Sophie looked away, but not before he caught the flash of disappointment in her eyes. “How’s your dad?”
Spencer disentangled from her embrace and grabbed her hand, leading her around the muddy patches toward their favorite spot at the edge of the park’s little pond. A family of ducks quacked at them and shuffled out of the way.
“He’s stable. Should be out of the hospital in a few days, but he’s not going to be back in the orchard anytime soon.” He couldn’t push away the image of Dad’s gray face. His slow movements. How could a heart attack have transformed his powerhouse of a dad so drastically?
Sophie bit her lip in that way that made it almost impossible to resist kissing her. “It’s just so close to graduation. It seems like a waste to throw away everything you’ve worked for.”
Spencer sighed. He’d had this argument with himself all the way here. But he couldn’t see any way around it.
“The work won’t wait, Soph. The seasons keep changing, no matter what’s going on in our lives.” He squeezed her hand. “Anyway, it’s not like if I don’t finish my degree now I can’t ever do it. I have my whole life.” Our whole life. But he was getting ahead of himself.
“I know.” Sophie offered a halfhearted smile. “I just hate the idea of saying goodbye sooner than we planned.”
He pulled her to a stop next to the bench they’d spent so many hours on. “Me too. That’s actually why I asked you to come here.”
He gestured for her to sit, and she did, giving him a curious look as he remained on his feet. He drew in a shaky breath. He’d been so busy thinking about everything else that he hadn’t prepared what to say.
“There’s something I have to ask you.”
A wind gust blew Sophie’s hair in front of her face, and she swept it behind her ear as he dropped to one knee. Hands shaking, he pulled the ring box from his pocket, opened it, and held the small diamond solitaire toward her.
Sophie gasped, lifting a hand to her mouth. “Spencer, don’t―”
“Sophie, will you―” Spencer stopped as her words slammed into him. “What?”
Sophie sprang to her feet and practically leaped over the bench, as if trying to construct a physical barrier between them. “You’re emotional right now. You’re not thinking clearly.”
Spencer pushed slowly to his feet and moved closer to the bench, reaching for Sophie’s hand across its back. “I’m not doing this because I’m emotional. I already had the ring. I was planning to wait until graduation, but with everything going on, I wanted you to know that I want a future with you.”
He squeezed her hand and tried to pull her around the bench so he could try again and this time do it properly. Leave it to him to screw up the proposal the first time.
But Sophie pulled out of his grasp and looked past him, toward the pond.
Spencer’s heart crumbled. She didn’t want to marry him.
“I’m leaving for Chicago in two months, Spencer. You know I can’t pass up this job offer.”
He wanted to tell her it didn’t matter. That he’d go with her. Or he’d find her a job that was just as good closer to home. Anything.
But admitting his need would only lead to more hurt. Would only remind him that he’d never be worthy of her.
“I’m sorry,” Sophie whispered.
And then she turned and walked away.
And he let her.
Keep Reading Not Until Forever — Get it on Amazon (or read free with Kindle Unlimited)
More Hope Springs Books
While the books in the Hope Springs series are linked, each is a complete romance featuring a different couple and can be read in any order. Want to catch up on any books you may have missed? Visit the Hope Springs series page on Amazon to grab any of the books you don’t yet have with one click. Or learn more about each book below:
Not Until Christmas
A fudge shop owner dumped a week before her Christmas wedding. The best friend who has sworn never to risk his heart. A Christmas tragedy that could tie them together or pull them apart.
Christmas isn’t looking so merry and bright for fudge shop owner Ariana when her fiancé walks out of her life only a week before their Christmas wedding. As she turns to her lifelong best friend Ethan to help her pick up the pieces, she’s careful not to let the feelings she once harbored for him surface. He’s made it more than clear that he doesn’t think about her that way.
Volunteer firefighter Ethan has kept his heart in a steel cage for the past ten years—ever since his entire family was killed in a car accident. But when Ariana needs him, he knows he has to be there for her. Even if the thought of risking his heart to her leaves him quaking in his fire boots. He knows what happens when you love someone: they can be snatched from you.
Just as he finally works up the courage to take the leap, the unthinkable happens. Now Ethan has to decide: Can he trust that all things—including his relationship with Ariana—are in God’s hands? Or will he be spending another Christmas alone?
Not Until Christmas is a short story in the Hope Springs series. If you love fast-paced, emotional stories filled with faith and love, you’ll love Ariana and Ethan’s story.
Get it FREE at
www.valeriembodden.com/free-story
Not Until Forever
She chose her career over him. He put his family before her. When they get a second chance, will they choose to put each other first?
As she climbs the corporate ladder, Sophie doesn’t let herself think about what she gave up when she declined Spencer’s proposal five years ago. So when she’s called home to say goodbye to her dying grandmother, she goes out of her way to avoid seeing him. Of course, that means he’s the first person she runs into. Much as she fights against it, being near him stirs up old feelings and makes her question old decisions.
Leaving college to help on the family farm cost Spencer the woman he loved. But he couldn’t turn his back on his family. Now that Sophie’s back in town, Spencer’s determined to protect his heart. Only he senses something new in Sophie—something that makes him think maybe they could have a second chance. But when his family needs him again, he feels like he’s repeating the past.
Only this time, he’s not sure what choice he should make.
Is God giving them a second chance? Or are the heartaches of the past too much to overcome?
If you love emotional stories filled with faith, forgiveness, love, and the promise of forever, then you’ll love this touching reminder that it’s never too late for a second chance.
Buy Not Until Forever on Amazon (or read free with Kindle Unlimited)
Not Until This Moment
She’s looking for “the one.” He knows it can never be him. Unless God has other plans for them . . .
Peyton has been looking for “the one” forever. She thought she’d finally met him when she started dating Jared. But when he told her he never planned to get married, she had to face the facts: maybe he wasn’t the one God intended for her after all. Now, she’s just trying to survive the annual ski trip with her bones—and her heart—intact.
Jared wishes he could give Peyton everything she desires. But marriage is the one thing he can never offer her. Not that it makes it easy to let her go. Especially when everywhere he turns on this ski trip, he sees her with another man—a man Jared knows can’t be trusted.
Jared may not have any business worrying about Peyton anymore. But he promised himself long ago that he’d never again stand by and watch a woman get hurt. And he’s not about to let anything happen to the woman he still loves. Even if that means losing her forever.
When a crisis rocks the trip, both have to reexamine what they want. But are their hopes for the future still too different, or can they trust that God has a plan for them?
If you love emotional stories filled with faith, hope, and the promise of second chances, Not Until This Moment will find a place in your heart.
Buy Not Until This Moment on Amazon (or read free with
Kindle Unlimited)
Not Until You
She clings to the past like a treasured antique. He’d rather toss it in the trash. But if they can learn to trust in the God of second chances, they might just discover a future together.
The past is all she has… Since her husband’s death three years ago, Violet has struggled to keep their antique store afloat and her grief at bay. She knows it’s time to move on, but she’s not sure she wants to. So when Nate moves in next door, she tries to ignore the feelings he stirs in her—feelings that were supposed to have died with her husband.
The past haunts him… Nate’s star was rising in the world of Christian music. But all that was erased with a single, life-shattering mistake. One he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for. One that means he doesn’t deserve a future—and definitely not with his beautiful new neighbor.
Can they have a future? As the two work together to save her store, neither can deny the feelings that are starting to develop. But when Nate’s secret is exposed, they have to decide if they should walk away—or trust that the God of second chances has a plan for their future.
Filled with faith, hope, and second chances, Not Until You will touch your heart and leave you breathless with the power of true love.
Buy Not Until You on Amazon (or read free with Kindle Unlimited)
And you can follow me on Amazon to be the first to know when the next book releases!
Acknowledgements
After writing a 70,000+ word book, you would think writing this short acknowledgments section would be a piece of cake. But I find that this is always one of the hardest parts of the book to write—not because I don’t have anyone to be grateful to but because I have so very many people to thank, and words seem inadequate to express my gratitude. But here goes my best attempt:
First and above all, I thank my Heavenly Father, who gave me this gift of writing and has led me to this point in my life where I can use that gift to serve him daily. I certainly haven’t done anything to earn or deserve this privilege—and I stand in awe every day of what he is doing with my books. I thank him for leading me to these stories of hope, love, and redemption. And most of all, I thank him for forgiving every last one of my sins through the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that through my books, readers will be reminded that all their sins are forgiven in Jesus as well.
I thank God every day for the blessing of my family. For my husband, who not only sets an example of Christ’s love for me every day but who is also my number one fan and strongest supporter—not to mention an incredible book cover designer. For our four children, who have taught me more about love and grace and trust and forgiveness than I’ll ever be able to teach them. For my parents, who raised me in a Christian home, where I knew God’s love from before I can even remember. For my sister, my in-laws, and my extended family, who have supported and encouraged me as I have worked to get this series into the world.
A huge thank you also goes to my incredible Advance Reader Team: Lisa, Karen Bonner, Cathy D. Massett, Ashley Lundquist, Judith Barillas, Jennifer Ellenson, Jenny Kilgallen, Rachel Kozinski, Diana, Sandy C., Christine Beck, Shavona Thompson, KP, KVee, Deb Galloway, Mary Heiner, JoAnn Stewart, Melanie Tate, Debbie Mhufhly, Jeanette Huntsucker, Brandi M., Beverly Vice, Debra L. Payne, Becca T., Josie Bartelt, Kori Thomas, Kim, Kari King, Diane Ellsworth, Dawn L., Bonny Rambarran, Diana Austin, Julie Wayner Bult, Patty Bohuslav, BJF, Korkoi Boret, Kathryn Rebernick, and Connie Gronholz. I am humbled just looking at that list of names—each one of you was willing to take time out of your life to read my book, share your thoughts and suggestions, and spread the word. You are all amazing, and I have so enjoyed my conversations with you, not only about my books but about our lives and our walks of faith. You are such an encouragement to me, and I couldn’t do this without you!
One of the amazing and unexpected benefits of writing books in the digital age is that I have had an opportunity to connect with readers from around the world. Thank you for being one of them! I know this world is a busy place—and I thank you for choosing to spend some of your time with me and the characters of Hope Springs. I hope you’ve enjoyed their journey.
About the Author
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She is living out her happily ever after with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Her life wouldn’t make a terribly exciting book, as it has a happy beginning and middle, and someday when she goes to her heavenly home, it will have a happy end.
She was born and raised in Wisconsin, and aside from a short stint in Minnesota while her husband trained for the pastoral ministry, has lived there her entire life, in spite of an aversion to all things cold and snowy (except Christmas—a snowy Christmas is good). She periodically tries to coax her snow-loving husband and children to pack up and move to a warmer climate with her but so far has had no luck. So she tolerates the snow for them. That’s some kind of love, if you ask her.
Valerie writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but she will always give them a happy ending.
Feel free to stop by www.valeriembodden.com to say hi. She loves visitors! And while you’re there, you can sign up for your free short story.
Not Until Us (Hope Springs Book 4) Page 23
