Bonus Content
1 Step Away
Three nights earlier it became official. Sara Vreeland was rich.
Filthy rich.
The will identified only two beneficiaries. The first was Viktor Moroz, faithful companion and gun-toting “housekeeper.” He would receive Storinka’s $1,000,000 life-insurance proceeds, paid in a lump sum, exempt from income tax. He would also get Storinka’s old house back in their homeland, appraised at $250,000 in U.S. dollars. Viktor could inhabit the property on the outskirts of Kiev, rent it out, or sell it for a profit. As for the Mercedes convertible garaged here on this Belle Meade estate, its title would transfer to him directly.
His last directive was to care for the Dobermans, to do everything within reason to keep them healthy into old age. It was this that made Viktor smile.
The second name belonged to Sara Vreeland, devoted mother and sleep therapist. Storinka had established for her a testamentary trust. It included his domicile, which was the legal term for his antebellum mansion, five wooded acres, stable, pump house, and triple-car garage. Bought outright seven years earlier, the place was now worth $2,750,000. Also listed was a Lexus. The Maserati. And shares in Storinka Defense Systems.
Overall value: $6,000,000.
This trust agreement would be managed by Viktor, the trustee, until being cleared through probate proceedings. Not to worry, though. With a signature or two, Storinka’s checking balance at First Tennessee Bank would be hers.
This gave Sara another $181,021. Give or take a few nickels.
Following these revelations, Bret remained matter-of-fact. He pressed the lawyers for details, asked the accountant questions about taxes and how long this would be mired in probate court. Sara admired Bret’s calm demeanor. He was a cool customer, acting as if the evening’s news was nothing surprising.
Then again, his name wasn’t the one on the papers, was it?
No, Sara didn’t expect him to understand. Not fully.
Her own response in the quiet corner study was less calculated. For days she had kept a tight rein on her emotions and expectations, promising herself to remain poised no matter what. But the moment she heard the details of the will, the enormity of the whole thing ripped those reins from her fingers. Seated on the sofa, she forgot about the stern men in attendance, about the threatening e-mail and the dents she’d put in the Hummer, about her makeup and hair.
She collapsed into her husband’s chest and she sobbed.
The years of struggle, of scraping by . . .
The grief of a fiancé taken from her, of what might’ve been . . .
It was all there on her shoulders, everything she’d tried to ignore, tried to carry, tried to count as joy because such trials produced endurance. These burdens were part of her, boulders in a backpack. She could barely remember a day not carrying them.
From 1 STEP AWAY: (BY THE NUMBERS) by Eric Wilson. Used by permission Kingstone Publishing. Copyright © 2011 Eric Wilson.
1 Step Away
Bestselling author Eric Wilson’s 1 Step Away is a modern-day twist on the Book of Job (Job 1:8-11)—Bret and Sara Vreeland have been targeted by someone who has plans for them that reaches into their past and threatens their future.
When a mysterious old man, one of Sara’s patients, dies, he leaves his fortune to her and her family. Overjoyed, they have no idea that they are part of an experiment concocted by Satan, who once tested Job but failed to break him. Now Satan, who sees humans turning to God during crisis and wonders if they’ll do so during abundance, seeks God’s permission to test the Vreelands with a $6,000,000 blessing.
As the Vreeland’s lives take a turn for the better, will their souls take a turn for the worse?
Hardcover : 383 pages
Publisher: Kingstone Media Group,Inc. ( October 01, 2011 )
Item #: 13-523552
ISBN: 9781617936081
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.875inches
Product Weight: 16.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
It's Not Alway Greener on the Other Side 
May 14, 2012
This book seemed to speak to me personally. My family had gone through a lot of trials and tribulations from bankruptcy to a death in the family to car accidents, lawsuits, and further financial and emotional stress, all in about two years time. It was wearing on us greatly, especially me. 1 Step Away brought me to a place where I felt blessed, nonetheless. I, too, prayed for financial blessings; even winning the lottery. But this book showed me that having riches changes a lot of things (not that I wouldn't accept $10,000 if the Lord saw fit). A suspenseful, enjoyable read.
Reviewer: Jane K
1 Step Away
March 11, 2012
Very well written. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Love suspense and mystery and especially trust in God. Great book.
Reviewer: Theresa M
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