Absolution (27 page)

“Up!Up!Up!”

Weston reached for the ketchup. He grabbed the bottle and squirted a blob on his hamburger meat. “You going to see her?”

“She wants to see me.”

He finished dressing his hamburger and his eyes met mine. “She needs you in her life.”

“Aww, thanks.”

“It’s true.” He kissed my cheek.

“Up!” Abria, uninterested in the food spread on her tray, now tried to squirm to her feet, so she could stand in the high chair.

I took a bite of my hamburger and stood. “I’ll take her,” I said around a mouth of food.

Weston pushed his chair back from the table and stood, ready to help me. I shook my head. “Don’t. It’s okay.”

“Thanks, honey,” Mom said. “You can try sitting her in a regular chair.”

We all knew that wouldn’t keep her in one place.

I gathered Abria into my arms and walked the length of the deck with her. “What is it with you today?” I whispered into the softness of her ear.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

She arched away from me, her gaze locked on the pastel orange clouds passing through a sunset-washed sky. “Are you thinking of Matthias?” I asked, watching her face closely for any recognition to his name. She glanced at me for a split second. A rush of joy oozed through the open spaces where missing him gnawed.

“He’s up there, watching over us.”

“Us! Us! Us!”

I hugged her tight, a smile creasing my lips. I followed her gaze heavenward. “Ab-so-lute-ly.”

A Special Thank You Writing this series has been a wonderful experience for me, as I’ve taken many of the incidents in the HEAVENLY stories from my own family life. I’m grateful for the gift of writing, and that I can share this story with my loyal readers many of whom have, through their enthusiasm, spread the word about the books to the world. To them I owe hugs and friendship and a mention: Sadie Ann Price, Katrina Whittaker, Tammy Williams Owens, Melissa Silva, Lisa Sano, Aurora Momcilovich, Maria Cabal Gomez and Lynsey Newton to name a few. So many readers have connected with me and thanked me for opening their eyes to the curious and sometimes hard to understand world of those who live with autism. I’m pleased when lives are touched and grateful to have any part in helping others understand the difficulties and treasures living with the handicapped can bring, if we—as people—put aside our apprehension.

Thank you, reader, for sharing in my story.

Jennifer Laurens

About the Author

Jennifer Laurens is the mother of six children,

one of whom has autism. She lives in Utah with her family, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains.

Other Titles:

Falling for Romeo

Magic Hands

Nailed

Heavenly

Penitence

Visit the websites: www.heavenlythebook.com

www.jenniferlaurens.com

Book Three

Zoe’s secret is out. And the powers of Hell are ravenous to claim her soul. Her brother, Luke, knows her secret: that she sees both good and evil spirits. Her boyfriend knows. At least Matthias is her guardian angel again. But now Hell’s most ruthless leader will stop at nothing to have her soul.

Albert, Matthias’ father, is relentless in his hunger for Zoe. He wants to destroy Matthias and will use Zoe to do so.

The battle between Heaven and Hell tests every-

thing Zoe has. As she witnesses everyone im-

portant in her life suffering, she’s brought to the ultimate choice: will she sacrifice her soul to save the ones she loves?