by Grace Greene
“As well as others. I’ve also learned that if you don’t know who you are and don’t have ‘you’ inside your head, someone else might try to own that space.” The night was silent except for a chorus of insects, invisible but very vocal. “Thank you both for your help with Honey, the garden, and with Trent.”
“You’re welcome,” Colton and Aaron said in unison.
Hearing her name, Honey moved closer. Sandra ran her hand along Honey’s back, enjoying the silky feel of her fur.
Aaron nodded. “Are you thinking about volunteering at the shelters?”
“That, but more. Remember how that shelter was so full? The woman said the animals kept coming, and she mentioned fostering.”
He leaned forward, excited. “Are you going to foster dogs?”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
Colton interrupted. “That’s a pretty big commitment.”
“It’s not like adopting. I don’t dare adopt. I wouldn’t know where to stop. But fostering? I can do that.” How far had she come in such a short time? She couldn’t even take care of herself before, and now she was certain, absolutely sure, she could take care of others in need.
“What about the expense? What about Barbara?” Colton paused, his expression changed from curious to speculating. “Are you planning to stay longer after all?”
“Maybe. I think so. It’s not for sure yet.” She smiled, enjoying the list of dreams, the hopes, growing inside her head. “There’s a good chance Aunt Barbara might decide to stay down in Florida.”
Suddenly Sandra knew she didn’t want to talk about owning the Shoemaker homeplace here at Cub Creek, not yet. It would be a while before that actually happened, and things could change. Plus, she didn’t want to close off any options or chart a specific course. She wanted to enjoy the possibilities and imagine how they might complement her life—her real life—the life she’d been avoiding for almost three decades. She wanted to build it well and enjoy doing it.
“I won’t be rushing off anytime soon, and I don’t think my aunt will mind at all. I have to work out the expenses part, but I’m tired of waiting, and I want to begin preparing. However, there’s one problem.”
Four pairs of eyes focused on Sandra.
“I’ve already got a pretty substantial to-do list in mind, and, Aaron, I need your help.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Can you bring your garden layouts back over? And your tape measure?”
“Sure,” he said, nodding.
“Could you design a layout that’s flexible? One that can be expanded as needed?”
“You mean like with the fencing and adding some kennels and stuff? I have some great ideas.”
“Excellent, because regardless of the other projects on the list, one thing I know for certain—Honey and I are going to need a much bigger garden.”
She looked down at Honey, touched her silky ears, and scratched her neck. Barbara might miss her Honey if she stayed in Florida, but as her aunt had said, the trip would be too stressful for an older dog who’d lived a hard life, and she’d be guaranteed a good home with Sandra. Besides, Sandra reminded herself, Mom didn’t like dogs and would never allow pets in the house. She laughed.
“What’s funny?” Aaron asked.
“Nothing. Everything.” She smiled and hugged Honey. “I’m just happy.”
A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM
By Edgar Allan Poe
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow—
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand—
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep—while I weep!
O God! Can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Heartfelt thanks to my first readers, Jill, Amy, and Amy, who each bring their special skills, talents, and perspectives to my books and graciously struggle with me through the early drafts to help craft the characters and the story. Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing and my editor, Kelli Martin, for this opportunity and for making the publication of this book possible, and to Lindsay Guzzardo, my developmental editor, for asking all the right questions and her inspired suggestions. You all helped make this a better story, and, together, we have crafted a book worth reading. I hope you, dear reader, will agree.
An important and special acknowledgment is due to Edgar Allan Poe and his poem “Dream Within a Dream.” The poem’s themes are represented in this book. Time doesn’t wait. Life, happiness, and love—it all passes swiftly. We cannot hold it here. We must find our hope and our happiness daily, in between what we think we want or need and what we actually get. A truth we’ve all heard: life, happiness, and love aren’t waiting at some elusive destination but are with us on each step of the journey, if we will open our eyes and see them.
Thank you to my mom and so many others who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. I represent you here with great love, straight from my heart.
Thank you to my husband, who keeps me writing even when life does its best to interfere and interrupt.
An important acknowledgment must be given to the inspiration for this story. She was a friend and coworker who had divorced her abusive husband, and though she tried to make it on her own, it was difficult. He returned, charming and persistent, and she remarried him despite the warnings of friends. I lost touch with her many years ago and don’t know if her happily-ever-after worked out. I hope that it did. This book is for her.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
No one, no living creature, should be mistreated. Animals don’t have much choice, but people do, and no one should ever settle for anything short of what feeds their happiness, because happy people tend to share happiness. Be the person who shares goodwill and also the person who receives it and passes it on.
If you are interested in helping animals, please contact the shelters in your area and find out what they need and what you can do to help.
You can make a difference in a life.
READING GROUP GUIDE
Why do you think Sandra tried so hard to make her marriage work? Did she believe it would work if she tried hard enough? Or was it because she was afraid of failure or of being on her own?
When does thoughtless and overbearing behavior become abusive? Is it possible that sometimes the personality or chemistry between the people involved can contribute to the negative behaviors?
Along that same line of thought, Trent’s points of failure aren’t very different from the advice Sandra’s mother gives her, yet each point can be viewed either as negative or positive. Why?
Have you ever wanted to change something about yourself so that you will fit in better with others? Is there a difference between compromising to make relationships work or compromising yourself to fit into work or social circles?
What prompted the change in Sandra’s outlook on life? Did something change in her that made the change possible? Do you think external events might have prompted her change, or did they encourage or support the ability to change?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Greene is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of women’s fiction and contemporary romance set in the rolling hills and forests of her native Virginia (Kincaid’s Hope, Cub Creek, Leaving Cub Creek)
and the breezy beaches of Emerald Isle, North Carolina (Beach Rental, Beach Winds). Her debut novel, Beach Rental, and the sequel, Beach Winds, were both Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. For more about the author and her books, visit www.gracegreene.com or connect with her on Twitter at @Grace_Greene and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GraceGreeneBooks.