by Renee Ryan
The solicitor nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”
Both girls jammed their fists on their hips and placed stubborn, immovable expressions on their faces.
“I want to stay,” Drusilla announced.
“Me, too,” Elizabeth added.
Shane shook his head at them. “Perhaps tomorrow. Today will be too chaotic.”
“Bella gets to stay,” Elizabeth argued.
“Bella has done this before.” Shane’s lips flattened. “I won’t continue arguing with you. My decision is final.” His tone brooked no argument.
Knowing when to accept defeat, the girls relented.
Among hugs and grumblings and more hugs, Bella and Shane finally sent them on their way.
Before entering the building, Shane pulled Bella aside. “Thank you, my dear, thank you for being the best wife a man could hope to have.” His ocean-blue eyes shone with emotion. “You are the love of my life.”
A fresh spurt of joy tickled her throat. “Shane, I’m so proud of you. I love you so much.”
Pulling her close, he ran his gaze down the long line of patients. “I thought I’d escaped this neighborhood. But God had a bigger plan in mind.”
“You’ve come full circle, my love.”
He kissed her on the nose and then set her far enough away to glance at her belly. Concern marred his features. “Are you sure you’re up to this today?”
“Nothing could keep me away.”
A smile lifted the corner of his lips. “I’m glad. I need you by my side, Bella. As my helper, my wife and my greatest love on earth.”
She lifted to her toes and touched her lips to his. “Good thing I’m not going anywhere.”
“A very good thing.”
They laughed together.
“Hey,” shouted a man from at least a half block away. “You gonna open them doors or not?”
Shane’s gaze traveled down to the man speaking, then cut back to Bella. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”
His words were the same ones he’d used when Ethan Scott had hurt his leg that first day she’d arrived in Denver. This time, however, Shane was asking Bella to assist him the rest of their lives.
Lord, thank You for giving me the courage to love this man, and to do the work You’ve planned for us.
She boldly held her husband’s gaze and allowed a driving sense of purpose to shine in her eyes. “I’m at your disposal, Dr. Shane.”
He kissed her on the lips. “A man never tires of hearing that from his wife.”
This time, she kissed him. “Indeed.”
Arm in arm, they stepped to the front of the line and ushered the first patient inside.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for spending time with me at Charity House. I consider it a great privilege to share Shane and Bella’s story with you.
If this is your first book with me, welcome! If you’ve come along for the ride before then you’ve probably discovered something about me as a writer. I have a heart for imperfect, flawed characters who struggle with all sorts of misconceptions about themselves. I figure I love these types of characters because I’m as human as they come, with my own share of failings. In fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret about writers. Most of us don’t write what we know, we write who we are. Sometimes this shows up in small ways, like a silly quirk or a favorite food or a unique talent. Other times the similarities are glaring. This particular story would be one of those “other times” in my case.
If I had to pick one of my heroines that most reflects who I am at the core it would be Bella. Not in relation to her singing talent (I can’t carry a tune in a bucket), but in regards to how she allows a past mistake to define her future. I suspect Bella and I are not alone in this particular misconception. We are, after all, women. Thankfully, we also have a loving God who offers His grace on a daily basis, often minute by minute.
Have you discovered this reality in your own life? Whether this is the first time you’ve thought about God’s grace or the thousandth, I would love to hear your story. You can contact me at www.reneeryan.com or catch me on one of those popular social networking sites found on the World Wide Web.
In the meantime, happy living, happy reading, happy days ahead!
Blessings,
Renee Ryan
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
In the opening scene, Bella is confronted with a shocking proposition that makes her realize how far she’s strayed from God. What is this proposition? Who presents it to her? Why is she tempted, while at the same time heartbroken beyond imagining? Why do you think she didn’t see this coming? Have you ever found yourself in a situation that caught you off guard like that?
What crisis situation led Shane to the point of desperation in the opening of chapter one? Why is he unable to find the right person for the available position? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, where you knew what you were doing was right despite what the world claimed?
Why do you think Bella accepts Shane’s offer, despite her complete lack of qualification? Do you think she’s motivated by selfish desires or a genuine wish to serve the Lord? Have you ever found yourself volunteering for a position for the wrong reasons? What was the result?
What do you think keeps Bella from accepting Hannah as a confidant? Have you ever had a situation where you were convinced nobody could relate? If so, why did you think that?
Why do you think Bella feels comfortable opening up to Mattie, of all people? Why do you think Bella is drawn to the “girls” in Mattie’s house? Do you think God can use our past mistakes in His service? Why or why not?
What drives Shane to administer medical care to “undesirables” and those least accepted in the world? Do you think his service is noble or selfishly motivated? Why or why not?
Bella has to learn the difference between sins of the heart versus sins of the flesh. Do you think sins of the heart are easier to overcome than sins of the flesh? Why or why not? Which of the two are easier to hide?
What shocking information does the New York lawyer, Mr. Wilson, bring Shane? How does Shane react to the impossible terms? What solution does Bella come up with? Have you ever been in a situation that seemed impossible but ultimately worked out for the best? What was it?
What is Bella’s terrible secret? What happens as she continues to keep it to herself? Have you ever kept something about your past hidden, only to have it come out in some unexpected way? What happened?
When Shane discovers Bella’s secret he doubts her feelings for him are sincere. What happened in his past to make him skeptical of her declaration of love? Have you ever found it hard to believe someone’s sincerity? Why or why not?
Bella has a surprise visitor at the end of the book. Who is it? How does she respond? What happens when she sees both William and Shane in the same room together?
What sacrifice does Shane make in regards to Bella? Do you think that was a noble decision on his part? How does Bella react? Does it bring about their happy ending? How?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5574-0
LOVING BELLA
Copyright © 2010 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.
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*Charity House
*Charity House
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