Dreams That Won't Let Go

by Stacy Hawkins Adams

  Later, after service, he had been inundated by members who wanted to encourage him to sing more and possibly join the church choir. Reuben was flattered, but didn’t make promises.

  Peyton, Mama, Daddy, Aunt Melba, and the rest of the family sat in a back corner of the church and waited for him to chat with everyone who wanted a minute of his time.

  After he hugged the last person in the line and encouraged her to keep trusting God, he dug his hands into the pockets of his gray slacks and strolled over to the group.

  “Is the rock star ready to go?” Peyton said and grinned.

  Reuben leaned over and kissed her lips. “Is this legal in church, other than when you’re getting married?”

  “Too late to be asking now,” Peyton said. She stood up and wrapped an arm around his waist.

  Pastor Taylor waved as the family left through the front door. “Y’all look mighty good!” he said. “Keep holding on to each other.”

  Indigo and Reuben exchanged glances. She looked at her watch.

  “In a few more hours I’m praying we’ll look even better,” she said.

  Reuben stepped toward Indigo and gathered her in his arms. He kissed her cheek. “No need to hope—we will.”

  The brother and sister had booked a flight from Houston to New York, where they would spend a week with Yasmin. She was still living with Sasha Davies, and they were going to stay at a nearby hotel.

  They would travel bearing gifts—a letter of reconciliation from Mama and Daddy, a gift-wrapped box that bore a key to their house, and an invitation to still serve as the maid of honor in Indigo’s wedding, if Yasmin’s modeling schedule permitted. The entire family, but especially Mama and Daddy, wanted Yasmin to know that wherever she decided to live and whatever opportunities she pursued, she always had a place in their hearts and she always had a home in Jubilant.

  Reuben and Indigo’s top priority during the visit would be to let Yasmin know that the Burnses were changing, for the better. She needed to see firsthand that healing had taken place between the two of them, and she deserved to be part of the process.

  Reuben and Indigo wanted to help her soar, no matter how much patience, forgiveness, and courage it took. That’s what dreams were all about, they had agreed, considering how their own had taken shape. If Yasmin could make hers a reality sooner rather than later, they would do everything they could to help her succeed.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What was the primary theme of this novel and how did that resonate with you?

  2. Was Indigo’s lingering anger at Reuben understandable, or did she come across as a brat?

  3. Was it realistic that Reuben would feel guilty about a promise made when he was a child?

  4. How could Irene and Charles Burns have better handled Reuben’s return to Jubilant?

  5. Did Indigo appropriately handle her parents’ routine disregard of her needs?

  6. What was the biggest problem facing this family? What triggered the resolution?

  7. Is it typical for a family to have secrets and skeletons that they don’t want to confront? How does hiding issues like this keep a family from thriving?

  8. How would you have handled Yasmin’s eighteenth birthday decision?

  9. Was Max a good role model for Reuben? How so?

  10. Was it surprising that Indigo stayed in contact with Brian? How did this help both of them heal?

  11. Were Reuben’s conversations with his parents about their mistakes warranted?

  12. What purpose did Peyton serve in the story? What did she symbolize?

  13. Was Pastor Taylor’s counseling and mentoring of Reuben enough to help him heal, or should more have been done?

  14. What did you think of Yasmin’s decision at the end of the book? Did her parents handle it appropriately?

  15. Was the reconciliation between Reuben and Indigo authentic?

  16. What messages or characters will linger with you from this book?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Birthing books is often like birthing children—each one is unique yet special, and each one is crafted through its own particular journey. The road to finishing this project was challenging yet memorable, and it couldn’t have been accomplished without my steadfast team of support: my husband, Donald, and our two thoughtful children; my wonderful editors, Lonnie Hull Dupont and Barb Barnes; and my first readers, Carol Jackson and Sharon Shahid. Thank you for helping me share yet another story and message that I hope resonates with readers far and wide.

  A special thanks is issued, as always, to my mentor and special friend, Muriel Miller Branch, for your unconditional love and encouragement and for providing my writing haven any time I need.

  I also sincerely thank my siblings, Dr. Barbara Grayson, Henry Haney, Sandra Williams, and Patsy Scott; along with Teresa Coleman, Linda Beed, Marilynn Griffith, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Claudia Mair Burney, Sibella Giorello, Tyora Moody, Carol Mackey, Michele Misiak, Johanna Schuchert, Kia Short Lee, Lauren Stewart, Danielle Jones, Kyle Grinnage, Sally Ribeiro, Katrina Campbell, Gwendolyn Richard, Barbara Rascoe, Shaun Robinson, the Adams family, Helena Nyman, Gloria Thomas, Rhonda McKnight, Dee Stewart, Sherri Lewis, Nan McDonald, Connie and Ernest Lambert and family, Charmaine Spain, the Murphy family, and my extended body of friends and family throughout Richmond.

  As always, I am grateful for the support of my agent, Steve Laube, the marketing and sales team at Revell Books, booksellers, book clubs, and book reviewers and bloggers who continue to sell and tout my books. Thanks to you, I’m able to keep sharing the stories in my heart.

  I thank you, the individual reader, for supporting my work and encouraging others to read as well. I pray that this story, as well as others I’ve penned, inspires you on your journey and leaves you yearning to know God more deeply.

  And in the effort to save the best for last, I offer a heartfelt thanks to my gracious and loving heavenly Father, for giving me the gift of writing and the opportunity to be used in service to Him through my books.

  Blessings always,

  Stacy

  Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning author, journalist, and inspirational speaker. She and her family live in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia. Her other published titles include Speak to My Heart, Nothing but the Right Thing, Watercolored Pearls, and the first two books in the Jubilant Soul series, The Someday List and Worth a Thousand Words. She welcomes readers to visit her website: www.stacyhawkinsadams.com.