The Heart Between Us
Page 28
Her boss cringed. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”
Megan shrugged, tried to let it roll off her shoulders. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
“He’s an idiot then.” Kara straightened. “Let’s change the subject. Are you all done for the day?” She checked her watch. “We close in thirty minutes, so you can take off early if you need to.”
“No, it’s kind of nice no one else is here. I told Debra she could leave early if she’d let me reshelve the travel books one last time.”
“I totally understand.” Kara sat back at her computer and started clicking her mouse. “I’ll be as quiet as I can.”
Megan laughed. “Thanks.” She moved from behind the librarian’s desk and headed for the cart of books the new library aide had left for her. In the distance, she heard the jangle of the bell over the library doors.
As she maneuvered the metal cart down the Travel aisle, her eyes skimmed the books on the shelves. So many of the places discussed in these books—she’d seen them in real life. Experienced how they looked in the fading sunlight. Lived their history through tours and imagined what it would have been like to see them built.
Her eyes stopped on one title: Visiting Tibet.
An invisible force drew her hands toward the medium-size travel guide. She pulled it from its place on the shelf and opened to the middle, where several pages of glossy photos showed mountain peaks capped with snow, huge palatial dwellings with red roofs, azure skies over totally desolate landscape . . .
“As beautiful as it is, there’s one downfall to visiting Tibet.”
The book fell from Megan’s hands, and she swiveled on her heel—and there stood Caleb, looking sheepish and just as handsome as he’d been atop the Eiffel Tower.
Somehow she found her voice. “Really? And what’s that?”
“There’s really shoddy internet service there.” He pushed the metal cart aside and came closer to Megan. Her back hit the shelf behind her.
He was here. And he was leaning one arm against the sturdy shelf and bending over her. She could smell the minty toothpaste on his breath.
She tried to act casual. It wasn’t working. “Did you have a nice adventure, other than the internet situation?” Her voice shook.
“You know, it wasn’t as great as I thought it’d be.”
“Oh?” Her heart fluttered inside her chest.
“Yeah. See, I started dreaming of another adventure while I was there. So it really wasn’t all that satisfying.” His mouth quirked.
He was baiting her. Fine. She’d bite. “And what adventure would that be?”
“The one that starts and ends with you, Meg.” With his free hand, he brushed her bangs from her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I’m sorry I let you leave in the first place, as if a life with you wasn’t a big enough dream for me. I was so stupid. But I came as soon as I read your post.”
“It’s okay.” She bit her bottom lip, and it drew his attention.
“No, it’s not. Because I should have told you a long time ago how precious you were to me. I should have—”
“Shh.” Megan placed her fingertips over his lips. “I’m learning that ‘should haves’ belong in the past. Tell me now.” She smiled. How was that for brave?
He leaned even closer, until their noses touched. “You so poignantly named all the reasons you love me, but I only have one for you. Megan Jacobs, I love you because you’re you. And that’s enough for me. It’s always been enough for me.”
And then his lips met hers, and a glimpse of the brilliant dream Amanda had written about swooped in, leaving freedom in its wake.
Acknowledgments
Before I became an author, I had no idea how much work went into the creation and production of a novel. I am so grateful to each of the following people who helped this book become what it is today:
Rachelle Gardner: You never gave up on me, and you never let me give up. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t. Having you in my corner is a huge blessing. #BestAgentEver
Karli Jackson: You saw my vision for this book and helped to sharpen it. Your suggestions and edits took this story to another level. It has been such a pleasure working with you. Thank you!
The rest of the Thomas Nelson team, specifically Becky Monds, Amanda Bostic, Jodi Hughes, Kimberly Carlton, Kristen Golden, Paul Fisher, Allison Carter, Kristen Ingebretsen, and anyone else who touched this book: THANK YOU for your professionalism and for believing that Megan and Crystal’s story should be heard.
Mom: I will never forget all the love and confidence you poured into me every moment we had together here on earth. Thank you for being my biggest fan, even all the way from Heaven. Your legacy lives on in the character of Megan, who exuded joy and hope even when faced with death.
Dad: Like the father in this book, you have always spoken truth and love into my life. Thank you for building me up and telling me I could do this. And thanks for that rocketeer story you wrote when I was a kid. You’ll never know how much it meant that you got involved in my hobbies. ☺
Nancy Harrel and Kristin Walker: Once again, you are both supermoms to me! Thank you for watching the kids when I was on deadline and for treating me as one of your own daughters. I am blessed to be learning to do life from such wonderful women.
Gabrielle Meyer, Melissa Tagg, Alena Tauriainen, and Susan May Warren: Thank you for helping me to brainstorm this book! I am so grateful for such beautiful souls to walk this writing path alongside me.
Elliott and Theodore: I thank God for you two every day. You are my greatest gifts and I am so thankful that in spite of my fears, God chose me to be your mommy.
Mike: Thank you for your continued sacrifice so I can pursue my dreams. I love you.
My readers: I know that there are many books you could choose to read, so the fact you picked this one up means the world to me. I pray your heart is blessed.
And finally, thank you for the freedom you give, Jesus. Help us all to be brave enough to claim it for ourselves.
Discussion Questions
1.Which of Megan and Crystal’s destinations would be your top pick to visit someday?
2.What items are on your own personal bucket list and why?
3.Megan lets fear hold her back from pursuing her dreams. Have you ever experienced something similar?
4.How did growing up with an ill sister affect Crystal? What are some healthier ways she could have coped with it?
5.What role did Megan’s parents—particularly her mother—play in her perception of herself and her illness?
6.Amanda writes a bucket list in order to overcome challenges from her past. Does this idea of replacing painful moments from her past with joy and hope for the future resonate with you? Why or why not?
7.Megan feels pulled between safety and adventure. When was a time you experienced a similar struggle?
8.When Crystal finds the music box, she is reminded of something Nana said to her once: “Life isn’t perfect. It’s messy. It doesn’t follow a pattern or a plan. Thankfully, we know the Big Guy in charge. And he is the super-gluer of souls.” In what ways had Crystal attempted to superglue her own life back together? In what ways have you seen others (or yourself) attempt to do so after a tragedy or hardship? What does it look like practically to trust God to superglue us back together?
9.Megan struggles with wondering why God allowed her to live when Amanda died. She also wonders why she had to wait twenty-plus years to be healed. Have you ever wrestled with a similar question? What conclusion did you come to?
About the Author
Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece
at a time.
Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.