“Did you tell your parents the news?” she asked, tidying up her station. She kept looking at him with a smile. She loved him so, and now she knew he loved her.
“They are thrilled. They would have been with you every step of the way if the cancer had returned, but they’re rejoicing now that it didn’t. They asked us to go there for dinner—is that all right with you?”
“Sure. I’ve had a bunch of calls.” She waved the pink message slips. “And I spoke with Janette. Everyone seems happy about this. But none can compare to how I feel.”
“Or me.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her. “Marry me really soon. I don’t think I can wait long.”
“I’ve been thinking about that all afternoon. And how Flo Baldwin said the town loves a wedding. Marcie and Zack are planning a Christmas wedding. How about we do ours in the spring? Maybe April? I think I’d like that.”
“Then April it is, though that seems so far off.”
“The time will fly by. And I want to enjoy being engaged, planning a wedding, inviting all our friends.” She gazed up at him. “Let’s enjoy the journey. Only yesterday, I never thought I’d find this kind of happiness. I want to savor every moment with you. I love you, Tate.”
“And I love you, Faith, and always will.”
He smiled at her and, having the right at long last, Faith reached out to touch that adorable dimple.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Rocky Point, Maine. Summer is winding down and soon the tourists will be going home. A new resident takes center stage when Faith Stewart moves to town. She soon meets Tate Johnson, Rocky Point’s sheriff. As they end up spending more and more time together, they agree to just be friends. They both have baggage from the past holding them back from the future. But sometimes the best laid plans don’t come about. What happens when friends fall in love? And then what happens when that love is tested?
I hope you’ll enjoy the journey Faith makes in her new home. And in reconnecting with the people of Rocky Point. Above all I hope you see how her own faith strengthens her when she’s faced with difficult decisions and an uncertain future.
Best,
Questions for Discussion
When the story opens, Faith is newly arrived in Rocky Point. She’s found the ideal job, but faces constant veiled animosity from a fellow employee. Have you had a similar situation? How did you handle it? Was Faith’s manner one you would have chosen? Why or why not?
Joe Kincaid takes Tate home after his accident and talks excitedly about his upcoming wedding. In contrast, Tate remembers his own with aching loss. Do you think he truly wished his friend joy in his marriage? Could there be a touch of envy?
Faith found the dog and puppies in the rain and immediately took them into her home. Would you have done that or called Animal Control to pick them up? If you took them in, would you keep them until you found their owner, or only until authorities could pick them up? Do you think Faith began bonding with her new dog from that moment on?
Tate admires Faith for starting over in a new town where she knew no one. Have you ever had to do that? How did it go? Did you join a church to meet people as well as to worship? What other things did you do to make yourself feel more at home?
Faith joins a singles group and immediately plunges into the rummage-sale project. Do you feel this was the best way to get involved? Was it strengthening her faith? How would you have handled this opportunity?
Tate is growing more and more interested in Faith, yet still has lingering feelings for his deceased wife. Do you think a person can move forward yet still hold love from the past? Why or why not?
When Marjorie’s actions are discovered and she is reprimanded by the doctor, Faith is quick to forgive. Does this seem logical? How would you have handled the situation?
Tate went through a lot during his late wife’s illness. Do you think he would shy away from becoming involved with another woman who had also fought a life-threatening illness? Does it ring true that love and faith could overcome a man’s reluctance to take a chance on love again? How would you feel if the situation came to you?
Tate sees his love as strong and steadfast—no matter what the future holds. Does this seem in character, or would he be more likely to wait for the outcome before making a commitment? Have you known people in a similar situation? How did they handle things?
Faith plans to leave Rocky Point and return to Portland if her illness returns. Do you think this is a wise choice, or could she have handled it differently? What could have made a difference to her thinking?
Faith keeps quiet about her past, not wanting to get the same reaction as her longtime friends. Do you let an illness or situation define a person? Can you get past that to see who your friend really is, and give her space to decide if she wants to bring up the past or move on?
Do you think being a orphan, as Faith is, makes it that much harder to get through life, or, because she had to depend on herself so much, did that make her a stronger person? How would you have handled things?
ISBN: 9781459221178
Copyright © 2012 by Barbara McMahon
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Rocky Point Promise Page 19