Tiffany Zweifel

All the passengers plus the copilot had zipped off the delayed plane, with their luggage bouncing behind them, when Kylie, the flight attendant, and Landon, the pilot, heard a whimpering cry that drew them to seat 21D, where a tiny, blue-eyed, golden-curled girl huddled, awaiting her mother's return. But the mother had designs of her own, unbeknownst to the shocked trio left in her wake. As the innocent toddler grew increasingly central to their happiness, both Kylie and Landon feared the mother would come crashing back, this time to take Jessica away. What had happened to the woman? Something awful? Or was abandoning her daughter part of the plan? Would she reenter their lives as dramatically as she had once disappeared? While they hoped the mother would stay away, someone else was desperately searching for her. Their futures faced a collision course, but to a healing conclusion or a heap of smoking ruins? One thing was for sure--in an instant, five lives were permanently changed from their previous headings, a new course was charted, and a few hearts were hijacked by the abandoned precious cargo that Kylie scooped into her arms.

All the passengers plus the copilot had zipped off the delayed plane, with their luggage bouncing behind them, when Kylie, the flight attendant, and Landon, the pilot, heard a whimpering cry that drew them to seat 21D, where a tiny, blue-eyed, golden-curled girl huddled, awaiting her mother's return. But the mother had designs of her own, unbeknownst to the shocked trio left in her wake. As the innocent toddler grew increasingly central to their happiness, both Kylie and Landon feared the mother would come crashing back, this time to take Jessica away. What had happened to the woman? Something awful? Or was abandoning her daughter part of the plan? Would she reenter their lives as dramatically as she had once disappeared? While they hoped the mother would stay away, someone else was desperately searching for her. Their futures faced a collision course, but to a healing conclusion or a heap of smoking ruins? One thing was for sure--in an instant, five lives were permanently changed from their previous headings, a new course was charted, and a few hearts were hijacked by the abandoned precious cargo that Kylie scooped into her arms.

For a year and a half, morning and night, Alexandria Tackleman prayed she would be able to escape from her abusive husband and isolated life. Was this day at the beach her chance? Winston Grover had been watching the mistreated woman who looked like she just wanted to swim. Help her, a voice urged. Do you need help escaping from that man? he whispered in Alexandria's ear. Before she could answer, he was gently but quickly escorting her back to shore. What was happening? Her first impulse was to pull away, to push this stranger away, to yell that she didn't need his help and explain how Gary was her husband. But while her brain tried to tell her tongue what to say and her legs what to do, she heard the soft voice repeat, Trust me. Go. I am answering your prayer. She glanced at the man beside her. His lips were not moving. She felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the blazing sun overhead. A calmness swept over her. And she knew. Her prayers had been answered. But what her rescuer didn't know was that she would change his life forever too.

For a year and a half, morning and night, Alexandria Tackleman prayed she would be able to escape from her abusive husband and isolated life. Was this day at the beach her chance? Winston Grover had been watching the mistreated woman who looked like she just wanted to swim. Help her, a voice urged. ""Do you need help escaping from that man?"" he whispered in Alexandria's ear. Before she could answer, he was gently but quickly escorting her back to shore. What was happening? Her first impulse was to pull away, to push this stranger away, to yell that she didn't need his help and explain how Gary was her husband. But while her brain tried to tell her tongue what to say and her legs what to do, she heard the soft voice repeat, Trust me. Go. I am answering your prayer. She glanced at the man beside her. His lips were not moving. She felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the blazing sun overhead. A calmness swept over her. And she knew. Her prayers had been answered. But what her rescuer didn't know was that she would change his life forever too.