I couldn't see him clearly through my tears, but I trusted when he pulled me to him that I'd end up where I've always belonged. I went into his arms willingly and didn’t hesitate when he lowered his head and his lips found mine. The pain of the last few months blurred in my memory. I kissed him back slowly, savoring the feel of his perfect lips on mine.
After a few minutes, he pulled away and asked, “Is that a yes, then?”
“Seriously. Come on and answer already! You’re killing us,” Andy called. “Or maybe you’d rather have the smarmy man.”
Everyone laughed, but I raised a hand to keep him across the room. “Absolutely not, Andy. You stay over there.” Then I turned back to James and said, “We’ve got some things to figure out, but yes, I’m willing to give it a try if it’s with you. Forever.”
He leaned in to seal it with another kiss, but I put my hand up between us. “But...only if you can tell me five facts about kissing. Ready, go!” I teased. He grabbed me close again and I squealed as his lips tickled my neck.
“The only fact I need to know about kissing,” he growled, “is that you rock at it. Let’s do it again.”
And with family closing in with congratulations, I was only too happy to oblige.
Epilogue
Twenty months later
Sophie
The sun's rays spilled down on me, warming my face and arms. The sound of the surf lulled me into a hypnotic state. Birds cried in the distance, their screeches morphing into crazy images in my dream-like state.
"Hey," I objected when a shadow blocked the sun, causing bumps to form on my arms. I felt James plop down next to me, the sun warming my skin again. I squinted up at him and smiled lazily. "Did you find any?"
He held up his prize and grinned. "It's perfect," he gloated. "Best sand dollar I ever found. It will look great with those shells. You glue them to the picture frame while I finish painting the nursery."
He reached over and laid a gentle hand on my growing stomach. When he felt a kick, he leaned over and touched his lips to my belly. "It's past time, baby. Mommy is very uncomfortable and would love it if you would make an appearance." He got a soft kick to the face in reply.
"You think that's funny?" he asked when I giggled.
"I've been through months of kicking. So yes, I think it's funny. Though I do appreciate your encouraging words to our unborn child." Something like worry clouded his features. "Come here," I murmured.
James went down on his elbow next to me in the sand, his face hovering over mine. "I'm a little nervous about the delivery and the baby's health," he admitted quietly.
I reached up and caressed his cheek. "I am too, but the ultrasounds haven’t shown any irregularities. We’ll love this baby. Together. No matter what.” Relief replaced the worry in his eyes. “And remember,” I continued, “we decided we'd live with faith and not fear. It's worked for us so far. I've never been happier." I smiled and traced his lips with my finger.
He returned my smile and leaned down to place a soft kiss on my lips. "Years ago, after Nicole and Lexie, I thought I'd never be happy again. Now I know that happiness is wherever you are. If you are by my side, I can face any fear. Thanks for not giving up on me. For giving me another chance. Because I've never been happier either."
He rested an arm across my belly and gazed out at the water, a contented sigh escaping his lips. "Life doesn't get much better than this."
I turned his face to me with a hand on his chin and pulled him closer. "Oh, it can get better," I whispered.
He grinned, his lips hovering over mine. "It's about to get a lot better."
And as his lips covered mine, I had to agree.
-The End-
Authors Note:
You may be interested to know-
Lips are 100 times more sensitive than fingertips.
You can burn 6.4 calories/minute kissing passionately.
The longest recorded kiss was in London and over 31 hours long.
Songs mentioned, but not cited in the story:
Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not-Thompson Square, 2011
She’s In Love With The Boy-Trisha Yearwood, 1991
A Little More Summertime-Jason Aldean, 2016
Beat This Summer-Brad Paisley, 2013
Soundtrack for the book:
Yours-Russell Dickerson, 2015
I Still Miss You-Keith Anderson, 2009
Come Back Song-Darius Rucker, 2010
The One That Got Away-Jake Owen, 2011
Best I Ever Had-Gary Allan, 2005
What I Really Meant To Say-Cyndi Thomson, 2001
I Breathe In, I Breathe Out-Chris Cagle, 2000
Today-Gary Allan, 2010
Winner At A Losing Game-Rascal Flatts, 2007
Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You-Toby Keith, 1996
The One-Gary Allan, 2001
Should’ve Ran After You-Cole Swindell, 2015
Woman, Amen-Dierks Bentley, 2018
I Won’t Give Up-Jana Kramer, 2012
Over You-Daughtry, 2006
What Faith Can Do-Kutless, 2010
Where did all that trivia come from?
http://www.50states.com/facts/texas.htm#.Vg9xX_2FOP9
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/or-
http://www.50states.com/facts/massachusetts.htm#.VhSyif2FOP8
http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/01/22_kissing.html
http://simplecapacity.com/2016/11/the-psychology-behind-who-says-i-love-you-first-in-a-relationship-video/
https://livelyrun.com/from-the-farmer/goat-fun-facts/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/things-you-never-knew-about-the-alamo-4135793
https://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio/still-claiming-pee-wee-30-years-later-the-alamo-actually-has-two-basements/Content?oid=2458505
https://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/2013/02/25/there-is-a-basement-in-the-alamo-and-other-things-you-didnt-know/
https://www.facebook.com/giftwrapitup/posts/328636200579082
Discussion Questions
1. We saw evidence of change in James from the beginning of the book to the end. Did you see other characters change from the beginning to the end also? Which characters? How did they change? Were the changes positive or negative?
2. Sophie forgives James multiple times in the story. Do you think she should have taken him back? Was her forgiveness an act of desperation, stupidity, or seeing the diamond in the rough? At what point does a relationship become harmful to those involved instead of helpful, lifting, and healing?
3. James’ sister, Kaley, has strong opinions about James and how he handles relationships. Do you think she was right to get involved? What about James’ dad’s advice? When is it okay to give advice? When should you stay silent? Who do you go to for advice? Why do you go to that person?
4. James was passionate about his career as a pediatric cardiologist. How did his life experiences guide him in choosing a career? How have your life experiences directed you down certain paths? How would your life be different today if you made different choices in the past? How would choosing a career affect you and those you love if you chose the career because it’s your passion? What if you chose it only because it is what you are good at? What if you chose it only for the salary?
5. Sophie put off her dream to help her family. Why is family so important? What are you willing to put off or give up for family? Friends? Love? Should you have to give up dreams for relationships?
6. Who was your favorite character? Why? Who was your least favorite character? Why?
7. James’ dad talks to him about faith and taking that scary first step into the darkness to find light and happiness. Have you ever had to take a step into the darkness? What was the outcome? Did it give you courage and wisdom for the next time? How much should we include God in the decisions we make?
8. James is afraid his whole life is full of unfinished/unfulfilled events. Yet he is a successful doctor. How did his thought process keep him stuck in the past and unable to move on? When
is it okay to leave something unfinished and move on? Does moving on mean you are a failure and will never have any successes? How would focussing on your successes, however small, keep you from feeling like a failure when you choose to leave something unfinished?
Coming Soon…
Caging Her Heart
Remy pulled on her hoodie and black yoga pants and slipped soundlessly out the french doors off the kitchen at the back of the beach house. The chilly predawn air surrounded her and she took a deep breath and made her way down the weathered wood stairs to the tan sand below.
After a series of striking combos, kicks, and shadow boxing, she set out at a steady pace down the beach. Aside from the group of diehard surfers out on the water and a couple of dog walkers, the beach was deserted. Remy smiled and picked up her speed. She loved to run, and nothing beat running on a beach at sunrise before the world awoke and shattered the peaceful stillness. Aside from her rhythmic breathing and footfalls on the water logged sand, the repetitive waves crashing and an occasional early bird were the only sounds.
“Morning.”
Or they had been the only sounds.
Remy didn’t bother to stifle her groan at the broken silence. She glanced to her right as Aspyn’s hot crush from yesterday pulled alongside her and kept pace.
When she didn’t acknowledge him, he said, “We met last night. I’m Andy.”
At her grunt for a reply, Andy continued. “And you are-”
“Not interested,” Remy interrupted.
“Yes. I remember.” Humor laced his words, causing irritation to run it’s dagger-like nails down her back. “Nice morning for a run.”
A grunt.
“Do you prefer morning or night running?
Silence. “It doesn’t matter to me either way. I do both,” he informed her. “But beach running is the best.”
A grunt.
“Your friend you were with yesterday...Aspyn? What is Aspyn to you?”
Silence.
“Is she seeing anyone?”
A dark look.
“You shouldn’t run angry. That’s when accidents happen.”
Another dark look.
“We’re coming up on the place I’m staying. Usually, that would mean I’m finished with my run.”
“Thank heaven,” she breathed.
He smirked. “But...I’m in the zone this morning, so I think I’ll keep going.”
A groan.
“Not big on conversation, are you?”
An eye roll.
“How far are we going?”
Before Andy knew what was happening, Remy stuck her leg out and he went down. He rolled over onto his back and stared up at the peach colored sunrise. Remy stood over him, hands on hips and gulping air. “We are not going any farther. I do not need a running buddy. Shut up and leave me alone!” With that, she turned and started back down the beach the way they had come.
“Wait,” Andy called from the ground. “Where did you learn that move?”
Remy ignored him and ran harder.
About the Author
Heather graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a Special Education emphasis from Weber State University. She writes whenever she can squeeze time in between taxiing four children around and carving wooden key chains for souvenir shops. Although she has a deep fondness for the ocean, she lives in a desert with her husband and children, two dogs, one goldfish, one bird, one hamster, and a snake.
The Heart of the Matter Page 18
