Seaside Reunion (25 page)

As Nate handed over the small box, Lindsey looked into the deep blue eyes she cherished. Over these past few months, as he’d adjusted to his new life, she’d seen them flash with enthusiasm, soften with kindness and occasionally simmer with anger at injustice and callousness. Nate, as she’d discovered, was truly a man who lived the golden rule.

And he loved her.

With a depth and completeness that took her breath away.

She weighed the box in her hand, prolonging the moment, then slowly tore off the silver paper to reveal a dark blue velvet box. Fingers trembling, she flipped the lid.

A stunning marquis diamond ring blinked back at her, its sparkle putting the stars overhead to shame.

Joy bubbled up in her heart. Filled it. Overflowed.

She lifted her head and smiled up at him. “Yes.”

Nate stared at her. “Wait a minute. This is way too easy. I had a whole speech prepared. I even had a plan B if you said no.”

“I played hard to get long enough when you first came back. I didn’t see any reason to keep you guessing. If you want me to withdraw that answer, though…”

“No way.” He grabbed the box, removed the ring and slid it on the third finger of her left hand. “But I insist on delivering at least one part of my little speech.” Taking her hands, he angled toward her. “I can’t promise you tomorrow, Lindsey. We both know that’s impossible. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. But I can promise to love you with every fiber of my being for every single minute we’re given as man and wife.”

Moisture clouded her vision, and Lindsey put her arms around his neck to pull him close, overcome with gratitude for the unexpected gift of love that had graced her life and given her a brighter tomorrow.

“I’ll make the same promise in return. And pray God grants us a long and happy life together. Because I want to grow old with you, Nate Garrison. I want to raise our children right here in Starfish Bay. I want to search for agates with them on our beach. And I want to tell them a story about a little boy named Nathaniel and a little girl named Lindsey who spent one magical summer together, slew some dragons and grew up to find their own happily ever after.”

Nate grinned. “Sounds like a fairy tale.”

“Except it’s all true. Complete with the happy ending.”

“Yeah, it is.” His voice hoarsened, and he cleared his throat. “And the sooner the better for the happy ending, as far as I’m concerned. I checked with Mattson, and they’re confident they can have the new chapel ready by spring. Ours could be the first wedding there. What do you think?”

“I think that would be perfect. And in the meantime—” she scooted even closer “—do you know what I think Reverend Tobias would say if he was here right now?”

“What?”

“Kiss the bride.”

A chuckle rumbled deep in Nate’s chest. “Who am I to argue with such a wise man?”

And as the stars twinkled above, as The Point kept watch, he claimed her lips in a Christmas Eve kiss to remember.

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Starfish Bay!
Seaside Reunion
is the first book in my new series for Love Inspired. I hope you enjoy visiting this charming spot on the northern California coast.

When I wrote this book, I intended it to be a stand-alone novel. But as often happens with my books, other characters appeared who asked me to tell their stories. So a series was born. Next up will be Cindy’s story. You met her briefly in this book, when Nate and Lindsey joined forces to help her son, Jarrod, get back on track in school after the death of his father. Now a widow raising her young son alone, she has no interest in romance. But love often comes along when we least expect it.

In the meantime, I invite you to check my website at www.irenehannon.com for more information about my other books.

Irene Hannon

Questions for Discussion

1. Because of Lindsey’s traumatic experience, she carries a gun. Do you agree with that decision?
   
2. Nate has returned to Starfish Bay because it holds happy memories for him. Have you ever returned to a place you loved? What was that experience like?
   
3. The notion of touchstones is important in this book. Are there touchstones in your life? Talk about one of them. Why is it so important to you?
   
4. Though Reverend Tobias is only seen in this book through the eyes of Lindsey and Nate, what is your impression of him? Have you ever met someone who, years later, can still touch your life? Why did that person have such a lasting impact?
   
5. Both Lindsey and Nate struggle to understand how a loving God can let bad things happen to good people. How do you deal with this question? Are there any particular Bible verses that have helped you make peace with this?
   
6. Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?
   
7. What was your favorite scene in the book? Why?
   
8. Nate had a very difficult childhood. How was that manifested in his adult life? Cite specific examples from the book.
   
9. Why do you think Nate has such strong and good memories of Lindsey?
   
10. Do you think it was realistic that Nate and Lindsey would reconnect so quickly after so many years? Why or why not?
    
11. Jarrod is having a difficult time coping with the sudden death of his father. In addition to struggling with schoolwork, what are some other ways a child might be affected by the loss of a parent? How might the surviving parent help that child cope?
    
12. Nate is angry when he finds Lindsey reading his touchstones piece. Do you think he overreacted? Why or why not?
    
13. When Nate sent his piece on touchstones to his editor, he was taking a leap far outside his comfort zone. Yet it led to good things. Have you ever taken a chance and done something that was uncomfortable? What was the outcome?
    
14. In the end, Lindsey concludes that love, like life, requires compromises. Do you agree? Can compromises ever hurt a relationship? If so, how?
    
15. How did you feel about the resolution of the situation with The Point? Were there any other good options?
    

ISBN: 9781459219861

Copyright © 2012 by Irene Hannon

All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

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. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

www.Harlequin.com