A Father For Zach
Page 18
At the undercurrent of excitement in his voice, her pulse accelerated.
“Wait here.” Rising, he retreated to the foyer. Half a minute later, he returned carrying a large, flat package wrapped in silver paper and tied with a large red bow. He sat beside her and passed it over in silence.
She could tell as he set it in her lap that it was a frame. With great care, she pulled off the paper—and as she gazed at the beautifully executed painting inside, her breath caught in her throat.
It was a portrait of her and Zach at the beach. But unlike the piece she’d seen at Blue Water Gallery, this one was filled with joy and love and optimism.
The two of them were standing barefoot at the edge of the water. Zach wore shorts and a T-shirt, and he was squatting down, preparing to dig a half-submerged shell out of the wet sand with a stick. She had on the floral print skirt and lavender knit top she’d worn at Great Point the day they’d shared Edith’s heart-shaped cookies, and she was brushing aside a few flyaway strands of hair with one hand. Her other hand hovered over Zach, as if she’d just let him go, her fingers still extended toward her son. Close enough to help him if he needed her, but far enough way to give him room to explore on his own.
Catherine was blown away.
Through a subtle use of body language, Nathan had captured the dilemma she continued to struggle with—how to give Zach space to breathe and grow yet still protect him.
But beyond that, he’d also portrayed her as a woman in love, her eyes joy-filled, her expression reflecting utter contentment and peace. The emotions Nathan had imbued her with in this painting were exactly the ones she’d felt since he’d come into her life.
It was masterful.
Angling toward him, she blinked away the sudden moisture that blurred her vision. “This is wonderful, Nathan. I can’t think of a better Valentine’s Day present.”
“I hope it’s more than that.”
The husky timbre of his voice and the soft light in his eyes played havoc with her respiration. “What do you mean?”
He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a small jeweler’s box.
She stopped breathing.
“This goes with it. I hope.” Flipping open the top, he revealed a huge diamond solitaire on a gold band.
Catherine gasped.
“Oh, my word…” She stared at the gorgeous ring, awed by its message, its beauty—and a price tag she couldn’t even begin to fathom. “Nathan…it’s too much. I know you’re doing well, but this is way too extravagant. You don’t need to ply me with diamonds to convince me to…”
He pressed his fingers to her lips. “Catherine. I bought this with the money from my second painting.”
The one of the little boy in the storm she’d surreptitiously viewed at Blue Water Gallery.
Her protest died in her throat.
Nathan knew she’d seen it. She’d finally told him about her impromptu visit, a few weeks after he’d shared the story of his childhood trauma. How fitting that the profit from that painting, which had been inspired by the pain and darkness of his old life, would fund a symbol that represented a new and shining future.
She gave a slow nod of understanding as love and admiration for this special man overflowed in her heart. “That’s a good use for that money.”
“I thought you’d understand.” He removed the ring from the box, and when he took her hand she felt the tremors in his fingers. “So I’m hoping the painting can do double duty—as both a valentine and an engagement present.”
“What’s an engagement?”
At the question from the foyer, they turned in unison. Zach was standing on the threshold of the living room, trailing a blanket behind him, rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn.
Clasping Nathan’s free hand, Catherine found her voice first. “It’s a promise to get married, honey.”
On cue, Nathan dropped to one knee beside her and grinned at Zach. “That’s exactly what it is, champ. And now I’m going to show you how a man is supposed to propose.”
When he looked at her, his eyes were filled with a love so deep and abiding and tender that she, too, started to tremble.
“Catherine Walker, I love you with every fiber of my being. When I came to Nantucket to start a new life, I never expected to find love, as well. But God, in His infinite wisdom and generosity, gave me the greatest blessing of my life when He set me in your path. And I want to walk that path with you for all the days He grants us. So…” He swallowed. Took a deep breath. “Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She smiled through her tears and opened her mouth to respond. But Zach beat her to it.
“Yes!” His joyous shout echoed through the house, and he bounded over to stand behind the couch. “You did that really good, Nathan.”
Nathan grinned. “Thanks, champ.” He turned to Catherine, and his eyes searched hers. Hopeful. Tender. And—endearingly—just the slightest bit uncertain. “Your turn.”
She wasted no time putting his mind at ease. Leaning close, she draped her arms around his neck and gave him a teary smile. “I defer to my son’s very sound judgment. My answer is yes, too.”
Joy flooded his face, and he slipped the ring on her finger, then pulled her close for a chaste kiss.
“That’s to seal the deal,” he murmured against her lips. “I promise to do better later.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she whispered back.
“This is so cool!” Zach scampered around the couch and flung himself at the two of them.
As they accepted Zach’s exuberant hugs and pulled him into the circle of their embrace, their gazes met over his head. And all at once, as she basked in the warmth of Nathan’s smile, Catherine was struck by the irony of their happily-ever-after. For the past two years, since tragedy had destroyed her world, she’d lived with hate and fear, in a prison of her own making. Yet a man who’d spent ten years behind bars had set her free.
For with his courage and kindness and love, Nathan had shown her how to create her own tomorrow. And by example, he’d helped her rediscover the centering power of faith. To let hate and anger go. To love without smothering. And to trust once again.
Catherine knew that not all of their tomorrows would be smooth. But with Nathan by her side, she was confident they’d triumph over every challenge. Because no power on earth was stronger than love.
As if reading her mind, Nathan tugged Zach close with one arm and pulled her near with the other.
“This is what I always wanted,” he said against her hair, his voice choked with emotion.
“Yeah. Now we can be a real family,” Zach piped up. “Isn’t this great?”
Indeed it was, Catherine reflected, listening to the steady, comforting beat of Nathan’s heart beneath her ear. And wrapping her arms around the two people who were the center of her world, she gave thanks. For the healing power of love. For a tomorrow filled with hope. For a son who was blossoming. And for the man from Lighthouse Lane, whose caring heart and grace-filled soul had transformed her life.
Now and forever.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to LIGHTHOUSE LANE!
When I began this series, I only planned to write three books. But after meeting the Clay family, I knew I couldn’t leave Nantucket without telling Nathan’s story.
Starting over is tough anytime, but for an ex-con it’s especially hard. Fortunately, he had a brother and sister who loved him—and a faith that sustained him. But then he had to go and fall in love with a woman who held men with a criminal past in special disdain. Overcoming that hurdle proved to be one of the biggest challenges of his life. Yet along the way, both he and Catherine brought out the best in each other. And isn’t that what love is all about?
I hope you enjoyed the journey to LIGHTHOUSE LANE as much as I did. And please watch for new books from me in the future. Because there’s always another good story waiting to be told!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
As an ex-con, Nathan fears he will carry a stigma that will affect the rest of his life. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
When the book begins, Catherine harbors deep hate for the man who killed her husband. And she doesn’t believe criminals can be rehabilitated. What happens in the course of the story to change her mind? Cite specific instances.
Because Catherine lost the man she loved in a violent crime that took place practically in her backyard, she’s terrified of losing Zach. As a result, she overprotects him. Have you ever done this, or witnessed it in others? What is the potential negative impact on the child?
Zach overreacts to the spaghetti sauce on Nathan’s shirt. Few children go through what Zach did, yet many less traumatic (but unsettling) events have long-term implications for youngsters. Name some situations (one-time or ongoing) that might have a negative influence on a child. How might that influence be manifested immediately—or later in life?
Catherine turned away from God after her husband was killed. Discuss the reasons why. Have you ever felt alienated from the Lord? Why? How did you reconnect?
What compels Nathan to share his darkest secret with Catherine? Does it affect their relationship? How?
When Catherine’s money disappears, she tries to squelch her suspicions of Nathan. But when another customer accuses him of stealing her bracelet, those suspicions return. Did this surprise you? How do you think you would have reacted in this situation?
Nathan sees the doubt in Catherine’s eyes after he’s accused of stealing and is disheartened. Why is trust so vital to a relationship?
Catherine finds solace in her music, just as Nathan finds it in his painting. Why do creative endeavors often allow us to express our deepest emotions safely? What do you turn to when you need a release valve? Or when you want to enrich your life in a joyful way?
Nathan has a very close relationship with his brother and sister. How do you think those connections helped him get through his final years in prison? Do you have a close relationship with your siblings? Why or why not? If not, what actions might you take to strengthen those ties?
Because of Nathan’s record, Danielle’s accusation is particularly dangerous. Without J.C. to run interference for him, Nathan could have ended up back behind bars. Have you ever run into someone who was truly vindictive? How did you deal with it? Did it have any long-term repercussions? What does Scripture tell us about this?
Nathan has a very checkered past. He admits he’s done bad things. Yet he’s made his peace with his mistakes and moved on. How does a strong relationship with the Lord allow us to do that? Talk about how we can apply His example of forgiveness to our own lives. Is there someone you need to forgive? What is holding you back? What guidance does Scripture offer?
At the end of the book, Nathan gives Catherine a perfect Valentine’s Day—complete with a proposal! What was your most memorable Valentine’s Day? What made it so special?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5265-7
A FATHER FOR ZACH
Copyright © 2010 by Irene Hannon
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
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 Steeple Hill Books.
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*Vows
*Vows
*Vows
**Sisters & Brides
**Sisters & Brides
**Sisters & Brides
†Heartland Homecomings
†Heartland Homecomings
†Heartland Homecomings
††Lighthouse Lane
††Lighthouse Lane
††Lighthouse Lane
††Lighthouse Lane