Seaside Reunion

by Irene Hannon

  A future filled with love.

  Tears streamed down her face, unchecked in the silent, lonely room. But as the eternal minutes crept by, as dawn’s light at last began to seep around the edges of the closed blinds, as more worried families joined her in hushed vigil for their loved ones, she finally put her trust in God—and let go of fear.

  A whisper of warmth hovered at his forehead. Soft pressure followed. The faint flowery scent that was all Lindsey tickled Nate’s nostrils. And then she whispered the most beautiful words he’d ever heard.

  “You better get well fast, Nate Garrison. Because I’m falling in love with you and I want to start making those new memories you promised me.”

  Maybe he’d died and gone to heaven.

  On second thought, he felt too sick to be dead.

  Fighting back a clawing nausea reminiscent of his one and only bout with seasickness, Nate tried to open his eyes. Failed. Forced himself to try again, shocked at the enormous effort it required.

  But the reward was worth it. When at last he managed to pry open his eyelids, Lindsey’s beautiful face was inches from his. Yet the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, her pallor and her shaky smile told him she hadn’t had an easy time of it, either.

  “Hi.” She whispered the word, the taut line of her features easing slightly when his gaze connected with hers.

  “Hi.” He swallowed, willing the nausea to subside as he tried to orient himself. In his peripheral vision, he caught sight of an IV stand beside the bed. “I see I made it to the hospital.”

  “Barely.”

  He refocused on her, but she spoke before he could ask the question.

  “Ruptured appendix. They’re pumping lots of high-powered antibiotics into you to stave off peritonitis. Last time they checked, the antibiotics were winning.”

  Hoping to find a more comfortable position, he shifted. A hot poker jabbed him in the abdomen and he froze, sucking in a sharp breath.

  Lindsey frowned and touched his hand. “Do you need some more pain medication?”

  He clenched the sheet in his fingers. “It couldn’t hurt.”

  She started to reach for the call button, but he grabbed her hand. “Not yet. You have to answer a question for me first.”

  “Okay.”

  “Was I dreaming just now, or did you say you were falling in love with me?”

  A soft flush suffused her cheeks. “You weren’t dreaming. I had a lot of time to think—and pray—while I waited for you to get out of surgery. And I realized I’d been fooling myself all along. I could no more stop myself from falling in love with you than I could have refused to love Mark. Nor do I want to.”

  She leaned closer and touched his cheek. “And to answer the question you asked me last night at The Point, yes, I can live with your situation at the Tribune for the next year. Because I don’t want to live without you.”

  A well of tension inside Nate, so deep he’d been aware of it only at some peripheral level, began to release. In its place, he felt a joy unlike any he’d ever known. Heady enough to dull his pain. “This calls for a celebration. Or at the very least, a kiss.”

  Lindsey grinned. “Are you up for that?”

  He grimaced. “Honestly? No.”

  “I didn’t think so.” She pressed the call button. “But I expect a rain check.”

  “Count on it.”

  “In the meantime, I’ll settle for this.”

  Once more she leaned close. Once more her lips brushed his forehead. Once more he closed his eyes.

  And as she took his hand, her fingers warm and welcoming as they captured his, Nate decided Thomas Wolfe was wrong.

  You could go home again.

  And sometimes, it was even better than you remembered.

  Epilogue

  Three and a half months later

  “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight.” Nate gestured to the east, where a lone star was beginning to glimmer in the dimming sky while the sun set behind them off The Point.

  Lindsey smiled up at the man beside her, the childhood friend who had become much, much more in the months since he’d returned to Starfish Bay.

  “There’s another line to that rhyme, you know.”

  He draped an arm across her shoulders and grinned. “That’s all I remember. And even that was dredged up from who knows where. My mom must have taught it to me. What’s the rest?”

  “I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.”

  “And what is your wish, Lindsey Collier?” With his free hand, he traced the curve of her cheek.

  She leaned into him, savoring his touch, then shifted toward Starfish Bay Chapel. “That Reverend Tobias could be here to hold one last Christmas Eve service tonight.”

  Silence fell, broken only by the muted crash of waves and the caw of a gull. She’d spent so many happy Christmas Eves in the bough-bedecked church, joining other Starfish Bay residents to celebrate a birth that had changed the world. Now those candlelight services were gone forever.

  And in a week, her own world would change, too. On January 2, Mattson Properties would begin dismantling the chapel and start construction of the inn. Although she’d reconciled herself to the inevitable months ago, it was still hard to say goodbye.

  “I have a feeling the good minister is here in spirit. I can almost feel his presence. And hear him telling us to stop living in the past and make the most of the present.” Nate tugged her closer, shielding her from the wind.

  Lindsey smiled. “In his gentle way, of course.”

  “Of course. That’s why his counsel was so effective. And unforgettable.”

  “I agree.” She sighed and shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “I guess we better head back. Dad’s ham will be coming out of the oven soon, and Genevieve and Lillian are probably already at the house. Clint’s going to stop by, too, since he’s all alone for the holiday. Did I tell you he found a firm to develop an interpretive trail on the public-use area of the headland? That will be a great use for the money people donated to Save the Point.”

  “You mentioned some plans were in the works. I didn’t know it was a done deal, though.”

  “As of yesterday. But you were engrossed in your latest column, and I didn’t want to interrupt. Genius at work and all that.” She grinned at him.

  “Not quite.”

  “Absolutely.” She wasn’t about to let him downplay his talent. “You get more mail than any other columnist. As you should. And I predict tomorrow’s piece will generate a phenomenal response. I loved your whole take on the criteria for a perfect gift—and how you worked in the reference to my snow globe. Which is front and center on our mantel, by the way.” She squeezed his hand. “The Tribune is lucky to have you. And so am I.”

  The tender smile he gave her warmed her as thoroughly as sunshine banishes the chill after a storm. “You told me your wish. Now I’ll tell you mine.”

  When he reached into the pocket of his jacket and withdrew a small box wrapped in silver paper, Lindsey’s pulse skittered.

  “Seems like history repeating itself, doesn’t it?” He grinned as he led her toward the bench the developer had promised to save and reinstall beside the new chapel, tugging her down beside him as he sat. “Twenty-five years ago I gave the best friend I’ve ever had the snow globe you just mentioned to let her know how much she meant to me. Tonight I’d like to give the only woman I’ve ever loved a different gift—but the intent is the same.”

  As Nate handed over the small box, Lindsey looked into the deep blue eyes she cherished. Over these past few months, as he’d adjusted to his new life, she’d seen them flash with enthusiasm, soften with kindness and occasionally simmer with anger at injustice and callousness. Nate, as she’d discovered, was truly a man who lived the golden rule.

  And he loved her.

  With a depth and completeness that took her breath away.

  She weighed the box in her hand, prolonging the moment, then slowly tore off
the silver paper to reveal a dark blue velvet box. Fingers trembling, she flipped the lid.

  A stunning marquis diamond ring blinked back at her, its sparkle putting the stars overhead to shame.

  Joy bubbled up in her heart. Filled it. Overflowed.

  She lifted her head and smiled up at him. “Yes.”

  Nate stared at her. “Wait a minute. This is way too easy. I had a whole speech prepared. I even had a plan B if you said no.”

  “I played hard to get long enough when you first came back. I didn’t see any reason to keep you guessing. If you want me to withdraw that answer, though…”

  “No way.” He grabbed the box, removed the ring and slid it on the third finger of her left hand. “But I insist on delivering at least one part of my little speech.” Taking her hands, he angled toward her. “I can’t promise you tomorrow, Lindsey. We both know that’s impossible. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. But I can promise to love you with every fiber of my being for every single minute we’re given as man and wife.”

  Moisture clouded her vision, and Lindsey put her arms around his neck to pull him close, overcome with gratitude for the unexpected gift of love that had graced her life and given her a brighter tomorrow.

  “I’ll make the same promise in return. And pray God grants us a long and happy life together. Because I want to grow old with you, Nate Garrison. I want to raise our children right here in Starfish Bay. I want to search for agates with them on our beach. And I want to tell them a story about a little boy named Nathaniel and a little girl named Lindsey who spent one magical summer together, slew some dragons and grew up to find their own happily ever after.”

  Nate grinned. “Sounds like a fairy tale.”

  “Except it’s all true. Complete with the happy ending.”

  “Yeah, it is.” His voice hoarsened, and he cleared his throat. “And the sooner the better for the happy ending, as far as I’m concerned. I checked with Mattson, and they’re confident they can have the new chapel ready by spring. Ours could be the first wedding there. What do you think?”

  “I think that would be perfect. And in the meantime—” she scooted even closer “—do you know what I think Reverend Tobias would say if he was here right now?”

  “What?”

  “Kiss the bride.”

  A chuckle rumbled deep in Nate’s chest. “Who am I to argue with such a wise man?”

  And as the stars twinkled above, as The Point kept watch, he claimed her lips in a Christmas Eve kiss to remember.

  * * * * *

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome to Starfish Bay! Seaside Reunion is the first book in my new series for Love Inspired. I hope you enjoy visiting this charming spot on the northern California coast.

  When I wrote this book, I intended it to be a stand-alone novel. But as often happens with my books, other characters appeared who asked me to tell their stories. So a series was born. Next up will be Cindy’s story. You met her briefly in this book, when Nate and Lindsey joined forces to help her son, Jarrod, get back on track in school after the death of his father. Now a widow raising her young son alone, she has no interest in romance. But love often comes along when we least expect it.

  In the meantime, I invite you to check my website at www.irenehannon.com for more information about my other books.

  Irene Hannon

  Questions for Discussion

  Because of Lindsey’s traumatic experience, she carries a gun. Do you agree with that decision?

  Nate has returned to Starfish Bay because it holds happy memories for him. Have you ever returned to a place you loved? What was that experience like?

  The notion of touchstones is important in this book. Are there touchstones in your life? Talk about one of them. Why is it so important to you?

  Though Reverend Tobias is only seen in this book through the eyes of Lindsey and Nate, what is your impression of him? Have you ever met someone who, years later, can still touch your life? Why did that person have such a lasting impact?

  Both Lindsey and Nate struggle to understand how a loving God can let bad things happen to good people. How do you deal with this question? Are there any particular Bible verses that have helped you make peace with this?

  Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?

  What was your favorite scene in the book? Why?

  Nate had a very difficult childhood. How was that manifested in his adult life? Cite specific examples from the book.

  Why do you think Nate has such strong and good memories of Lindsey?

  Do you think it was realistic that Nate and Lindsey would reconnect so quickly after so many years? Why or why not?

  Jarrod is having a difficult time coping with the sudden death of his father. In addition to struggling with schoolwork, what are some other ways a child might be affected by the loss of a parent? How might the surviving parent help that child cope?

  Nate is angry when he finds Lindsey reading his touchstones piece. Do you think he overreacted? Why or why not?

  When Nate sent his piece on touchstones to his editor, he was taking a leap far outside his comfort zone. Yet it led to good things. Have you ever taken a chance and done something that was uncomfortable? What was the outcome?

  In the end, Lindsey concludes that love, like life, requires compromises. Do you agree? Can compromises ever hurt a relationship? If so, how?

  How did you feel about the resolution of the situation with The Point? Were there any other good options?

  ISBN: 9781459219861

  Copyright © 2012 by Irene Hannon

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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