by Glynna Kaye
“You think so?”
“I mean, you weren’t even here when they left. They hardly knew me. Had no idea we’d known each other in college. And then they walk in the door and it’s ‘Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad! We’re gonna be a family.’”
“Think it blew them away?”
“I was shaking in my boots most of the night. Knew it was a matter of time before your Dad hauled me out back and knocked me upside the head. Sent me packing with orders to keep away from his baby girl.”
“Really?” Olivia laughed. “No way. They love you and adore Angie. I thought I’d never get Dad to turn her loose so I could get her put to bed. And Mom was every bit as bad.”
“She was, wasn’t she?” Rob grinned.
“And they’re thrilled with the ideas we have for Singing Rock. That we’ll be managing it together, like they did. Like Mom’s parents did before them.”
“I am grateful you didn’t let me suggest a gourmet coffee shop. Or an Olympic-size pool. That might have cast a shadow over their enthusiasm for a new son-in-law.”
“Doubtful. They’re so thrilled with you, I think you could have suggested a Disney-size roller coaster looping back and forth across the creek and they wouldn’t have batted an eye.” She drew him to an abrupt halt. Glanced mischievously in both directions of the empty hallway. “Kiss me.”
“Here?” He drew back. Also glanced both ways. Then toward the heavens. “In front of God and everybody?”
“An itsy-bitsy one? To tide me over until after lunch?”
He groaned. “You’re not going to make my life easy for the next couple of months, are you?”
“I have every confidence you’ll survive.” She lifted her head and closed her eyes in giddy expectation.
And much to her delight, she was duly rewarded.
“See?” A female voice carried down the empty hall. “They didn’t forget you. There’s your mommy and daddy!”
They broke apart and whirled in the direction of the nursery where a teenager stood, Angie in her arms. Both waving.
A quick glance confirmed Rob’s ears reddening, but Olivia hurried down the hall, barely making it to the door before Angie made a lunge for her.
“Mommy!”
Mommy? Overcome by the endearment, she gathered the two-year-old into her arms. Cradled her warmth. Drew in her baby shampoo scent. Yes, Mommy. Not by a body’s birth, but by a birth of the heart.
“Mommy. Kinda like the sound of that.” Rob, now at her side, tugged playfully on the eyelet trim of Angie’s dress, but his eyes were on Olivia. “Mommy. Wife. Nice combination for a beautiful woman.”
The teen gave him an oh, puleeze look, then gathered her things, squeezed out the door and dashed down the hall.
Rob cocked a brow. “Think we embarrassed her?”
“Not likely. That’s Cate Landreth’s daughter. So expect it to be common knowledge by tomorrow that we were caught playing kissy face in the church’s education wing.”
“Kissy face, huh?” A smile tugged as he moved in a step closer, an impish light dancing in his eyes. “Well, then, Miz almost-McGuire, what do you say we give them something to talk about?”
Stick in the mud? Stuffy? Wasn’t that what this man’s sister once called him?
With a disbelieving laugh, she lifted her face to his.
Life was good. And getting better by the minute.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Canyon Springs! This “high country” region of Arizona is filled with beautiful little mountain communities featuring abundant campsites and cabin resorts like Singing Rock. It’s a perfect spot for a getaway—to step back, quiet down and listen to the “still small voice” of God.
Rob McGuire came to Canyon Springs for a fresh start, but he faced many challenges of his own making. Sometimes our wrong choices go unnoticed by others. We ask for forgiveness and keep them “just between us and God.” However, as in Rob’s case, some choices may have more public and long-lasting consequences. They can create obstacles—including fear of rejection—in our relationship with God and with others.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Olivia and Rob’s journey to recognizing God’s loving mercy. Mercy evidenced through His forgiveness—not rejection—and bringing about good from decisions that fell far short of His own ideals.
I love to hear from readers, so please contact me via email at [email protected] or Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279. Please also visit my website at www.glynnakaye.com—and stop in at www.loveinspiredauthors.com and www.seekerville.net.
Thank you for again joining me in Canyon Springs!
Glynna
Questions for Discussion
Rob’s been in several relationships where he’s faced personal rejection. How does that affect his relationship with Olivia?
How do you feel about Rob’s initial relationship with his daughter’s mother? His relationship with her now? How would you feel if you were in Rob’s shoes?
Several years ago Rob did not uphold his personal beliefs and allowed his relationship with God to erode. Have you ever experienced “spiritual erosion”? How did that come about? What were the consequences?
While Rob knows God forgave him when he first asked, he still has trouble accepting that forgiveness because he doesn’t believe he deserves it. Why is that?
How does Olivia’s “placing Rob on a pedestal” make confessing his past more difficult? Do we ever want to be accepted just as we are, with all our flaws and failures, yet withhold that same freedom from others? How can we see both ourselves and others more realistically and allow God to take care of the imperfections?
Olivia went through Rob’s personal belongings—including a locked file box—in a desperate search for a phone number. Rob didn’t seem to mind, but do you think her actions were justified? Would you have done the same?
Olivia feels misunderstood by her family, especially her oldest sister. She wants to find her “purpose” in life, so she tries new things to see if God will open or close doors. Have you ever had a time in your life when you tried something new to confirm if it was God’s plan for you? Did He open or close doors?
Do you agree with Meg’s assessment that the fear of rejection can lead to self-imposed isolation and superficial relationships? Have you ever had to risk rejection? How did it turn out?
Brandi is experiencing growing pains and not feeling accepted for who she is. She falls in with the wrong crowd. How influential was peer pressure when you were growing up? How much does it influence you now? How might Brandi’s family have better helped her to stand strong against peer pressure?
Olivia is disappointed when she discovers Rob isn’t the “perfect” man she’d thought he was in college. How are her eyes opened to recognizing she loves the real man he is now more than she loved the dream she’d fallen for so many years ago?
After the near-miss situation in Las Vegas, Rob heads far away from the city lights. But he can’t outrun his past. Have you ever “started fresh,” only to discover you’d brought “you” along with you? Did God still confront you with the issues you were trying to escape? What was the outcome?
Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” The scripture doesn’t say all things are good, but that God works for our good in all things if we love Him. Have you ever experienced God turning something around to be a blessing to you or others that was clearly a wrong choice, not His preferred choice?
ISBN: 9781459223738
Copyright © 2012 by Glynna Kaye Sirpless
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