03_The Doctor's Perfect Match
Page 19
Month by month, their relationship had deepened and flourished. If ever she’d harbored doubts about their ability to reconcile their different backgrounds, they’d vanished. Christopher had made it clear in every word and every action that he valued her for who she was. All her old baggage had been relegated to the basement—where it belonged.
After making the turn onto Henry’s lane, Marci eased the car to a stop in front of his cottage. Warm light shone from the windows, and a cranberry wreath hung on the door. Through the front window she could see the tree she and Christopher had helped him decorate last weekend in anticipation of the holiday. Although Patricia had invited him to spend Christmas in Boston, he’d chosen to stay in his snug cottage and celebrate the day at The Devon Rose with Marci’s family, joined by Christopher and Edith and Chester.
Stepping out of the car, Marci rounded the hood, the snow crunching under her boots. It wasn’t windy, but the air was cold and she was glad she’d wrapped a scarf around her neck and worn gloves and earmuffs.
As she approached the front door, she spied a note taped to the front.
“Knob’s being cranky. Come around back.”
Odd. The knob had seemed okay two days ago.
Switching direction, Marci headed for the gate that led to the backyard. Good thing there was a retired carpenter in ’Sconset on her Caring Connections resource list. She made a mental note to send him over tomorrow to check it out.
As she covered the short distance to the arbor, she noted that someone had shoveled a narrow path. Hopefully not Henry. He’d been doing great; the last thing he needed was another fall.
Pushing through the gate, she blinked a snowflake off her eyelash and lifted her face to the heavens. A few stars were beginning to twinkle in the distance where the sky was clearing, while above her lazy flakes continued to sift down from the indigo expanse.
It was lovely. And peaceful. Only the muted sound of the surf broke the stillness.
That is, until the hushed strains of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” suddenly drifted through the quiet air from the back of Henry’s cottage.
Curious, she continued toward the rear. But as she rounded the corner, she came to an abrupt halt.
For the scene before her was pure magic.
Outlined with glowing white twinkle lights and bedecked with boughs of greenery and large red bows, Henry’s gazebo had been transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland.
And waiting for her inside was the man of her dreams. Dressed in jeans and a fleece-lined suede coat, he gave her a smile that warmed her to her core despite the frosty air.
Moving forward, she stopped at the edge of the structure. “Hi.”
“Hi.” The appealing, husky tenor of his voice sent her pulse tripping into double time.
“Did you do this?” She gestured around the gazebo.
“I did the work. Henry supervised.”
“Why?”
He extended his hand, and when she took it, he tugged her up beside him. “Because this gazebo represents love. And I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place to propose.”
She stared at him. For weeks she’d known they were headed in this direction. But she hadn’t expected it to happen this soon.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Christopher cradled both her hands in his. “I know we said we’d take things slowly. But we’ve known each other seven months now. And I’ve never been more sure about anything. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Marci. If you prefer to wait a while to get married, I can live with that—as long as I have a date to look forward to.”
Backing up a step, he urged her into a chair that looked a lot like the ones around Henry’s kitchen table. Then he dropped to one knee in front of her and took her hand in his. The love shining in his eyes tightened her throat, and she blinked to clear the mist from her vision.
“Marci Clay, I love you with all my heart, and I promise you I always will. For better or worse, in good times and bad. Just like these Christmas lights have illuminated Henry’s gazebo, you add light to my life every day of the year. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Joy overflowed in Marci’s heart, and with a hand that wasn’t quite steady, she touched his face in wonder. If she lived to be a hundred, she would never forget this moment, when he’d offered her the greatest blessing she could ever hope to receive—the gift of his love forever.
“Yes.” Her response came out in a whispered cloud of frosty breath.
He smiled, closed his eyes, and let out a long, relieved sigh. “Thank You, Lord.”
“You didn’t think I’d say no, did you?”
“A man never knows for sure until he hears the word.” Standing, he pulled her to her feet, his expression jubilant. “What do you say we warm up our lips?”
She gave him an impish grin. “Were you thinking about having some hot chocolate?”
“Maybe later. I had a faster method in mind.” Pulling her into the circle of his arms, he shot a quick glance over her shoulder toward Henry’s cottage and smiled down at her. “I have to warn you. We probably have an audience.”
“I don’t mind if you don’t. Henry had a lot to do with bringing about this happy ending.”
“True. Plus, he has a vested interest in the outcome.”
“How so?”
“He and I had a long talk while we decorated the gazebo. He said his cottage is getting too big for him, and he offered to sell it to me—or, I should say, to us—and move next door to the guest cottage. With one caveat. We have to give him unlimited access to the garden and gazebo. What do you think?”
She smiled. “I think it’s perfect.”
“Then how about we set his mind at ease?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him close, until their faces were only a whisper apart. “Let’s.”
Bending down, he sealed their engagement in the most traditional of ways as the melodic words of the carol drifted through the night air.
I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.
And as she lost herself in the magic of his kiss, Marci gave thanks. For here, in Christopher’s arms, her dreams had come true.
She was home.
For always.
Dear Reader,
I’m so glad you joined me for another stroll down Lighthouse Lane!
When I conceived this series, I didn’t know that any of the books would feature siblings. But then I met the Clay family. And after J.C. introduced me to his sister and brother, I knew I had to write their stories, too. So my Lighthouse Lane series grew from three books to four.
I loved writing Marci and Christopher’s story. And I loved how they discovered—with a little help from Henry!—that despite their blue-collar vs. blue-blood backgrounds, they were meant for each other. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had a wise and wonderful grandfather figure like Henry in our lives?
To learn more about my books, I invite you to visit my Web site at www.irenehannon.com. And please watch for Nathan’s story, the final installment in my Lighthouse Lane series, coming in April 2010. It’s called A Father for Zach.
In the meantime, I wish all of you a wonderful new year. May it glow with the magic of white twinkle lights—just like Henry’s gazebo!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
In this novel, Marci suffers from low self-esteem. Have you ever struggled with self-esteem? How did that affect your life? What does Scripture say about the value of each person?
Christopher doesn’t offer assistance to Marci when he sees her crying in the restaurant because he was burned once before when he was being a good Samaritan. Have you ever had a bad experience that kept you from following the dictates of your faith? Describe the situation. Does it still have an impact on your actions?
Our society holds physical attractiveness as a high ideal. Yet it backfired with Marci. Talk about the downside of being beautiful. Have you ever dated anyone who was attracted to you for the wrong reason
s? How did you deal with it?
Marci has a close relationship with her brothers. Why do you think her family connections are important to her? Do you have a close relationship with your siblings? Why or why not?
Christopher has forged a strong relationship with Henry. Why do the two men get along so well? Describe some of the things they’ve done to solidify their friendship.
Why do you think Marci volunteered to help Henry put his garden in order? What does this say about her?
When sparks begin to fly between Marci and Christopher, neither wants to pursue the attraction. Talk about the reasons why each thinks a relationship is a bad idea. Are any of those reasons valid? Why or why not?
When Henry is injured, Christopher tells Marci about his own grandfather’s experience in an assisted-living facility and that he wants to help Henry remain independent. Do you think his strong feelings are justified? Why or why not? Have you ever had any experience with an assisted-living facility?
Henry’s daughter Patricia suspects Marci of ulterior motives for helping her father. What does this say about Henry’s daughter?
When Henry begins to lose hope, Marci comes up with an idea to give him something joyous to anticipate. Why is it important in life to have something to look forward to? What does the Bible tell us about facing the future?
Denise threatened suicide if Christopher ended their relationship. Marci called that emotional blackmail. Have you ever experienced manipulative behavior? How did you deal with it?
Why do you think Marci avoided reaching out to God for so long, despite her brother’s urging to give faith a try? In light of her life experiences, what might you have said to try and persuade her to establish a relationship with the Lord?
In his office, and again at dinner with his parents, Marci hears about Christopher’s involvement with Birthright…and she doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to forgive what she’s done. Nor can she forgive herself. Have you ever known anyone who’s had an abortion? How did it affect her life?
When Marci prays in church at the end of the book, she says that if she had it to do over again, she’d make different decisions. Have you ever made an important decision that you later regretted? How did you come to terms with it? How did it affect your life?
At the end of the book, Christopher’s love liberates Marci from the shadows of her past. Do you see love as liberating or confining? As a burden or a blessing? Can it be both? Talk about the qualities that constitute a healthy, sustaining love.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4682-3
THE DOCTOR’S PERFECT MATCH
Copyright © 2010 by Irene Hannon
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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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*Vows
*Vows
*Vows
**Sisters & Brides
**Sisters & Brides
**Sisters & Brides
†Heartland Homecomings
†Heartland Homecomings
†Heartland Homecomings
††Lighthouse Lane
††Lighthouse Lane
††Lighthouse Lane