Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Facing Tessa's Past
    Facing Tessa's Past
    Facing Tessa's Past
    Ebook206 pages3 hours

    Facing Tessa's Past

    By Mildred Colvin

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Tessa fell in love again with her son's father.

    Tessa Stevens blew her past on the wrong men and alcohol, but has made a remarkable turnaround after losing her sons to foster care and turning her life over to the Lord. Now, for the first time ever, she’s taking her three sons on vacation, and they will be traveling by car the “Main Street of America” as much as possible.

    Tessa doesn’t expect to run into the one man she’s never forgotten before her two-week vacation passes its second day. Agreeing to meet with him for a short while in her hotel lobby, she soon realizes he wants what they had before without commitment, while she is determined to uphold her new moral values.

    But Blake Donovan won’t leave the past where it belongs. Even after eleven years, he hasn’t forgotten Tessa, and now that he sees the new Tessa, he can’t stay away from her. Still, he resents her implications that he needs to change just because she did. He was never as wild as she was and the reason he ran from her in the first place. Will he yield to God’s will for his life and regain his one true love, or will he reject both and run again?

    And why does he remember only two boys, when there are now three? When he does the math, he figures he was scarcely gone before Tessa found someone else, or her youngest son is also his. But why hasn’t she told him?

    Get your kicks on Route 66!

    One of the early roads of the American Highway System in 1926, Route 66, opened the American West just as the Oregon Trail had done almost one hundred years earlier. Nicknames of this celebrated road are “Main Street of America” and “The Mother Road.”

    Facing Tessa’s Past is book one of the Christian romance series, Route 66, formerly published by Barbour Publishing. Three friends, who grew up along Route 66 in Illinois, have spread from the beginning in Chicago, Illinois, to the middle in Amarillo, Texas, and to the end in Los Angeles, California, all staying near the old Mother Road.

    Follow Tessa in Amarillo, Sarah in Chicago, and Amanda as she moves from California back to her roots in Illinois. Each must move past their current mindset to rekindle the special love of their past they thought was dead.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMildred Colvin
    Release dateApr 12, 2017
    ISBN9781370478668
    Facing Tessa's Past
    Author

    Mildred Colvin

    Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

    Read more from Mildred Colvin

    Related to Facing Tessa's Past

    Related ebooks

    Contemporary Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Born In The usa!

      Nov 12, 2021

      Born In The usa!
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Strange REQUEST

      Sep 30, 2020

      A Strange REQUEST
      6 min read

    • Article

      Chrissie Swan

      Nov 30, 2023

      Chrissie Swan
      6 min read

    • Article

      Class Act

      Oct 27, 2020

      Class Act
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Class ACT

      Dec 29, 2020

      A Class ACT
      6 min read

    • Article

      Same But different

      Jun 17, 2021

      Same But different
      4 min read

    • Article

      Perfect Casting

      Jul 11, 2019

      Perfect Casting
      5 min read

    • Article

      Class ACT

      Mar 18, 2020

      Class ACT
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Writing On THE WALL

      Apr 6, 2021

      The Writing On THE WALL
      6 min read

    • Article

      Share a Coke With…

      Nov 24, 2018

      Share a Coke With…
      5 min read

    • Article

      Lineal Gaps

      Apr 6, 2021

      Lineal Gaps
      15 min read

    • Article

      Mistletoe..? No thanks!

      Nov 25, 2021

      Mistletoe..? No thanks!
      3 min read

    • Article

      Happy Families

      Aug 5, 2021

      Happy Families
      7 min read

    • Article

      Time to THINK

      Jun 13, 2023

      Time to THINK
      6 min read

    • Article

      What the Tornado Gave Us

      Jul 1, 2022

      In part 1, Rosica tells the story of how she and her family moved from Mexico to North Carolina to join her father, who works as a roofer and has been sending home money. Adjusting to a new school where they didn’t know the language was easier on her

      9 min read

    • Article

      On Making Friends With Raina Telgemeier

      Aug 26, 2019

      Our kids' books columnist Juanita Giles says the cartoonist Raina Telgemeier is almost like a personal friend to her own children, who fight over tattered copies of Telgemeier's graphic novels.

      4 min read

    • Article

      Santa Sees Double

      Oct 3, 2023

      Twas three weeks before Christmas and all through the store, there were joyful holiday decorations galore. That store was Sears and Roebucks near the city of Pittsburgh, where I grew up. That store was where my identical twin sister, Sally, and I, wh

      2 min read

    • Article

      ‘‘I Love You, Sissy’’

      Aug 27, 2019

      ‘‘I Love You, Sissy’’
      4 min read

    • Article

      Always Someone Leaving

      Jul 6, 2023

      Always Someone Leaving
      5 min read

    • Article

      Best Friends

      Mar 26, 2020

      Best Friends
      2 min read

    • Article

      ROLLING Back The YEARS...

      Nov 11, 2019

      Author Debbie Johnson’s children are all grown up now – but that doesn’t mean she’s changing a single thing about Christmas... “When he was little – perhaps four – my son was so convinced of the existence of Santa, in all his magical glory, that he

      4 min read

    • Article

      Valentine Angels

      Dec 28, 2020

      Valentine Angels
      4 min read

    • Article

      Rosie

      Mar 25, 2023

      Rosie
      2 min read

    • Article

      Kıds & Angles

      Jun 24, 2023

      Kıds & Angles
      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Facing Tessa's Past

    4/5

    2 ratings1 review

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Great read! The children in the story are totally amazing. I look forward to reading Sarah's story.

    Book preview

    Facing Tessa's Past - Mildred Colvin

    Facing Tessa’s Past

    Mildred Colvin

    Facing Tessa’s Past

    by Mildred Colvin

    Copyright © 2017 by Mildred Colvin

    All rights reserved

    © Mystock88photo | Dreamstime.com

    Smashwords Edition

    Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except in the case of brief quotations used in printed reviews.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events, is entirely coincidental, other than those established by history and of necessity those have been fictionalized.

    Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

    Facing Tessa’s Past was previously published by Barbour Publishing.

    Dedication:

    Thank you, Becka, Eileen, Jonathan, and Jim. This book would not exist without your input. I cannot tell you how much your time and corrections mean to me. For every page that bled, the story became that much better. God bless you every one.

    Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:47

    Chapter 1

    Tessa Stevens burst from the house with her cell phone pressed to her ear and let the storm door close behind her. She ran down the steps and across the yard to her car parked in the driveway.

    Kim hi. It’s me. She stopped beside the car when her best friend answered. I’m doing it, Kim. I’m finally really and truly doing it.

    I’m so happy for you, Tessa. Kimberley’s voice came over the phone with a lilt. I don’t know anyone who is more deserving.

    I don’t know about that. Tessa winced. God has already given me much more than I deserve. But I’m so excited. I’ve got the car packed, and the boys are eating breakfast. This will be our first ever vacation. We never made it to Disney Land, but we are going a thousand miles to Chicago. We never go anywhere other than church, school, and work. None of us have been more than a hundred miles from Amarillo since we moved here.

    And now you’ll be on the road for two weeks. Are you sure you can handle this trip alone? Uncertainty crept into Kimberley’s voice.

    Taking a deep breath of warm, early June air, Tessa looked around her Texas home. After twelve years, she’d gotten used to the differences here from her childhood in Illinois. The only thing she occasionally missed was the lay of the land and the abundance of trees she had taken for granted in the forests back home. Maybe she’d take the boys to a forest somewhere. No, they would think she was crazy.

    She opened the car door, keeping her phone pinned between her shoulder and jaw. Kim, you’re worse than my mother. Where is your faith? We’ll be fine. Absolutely nothing will happen, except we’ll have a fantastic time, and I’ll come home broke.

    She leaned in to place her travel bag between the two front seats of her car. The bag, made of Route 66 upholstery material, came from a gift shop several miles west of Amarillo. She figured it made the perfect carry-on bag for their journey along the Mother Road. She unzipped it enough to slide her Bible inside. The bag held a comb and brush, her checkbook, clutch purse, and among other things, a best seller she hadn’t found time to read yet. But that would change now. For the next two weeks her time was her own. Hers and her boys.

    Or maybe you’ll come home with a romance story to tell me. Kimberley laughed.

    Tessa backed out of the car too quickly and smacked her head. Ow!

    Kimberley snickered. Oh, come on, Tessa, romance isn’t a dirty word, and it doesn’t hurt. At least not true love.

    I don’t know about that. She rubbed her head. But then, maybe I’ve never been in love. Which doesn’t matter, because I have no intention of ever falling in love. Trust me, Kim, with three boys chaperoning me 24/7 for the next two weeks, there will be no chance of any romantic encounters, even if I wanted one, which I don’t.

    Famous last words. Hey, I’ll be praying for you guys. Not just for romance, Kimberley giggled. but for God’s protection. I want you all back here safe and sound.

    "Now that I appreciate. I mean your prayers for our protection."

    Tessa closed her car door and walked back to the house while she and Kim finished their call. She shoved her cell phone back into her pants pocket and went into the kitchen. Gathered around the table were the three loves of her life. Her three sons. Robbie, at almost fifteen, continually tried to push the limits as he stretched into manhood. Seth was the quiet one. At barely twelve, he would as soon devour a book as play ball. All her boys did well in school, but Seth especially excelled in every area of academics. Derek, her baby, had just turned ten years old in April.

    She ruffled Derek’s dark hair as his oldest brother grabbed the cereal box out from under his hand and laughed. Got it.

    Hey, Mom, he only took the cereal because he saw me reach for it. Derek’s indignant declaration brought a smirk from Robbie.

    So? You have to be fast around here, isn’t that right, Seth? He filled his bowl and set the box out of Derek’s reach.

    Seth simply shrugged and continued eating.

    Tessa handed the box of cereal to Derek before circling the table. What you have to do, Robbie, is share. I hope you realize we’ll be living in pretty close quarters the next two weeks. Let’s make an effort to get along with each other.

    Sure, Mom. Robbie flashed dimples at her then scooped a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

    Tessa pulled out a chair and sat down. She took the cereal when Derek finished and fixed her own breakfast. Going on vacation with three active boys would be an adventure, but one she eagerly anticipated. Five years ago a trip out for pizza once a month was an event the boys looked forward to the way other kids thought of going to Disney Land.

    She looked around the table at her boys, their energy directed toward breakfast for the moment. The scripture in the seventh chapter of Luke spoke to her heart, as she felt kinship with the woman who had anointed Jesus’ feet with oil even when his disciples didn’t approve. Jesus told them, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much. How thankful she was Jesus had also forgiven her many sins. And how much she loved Him.

    Are we going to celebrate our birthdays while we’re gone? Robbie asked.

    She smiled at the son she jokingly called her birthday gift. Robbie would turn fifteen on June twelfth, while she would reach the ripe old age of thirty. Of course. I have something special in mind for that day. Or I should say Sarah does. We should be at her place on the twelfth. How’s that sound?

    Robbie grinned as he shrugged. Sure, Mom, that’ll be all right. When we get back, can I take the test for my permit?

    His words were as cold water in her face. Why couldn’t they just forget he was old enough to get his driving permit? In one short year, he would have his driver’s license and the freedom that came with that privilege. She wasn’t ready for him to break away from the security of his youth.

    Earth to Mom. Robbie’s voice broke through her thoughts until she focused on him. So, can I?

    She rubbed the tension in her neck and shoulder. You could wait another six months and still get your license at sixteen.

    Yeah, or I could have already started. Robbie’s voice rose.

    With the training, but you only need the permit for six months, and you can’t get a license before you’re sixteen, anyway. Without waiting for him to respond, she stood and started gathering bowls and spoons to wash. Robbie, let’s not worry about things like that now. You’ll have time enough to learn to drive without ruining our vacation talking about it.

    Guess that means I can’t. Robbie folded his arms across his chest, a dark frown marring his attractive face. I don’t see why not. All my friends get to drive as soon as they’re fifteen. How come you don’t trust me? I won’t wreck the car.

    Tessa smiled at her eldest. I didn’t say you would. I also didn’t say you couldn’t get your permit. I just asked you to wait until after vacation to worry about it. Okay? We’ve got plenty of time. Let’s not push it.

    He shrugged, pacified for the moment. She thanked God he hadn’t inherited his father’s violent temper.

    While I straighten up in here, why don’t you boys take one last look through the house, and see if there’s anything you’ve forgotten.

    Tessa washed the dishes and wiped the table then put the cereal away. She walked through the house, checking each window and door to make sure everything was secure. Satisfied the house was locked up and everything was turned off, she and the boys climbed into the car.

    We’ll go by Grandma’s for a quick visit and then we’re off.

    Yea! A chorus of approval greeted her pronouncement.

    The drive to her mother’s took less than ten minutes. Tessa had moved from her mother’s house across town after she graduated from college and took a job in the county offices. Not long after that, with Tessa’s witness of both her life and words, her mother had come to Christ. Tessa valued the newfound friendship she’d found with her mother and loved how she doted on the boys.

    Their visit was short. Although Tessa sensed her mother would have kept them longer, the boys were restless to go. As soon as Tessa said it was time to get on the road, they took turns giving their grandmother a hug and kiss then ran for the car.

    Tessa hugged her mother. I’m sorry we can’t stay longer, Mom, but this is our first away-from-home vacation and the boys want to make the most of it. Are you sure you won’t come with us?

    No, I can’t miss work. Besides, once I left Illinois, I vowed to never look back. Her mother returned the hug and planted a kiss on Tessa’s cheek. I’m proud of you, honey. Just look at you. A good job, a nice house, and now two-weeks’ vacation with your boys. All you need is a Christian husband to make everything right.

    Tessa smiled, ignoring her mother’s reference to her unmarried state. Yes, God is good. Pray for us, Mom, while we’re gone. We’ll stop by again after we get back home.

    Oh, I assure you, I’ll be praying. Her mother placed her hand over her heart. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling you’ll come home from this trip changed in some way.

    I hope for the better. Tessa had too much respect for her mother to discount the unusual feelings she sometimes got.

    Her mother smiled. That’s why I’ll be praying.

    With a wave, Tessa ran down the sidewalk to her car just after Robbie, sitting in the front passenger seat, tapped the horn.

    Several hours later, Tessa pulled into a parking space near the lobby doors of a large hotel in Oklahoma City. She turned to face the boys. Why don’t you wait in the car until I confirm our reservation and find out what room we have? Then we’ll carry in just what we need for our stay here. Okay?

    Okay.

    With their agreement ringing in her ears, Tessa went through the double doors and crossed the wide lobby to a long counter that ran along one wall. She smiled at the girl behind the counter. Hi, I have a reservation for tonight.

    The girl found the information on the monitor in front of her and, with a welcoming smile, handed Tessa an entry card. Room 204. Please, sign here. Check out is any time before eleven tomorrow morning.

    Tessa parked the car near the door they would be using and led the way to the elevator then down the hall to their room. Her heart pounded as she opened the door. This vacation was a new experience for her boys and for her as well. She stepped into the room, staying out of the way as the boys ran inside, dropping their bags to the floor before they inspected the luxurious room.

    Wow. Robbie stood beside her, while the two younger boys tested the beds by bouncing on the edge. Two king-sized beds. Think we’ll have enough room?

    Tessa grinned at him. Well, you boys might be a little crowded, but I think I can manage quite well, as long as I don’t get lost.

    An answering grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. Doesn’t seem fair, does it? Just cause you’re Mom, you get a big bed like that to yourself. Sure you don’t want to trade with me?

    She shook her head and laughed. Not a chance. Good try, though.

    Hey, Mom, can we go swimming now? Derek tugged on her hand. I saw a pool outside.

    Aren’t you hungry? Tessa glanced at her watch. We haven’t had lunch yet. Let’s find something to eat first.

    Seth stopped bouncing on the bed and joined them. Where are we going?

    I don’t know. What would you like? Tessa moved to a table between the beds and opened the drawer. Inside, just as she suspected, she found a large phone directory. She opened it to the yellow pages and looked under the restaurant listings.

    Pizza. That was Derek’s choice.

    Tessa glanced up as the other two boys nodded. Ok, pizza it is. Let’s see what they have here.

    She ran her finger down the list, finding the usual chain restaurants and read them aloud. Oh, hold on. She stopped with her finger on a listing that had caught her eye. Here’s one called Pizza Playground.

    Pizza Playground? All three boys pushed against her, trying to see the page. Robbie read some of the attractions. Bumper cars and video games.

    A chill crept down Tessa neck, ending between her shoulder blades, and she shivered. What was it about this restaurant that rang a bell in her mind? Something from long ago, yet she couldn’t put her finger on the source.

    Yeah, can we go there, Mom? Seth’s blue eyes shone behind his glasses.

    Her middle son seldom voiced an opinion, letting the other two make decisions for all three, so when he did speak up, Tessa listened. She shook off the premonition that Pizza Playground held significance to her and looked at Robbie and Derek.

    How about it, guys? Does Pizza Playground appeal to you, too? It isn’t far from the water park. We can eat first, and after a round or so on the bumper cars you should be ready for the water. This says everything is included in one price, so it sounds like a good deal.

    I want to. Robbie said.

    Yeah, me, too. Derek leaned against Tessa, and she slipped her arm around his shoulders for a quick hug. She was so glad he hadn’t outgrown an occasional hug the way his older brothers seemed to have.

    Then, we’re off to Pizza Playground. She turned to slip the directory back into the drawer.

    Tessa found the restaurant with no trouble. The boys saw the large sign at the side of the street proclaiming Pizza Playground as the place to be, before they saw the building. Tessa pulled into the parking lot in front that could easily hold fifty cars and while several spaces were empty, well over half

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1