The Art of Rivers
Page 25
“I’ve been praying and dreaming of this day since Cooper was born. There was a time I thought it would never happen.” Tears filled Pearl’s brown eyes. “You’re an answer to hundreds, no thousands upon thousands, of prayers.” She shrugged and one side of her mouth quirked. “And it helps that Brooklyn and I dabble in politics. We’ve racked up a lot of connections.”
“Nice. We might be partners in fundraising for the right causes.”
“Exactly.” Pearl gave her a satisfied smile. “I was thinking the same thing. Great minds and all.”
“Look at my beautiful girl.” Dad winked as he approached, Mama clinging to his arm.
Rivers kissed him and then her mother. “What do you think about the dress, Mama?” She’d always wanted to wear her mother’s wedding gown, embellished with ivory lace and pearls. And with such a short engagement, she’d been glad it fit with only a few adjustments.
“Very pretty.” Her mother’s eyes lit with her smile. “Love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Hey, hey, hey. The music’s about to start.” Sauntering up, Davis waggled his brows and made a goofy face. “Doing my job as best man here. You have to take that first dance as husband and wife, and I read the perfect scripture for Cooper this morning in my daily devotional. You want to hear it?”
Cooper shook his head. “You don’t. Trust me.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you.” Davis sniggered. “When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”
“Okay.” Rivers gave him a slow nod.
“Don’t you get it? Rivers? Like a double meaning with your name and all.” Davis held both hands out, expectant.
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Not really.” The band started, and Rivers grabbed Cooper’s arm. “That’s our cue. Let’s get this party started.”
“Thank the Lord, for more reasons than one.” Cooper cut his eyes toward Davis, then led her to the dance floor. “Interesting choice. Is this ‘Jesus Freak?’”
“Yeah. I love this song. Don’t you?”
“I’m always willing to let my freak flag fly.” He swung her around, then into his arms. “I can’t wait to dance with you to any song for the rest of my life.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” She giggled. “Or I’ll sweep over you, like a raging river.”
“You already have, and I love it.”
Dear Reader
IN 2017, THE YEAR I started this novel, drug overdoses killed over 70,000 people in the United States. More people in our country died that year from this epidemic than those who were killed by guns, car crashes, or HIV/AIDS. Addiction isn’t the plight of any one demographic. Drug addiction and alcoholism are devastating our children, parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, and neighbors. If your life hasn’t been touched by this issue, count yourself blessed.
Addiction is a cunning and dangerous enemy, stealing the lives of medical professionals, teachers, law enforcement officers—any career you could name, along with teenagers and the homeless. There aren’t enough jails or enough funds to incarcerate all these members of our communities. We have to find ways to rehabilitate. In my county, the sheriff’s department is trying innovative ways to help the prisoners who struggle with addiction. Our local lawmakers are grappling with the issue. I don’t have the answers.
There is heartbreak for those who love addicts or alcoholics and are at a loss as to what to do. Al-Anon is a wonderful support group for families who find themselves in this position. I interviewed dear people who battle addiction and those who try to pull people from its deadly grip. Twelve step programs like AA, NA, and Celebrate Recovery can help. If you are struggling with addiction, if you know somebody who is, or if you feel moved by this issue, please be in prayer for addicts, for their loved ones, for the community of people God has raised to support them, and for lawmakers as they contend with the issues. God’s life-changing power is real. He is the One who offers true freedom.
Not everyone gets a happy ending to their addiction story in real life. If that’s your family’s reality, if you’ve lost someone, I’m so sorry for your heartbreak. Know that you are not alone, and our Heavenly Father can bring healing.
There is power, hope, and peace in Him,
Janet W. Ferguson
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Acknowledgements
MY THANKS GO OUT TO:
The Lord who can heal all our infirmities and our hearts.
My husband, Bruce, for supporting me and for taking me to St. Simons on vacation where this story began in my mind.
Marti Jeffers for information on living in St. Simons.
Raleigh Dunham for answering countless questions about St. Simons and even sending pictures.
Jodi Jackson, Adina Welker, Amy Rylander, Bill Meredith, Rebecca Latson, and Gayle Reaves who offered information on art or art therapy.
Audrey Vaughn who works with a hospital and answered questions about the opioid epidemic.
Jada Blissard who has a heart and a passion for lifting souls from addiction.
For those of you who shared with me privately how addiction has affected you or your family.
For those of you who work with people in addiction and those involved in the Opioid Summit here in Mississippi and elsewhere.
My amazing ACFW critique partners, volunteer proofreaders (you know who you are!), and my street team.
Editor Robin Patchen, mentor author Misty Beller, and cover artist Carpe Librum Book Design.
About the Author
Faith, Humor, Romance
Southern Style
JANET W. FERGUSON GREW up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a few cats that allow them to share the space.
I love to hear from readers! You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, the contact page on my website, or subscribe to my newsletter “Under the Southern Sun” for exclusive book news and giveaways.
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Copyright © 2019 Janet Ferguson
Southern Sun Press LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Publisher’s Note: This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events is purely coincidental. The characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Locales and public names are sometimes used
for atmospheric purposes. St. Simons Island, Georgia, is a real town, but other than the name, the events in the location are fictional. None of the events are based on actual people. The charming city made the perfect backdrop for my novel.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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Did you love The Art of Rivers: A Coastal Hearts Novel? Then you should read Magnolia Storms by Janet W. Ferguson!
Maggie Marovich couldn't save her father or her home from Hurricane Katrina, but she's dedicated her life to meteorology so she can warn others when the monster storms approach. Except…she works three hours inland and rarely risks returning to her childhood hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Both her single-parent sister and the ship pilot Maggie once loved refused to leave the Coast, despite Maggie's requests. Now a hurricane's headed toward Mississippi, and Maggie's sister is seriously injured, leaving Maggie little choice but to head south—into the storm.The water and tides flow through Josh Bergeron's veins, and he can't imagine giving up piloting—even for the love of his life, the infuriating Magnolia Marovich. He tried to move on without her, marrying and having a child. But after his wife abandons him and his little boy, his career choice is threatened by the weight of his parental responsibilities. Moving next door to Maggie's sister and sharing their child care seems like the perfect set-up. Until Maggie blows back into town.Being forced to lean on Josh for help washes up the wreckage in Maggie's faith. Where was God during the destruction of Katrina? Why do some prayers seem to go unanswered? Between the hurricane looming in the Gulf and another gale raging in her heart, can Maggie overcome her past and find the trust to truly live?
Read more at Janet W. Ferguson’s site.
Also by Janet W. Ferguson
A Coastal Hearts Novel
The Art of Rivers: A Coastal Hearts Novel (Coming Soon)
Southern Hearts Series
Leaving Oxford
Watch for more at Janet W. Ferguson’s site.