by BJ Hoff
Wide-eyed, she lit into the package and retrieved a delicate, peach-tinted vase on which was painted a detailed picture of a kitten flying a kite in a meadow. Both she and Addie Rose gasped in unison.
Daniel was surprised to see tears gather in the eyes of the elderly spinster as she carefully turned the vase around and around, admiring it. “Look, Sneaky! That could be you!” she exclaimed. The kitten opened one eye and then immediately closed it.
“Daniel, that is just beautiful!” said Addie Rose.
“And here’s yours,” he said, again reaching into the bag and handing her a small but intricately molded figurine, fashioned as an angel in prayer.
She looked at him, eyes shining. “I love it,” she said quietly. “It’s just beautiful.”
And so are you…
He studied her until she blushed, at which point he said, “I need to steal your housemate for a couple of minutes, Miss Gladys. Do you mind?”
Clearly distracted by the vase and by the kitten on her lap, she shook her head, smiling.
“Addie Rose,” he said, gesturing to her. “To the kitchen, please.”
She hesitated but then carefully placed her angel on the mantel and followed him.
“What are you up to now?” she said, keeping her voice low when they reached the kitchen.
With his hand in his pocket, Daniel looked at her and suddenly felt nervous. “You remember two nights ago when I told you how I feel about you?”
The same night they had shared their first kiss…
“Well, of course I remember! A woman doesn’t forget a moment like that,” she said teasingly. “What? Have you changed your mind already?”
As she watched, he fumbled in his pocket for the small package he’d placed there earlier. “I’ll never change my mind about loving you, Addie Rose. This is to confirm what I told you the other night.”
With that he handed her the package. She looked at him and then opened the package that held the seal of the promise he’d recently made to her: a sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring.
“Oh, Daniel,” she whispered. “It’s just…”
“It’s a promise,” he finished for her, reaching for and retrieving the ring, and then placing it on her finger.
“For all our tomorrows,” he said, close to choking on the words.
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“Isn’t this a proposal?”
“It is that.”
“Then…yes.”
“I’ll have my Christmas present now, please,” he said, bending over to kiss her for only the second time since they’d met.
“Yes,” she said again.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever found something good to come out of something you feared would be unpleasant or extremely difficult? For example, Daniel reluctantly promised to take Ben Holliday’s personal effects back to Mount Laurel. Unexpectedly, he not only made a new life there, but he also found a second family. Has anything like that ever happened to you? Has something you were dreading turned out to be a blessing?
2. Why do you think Daniel was so fond of Miss Gladys, even though at times she could be difficult and distant?
3. Were you surprised by the poverty in the company town of Owenduffy? What do you think accounted for it?
4. Why do you think the coal company management deliberately tried to maintain a strict separation from the more prosperous farming and business community close by? For example, at one time Daniel was even warned that his medical skills and experience would be unwelcome by the mining management.
5. What was your early impression of Dominic Murphy? Did you change your mind about him as the story continued?
6. Daniel was confused and even puzzled by his feelings for Serena. What do you believe accounted for his uncertainty?
7. Certain Mount Laurel residents seemed to resent the mining community. For example, Daniel’s receptionist, Audrey, and also Serena, as well as others, made it obvious that they believed he shouldn’t treat the residents of Owenduffy at all. What do you think accounted for this kind of hostility? Do you believe it was more than simple prejudice? Perhaps even an underlying kind of fear?
8. Even though he was infatuated, possibly even in love, with Serena, what particular attitude on her part troubled, even irritated Daniel?
9. Addie Rose tended to be somewhat abrasive during her early encounters with Daniel. What do you think she finally recognized in him that changed her initial feelings to admiration and, ultimately, love? Obviously, more than mere physical attraction accounted for Daniel’s growing affection toward Addie Rose. What attributes in her do you believe contributed to the change in his feelings?
10. What specific episode in the story confronted Daniel with the need to ask God for forgiveness…and to enable him to forgive himself?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BJ Hoff’s bestselling historical novels continue to cross the boundaries of religion, language, and culture to capture a worldwide reading audience. Her books include Song of Erin and American Anthem and such popular series as The Riverhaven Years, The Mountain Song Legacy, and The Emerald Ballad.
Hoff’s stories, although set in the past, are always relevant to the present. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements or in coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life. BJ and her husband make their home in Ohio.
You can connect with BJ at
www.facebook.com/AuthorBJHoff
or
www.BJHoffBooks.com
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
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To learn more about Harvest House books and to read sample chapters, visit our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
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