“Um…the buttons begin here.” She turned, facing the mirror.
He hesitated.
“Gavin?”
“I’m analyzing the situation.” He looked up, seeing her in the mirror. He traced a finger down the side of her neck and kissed the other side. He ran his hands down her arms until his fingers were intertwined with hers. “I can’t believe we’re married…or how much I love you.”
She felt the same, but all she could manage was to squeeze his fingers.
He bent his elbows, causing her to bend hers, and he held her, gazing at her in the mirror. “I could stay like this for at least another thirty seconds, but the clock is ticking, and I think we should call in one mom.”
“Fine,” she grumbled. “You can rescue strangers from burning buildings but can’t manage to rescue your wife from this dress.”
He kissed her neck again before holding up his hands in the mirror. “Huge hands. Tiny satin buttons surrounded by delicate material.” He lowered his hands to her shoulders. “I refuse for the story told of these few minutes to be that I ripped you out of the wedding dress.”
She laughed. “That would be the story, wouldn’t it?”
“Yep, and it wouldn’t stay on the island. Oh no, not with the social-media following my wife has.”
She turned to face him. “I love you, now and forever. For richer or poorer…” She kissed him and lowered her head until his lips were on her forehead. “But I want that honeymoon in Hawaii, so skedaddle and send in Luella and Julep. You find something you need Dell and Sue Beth to help you with.”
“Done.” He winked and strode to the door.
In the moment of quiet, she could feel Sean and Darryl all around her. Her joy seemed to mingle with theirs…for they had a life, and so did she.
Reader’s Guide
In the novel we discover that the Glynn Girls met at camp at a young age. What do you think they did to hold their friendships together over the years? Do you have friendships that have lasted for multiple decades? If you have that kind of friendship, how have you maintained it? Do you believe that it is easier or more difficult for women today to make those kinds of friendships? Why?
The Glynn Girls approve of Gavin’s dismantling Sapphira’s house before the ownership fully transfers. How did you feel about that and Gavin’s decision to forge ahead with selling the house in pieces? Was it over the line, or was he doing what he had to do?
As Tara’s close friends, Hadley and Elliott are in the delicate position of determining how to handle Tara’s grief over losing her brothers. They must decide if they should help her more because of her injury or give her the space she is requesting. Have you ever had someone close to you experience a terrible loss and not known how best to be a good friend? What did you do?
Charles McKenzie makes a terrible first impression on Luella. Describe an experience when you learned to care deeply about someone even though initially you thought you would not become friends. What made the difference?
Luella embraces her life as a single adult, a traveler, and a writer. She tells Chuck that she loves her life this way and can’t imagine changing her lifestyle, but she does come around to wanting a life with him. What does she sacrifice in embracing marriage? What do you think she gains?
Sapphira’s daughter, Cassidy, left St. Simons for good, taking her daughter with her. Sapphira clearly mourned that loss with her Glynn Girls family, but none of the women could change the bad path Cassidy had chosen to take. Have you ever had to let go of a loved one who seemed beyond help? How did you deal with that process?
St. Simons Island is a tourist destination in Georgia, and living in a tourist town can have a number of funny quirks and challenges. Do you live, or have you lived, in a tourist destination? If you could pick a tourist town to live in, which one would it be?
Gavin has multiple run-ins with Tara while she is still disoriented and unsure of her surroundings. He treats her very respectfully, showing her kindness and compassion. Do you think his traits are typical among male believers? Explain your answer.
The Glynn Girls are very connected to Sidney Lanier’s poem describing St. Simons, “The Marshes of Glynn.” Is there a particular artistic expression—a song, a book, a poem, or a painting—that always makes you think of your home or another location that you especially love? Describe it and how often you interact with it.
Tara identifies with the psalmist in Psalm 31, recalling verses nine and ten over and over: “Be gracious to me. O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails.” Is there a particular psalm that you have clung to during hard times? Or one that you use to turn mourning into joy? What is that psalm?
Acknowledgments
* * *
A very special thank-you to my grandmother by marriage, Joyce Ference. Thank you for the years of loving me, for the visits to your beautiful Brunswick home, for your delightful company and many delicious meals, and for the crucial information about the Golden Isles that made this book possible.
And a thank-you to my dad, Russ Rainwater. What amazing memories we’ve made in the Golden Isles over the years! Cindy and I greatly appreciate your meeting us in St. Simons and introducing us to the world of Glynn County firemen and EMTs.
—Erin
* * *
To Al Thomas, retired Glynn County Fire Chief—A heartfelt thank-you because without you this book would not have been possible.
To WaterBrook Multnomah—Thank you for embracing our desire to write this Southern novel.
To Shannon Marchese, Executive Editor, and Carol Bartley, the line editor—We would not want to write a novel without you!
To Jamie Lapeyrolerie—Thank you for your encouragement and expertise.
To our Woodsmall family—Thank you for your endless support and patience.
To the workers at REI, Buford, Georgia—Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us!
—Cindy and Erin
As the Tide Comes In Page 34