by Camy Tang
He squeezed her hand. “I’ve offered Shaun the position as head of security of the hotel, but we can hire someone else to fill the resident nurse position. Unless you change your mind.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Say thank you,” her father groused at her as he turned away. “I’m amazed at what manners my kids have.” But she heard the teasing in his voice.
She turned to Shaun, who sat down at a chair next to her. “Is it true? You’re going to be head of security? Not apply to the Sonoma PD?”
He nodded. “My counselor also thought it would be a good idea if I didn’t go back into law enforcement,” he said. “And to be honest, I’m looking forward to working at the hotel. I’ve enjoyed the times I worked as a security consultant for a few hotels that hired my dad for help.”
She had never told him about her fears, which seemed silly now after everything that had happened. But she’d tell him soon. And she’d tell him that if he wanted to join the police force again, she wouldn’t try to dissuade him. After seeing him rush in to save her, she realized he was a born protector, and she wanted to support him to be who God had made him to be. Her fears about losing him were best left in God’s hands.
He leaned in closer. “And I realized something very important.”
“What?”
“I realized that rather than spending my time protecting others, I would rather spend my time protecting you.”
She smiled as he kissed her.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining me once again for this trip to Sonoma, California! This tourist spot is still a small community at heart, where romance blooms even among old acquaintances.
Shaun’s struggle in this book is very close to my own struggles with “letting go and letting God.” I always think I have to be the one to fix things, to protect people (even from themselves), to make things right. But the truth is, God is King. God, not me. And it is God who will make all things right.
Also, the Zoe annual banquet is not real, but Zoe International is committed to rescuing children from human slavery around the world, and I love their ministry. Check them out at www.gozoe.org/.
I love to hear from readers! You can email me at [email protected] or write to me at P.O. Box 23143, San Jose, CA 95123-3143. I blog about knitting, my dog, knitting, tea, knitting, my husband’s coffee fixation, knitting, food—oh did I mention my knitting obsession?—at camys-loft.blogspot.com/. I hope to see you all there!
Camy Tang
Questions for Discussion
Monica is a nurse who is trying to launch a free children’s clinic. She’s passionate about this project because she really sees the need for it in her community. What projects or issues are you passionate about?
Shaun is dealing with a painful episode in his past, and it has turned into a bitter inner wound. Can you relate to his pain? What should his friends and family have done for him? What should he have done for himself?
Monica’s plans for the free children’s clinic are threatened by a mysterious stalker who is trying to scare her into stopping her project. How did Monica deal with this obstacle? Can you understand why she did what she did? What could she have done better?
Monica’s Aunt Becca is a strong Christian who is comfortable speaking about her faith. Can you relate to her or do you know someone like her? What is your own way of sharing your faith?
Monica feels very different from her sisters—she sees herself as the wild child, the black sheep of the family compared to dedicated Naomi and quiet Rachel. Can you relate to how she feels? If she were your friend, what would you say to her?
When Monica discovers the stalker is getting more violent and reaching out to more people around her, she feels helpless, violated and guilty. Have you been in a situation where things were completely out of your control and it seemed to be going from bad to worse? How did you feel? What did you do?
Monica wants to feel significant. She thinks that this clinic will make her feel significant to the world and to her father. What does she learn about herself and her Heavenly Father? How does that impact the choices she makes at the end?
Monica, a Christian for all her life, is upset at God because she can’t understand why He wouldn’t bless this free children’s clinic she wants to start. Have you been in a situation where you questioned why God didn’t intervene for something worthwhile? How did you respond? How should we respond?
As things get worse, Monica just tries harder to accomplish her goal and gain some sense of control over the situation and the stalker. Have you ever felt this way? How did you respond? What would you have done differently from Monica?
Shaun spent a lot of time and energy trying to prove that Phillip was the stalker. Have you ever been so single-mindedly stubborn about something? What should Shaun have done?
Phillip Bromley gave the flashdrive of photos to Monica and told her, “I wanted to do something that I would be really proud of.” Can you relate to how he was feeling when he said that? Why do you think it had become so important to him after all his deception earlier?
Shaun’s theme verse is Psalm 74:12: “But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.” What does that verse mean for you?
ISBN: 9781459220010
Copyright © 2012 by Camy Tang
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