,” she whispered. “I’ll make sure Carla takes some pictures since she will be there, and when we’re done, we are going to come home and celebrate my birthday with a bottle of Blue Boy.” I heard the sharp intake of breath she didn’t even try to hide. Then she whispered, “Happy birthday, Grant.” The morning sixteen years ago hit me square in the chest, and I needed to free myself. Now was my chance to free myself. “Thanks, Mum. I like to think it was the day I made you the greatest woman ever.” I heard her snicker a little through her tears. “Well, you do still think highly of yourself.” “Just calling it as I see it,” I reminded her. “You should be thanking me for giving you life, my dear son,” she said through her tears. “Thanks for giving me life, Mum. I’m going to work harder at making it one he would be proud of this year,” I said, my voice choked and my foot still moving through the snow. “We’re all proud of you, Grant, but Cross most of all. You were his hero, his protector, and his confidant for those sixteen years, and now he’s yours. Don’t run from that, embrace it and let that fill your heart, instead of the pain.” I nodded my head, but couldn’t speak. The force in my chest was nearly suffocating me as she spoke. Her words were spot on, except Cross was always my hero. “I hope I’ve made him proud,” I said, my voice cracking and my chest aching. “I hope he’s seen me use the lessons he taught me day after day, so he knows he did make a difference on this earth, that he does make a difference when I can help a patient because of something he taught me.” “Not only has he seen you, but he’s guiding you. That knowledge is the only thing that has kept me sane with you halfway across the world. I might not be there, but Cross is, and he’ll protect you. I’ll let you go, honey. I know you have to get to the hospital.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I do, but if it’s okay with you, I would like to call back later tonight and talk to Pop. Is he going to be around?” “He’ll be waiting by the phone,” she assured me. “I love you, Mum,” I said again before ringing off and tucking the phone in my pocket. The snow came down in big flakes around me, and I stood there in silence watching them fall. I wondered if this is what peace was supposed to feel like. Just quiet, and empty, yet alive and vibrant. I heard the patio door open behind me, and I turned, letting her wrap her warm arms around me. I suspected the feeling I had right now might be the closest I’ll ever come to complete peace. |
Inclusion(s): Arm trauma
