The Doctor's Secret Son
Page 18
“Your touch, Delia,” he amended, leaning forward to take her hand in his. “I’m asking you to marry me.”
“After all I’ve done to you? I thought you hated me.”
He stood and reached for her other hand. “And I thought you wanted a platonic relationship. But both of us were mistaken.” He paused. “Weren’t we?”
He didn’t sound quite so certain of himself anymore, and Delia couldn’t keep him in limbo, not even for a second.
“I love you so much,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and feathering kisses on his scratchy cheek. “I’ve always loved you.”
He chuckled in relief and framed her face with his hands. “There was never any woman but you, princess. Not ever.”
If his words were not enough to convince her, his kiss certainly was. He poured every ounce of his love, and longing and passion into his kiss. He’d never been a man who’d gone halfway on anything, and now was no exception.
His lips were seeking an answer, and Delia gave it, returning his unspoken vow with her own. They were bound to each other by a spiritual thread as well as an emotional and physical one, and they always had been. God had granted her wish. And his wish.
And Riley’s.
There was one more thing they needed to do.
“I love you, princess,” he said, stroking her hair. “I hope we’ll have our whole lives to keep telling each other and showing each other just how much.”
She smiled softly and reached for his hand, lacing her fingers with his, feeling the strength of his grip and knowing he would always be there to love and protect his family.
“I think,” she suggested, rubbing her thumb against his, “that we need to go wake up a certain anxious little boy and let him know his parents are getting married.”
Zach leaned his forehead against hers, eye to eye.
“Yes we should,” he agreed. “But because he’s probably sleeping anyway, I think he can wait for a few more minutes.” He lowered his head with a playful growl. “Daddy wants to kiss Mama again.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Riley Bowden-Ivers: Hey, Justin, this is so cool. I’m texting you a picture of an ultrasound my mom had.
Justin Sanderson: What is that? It looks like a bean.
Riley Bowden-Ivers: It’s not a bean. It’s my baby brother.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Serendipity, Texas, for the second book in the Email-Order Brides series. Many of the same characters who first appeared in Phoebe’s Groom are back for more laughter, learning and love as childhood sweethearts Zach and Delia attempt to mend their relationship and move on as a family with their nine-year-old son, Riley. I hope you enjoy your return to Serendipity and the quirky characters I’ve grown to love while writing this series.
Next up in the Email-Order Brides series is The Nanny’s Twin Blessings. This is the story of Drew Spencer and his adorable three-year-old twins. And if you’ve been following the romance between Cup o’ Jo café owner Jo Murphy and cantankerous old Frank Spencer, be sure to catch this book—you won’t be disappointed!
I love to hear from readers! Email me at DEBWRTR@aol.com, or look me up on Facebook.
Keep the faith,
Deb Kastner
Questions for Discussion
Delia knew she would run into Zach when she moved back to Serendipity. Why do you think she was so surprised when he showed up at the clinic with a patient?
Why didn’t Delia inform Zach he was going to be a father when she first found out about the pregnancy? Do you think she was right or wrong to hold out on him? Why?
Was Zach ready to be a parent when Riley was conceived? What do you think would have happened if Delia had returned to Serendipity at that point?
Why do you think Delia chose a public place to introduce Riley to Zach? Was that the right decision? What would you have done?
How do you think Zach felt when he found out he had a son?
Delia’s friends were stunned to find out a close friend had kept a major secret from them. Have you ever hid something, either physical or emotional, from your friends? Why?
What major themes run throughout this book? Which one is most important to you? Why?
Zach took a big chance not telling Delia about his plans for New Year’s Eve. How would you have reacted in Delia’s place? Have you ever had a surprise thrown at you?
Do you think Zach could truly be reformed? How was his heart changed throughout the course of the novel?
Delia’s faith went by the wayside when she was in Baltimore. Do you think she could really lose her faith? Why or why not?
Which character did you most relate to in the novel? Why?
Riley was born into an age of divorce and single parenting and did not know his father until he was nine. Why do you think it was suddenly so important to him to have his mom and dad be together?
Sometimes both Zach and Delia wanted the same thing but managed to miscommunicate their feelings for each other. Describe a situation where you’ve encountered miscommunication between yourself and another. How did it happen, and how did you fix the problem?
Do you have your own children, or have you ever seen a baby being born (on television or in person)? Is life a miracle of God, or is it simply science? Explain your answer.
What is the takeaway value of this book? What will you remember the most?
ISBN: 9781459219892
Copyright © 2012 by Debra Kastner
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