by Pamela Tracy
Natalie patted her leg. “I can’t dance.”
“Well, darling, you’re going to have to learn because I don’t want to take Robby away from you. As a matter of fact, I want to stand beside you, raise him as my own. Just think of what we can do together.”
God is really with me, Natalie thought. Then, humanity knocked. Natalie felt her hands drop to her sides; she felt weak and scared. Stupid tears, they spilled over as she looked up at Lucky. “I don’t deserve this.”
“You’re right,” Lucky agreed. “You deserve so much more. But I’m hoping I’ll do. With God, all things are possible. I’m the luckiest man I know. Don’t you know?” He pulled her into his arms. “How can you not know…? All this time I was worried about what really went on between you and Marcus. As much as I loved my brother…” Lucky choked up. “I was sitting in my truck last night, in the dark, looking at the sky where we saw the shooting star, and I was thinking about my wish. I wished that I’d met you first. I had my Bible open, and I was searching for a scripture on how to deal with you not being Robby’s mother, with you not telling me the truth. Finally, I realized I didn’t need a scripture to tell me God had answered my prayer.”
Natalie buried her head in the crook of his neck for a moment and then looked up at him, knowing she never wanted to look away. It was there, close enough she could touch it. This man was offering her the chance for a family. She saw it in his eyes, she felt it in his touch, and right there in front of a stadium of rodeo fans, right now, she cherished it in his kiss.
His fingers finally slipped away from her cheeks, and his lips left the warmth of hers. She immediately wanted them back.
“You know,” she said carefully, “it’s really not that far from my place to Delaney. Maybe the first thing we should have in that new church of yours is a wedding.”
“Ours?” Lucky said hopefully.
“Ours,” Natalie agreed.
Dear Reader,
What fun to write a story with not only a faith element, but also with a rodeo, roots and romance. Natalie and Lucky, the heroine and hero in Daddy for Keeps, are special characters who had to overcome self-doubt, the judgment of others and secrets.
Natalie, whom I thought of as a mother bear, quickly became someone who spoke to me. First, she was dealing with an issue that is near and dear to my heart: raising a child. She happened to be raising a child she didn’t give birth to, and for most of the story she dealt with the fear of perhaps losing the child, who, by every thought, memory and deed was hers. My parents dealt with the same issue. I am an adopted child, and an adopted only child, and my parents, by every thought, memory and deed, let me know that adoption was just a word and that the words Mommy and Daddy were more than just words.
Then there was Lucky, a rugged hero who managed to be a diamond in the rough. He’s a man of faith and character. I know many Luckys, and in real life, I even managed to marry one!
Thank you for reading Daddy for Keeps. I love hearing from my readers. Please visit my blog, http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com, or my Web site, www.pamelakayetracy.com. You may also contact me c/o Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 100l, New York, New York 10279.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
At the beginning of the novel, Natalie is worried about money. She has to make decisions that affect not only the way she’s raising Robby, but also where she raises Robby. What is the catalyst that sends her to Lucky? Would you have made such a choice?
From the beginning, Lucky is very careful in how he deals with his parents. Does he make the right choice in waiting to tell them about Robby?
Lucky’s brother caused a lot of grief. We know some of the things Lucky did to try to “save” Marcus. None of them worked. What scripture could help Lucky deal with the loss of his brother? Could the same scripture help his mother? His father? Or, what scripture might they need to turn to?
Natalie simply lets people believe Robby belongs to her. Why? Is this what you would do? Name some benefits to this approach. Name some negatives to this approach.
When Natalie first has to “share” Robby, what is her biggest fear? How does she deal with it? What is your biggest fear? How do you deal with it?
During Natalie’s visit to Wednesday-night services, she hears about birth order. She thinks about being an only child, and Lucky talks about his position. Are you an only? A oldest? A middle? A youngest? How has your placement in the family affected your life?
What are Lucky’s mother’s strongest points? Weakest points? Is there a spiritual change she needs to make? What are Lucky’s father’s strongest points? Weakest points? What change does he make by the end of the story? Will it last?
When does Lucky start to fall in love with Natalie? What is it he likes best about her? When does Natalie start to fall in love with Lucky? What is it she likes best about him? Think of someone you love. What do you like best about them? Now, tell them.
Is there any hope for Tisha’s redemption? What do you think shaped her? What will it take to change her? If she finds the Lord and repents, what should be her role in Robby’s life?
Lucky decides to leave the rodeo and take a congregation. What are some of the obstacles he will face? Natalie will go from being unchurched to being a preacher’s wife. What advice would you give her?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2702-0
DADDY FOR KEEPS
Copyright © 2009 by Pamela Tracy Osback
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
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 Steeple Hill Books.
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