by Renee Ryan
So handsome, so upright. With him, her life had found its pulse.
In pure O’Toole fashion, he sent her a quick, captivating smile. And the breath backed up in her throat.
With his charming brand of arrogance firmly in place, he stretched out his hand and summoned her to him.
Her heart took a quick tumble.
And then…
She simply…
Sighed.
Notching her head a fraction higher, Hannah squared her shoulders and began her ascent toward the man of her dreams. Her best friend.
No matter what hardships arose, no matter what challenges God brought their way, they would face them together. Two cords linked as one.
Bucking tradition, Beau abandoned his post next to the reverend and hastened down the makeshift aisle to meet Hannah halfway across the room.
Surrounded by the adults and children of Charity House, he took her hand and cupped it protectively in his. A dozen happy thoughts ran through Hannah’s mind as Beau swept in a low bow and touched his lips to her knuckles.
When he rose, his eyes locked with hers again. “I’m yours, Hannah Southerland. Heart and soul, forever.”
She had to gulp several times in order to regain her voice.
“I’m yours, Beauregard O’Toole,” she pledged. “No matter the place, the circumstance or the season, I will always stand by your side.”
Grinning, he lowered his forehead to hers. For a long moment they simply stood unmoving, neither speaking, both breathing deeply.
A hush filled the room. Hannah heard a rustle of clothing as everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
Finally, Beau stepped away and aimed his beautiful, silver gaze at her. “Then I say we get married right now.”
Forty-some voices lifted in a cheer of agreement.
Twining his fingers with hers, Beau led Hannah down the last half of the aisle toward her father and the place where they would pledge their lives to one another.
Sealed in marriage, Hannah and Beau would no longer be two transient people drifting from place to place, waiting to hear God’s clear direction for their lives.
Secure in His plan, they were home. Home, at last.
Dear Reader,
When I graduated college, one of my beloved mentors sat me down for a little one-on-one preparation for the real world. At one point in the conversation, she said, “Remember, Renee, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Now, I’d call that sound advice for a young woman entering the workforce for the first time.
But as I’ve matured, I’ve come to realize a major flaw in those sage words—the inability we often have to see past the outward appearance to the person underneath. After all, no one can truly know another person’s heart. No one, that is, except God. Hannah and Beau had to learn this lesson the hard way. I truly hope you enjoyed their journey past wrong first impressions to the discovery of redeeming love, hope and acceptance.
Hannah is special to me in another way. I, too, am a twin. For the record, I’m far more fortunate in my wonderful sister than Hannah is in Rachel. There’s nothing quite like the close bond I share with my twin. In fact, my sister was the inspiration for Hannah. So, hmm, does that make me Rachel? I certainly hope not. Unfortunately, there were times when I found myself understanding the woman a bit too well.
I love hearing from readers. Do you have a sibling story of your own to share? Please do so through my Web site, www.reneeryan.com, where you can also read about my upcoming releases in the CHARITY HOUSE series.
Blessings,
Renee Ryan
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
We learn in the opening scene that Hannah has an identical twin. What sort of complications has this added to her life? What role has she herself played? Could she have done anything differently? What could she have done?
Have you ever wanted to be a twin? Why or why not? Under what circumstances would it be hard to have an identical twin? If you parented twins, would you dress them alike? Why or why not?
Although Beau is an ordained minister who graduated from a respectable seminary, in what way is he considered a rebel preacher? Why would other preachers find him a threat? Why would they admire him?
When Beau first meets Hannah, he draws several erroneous conclusions about her, merely from the way she’s dressed. Have you ever made a snap judgment, only to regret it later? How did you handle that? What would you have done differently?
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a false first impression? How did that make you feel? What, if anything, did you do to change the person’s mind?
Charity House is a unique orphanage, set up to care for children that more respectable orphanages have refused. Why do you think Hannah feels instant camaraderie with Laney, the orphanage’s proprietress? Why do you think she feels at home with these special children?
What do you think drives Beau’s dream of shepherding a flock in his own “church on the meadow”? Why do you think he holds on to his dream so tightly, even when he’s gifted in a completely different area? Have you had something in your own life that you held on to that tightly?
Beau’s brother Tyler gives him sage advice about his dream church. Do you think God can use unlikely vessels such as Tyler? Why or why not? Have you ever received advice from an unlikely source that changed your entire way of thinking?
When Beau runs into the woman who turned down his marriage proposal, what insight does he get into her true character? Why do you think he was so nervous to tell Hannah about Amelia? Have you ever run into someone from your past and wondered why they ever held so much power over you? How did that encounter affect you?
Hannah returns home to confront her father for the first time in five years. Why do you think Beau encouraged her to ask for forgiveness, even when she was the one wrongfully cast out? Is her father’s reaction what you expected? Why or why not?
If you had to choose between Hannah and Rachel, or Beau and Tyler, which character did you identify with most? Why?
In the end, do you think Beau and Hannah compromise their individual dreams in order to be together, or does God change the desires of their hearts? Has God ever changed the desires of your heart? If so, how did that change your dreams and future plans?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3631-2
HANNAH’S BEAU
Copyright © 2009 by Renee Halverson
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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 Steeple Hill Books.
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*Charity House
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