Rocky Point Reunion (20 page)

 

Zack drove through the night, almost unable to believe Marcie had said she loved him. He didn't deserve it. He also didn't deserve the grace from God, but he knew it was there. He would spend the rest of his days proving he could be depended upon and would always be there for her. He offered a quiet prayer of thanks for so many things.

When they reached her apartment, he woke her.

“You're home. Do as your father said and get a good night's rest.”

“Sorry I conked out on you. I think it was the relief of knowing things are going to be okay with my dad.”

“Don't worry about that. I'll see you in the morning.” He walked her to her door and gave her a lingering kiss before turning and running down the steps.

 

The next morning Marcie headed to the café early, to check in on everything, update her employees and make plans to be at the hospital for the next few days.

She was about to leave for Portland when Zack entered the kitchen, looking for her.

“I stopped by your apartment first, and when there was no answer, I tried here,” he said, waving to the kitchen staff as he entered Marcie's office.

“I'm just winding up things so I can get back up to Portland. I spoke to my dad, and he's feeling sore and tired, but otherwise is happy.”

“I'll drive you up,” Zack said.

She smiled as she nodded. “I'd like that.”

When they left Rocky Point, Zack detoured to drive by the Kincaid residence.

“Did you forget something?” she asked when he pulled into the driveway.

“You could say that.” He stopped and got out to go around and open the passenger door.

“Come with me for a couple of minutes.”

She got out, looking at the house, freshly painted and surrounded by the partially painted picket fence. He didn't stop, but walked around the fence and headed for the bluff. Curious, Marcie followed until they stood at the edge, the blue Atlantic stretching out as far as the eye could see.

“I'm hoping this is right,” he said nervously.

“What?”

“The house by the sea. I'm buying out Joe's half. And
the picket fence. And the time and the place.” Turning, he took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “Marcie, would you marry me?”

Slowly she smiled, happiness and delight flooding through her. “Yes, Zack, I'd be most honored.”

With a whoop of joy, he picked her up and spun them around. “Thank you, Lord!” he shouted. She laughed with happiness. God did perform miracles. All fear for their future was gone. She would trust in God and Zack from now on and knew, this time around, when the wedding ceremony started Zack would be waiting for her to walk up the aisle to bind her life with his.

They had plans to make, people to tell. It was agreed between them to tell Joe and Gillian first. Suddenly what Gillian said earlier made sense. She'd known Zack was buying the house and fixing it up. No wonder she'd been so sure his return home was permanent.

“Unless you think we should tell your father first,” he said.

“Maybe we'll wait on that, until he's better.”

“I can see your point. Do you think he'll forgive me one day?”

“When he sees how happy I am, you can be sure he will. But we need to tell Joe before he guesses,” she said. “But I don't want to take away from their wedding.” She was almost giddy with happiness, warring with her continued concern about her father.

“I think my brother suspects I was going this direction. I think he'll be pleased. And I think our happiness will make theirs even more so.”

“Now I'll really be Jenny's aunt. She's called me that all along, as an honorary title.”

“Two things we need to talk about,” he said slowly. “First—I need to go back to Paris to close down my
apartment, ship home some things, sell my car. I can wait and we can make it a honeymoon trip if you like.”

“Paris for a honeymoon, you're kidding. Of course I'd like!”

“Okay. Next, I'm not sure I'm going into partnership with Joe. I mean, I might, but not halves. I really like the idea of the training course for teen drivers. I've been looking into different programs to learn more about it. I think I want to do something along those lines. What do you think?”

“I think that's wonderful. When I remember how Sean was before you took an interest, and seeing him now, it's amazing. Boys especially need good male role models. And when there's no father in the picture, who can they turn to? You surprise me, though.”

“I remember my dad, he was pretty great. If I can offer half what he did to boys who don't have a father, I'd be satisfied.”

“So, knowing the plans I have, and the fact nothing will mean anything if you're not there with me, I want to marry you in the worst way. I've missed you every day since I left. I love you, Marcie Winter, I always have. This time I'll stand by, no matter what.”

“I love you, Zack Kincaid, I always have. And I'm counting on you.”

He smiled as he drew her close for a kiss to seal the vows. No matter what the future held, love and faith would see them through.

Dear Reader,

 

One stayed, one left. Has that happened to you? Marcie Winter has always loved Rocky Point, Maine, where she was born and raised. All she ever wanted was to build a life in the town, raise a family and know everyone in town. Her family has been in Rocky Point for generations. She saw no reason to be the one to leave.

Zack Kincaid wanted adventure and excitement—more than would ever be found in a small coastal town in Maine. While he was growing up, he yearned for more than the fishing village offered. When the call for adventure arrived, the timing was bad. But he took it anyway, and broke Marcie's heart.

A life-changing event years later, however, has Zack examining if choices made at eighteen were to last all his life. Maybe it was time to reevaluate decisions, see what life had to offer surrounded by family and life-long friends. So back to Rocky Point he goes when he learns of his brother's injuries. Getting to know his brother better, his niece, reconnecting with old friends has Zack viewing life in the small town differently. He's seen the bigger world, but in Rocky Point feels a tie that can't be denied.

Plus, there's the girl he left behind.

The past can't be recaptured. But sometimes the future can be even brighter.

I hope you enjoy the journey Zack and Marcie make.

 

All the best,

1. The story opens with Marcie confronting the man she had one time thought to marry. Do you think her reactions were appropriate? Has anything like that ever happened to you or someone you know? How did they handle a meeting years later?
   
2. As Zack put it, their families had been in Rocky Point since the 1700s. He'd felt stifled by the small town and the history. He wanted to see bright lights and more exciting locations. Are you more like Zack, or Marcie, who loved her town and wanted to stay put? After the initial choice, did you ever think about the other path not chosen?
   
3. A teenager approaches Zack to ask about racing pointers. Do you feel Zack's response was appropriate? Would you have expected him to ignore the teen or do more?
   
4. Zack seems repentant about his leaving. Do you think it is a recent emotion? If leaving someone behind happened to you, would you want to discuss it or say it was over and done with and move on? Is Marcie's reaction similar to one you'd have if you were the one left behind?
   
5. Marcie takes her father for granted, then suddenly notices he looks older than she expects. Is that a common occurrence—people are so involved with their own lives they lose touch with what's going on with parents
   or siblings? What could Marcie have done to keep up on what was going on with her father?
   
6. When Zack tentatively mentions plans for a car track to the sheriff, Tate immediately thinks of a place that might work. Do you think that was coincidence or part of a greater plan God had for Zack—the work he might do with teenagers?
   
7. When Zack learns of the car problem Marcie's father has, he goes to offer to look at it for the man. His reception is less than cordial. Do you think his motives were purely to repair the car, or to also try to regain trust and friendship with the father of the woman he is interested in? Does it matter if the job gets done?
   
8. What do you think of Gillian's plans to have such a wide range of attendants for her wedding, from a ninety-three-year-old to a seven-year-old? Have you attended weddings with such a wide range? How did you feel?
   
9. No one seems to take Zack seriously when he says he wants to remain in Rocky Point. At one point he says he isn't going to say it again. Is that what you would have done? Waited for people to have faith in what you say, or keep saying it? Do you think he really meant it from the first, or did the conviction grow the longer he stayed?
   
10. Zack goes from a pleasant afternoon on the beach with his niece to a call from his manager pressing him to return. He says he wants to stay in Rocky Point, but the lure of the glamour of his job and the exotic
    places he's visited returns. Do you think that was a kind of testing to make sure he knew what he was choosing?
    
11. When Sean gets into trouble, he calls Zack. He goes to help out and suddenly realizes he's doing what his father did a time or two. It's a turning point in leaving childhood and recognizing he's an adult. Does he handle it well?
    
12. Despite being wary around Zack, Marcie accepts invitations he gives—to chaperone the girls on a cook-out, to go to the old factory to check out the parking lot. Does she give in to her curiosity too easily? Is she really trying to see him as he is now and not recapture the past they once shared?
    
13. Marcie's dad doesn't reveal his health situation, trying to protect his only child even though she's a capable adult. Do you think that was wise? Were you surprised to have him hide the truth? How do you think Marcie felt when she learned the full situation?
    
14. Zack agrees to race again. Why do you think he really chooses to do that? Would you have felt betrayed if he'd told you over and over he was staying and then left? Would you expect him back?
    
15. Do you think Zack's return to faith is a major reason he makes the offer of a transplant that he does? Do you think it had an effect on Marcie's falling in love with him again? Do you feel the rest of their lives would be enhanced by putting God in the center of their marriage?