The Heart's Homecoming // Second Chance Love — Merrillee Whren

Wow! Sam Lawson hadn't seen her in eight years, but Jillian Rodgers looked as gorgeous as the day she'd walked out of his life -- their wedding day.

As a youth minister, Sam taught forgiveness. So he'd welcome her back, as he would any friend. Besides, she'd returned to care for her ailing mother. He couldn't fault her for that.

But Sam couldn't forget the past, either. He also couldn't explain why he thought of Jillian every day, and looked forward to seeing her. Yet he wasn't willing to make the same mistake again -- even if it seemed as if he and Jillian belonged together for good.