Just Between You and Me

by Jenny B. Jones

  So here I go. “Let’s do this thing, girls!” I gather my bouquet, sweep my veil over my face, and fling open the door.

  I am Maggie the Fearless.

  Maggie the Brave.

  “Maggie, your skirt’s tucked up in your hose.”

  Maggie the Exhibitionist. I close us back in and brush my dress in place. Riley giggles beside me.

  Beyond this door, Connor waits for me.

  The man who was strong enough to tell me no and point me to Jesus.

  My future husband. My future.

  The doors swing open again, and the wedding march plays. Carley and Beth give me a hug, then walk out in time to the music.

  Riley and I stand in the entry as a church full of guests rise. All eyes on the two of us.

  “Are you scared?” Riley whispers.

  “Terrified.” I give her hand a squeeze.

  “I’m a little nervous too.”

  “I think we’re supposed to be. The important thing is we charge on. Face our fears. Meet that giant on the battlefield and—”

  “Is there cake when this is done?” Her earnest eyes blink back at me.

  I nod.

  “Then let’s go. There’s a corner piece calling my name.”

  Together we march down the aisle, me in my Ivy Girl designer gown, and Riley in a confection of satin that makes her look like an angel. Minus the Converse Chucks.

  I stop before Connor and give him my hand. And my heart.

  I will be ninety-eight and remember his smile in this moment. The way he’s looking at me right now.

  Riley steps to the place in front of Beth. My niece holds her bouquet like it’s as important as the Olympic torch.

  The dimple deepens in Connor’s cheek. “Did I ever tell you I’m glad you stopped in Ivy?”

  I squeeze his hand. “To think I traveled the world looking for something. And everything I needed was here all along.”

  “Admit it, you’ve been in love with me since high school. You took one look at my math club jacket, and you were gone.”

  I shake my head. “Our children are going to be nerds, aren’t they?”

  Pastor Thomas clears his throat and begins. “Today we welcome you to the joining of two lovely people—”

  “Wait.”

  My eyes widen as Connor turns to me. “What are you doing?”

  “Maggie, this isn’t just between you and me.”

  I release the breath suspended in my chest and let the peace settle in. “No. It’s not.”

  Connor holds out his other hand. And my niece runs to his side.

  He winks at Riley. “Now you may begin.”

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today . . .”

  Life is full of uncertainties. I don’t know if I’ll ever be an award-winning documentarian. I have no idea if my sister will ever be able to live with her daughter again. And heaven knows I have yet to figure out that Betty Crocker cookbook I got at my last shower. But we press on. Because once you walk through that fire, it’s so much better on the other side. And I could’ve missed it all.

  “. . . And Maggie, do you take Connor to be your husband? To love him, honor him, comfort him, and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

  I lean down to my niece. “What’s our answer?”

  Riley giggles. “I think you should say yes. Don’t you?”

  I smile behind my veil. “I do.”

  Reading Group Guide

  1. The insightful Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “What you don’t do can be a destructive force.” How was this true in Maggie Montgomery’s life? Do you have any examples of your own to share?

  2. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? —Robert Schuller

  What things got in the way of Maggie’s dream to become a documentarian? Brainstorm a list of five things that you would do if you KNEW you could not fail. Be as impractical as you want. Now, beside each one, write what stops you from going after (not realizing, but pursuing) that dream. Consider giving each of those excuses or roadblocks up to God in prayer.

  3. Connor tells Maggie to get out of the driver’s seat and let God take control. In what areas did she need to apply this advice? What about in your own life? Can you think of any areas where you tend to take the reins and push God aside? Think about children, family, work, personal fears.

  4. Fear abounds in our society right now—from the economy, the housing market, to a decline in family values. Why is it so hard to trust God for all our needs, even in the scary, uncertain times?

  5. What fears did Maggie have? What about Connor?

  6. Imagine you are Maggie. What advice would you have given Riley to allay her fears? When things occur that are so unfair, how do you explain to a nonbeliever that an invisible God is in control?

  7. Not only does Maggie learn a lot from her old friend Beth Sterling, but she also comes to trust and rely on her as well. What are some ways Beth is there for Maggie? Describe a time when a friend came through for you in a dark time with help or just the right words. Have you ever been able to pass that favor on?

  8. Maggie struggles with her past holding her back. In what ways can our families and past events become like shackles and prevent us from truly living a full life?

  9. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God.—Isaiah 43:1–3

  What did this verse mean to Maggie’s life? What does it mean to yours?

  10. We all know Satan loves to get a good foothold. What better opportunity than when things are going wrong, and we’re weakened with doubt. What things did Maggie doubt? What about Riley? Describe a difficult time when you struggled with doubt? What did you do to overcome it? Can you think of any times when fear got the best of you?

  11. In the Bible, David went up against the giant Goliath, despite the warnings and discouragement of others. In this novel, Maggie decides to pursue her dream of producing documentaries, even though it’s a pursuit where few succeed. Why is it our nature to play it safe? Is this good common sense—or lack of faith?

  12. Do we pass fears and phobias on to our children? How can we break that generational habit?

  13. Describe how Maggie’s phobia of water got in the way of her life. Do you have a phobia? Could it be preventing you from fulfilling your life purpose?

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my readers for opening these pages. I have never prayed over a book or relied on Scripture as much as I have for Just Between You and Me. It’s funny—whatever theme I’m developing for a novel always seems to be the exact one God wants me to get through my own head. I hope at least one of us gets it. I’m usually on the remedial plan, so keeping my fingers crossed for you. ; )

  I am also enormously, monstrously grateful to my amazing editors Natalie Hanemann and Jamie Chavez. We all went on a trip writing this book, with lots of rushed, stressful stops along the way. But I wouldn’t have wanted to created this book with anyone else. Thanks for sticking with me and for all the support, input, encouragement, and hand holding. You guys are the best. You should totally get a raise.

  I’m so grateful to all the fiction staff at Thomas Nelson. I am humbly in awe of all you do. You are simply awesome, and I’m one lucky girl to be on the team. Thanks for investing in me and this book.

  Thank you to Kim Traylor and members of the fabulous ACFW for giving me information on horses, which I knew nothing about. I’m a cat girl. So my litter box expertise was absolutely useless. I have the same problem at dinner parties . . .

  To my family for putting up with me during one hard deadline. Please let me rejoin the Jones clan once again. You do remember me, right? Short girl? Tan-resistant skin? Frequently in sweats?

 
Muchas gracias to Chip MacGregor for your advice, which is always so spot-on. And usually funny. I’ll agree with anything that includes one liners. Thank you for the laughs, assistance, and support.

  Finally, and most importantly, thank you, God, my father and redeemer. I so want to be the girl who surrenders her fears and lives life to its fullest. Thanks for putting up with me, even though I’m afraid of planes. And wasps. And circus clowns. And green peas. And standing before a crowd with my pants unzipped. And that one infomercial guy in the ugly sweaters.

  When the storms hit, may we be the ones who press on, stand apart, and just keep going.