A chuckle passed through the crowd.
Reverend Samuelson stifled a gasp and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. Let me begin again. We’ve come together today to celebrate the happy occasion of reopening the village millinery shop. As you all know, Mrs. Hayes and her granddaughters suffered a terrible loss when a fire destroyed their business as well as that of their neighbors. But that is not the end of the story. A wonderful new chapter is opening for them today.”
Grandmother’s eyes grew glossy. She took a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes.
Reverend Samuelson continued, “They’ve asked me to offer a prayer of thanks and blessing as they begin this new phase of their lives. Won’t you join me?”
Maggie held tight to Nate’s hand and bowed her head.
“Dear heavenly Father, we come to You today to express our thanks for Your provision for Mrs. Hayes and her granddaughters, which has allowed them to once again open their shop. Thank You for the men who labored with great skill to make this structure strong and able to be enjoyed for years to come. We ask that Your hand of blessing would be on Mrs. Hayes, Miss Lounsbury, and Miss Violet. We also thank You for the new opportunities You are giving Mrs. Rose Carter and Mrs. Lilly Carter as they learn new skills here. We pray You will protect them all and prosper their business. May all who enter this shop sense Your presence and be blessed. We pray all these things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
“Amen” echoed around the crowd. Then Violet clapped, and soon everyone joined in.
Nate grinned at Maggie. “Are you ready to cut the ribbon?”
Maggie smiled, reached into the window box, and pulled out a pair of scissors she’d put there earlier that morning. “Come on, Violet.” Maggie took her sister’s hand, and they stepped toward the ribbon hanging across the doorway.
Grandmother stood with them, and Maggie passed Violet the scissors. “Careful now.”
Violet caught her tongue between her teeth, clasped the scissors in both hands, and clipped the red ribbon in half. A cheer rose from the crowd, and hearty applause filled the air. Violet handed the scissors to Maggie and gave a little bow.
Grandmother chuckled, then hugged Violet and Maggie. With a proud smile she pushed the shop door open wider. “Come inside, friends, and take some refreshment.”
Maggie started to follow Grandmother, but Nate reached for her hand and gently pulled her aside. That twinkle was back in his eyes. “Let’s not go in yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’d like a moment alone with my bride-to-be.”
She smiled up at him, love and thankfulness filling her heart. They walked a few steps away while most of the crowd flowed past them into the shop.
“You look very happy,” Nate mused.
“I am, and it’s not just because we’ve reopened the shop.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “What, then?”
“I’m glad for Grandmother and Rose and Lilly, but most of all I’m glad we found our way back to each other.” She wanted to say more, but her throat tightened and her eyes grew misty.
“Yes, I’m grateful too, and the best is yet to come.”
She nodded, blinking away happy tears. They had come through a long time of darkness and separation when mistrust and unresolved hurt had ruled their lives, but God had not left them there. He had made a way for them to be reunited and to overcome the hold of painful memories and family secrets. And for that she would always be thankful.
Nate smiled down at her and placed a feather-light kiss on her forehead, then he tipped his head toward the shop. “I think it’s time to celebrate.”
“Yes, it is.” She slipped her arm through his, and they walked toward the beautiful new shop and into a future bright with hope and promise.
1. Grief can have a profound impact on people. How did Maggie deal with her grief following the death of her parents and sister? How was that different than the way her grandmother dealt with their deaths? What have you found to be helpful for yourself or those you know when they are going through a time of grief?
2. Maggie’s suspicions led her toward several assumptions. Some were true, but some were false and hurtful to those she loved. What can we learn from that part of Maggie’s journey?
3. After his father’s death, Nate inherited Morningside Manor and his father’s part ownership in Clifton Engineering. How did this change his life? What did you think of the way he handled those changes? If you were his friend at the time, what advice would you have given him?
4. Helen went to great lengths to hide her past from everyone. Why was this so important to her? What impact did her desire to keep her past secret have on others? How did it change the course of her life?
5. Grandmother Hayes loved Maggie and Violet and often shared advice and wisdom with them. What’s one of your favorite bits of advice or wisdom from Grandmother Hayes?
6. Maggie felt a great responsibility for Violet and had a deep love for her. What did you think of Violet? What did she add to the story?
7. The fire that destroyed the millinery shop was an important turning point in the story. How did it impact Maggie? Have you ever been through a difficult time that motivated you to change the course of your life? If you could talk to Maggie after the fire, what would you tell her?
8. Maggie had an especially close relationship with her father. Even though he’d been gone for four years, she often remembered the lessons she’d learned from him. How did those memories help her?
9. The threat of the strike played a significant role in the story. What did you think of the actions Nate took to try and prevent the strike? What other people were impacted by the threat of the strike? What did you think of their choices and actions?
10. Maggie’s friends Lilly and Rob faced several challenges in the story, including postponing their wedding plans to help Rob’s family. How did they respond to those challenges? What advice would you give them?
11. Maggie and Helen had a challenging relationship. How did Helen treat Maggie at the beginning of the story? Near the end, Maggie and Helen seem to understand each other better. How were they able to overcome their differences?
12. Reverend Samuelson used the story of Nate’s experiences and the events at Morningside to motivate the managers and workers from Clifton to negotiate their differences and settle the strike. He was a determined peacemaker. Have you ever helped settle an argument or dispute between people or groups of people? What tactics do you think are the most effective in resolving differences?
I am very grateful for all those who gave their support and encouragement and provided information in the process of writing this book. Without your help, it would never have been possible!
I’d like to say thank you to the following people:
My husband, Scott, who always provides great feedback and constant encouragement when I talk endlessly about my characters, plot, and what’s happening next. Your love and support has allowed me to follow my dreams and write the books of my heart. I will be forever grateful for you!
Cathy Gohlke and Terri Gillespie, fellow authors and dear friends, who helped me brainstorm the story and make it much better than it would’ve been if I’d plotted it on my own. You are treasured friends! I am so grateful for all we’ve been through together and all the ways you’ve blessed my life. Let’s keep encouraging one another!
Steve Laube, my literary agent, for his patience, guidance, and wise counsel. You have been a great advocate who has represented me well. I feel blessed to be your client, and I appreciate you!
Shannon Marchese, Charlene Patterson, Andrea Cox, Laura Wright, and Rose Decaen, my gifted editors, who helped me shape the story and then polish it so readers will be able to truly enjoy it.
Henrietta Heald, author of William Armstrong: Magician of the North, for insight into the time period, issues, and an in-depth look at the Armstrong family and Cragside Estate, the inspiration for the Harcourt family and Morningside Manor.
Jamie Lapeyrolerie, Jessica Lamb, Lori Addicott, and the entire Multnomah team for their great work with marketing, publicity, production, and sales. This book would stay hidden if not for your creative ideas and hard work. You all are the best!
Darna Michie, owner of East Angel Harbor Hats, who created the lovely hat for our cover model to wear for the photo shoot and who did it in record-breaking time. I love your hats!
My children, Josh, Melinda, Melissa, Peter, Ben, Galan, Megan, and Lizzy, and my mother-in-law, Shirley, for the way you cheer me on. It’s a blessing to have a family that is so supportive!
Most of all, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His love, wonderful grace, and faithful provision. I am grateful for the gifts and talents You have given me, and I hope to always use them in ways that bless You and bring You glory.
CARRIE TURANSKY has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of seventeen inspirational romance novels and novellas.
Carrie and her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, and speaker, have been married for more than thirty-eight years and make their home in New Jersey. They often travel together on ministry trips and to visit their five adult children and four grandchildren. Carrie also leads the women’s ministry at her church, and when she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time working in her flower gardens and cooking healthy meals for friends and family.
She loves to connect with reading friends through her website, www.carrieturansky.com, and through Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Shine Like the Dawn Page 36
