The Fifth Avenue Story Society

by Rachel Hauck

“Marry me. I’ll move to be with you.”

  “Of course I’ll marry you.”

  While he was thrilled, it was pretty anticlimactic since he couldn’t hold her or kiss her, or slip a ring on her finger.

  Just as the logistics began for his migration west, Jenn and Ki declared bankruptcy. The Glass Fork was up to its eyeballs in debt. A little tidbit they left out of the interview process.

  Lexa gave 110 percent to fixing the mess and bailing them out, but it was too late. And Ki refused any of her ideas to streamline and cut back. They closed their doors the first of March.

  Jett proposed again when he picked her up at JFK five days later, a classic yet romantic cliché.

  On the second Saturday in March, he married his wife in the Chappaqua family barn under the same lights that had twinkled down on Mom and Oz.

  He wept when Lexa glided down the aisle alone, a bouquet of spring flowers in her hand. Her parents couldn’t make the trip so soon after Christmas, but the maid of honor, Skipper, held up her phone for them to watch from the other side of the world.

  That’s when he decided. Forever after, Jett Wilder would say yes to all the good invitations in life.

  Even after he vowed to love Lexa for the rest of his days, in sickness and in health, and tasted her sweet lips, there was a part of that old barn that echoed, “You’re no hero.”

  Even after outing Gordon, he didn’t see himself as a brave, bold man.

  But when they got to the part of the ceremony where he painted a big red heart over his “I hate Mom” carving, a bomb exploded in his chest.

  Now, he was a hero.

  The entire story society made a weekend of it, and Jett never laughed so hard or sang so much or, when he was alone with his bride, made love so passionately.

  It snowed at midnight on their wedding night, so Zane—yes, Zane invited himself and his new Nebraska girlfriend—staged a shivaree at the B and B where Jett was about to take his bride in his arms.

  There was something poignant and romantic about starting off their second married life in a snowball fight with family and friends, laughing until their sides ached, then drinking hot chocolate in front of a fire until dawn’s first light.

  Neither one of them had a job, but the future was coming whether they liked it or not. They talked about a puppy. And a baby. They’d lost too much time already.

  “Okay, everyone, I have an announcement.” Coral shooed her husband-to-be back into his chair and told Ed to stop texting his wife. Jett had a feeling Ed was going to finish his race writing the love story he’d imagined all along. Mabel was a lucky woman.

  “CCW is doing so well, thank the good Lord, that I want to celebrate.” She pulled a bottle of champagne from the vinyl bag beside her chair. “Next week I’m off to Paris to see a site for our new offices there. Lexa, would you please do me the honor of going with me?”

  “To Paris? I’d love to go, but why? I’m not sure I’ll be much help. More in the way.”

  “I guess I left out the important part. Would you go with me as my new CEO?” Coral’s semi-formal, semi-businesslike posture broke. “Please, please, please? I’ve been dying to ask you, but I had to get CCW square first. I didn’t want to hand you a mess. Especially when I saw what happened with The Glass Fork. But I’m ready now, we’re ready. Please, I need you—”

  “Yes!” Lexa flew from her chair, arms wide, embracing her friend and new boss. “Yes! I don’t know squat about cosmetics but yes, yes. Coral, I’ll work hard, you won’t regret this.”

  “Lexa, please, you don’t have to convince me. I only hope we can live up to your standards. I cannot wait.”

  Lexa covered her tears with the widest smile.

  “Here, one of you take this.” Coral passed the champagne to Jett and rocked Lexa in a side-to-side hug. “We’re going to kick butt and take names.”

  Ed had just popped the cork when Gilda peeked around the Bower door. “I heard a cheer.”

  “Lexa’s joining CCW,” Coral said, moving toward the miniscule woman, holding up her hand. “And I’m engaged.”

  “To me.” Chuck puffed out his chest.

  “How lovely. Why don’t I let you all celebrate a bit longer tonight?”

  While the guys set up plastic cups for the expensive bubbly, Jett went after Gilda.

  “Why don’t you join us? You’ve played a rather understated part in our lives the past six months.”

  “Thank you, but no.” She patted his arm. “You young people have a good time.”

  “Young people? Have you seen Ed? He’s older than dirt.”

  She grinned, shaking her finger. “Don’t you believe it, Jett. I was there when He formed the dirt.”

  “What?” He stepped around to block her departure once more and looked deep into her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re about, Gilda, but you give me chills. You’re the one who sent the invitations, aren’t you?”

  “Kindly step aside, young man.”

  “Gilda?”

  Her intense gaze forced him back. “Let me get to my work.”

  “Just exactly what do you do?”

  “I am the librarian.” She aimed for the door marked Private.

  “Gilda, one more question.” Jett’s gentle plea invited her to pause. “Why?”

  “Do I have to explain, professor?”

  “It’d be nice. I’m not as clever as I look.”

  She held out her slender, smooth palm. “The invitation is always waiting. All you have to do is say yes.”

  “Why the five of us? Did you know all this would happen?”

  “Jett, it’s a gift. Take it. Exercise a little faith. Be free and don’t choose chains again. Let your story inspire others.” With that, Gilda disappeared behind her Private door.

  With a skip in his step, Jett returned to the party where Ed played DJ with a Glenn Miller record as Chuck held Coral in a close dance.

  “Hey, beautiful,” Jett said, scooping his wife into his arms and kissing her.

  As the music played, Jett rested his cheek against Lexa’s soft hair, his gaze momentarily fixed on the rows and rows of books. Precious. Timeless. Capsules of life and history.

  But the Fifth Avenue Literary Society Library was not about closed books. It was about open lives.

  Joseph Winthrop hadn’t just read in this room. He conversed, debated, prayed. He lived in this room.

  Jett’s life story was not in a book or dictated by the actions of his mother, his brother, or a dead author. His story was right here, with the woman in his arms, and the friends who made his life richer.

  His story was written in the days and years to come. And he was going to live each one well.

  “Hey, Coral,” he said, inching Lexa a bit closer. “What time does your church service start?”

  “Really? Ten thirty.” She smiled up at Chuck. “I told you he’d accept my invitation sooner or later.” To Jett she said, “I’ll send you the details.”

  “We’re going to church?” Lexa said. “I’d love it.”

  He twirled her around and swayed to the music, to saying yes to one more good invitation and yes to the rest of his story. Oh, what a sweet, fine mess. And he loved it.

  The End

  A Note from the Author

  Dear Reader,

  Every time I finish a book, I hope and pray it will delight your hearts. This book is no exception.

  The story idea came to me while speaking at a local writers group. A casual statement by the leader sparked an idea that became The Fifth Avenue Story Society.

  As you journey with Jett, Lexa, Coral, Chuck, and Ed, you’ll also see characters from The Writing Desk: Gordon Phipps Roth, Elijah Roth, Tenley Roth, and Birdie Shehorn Ainsworth.

  The more I developed Jett’s story problem, the more I realized I could bring in a thread of the Roth story line. I hope readers familiar with The Writing Desk will enjoy seeing references to “old friends.”

  Coral’s spiritual journey is the most pronounced in
this book. I prayed and thought on how to bring all five characters to some light of truth. Yet as I wrote each day, the story became clunky with too many spiritual epiphanies. They didn’t feel real.

  One morning while in the prayer room at our church, the Lord whispered to me, “Coral’s spiritual journey is all I want.”

  Friends, I’ve never had the Lord speak to me so directly about a story before. He asked for one simple revelation from one character.

  I thought, No, surely You want more than that, Lord.

  Yet His voice resonated, and I came to the same conclusion. However, if you read between the lines, you’ll find a bit of God-reality in the journey of each character.

  I pray God speaks to your heart through this story. I always pray, “Holy Spirit, fill the cracks.” I believe He does.

  Blessings,

  Rachel

  Discussion Questions

  How would you respond if you received a mysterious invitation to a story society? Would you go? Would you have had a similar reaction to our five friends?

  Since this book is an ensemble cast, which character was your favorite? Why?

  Jett and Lexa divorced without much discussion. They made assumptions about one another based on their wounds. Was there a time in your life where you made a judgment about a person or situation based on your past experiences?

  Chuck’s response to his wife’s affair cost him more than he imagined. Did you think Trudy was justified in her response? What about Chuck’s efforts to prove he’d changed? Have you ever been in a situation where your response did not necessarily reflect who you are or want to be?

  While some of us would love to have Coral’s heritage and wealth, the family history became a burden to her. Have you ever faced failure that impacted more than just you? Perhaps your family or family’s reputation? Was your response similar to Coral’s?

  Coral is the only character with an overt spiritual journey. What did you think of her choosing Jesus over Prince Augustus? Do you carry the fear of the Lord with you when making decisions?

  Ed imagined a different life with his wife than the one he lived. How did this impact you? Do you understand why he created his own fantasy? Was he loving well?

  Jett carried the pain of his last conversation with his brother. What was your response to “what happened on the mountain”?

  Lexa’s high school experience sowed a deep seed of rejection. It wasn’t until she attended the story society that she realized her wound. How can we learn to heal from others? Do you have people in your life with whom you can be real?

  What did you think of Gilda? Who or what did she represent? Do you see the “Gildas” in your life?

  Acknowledgments

  I’m starting this portion with some regrets. There are people I promised to give a shout out, people who helped me along the way, and I have forgotten their names. And I lost the piece of paper where I scribbled his or her name. For that, I am full of regret.

  The one who answered a post on a public forum, thank you. The New York lawyer who texted with me with answers I needed. The clerk at the Greenwich Village book store Three Lives & Company who answered book signing questions. (I don’t think that scene made it in the end.)

  To all the folks on Facebook who answered posts about various things, including details about Seattle and what to name Holly’s dog, thank you.

  I am so very grateful.

  Big appreciation to Professor Julie Drew at the University of Akron who not only gave me over an hour of her time on the phone and a dozen great ideas for Jett’s character but answered my flurry of emails about dissertations and university life. All mistakes are mine.

  I randomly found Julie on the internet and messaged her. She was kind enough to write back. Turns out we were both in Tallahassee at the same time and had I gone to public high school we’d have been in the same graduating class. So it was meant to be that we’d finally meet.

  Also thank you to friend, reader, professor Dr. Susan Wegmann for being the first to shed light on the life of a professor.

  Thanks to my friend Casey Miller for the advice and information on financial fraud. You gave me confidence with Coral’s story line.

  As always to Susan May Warren for giving so much of herself to get this book right. After my first revision letter, we launched Facebook video and replotted, rethought the story for over four hours. What a gift from God you are to me, my friend. I’m so grateful. Thank you!

  Beth Vogt, Melissa Tag, Lisa Jordan, Tari Faris, Alena Tauriainen, and Susie for all the daily texts, laughs, and prayers. You’re all rock stars.

  My editor Kimberly Carlton for wrestling this beast to the ground with and for me. I know it wasn’t easy. Your many insights were invaluable. Thank you so much.

  My second editor Erin Healy for more help and insight. For helping me fine tune Holly’s character. You saw an angle I didn’t and were right to call it out.

  My agent Chip MacGregor. Thanks for your friendship and advice. For always being in my corner. I really appreciate you.

  Shout out to my assistant Renee Smith for keeping my social media sites going while I’m working. It’s like you live in my brain, which scares me a little. What a gift and blessing you are to me!

  Love and adoration to my husband who lives with a novelist. He never complains when dinner is at 10:00 p.m. He keeps the rest of our lives going while I’m working and on deadline. Mostly he keeps me going. Having a man who prays for me is the absolute bomb.

  The spiritual thread in this story is different from what I’ve done in the past. It started when I was in the prayer room at church one Tuesday morning. As I was meditating on Him, as well as the story, the Lord whispered to me, “All I want is Coral’s epiphany.” What? Surely not. But as I considered His wisdom, I knew He was right. Creating a spiritual journey for five characters put a huge weight on the story. But showing God’s heart through one allowed Him to shine and allowed the story to breathe. Isn’t God so good? Not just because He helped me with my story—more than once—but because He just is good.

  Appreciation to the team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. It’s been fifteen years since we partnered together for Lost In NashVegas, now Nashville Dreams. I am beyond grateful for all you’ve done for me. Thanks for helping make my dreams reality.

  About the Author

  Photo by Emilie of E.A. Hendryx Creative

  Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower.

  Visit her online at RachelHauck.com

  Facebook: RachelHauck

  Twitter: @RachelHauck

  Instagram: @rachelhauck

  Acclaim for Rachel Hauck

  The Fifth Avenue Story Society

  “This captivating story full of heart, soul, and humor kept me turning pages until midnight to finish it. Rachel weaves the perfect amount of tension and opens possibilities to keep the reader pondering long after the story is over. I loved it!”

  —Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author

  “Rachel Hauck’s flair for inviting prose and well-drawn characters shines in this delightful story about searching for hope and healing within the most unexpected circle of people. Finely tuned themes of love, self-authenticity and discovering the benevolent hand of providence make this one sweet gem of a book.”

  —Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

  “You are cordially invited, dear reader, to step through the doors of an enchanting old library and embark on a remarkable journey with the Fifth Avenue Story Society. In this beautifully written novel, Rachel Hauck has created a cast of masterful characters whose stories seem shattered beyond hope. But Rachel doesn’t leave them in their brokenness. She sweeps up the pieces and begins sculpting together a new story. A bett
er story for each of them. Their fireside society is a place where miracles still happen. A space full of wonder to savor and dream. If you dare to step inside these pages, into this mysterious story society, you’ll be warmly welcomed as a fellow sojourner and friend.”

  —Melanie Dobson, bestselling author of Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass

  “I was captivated by this story from the first paragraph, and my heart soon became invested in the lives of the various members of the Fifth Avenue Story Society. It’s magical. My favorite Rachel Hauck novel to date!”

  —Robin Lee Hatcher, Christy Award-winning author of Who I Am with You and Cross My Heart

  “What a delightful surprise! Five near-strangers discover the story of their lives after meeting under the most unusual of invitations. The Fifth Avenue Story Society is both complex and spellbinding, and I found it difficult not to flip to the back in search of the hopeful conclusion. But I’m glad I held out and, without a single doubt, you will be too. The Fifth Avenue Story Society allows readers to slip into another world and, in doing so, find the story of their own lives.”

  —Eva Marie Everson, bestselling author and President of Word Weavers International

  “A delightful and insightful story about broken dreams and dreams reborn. A tale of deep emotion and even deeper friendships. I loved this novel and the memorable characters Rachel Hauck has created. Just get ready for your heart to be changed in a beautiful way.”

  —James L. Rubart, Christy Hall of Fame author

  “Rachel Hauck is well-known to her fans as an author of books with compelling characters, heaven invading earth, and a romance that will win your heart. With The Fifth Avenue Story Society, Hauck delves into the space of our greatest wounds and how confronting them brings freedom, healing, and hope. She accomplishes that with a story told from five characters’ perspectives, each one rich with the possibility of more constrained by the chains of the past. The characters’ search for freedom points the reader to healing while delving into the power of each person’s fully embraced story. I’m grateful for the time I spent with this group and these pages. Readers who love a story laced with heart and hope will adore this Hauck’s latest offering.”