When You Move By Faith

In search of peace, she finds a love that challenges her to confront her past.

Autumn Wilson's journey has been anything but easy. Orphaned young and escaping an abusive marriage, she carries a heart heavy with scars but clings to hope and her faith. Seeking solace and a new beginning, she arrives at Tybee Island to reunite with a childhood friend. What she didn't expect was to find a connection with her friend's enigmatic brother.

Corey Jackson spent his youth shouldering responsibilities far beyond his years. Now, he is a master at dodging commitment. Just as he's poised to spread his wings away from Tybee, Autumn's arrival stirs something within him he can't ignore.

As Autumn and Corey navigate the delicate dance of friendship and attraction, they are both challenged to confront their pasts. Autumn grapples with the shadows of her former life, a constant reminder of what she has endured and must overcome. Corey faces the dilemma of embracing the freedom he's longed for or anchoring himself to a newfound bond that promises something deeper.

When You Move by Faith is not just a story of love blossoming in unexpected places; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the healing power of faith, and the enduring strength of emotional bonds. This novel in the Tybee Island Faith series offers a moving narrative that weaves together the threads of romance, self-discovery, and the transformative journey of two souls seeking their place in the world.

It was the finality of her decision that made her realize it was the right one to make.

Autumn Wilson knew that if she didn’t leave now, she’d be trapped for good. She had let so many chances to run away slip through her fingers. But now, she didn’t have the option to stay and survive. Only to run. She clutched her bag tightly in her hand, forcing herself to look around the busy station. Was she being followed? Was he going to come after her, drag her away? Maybe she made a mistake. Maybe she should go home before he realized she'd even gone.

Her breath quivered as she scolded herself for having the thought.

The truth was, she didn’t know what would happen if she stayed, or if she left.

Autumn had nowhere to go—both of her parents were dead, and she was an only child. She didn’t talk to her adoptive parents much, not since choosing to marry James.

Autumn felt untethered, a woman with no place to truly call home. Memories of the early days with James flickered in her mind, confusing and painful. Had he always been this way, or had she changed him somehow? She had desperately tried to be the partner he wanted, but it was never enough. It seemed she had been dancing to a tune only he could hear, forever out of step, unable to please him, unable to find the rhythm.

Autumn stayed because she loved James. She loved him so much that her heart tore piece by piece each time she looked into his icy, steeled eyes.

It was never about the money for Autumn. She’d done without things in the past. Her financial future wasn’t something that concerned her. Not really. She knew she would be okay. She knew in her heart of hearts, with all the courage she could muster, she would be all right.

Over the years, Autumn had felt like a failure—she’d failed her late parents, she’d failed her adoptive parents, she’d failed her husband, and she’d failed herself.

Her stomach clenched tightly. More importantly, though, was the fact that she’d failed God.

As the thought crossed her mind, she closed her eyes, allowing the echoes of the loudspeaker announcements to fade in the background. She was going to return to Him. He hadn't forsaken her, even if she failed to keep up their spiritual relationship. After all, God waited on people, didn't He? Autumn focused on her breathing, then heard the echo of a shout explode in the back of her mind as a tap came onto her shoulder. Autumn jumped with a gasp, spinning around to face her attacker.

He found her!

But no, it wasn't James. She pressed her hand to her chest to steady her thrumming heart. Breathe in, breathe out. It’s only Mrs. Miller.

“Oh, Autumn, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you so! I wasn’t thinking.” Mrs. Miller clamped her hands to her mouth, eyes wide.

Autumn forced a laugh, scanning the bus station. She really had to stop.

“It’s all right, Mrs. Miller.”

“Here’s your bus ticket, sweetie.” Mrs. Miller grasped Autumn’s hand, stuffing the ticket in her palm, then balled it in a fist. “You go make a life for yourself.”

Autumn’s heart swelled, her eyes threatening to rain tears.

“How can I ever thank you, Mrs. Miller? If it weren't for your friendship, I'd never have the courage to…”

“Just smile, sweet child. No one deserves to be mistreated. If only I'd said something sooner.” Mrs. Miller shook her head, reaching into her handbag. "No, I mustn't go there. I have something for you. This is for if you should ever for a second lose your way.”

Autumn looked down, taking an old, worn Bible. The edges were tattered, but the binding still held the delicate pages in place. Engraved on the front in gold letters was Jonas L. Miller.

“Oh, Mrs. Miller.” The tears bubbled their way until she could no longer contain them. “How can I ever take this? It belonged to your son.”

“My Jonas would have wanted you to have it, sweetheart. Take it. And remember. If you ever need guidance, look to Jesus. He’ll show you the way.”