She ran her hands up his arms, letting her hands rest on his shoulders. “You are a good man, Ben Brouwer. I’m so thankful for you. You’ve made my life fuller and richer. You healed my soul.”
Her words were like silvery fragments of happiness lacing his heart. He stroked her face again, cupping her cheek.
“And you healed my heart,” he said, his voice faltering a moment.
She blinked, then cupped his face in her hands. “I’m glad,” she said, punctuating her comment with another kiss.
He smiled down at her, then took the keys from her hand. “I suppose we should get going. Your nana is going to wonder what is taking you so long.”
“So is your mother.”
Ben frowned as things clicked into place like tumblers on a combination lock. “So your nana arranged for you to bring this dress to the girl at book club tonight?”
Shannon nodded, giving him a puzzled look.
“And my mother calls me, practically begging me to come to book club, as well.”
He could see Shannon had figured it out, too.
“They wanted you there when I gave the dress away.”
“They just don’t quit,” Ben said with a light laugh.
Shannon flashed him a quick grin. “I’m glad they didn’t.”
Ben stroked her cheek with his knuckle, then gave her another smile. “Me, too.” Then he swung the keys around his hand. “So, I guess we should get down to the Book Nook so they can see how this story ended.”
“Or began,” Shannon said.
“Or began,” Ben agreed.
They got into the car and drove away, into the sunset and into their new beginning.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
We live in a tight-knit community and I know firsthand that there are few secrets. People seem to know everything about everybody. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. The disadvantage is that, if, as with Shannon, something embarrassing and humiliating happens, everyone knows it and talks about it. And as the person who is embarrassed, you can feel that this is the event that defines you.
But not all the talk is harmful. True, gossip does happen and not all of it is kind, but for the most part when people talk about the things that happen in the community it’s because people care. Our family has dealt with some truly hard times and each time our community has been there for us. I’m thankful for the strength we’ve received and if, when we left the room, people talked about us, that’s fine, too.
I hope you enjoyed this part of the Home to Hartley Creek series. Shannon will probably show up again and you will be able to see how far she’s come on her own journey.
Blessings,
Carolyne Arsen
P.S. One of the best parts of my day is getting letters from readers. If you have anything you want to ask me or tell me, please write me at [email protected] Or you can visit my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com
Questions for Discussion
What was the theme of this book? How do you think it applies to your life?
What did Shannon mean when she told Ben that sometimes you have to leave town to lose your nickname?
How did you feel about Shannon’s initial reaction to seeing Ben again?
Why do you think Ben struggled with guilt over his wife’s death?
What were some of the reasons Ben didn’t see himself as a doctor?
Why do you think Shannon saw herself the way she did? Have you ever had to overcome a perception of how you see yourself? How did you do this?
How did you feel about Nana Beck and Sophie Brouwer’s meddling in the relationship? Have you ever done anything like that?
What was your reaction to Arthur’s actions at the end of the book?
What challenges will Shannon have to overcome to have a fulfilling relationship with Ben?
What did you see as the biggest obstacle to Ben and Shannon’s future relationship?
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.
You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.
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ISBN: 9781459230903
Copyright © 2012 by Carolyne Aarsen
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
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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