She traced a finger over his lips. “Like you want to now?”
His sharp exhale should have served warning. He lifted her in his arms, held her against him, and kissed her, deeply, cradling the back of her head. Then, gradually, he lowered her back down until her feet touched the floor again. But Claire could barely breathe, much less stand.
She gave a soft laugh. “I’ll have you know that I loved you first. Because I’ve loved you since you fell out of the gazebo that same night. Long before we hid the clues.”
His deep chuckle warmed her. “It’s not a competition.”
“Oh . . . look,” she whispered, and peered over to see the gardens below. “It’s even more beautiful from up here.”
“Claire . . . I believe this belongs to you.”
She turned back to see him holding something out to her. A necklace? No, it didn’t look—
“Oh, Sutton . . .” Her mother’s locket watch. She cradled the locket in her palm. “Where did you get this?” But as soon as she said it, she knew. “He had it . . . didn’t he?”
Sutton nodded. “I put it on a chain for you, along with something else I’ve been wanting to give you.”
A ring slowly slid down the chain, and even as his smile faded, hers bloomed.
“Claire, you’ve long held my heart. And it would be the greatest honor of my life if you would—”
“Yes,” she said quickly. “I will.”
His mouth tipped in a smile. “You’re supposed to wait,” he whispered, “until after I’ve finished asking you. I’ve worked a long time on this.”
“Not nearly as long as I’ve been waiting for you to ask.” She eyed the ring and then him.
He slipped it on her finger, then brought his arms around her, and Claire gave herself to his kiss. She couldn’t imagine what a lifetime of loving Willister Sutton Monroe would be like. But she welcomed it—and eagerly anticipated the masterpiece that God would make of their life together.
Dear Reader,
The first time I visited the Belmont Mansion, I knew I wanted to write about this magnificent home and the people who’d lived there. While Belmont served as a “backdrop” for this story and I’ve gone to great length to remain faithful to history, I have taken creative license with historical personalities, as well as with the basement level of the mansion, which is no longer inhabitable nor open to the public. For more information on the historical specifics and for pictures of Adelicia’s statuary, please visit my Web site (www.tameraalexander.com).
Adelicia had a great appreciation for art, and as the story portrays, she was one of the wealthiest women in the United States in the 1860s. The seed of her wealth came from her first husband, Isaac Franklin, a wealthy planter and slave trader, and was another story in itself. I desired to include those details of her life—and did, initially. But as writers learn early on, if story threads don’t serve the main story, they must go. Which these threads did . . . during rewrite. Yet I do believe they are important pieces of Adelicia’s life and to the history of Belmont.
As for the question Claire heard in the book, “Would you paint if you knew you were painting only for me?” that has its root in a personal experience. In 2003, after I’d pitched the idea for my first novel to an editor, she read the first few chapters, then told me she wanted to see it once it was completed. So I set out to finish it. And as I did, I heard this question so clearly in my heart during worship the next Sunday, “Would you write this book if you knew you were writing it only for Me?”
In that moment, I was certain of two things: One, it was God’s inaudible voice, something I’ve “heard” only a handful of times in my life. And two, I knew the editor wasn’t going to take my book. Still, I spent the next year writing and then submitted the manuscript. Hardly a month passed before I received the rejection letter. But . . . I gained invaluable insights through that experience.
First, I learned that only what we do for God will last. The lessons He taught me as I wrote Rekindled, my first published novel, are ones I’ll carry with me forever. And second, from my earliest days of being a novelist I’ve realized who I’m writing for. And—just as Claire did—I’m determined never to forget that.
Adelicia Acklen didn’t keep a journal, or if she did, it didn’t survive. However, we do have letters written in her hand to friends and family members, as well as newspaper accounts detailing the lavish parties and dinners she hosted. One night, while I was writing, I was struggling with Adelicia’s dialogue in a conversation between her and Claire when I remembered a letter Adelicia had written to her sister Corinne in 1860. I pulled it from my files and, oh . . . what a moment. Adelicia’s words fit perfectly—without the least editing—into the conversation on the page. A God moment, for sure. (See Ch. 36, the paragraph beginning with the words, “Oftentimes, through the years . . .”)
Attempting to sketch someone’s character without having known them is tricky at best, and rife for misinterpretation. Yet, in researching, I quickly learned that the silent footprints we leave behind—letters written, mementoes saved, even purchases we’ve made—create impressions of the person we are. Or, to those coming after us, the person we were.
Never underestimate who’s looking at your life and at how many people you influence. I doubt that Adelicia Acklen ever dreamed somone would write a novel about her life and her beloved Belmont nearly one hundred and twenty-five years following her death. And yet, here we are.
You and I are leaving lasting impressions. May we live authentic lives of faith that point others to Christ. After all, it’s all about Him.
Until next time,
Tamera
Ephesians 2:10
With Gratitude to . . .
My husband, Joe—for acting as my first editor on this manuscript. You listened as I talked (and talked and talked) through characterizations and plot twists. Your patience and enthusiasm never waned, even when mine occasionally did.
Kelsey and Kurt—for your love and encouraging hugs and texts, and for the privilege and joy of being your mom.
Dad—for adding such happiness to our lives and for being such an encourager.
Mark Brown, curator of the Belmont Mansion—for your painstakingly detailed chronology of Adelicia Acklen’s life, for opening the personal files of family history, for answering my endless e-mails and questions, and for sharing your love of history and your admiration for Adelicia Acklen.
Karen Schurrer and Charlene Patterson, my editors at Bethany House—for doing what you do so well, and for helping me to “see the forest for the trees.”
Deborah Raney—for reading this manuscript in the early stages and offering insight and suggestions, but most of all for being your wonderful, encouraging self.
Natasha Kern, agent extraordinaire—for going the extra mile. You went above and beyond the call on this one, and I’m a better writer because of you (even if I do have less hair now).
Mandisa—for your CD What If We Were Real. I listened to it countless times as I wrote this story, and drew such inspiration from the lyrics, and from your gift of a voice.
My readers—for faithfully reading, and for sharing with me how these journeys we take together touch your lives. Such an encouragement! I pray you take a step closer to Christ as you read, just as I do when I write. After all, it’s all about Him.
And to Jesus Christ—for ransoming this lost soul and for making an eternal lasting impression.
TAMERA ALEXANDER is a bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, and the Carol Award. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children.
Tamera invites you to visit her at:
Her Web site www.tameraalexander.com
Her blog www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com
Twitter www.twitter.com/tameraalexander
Facebook ww
w.facebook.com/tamera.alexander
Or if you prefer snail mail, please write her at the following postal address:
Tamera Alexander
P.O. Box 871
Brentwood, TN 37024
Books by Tamera Alexander
* * *
A Belmont Mansion Novel
A Lasting Impression
Fountain Creek Chronicles
Rekindled
Revealed
Remembered
Fountain Creek Chronicles (3 in 1)
Timber Ridge Reflections
From a Distance
Beyond This Moment
Within My Heart
Women of Faith Fiction
The Inheritance
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
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