by Amanda Tru
“And that meant that years later, you’d still be trying to have that second date, which meant some other girl didn’t snap you up before I had a chance. Sounds like a great mom. Tell her thanks… from me.”
When his eyes darted to her lips and then over her shoulder again, Jordan decided she’d been right. He’d need a little help. That, however, left two options. She could take the initiative… no. No, she couldn’t. He felt enough of a failure for even hesitating. It showed in the way his jaw twitched, and his breathing grew forced as if conscious.
“Hey…”
That caught his attention. Heath gazed into her eyes, and Jordan took the chance. “Did you know…” She reached for his hand. “That sea otters like to hold each other’s paws while sleeping—”
“So they don’t drift apart?”
“Mmm… hmm… guess you knew that. How about Gentoo penguins?”
He pulled her closer. “They propose with a pebble.”
“I think that’s crazy romantic.”
“It’s what humans do,” Heath said. “We just cut and polish ours.”
Jordan slid one arm around his neck. “Well, then. Do you know about the Jesus Christ lizard in the Amazon?”
Heath shook his head before brushing her lips with his. “No…”
“It runs on water.”
“Nice one. You almost got me.”
She slid her other arm around his neck as she said, “It’s true.”
“Am I going to scare you away if I kiss you?”
“Nope.”
“Don’t be so sure about that…” Heath winked and pressed his forehead against hers. “I’ve never actually done this before…”
Jordan thought she murmured something about practice and perfection, and if she did, it was wasted. As enjoyable as practice might be, perfection… well, as first kisses went, perfection couldn’t be more… perfect!
Dear Bailey,
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I thought I’d give you a quick update. Jordan Aylward was a winner. Funny thing is, his first date with her, before he signed up with Betwixt, is what prompted us to contact my friend who sent me to Wayne who sent me to you. She signed up, too! You matched her with Heath, and now they’ve been dating for a couple of weeks. They’re so cute. And Heath is totally over his issues.
Okay, that’s not quite true. He still does it, but now Jordan just thinks it’s cute. Sometimes she does it back, which is strangely adorable. I think they’ll last. As in “till death do them part” last.
I think Kevin and I are going to last, too, but don’t tell him that. I can’t get serious about anyone until I’m done with school. So, we’re pretending we don’t think each other is quite as awesome as we really do.
Pray for me. If you pray, just pray. Because I’m gonna need every bit of self-control I can find.
Well, Kevin is back from parking the car, so I’d better go.
Thanks for all you did. If anything super adorable comes up, I’ll be sure to let you know. And, if we have invites coming out in the next year or three, I’ll be sure to send you one.
Happy matching,
Selby Karras
The End
Part of this story is true. Granted, it’s a small part, but it is. Picture the scene. Denny’s on a Wednesday night. My partner in literary crime—literally, we were both writing mysteries—left for the night just after midnight sometime. Another Denny’s regular came over to my table and took her place.
That should have been a clue.
Peter often came and sat with me, talking about this thing or that. From him, I learned all about coding computers, typesetting, metal lathes, Grand Lodge and other Masonic fellowships, the evils of Creationism, and all things sci-fi.
That night, I learned about the habits of mammalian bladders. At the top of a very resonant, sonorous voice. While I was eating my dinner.
Forty minutes he droned on about them. At least. It could have been more, but it was a full forty minutes after I started counting (which, I admit was almost immediately). Then he pulled out his phone and read me the scientific study. No joke.
I was so angry and frustrated at the loss of working time (shame on me) that I went home, woke up my husband, and announced that Peter would be single for the rest of his life.
Usually, I enjoyed my conversations with Peter, although sometimes his timing wasn’t so good—like that night. Still, he gave me a great idea for my third Madeline Mystery, Fine Print and taught me a lot.
Alas, while I was at a conference this November, he died. I already miss seeing him… sometimes. I just don’t miss some of those random fact lectures. However, of all the things Peter taught me, the one that matters and means the most to me is something he never knew he did. He taught me that people really are more important. Period. I’m so glad I set aside the work I had planned for myself to make time for a person that night.
I pray that somehow he changed his mind on Jesus in the week before his death.
Author of Random Acts of Shyness
1. Do you think Selby’s plan for overcoming Heath’s issues is kind? Biblical? Does it matter that she wouldn’t mind if someone did it to her when she knows others would? How does Matthew 7:12 apply?
2. Jordan’s mother isn’t “religious,” but she does respect her daughter’s faith. Her unwillingness to lie to Jordan because of that faith raises an interesting question. How often do we change our behavior based on who we are with or are trying to impress rather than acting as we do because it’s right? See James 4:17.
3. One thing you find in many romance novels is the idea of “love at first sight” or what I like to call “insta-love.” Selby joked with herself that “love at first quote” might be a thing for her. The question remains, though, with Christians who are called to love one another simply for the fact of their mutual faith in Christ is that kind of “instantaneous” love possible? See I Timothy 6: 1-2 (while this speaks of slaves to masters, it still speaks predominately about believer to believers despite their “station” in life).
4. Each girl handled Heath’s “malady” differently. Anger, directness, kindness, sleep… While anger is understandable, what does the Bible say about reacting in anger? See: Galatians 5: 19-20, Ephesians 4:26.
5. Heath accepted that singleness might be God’s plan for him, but he preferred his singleness not be because a personal failing prevented any other option. Do we get to decide how, why, or when we accept God’s will for our lives? Then again, had he decided this was God’s will simply because it was difficult for him, he would have missed out on what may truly be a gift of God in his life. How do Christians discern the will of God in their lives? See Romans 12:2 (hint: the word “prove” is defined from the Greek as “to test or by implication, approve” –source Biblehub.com/romans/12-2.htm).
www.chautona.com/
Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
www.chautona.com/
Newsletter:
chautona.com/newsletter
Website:
www.chautona.com
Blog:
www.chautona.com/blog
Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/Chautona
BookBub:
www.bookbub.com/authors/chautona-havig
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/chautonahavig
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/chautona/videos
Twitter:
twitter.com/Chautona
Pinterest:
pinterest.com/chautonahavig
Instagram:
instagram.com/ChautonaHavig
by Chautona Havig
Find the latest information and connect with Chautona at her website: w
ww.chautona.com
The Rockland Chronicles
Aggie’s Inheritance Series (4 books)
Past Forward: A Serial Novel (Six Volumes)
HearthLand Series: A Serial Novel (Six Volumes)
The Vintage Wren (A serial novel beginning 2016)
The Shopkeepers of New Cheltenham
The Ghosts of New Cheltenham
Something Borrowed, Someone Blue
The Rockland Chronicles
Argosy Junction
Discovering Hope
Not a Word
Speak Now
A Bird Died
Thirty Days Hath…
Confessions of a De-cluttering Junkie
Corner Booth
New Year’s Revolutions
Premeditated Serendipity
Random Acts of Shyness
Christmas Fiction
Advent
31 Kisses
Tarnished Silver
The Matchmakers of Holly Circle
Carol and the Belles
Christmas Stalkings
Christmas Embers
The Second Noel
Silenced Knight
Merri’s Christmas Mission
The Ghosts of New Cheltenham
Sand & Mistletoe
Tangoed in Tinsel
Wrong about Mr. Wright
From the Betwixt Two Hearts Authors
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading our Betwixt Two Hearts collection! We hope you enjoyed reading each individual book, as well as seeing how they all wove together in the setup and larger story of the first book. Isn’t it amazing to think of how interconnected we are and how even seemingly insignificant actions can be significant when used by God? As the reader, you get the perspective of knowing what the characters don’t. In this case, Camden and Bailey will never know how God used their matchmaking website, and specifically their struggles, to instigate his plans in the lives of others, just like you may never know how God is using you. Just imagine!
This is a unique set of books, with each story fitting together like a puzzle piece. Since all of the stories have a point of intersection, we call it a Crossroads Collection. If you are eager for more, please check out the other Crossroads Collections! In each of them, you will find new books tied together at the crossroads one book in the set.
We also have more Crossroads Collections in the works! If you would like to be notified of new and upcoming collections in this series, please sign up with Amanda Tru’s email newsletter below. She is excitedly organizing more of these multi-author sets of this type and will notify subscribers as subsequent collections are release.
Finally, if you enjoyed this collection, please help spread the word, write a review, ask your library to stock that hardback, and/or recommend it to your friends! This collection will only be available for a limited time, so be sure to help spread the word and also snag the paperback version that will last long after the eBook collection disappears. Eventually, each set will be disbanded and the books published individually. So, read them as complete sets while you can!
Thank you again for reading. We hope you enjoyed our stories and that they sparked your imagination, touched your heart, and even made you think. We wish you the best and hope that you know the blessing of encountering the one, true God who gets to be the author of your book, putting together all of the chapters to draw you to Him and make beautiful the connection betwixt your heart and His.
Sincerely,
Amanda Tru, Cathe Swanson, Kari Trumbo, Alana Terry, Carol Moncado, & Chautona Havig
The Betwixt Two Hearts, Crossroads Collection Authors
Newsletter Sign Up:
www.amandatru.com/newsletter
The Crossroads Collections
Out of the Blue Bouquet, a Crossroads Collection
Floral folly fables from Hallee Bridgeman, Alana Terry, Carol Moncado, Chautona Havig, & Amanda Tru
(www.amazon.com/dp/B077MWTWGC)
Yesterday’s Mail, a Crossroads Collection
Misdelivered mail tales from Alana Terry, Cynthia Hickey, Hallee Bridgeman, Chautona Havig, & Amanda Tru
(www.amazon.com/dp/B07G81ZGQZ)
Under the Christmas Star, a Crossroads Collection
Ornamental yarns from Lesley Ann McDaniel, April Hayman, Chautona Havig, Alana Terry, & Amanda Tru
(www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9ZF7VY)
Betwixt Two Hearts, a Crossroads Collection
Dating site stories from Amanda Tru, Cathe Swanson, Kari Trumbo, Alana Terry, Carol Moncado, & Chautona Havig
(www.amazon.com/dp/B07MCBFY8N)
The Wedding Dress Yes, a Crossroads Collection
Wedding dress dramas Alexa Verde, Chautona Havig, Hallee Bridgeman, Alana Terry, & Amanda Tru
(www.amazon.com/dp/B07QPL85L9)
When Snowflakes Never Cease, a Crossroads Collection
Heartwarming wintery accounts from Hallee Bridgeman, Alana Terry, Chautona Havig, Jaycee Weaver, & Amanda Tru
(www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZX3PR5T)
Did you miss Out of the Blue Bouquet, a Crossroads Collection?
Out of the Blue Bouquet
a Crossroads Collection
Some of today's Best-selling Christian Authors weave five unique yet connected stories together in this collection where misdirected floral deliveries lead to lives changed.
Courting Calla, by Hallee Bridgeman.
Ian knows Calla is the woman God has chosen for him, but Calla is hiding something big. Can Calla trust Ian with her secret, or will she let it destroy any possible hope they may have for a future?
Seoul in Love, by Alana Terry.
Love was lost a long time ago. A chance meeting in Seoul might change all that forever.
A Kærasti for Clari, by Carol Moncado.
Her job as social media manager for Eyjania's Queen Mother keeps Clari Sørenson busy. An unexpected treasure hunt with Joel Christiansen might just be the vacation she needs.
Premeditated Serendipity, by Chautona Havig.
A floral fiasco sparks a plan to play matchmaker. Reid has his reasons for not pursuing Kelsey… yet, and outside interference only makes an already difficult situation even more awkward.
Out of the Blue Bouquet, by Amanda Tru.
When Brooke is left in charge of Crossroads Floral, she accidentally sends the flower deliveries to the wrong people. Unfortunately, some of those wrong people include all of the ex-girlfriends of the most eligible bachelor in town. Are Brooke's mistakes a complete disaster, or can there be something beautiful in an out-of-the-blue bouquet?
Did you miss Yesterday’s Mail, a Crossroads Collection?
Yesterday’s Mail
a Crossroads Collection
Some of today's Best-selling Christian Authors weave five unique, connected stories where lost mail finds unexpected purpose.
Sleepless in Seoul, by Alana Terry
When Derek leads his church on a short-term mission trip to South Korea, he's definitely not expecting to find out the woman working with him is the same woman who broke his heart over twenty years ago.
Like Ships Passing, by Cynthia Hickey
One transposed number threatens to sink love before it gets started.
Chasing Pearl, by Hallee Bridgeman
A package lost in the mail since 1940 brings a modern couple together in a miraculous way.
Operation Posthaste, by Chautona Havig
A nine-year-old boy finds a bag of mail from WWII in the attic of their new house and makes it his personal mission to deliver every piece before his mom finds out.
Yesterday's Mail, by Amanda Tru
A Christian post office clerk uses her police officer background to investigate lost mail and solve a mystery that has plagued her small town for years.
Did you miss Under the Christmas Star, a Crossroads Collection?
Under the Christmas Star
a Crossroads Collection
Some of today's Best-selling Christian Authors weave f
ive unique, connected stories where handmade Christmas ornaments lead to miraculous answers to prayer.
Comfort and Joy, by Lesley Ann McDaniel
Recently divorced from her cheating, narcissistic ex-husband, Joy Bennet has set a firm boundary against dating until her kids are grown. But when Kyle Montgomery brings his dog to her clinic for emergency surgery, her resolve is put to the test.
Brushed with Love, by April Hayman
An unlikely couple? Perhaps, but when Shelby Matthews and Beau Wright work together to reestablish the Wright family annual Christmas pageant, a beautiful picture of love, family, and commitment emerges in this modern retelling of Ruth and Boaz.
Tangoed in Tinsel, by Chautona Havig
It took twenty years for Wayne Farrell to find the love of his life and only a sprained ankle to lose her. Still, when a new shot at romance presents itself, Wayne finds himself tangling and tangoing his life in unexpected directions.