But she trudged on. “So far, so good. It hurts a little, but it feels good to get some fresh air.” Excitement built as they started toward the stairway. It wasn’t quite dark, but she could see the lights twinkling through the trees above. She pointed up at them. “I’m a little surprised Britt didn’t notice she’d left them on. But then, I didn’t see them either when I came home from work. If electricity was free, I’d leave those things on all the time.”
“But then it wouldn’t be special when you do turn them on.”
She shrugged. “True. I still remember how magical it was when we turned them on the first time before Phee’s wedding.”
“So, where are you on the whole wedding venue plans? And don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject back there.”
“Plans? I haven’t really done much.” She gave him a sheepish look. “Except think about it.”
“But you still want to do that, right?”
“Okay … true confession, I don’t just think about it, I dream about it. Kind of obsessively.”
“So do it, then. What’s stopping you, Jo?”
“Oh, Luke, what if it’s a big flop? And besides, I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Of course you would. You planned your sister’s whole wedding, didn’t you? It was one of the nicest weddings I’ve ever been to. And I’ve been to a lot.”
“You really think so?” She stopped at the foot of the stairs. “Can we rest a minute? My ankle’s aching a little.” It was more than a little, but she wasn’t about to let him talk her out of making it up to the clearing.
“Here …” Without warning, Luke scooped her into his arms. “Come on. Let’s get you up there!”
She let out a little squeal, but wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him, feeling safer than she’d ever felt in her life.
He carried her effortlessly to the near edge of the clearing and without setting her down, he reached high on the pole where the light switches were. “Let’s see here, I think this is the one …”
He flipped a switch, but instead of the clearing going dark, a myriad of new twinkle lights flickered on. Nearly twice as many strings as they’d put up for Phee’s wedding.
Jo tipped her head back and stared. “What … ?”
Wearing an enigmatic smile, Luke carried her toward the center of the clearing. As they came over the rise, a grouping of lanterns came into sight, glowing on one of the low log benches. He lowered her to a bench across from the lanterns and knelt in front of her, the smooth planes of his face cast in yellow light.
“Luke?”
“I have … some thoughts about that wedding venue idea.” His smile held confidence, even though his voice wavered almost imperceptibly.
“You do?” she squeaked. Was it possible? Could this be what she desperately hoped it was?
Now that she thought about it, everything had happened quite conveniently to get her and Luke up here to the clearing alone, and she would have bet her last dollar that these lights twinkling overhead hadn’t been left on accidentally.
“Exactly what thoughts are you having?” she dared.
“Well, for starters, I think you need to do another test wedding up here.”
“You do?” She couldn’t hide the smile that came. Or the certainty of what else was to come.
“I do.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed the tip of her nose.
“And who do you propose the guinea pigs would be? For this … test wedding?”
His smile faded and his expression turned solemn. Still on his knees, he leaned back and fished in his pocket. He brought out a tiny black box and fumbled with it before holding out a simple diamond ring.
Her breath caught.
But he held up a hand, as if to halt the proceedings. “I know that we haven’t known each other all that long and … I promise I won’t be hurt if you think it’s too soon. But I love you, Joanna Chandler”—he reached for her hand—“and if you feel even half as much for me as I do for you, then I don’t want to waste another minute that you could be wearing my ring.”
“Oh, Luke …” The tears came then. “Yes,” she managed to whisper over the lump in her throat. “Yes, Luke. Oh, yes! A thousand times, yes.”
“That’s a yes, then? You’re sure?” He winked and the gold flecks in his gray eyes seemed to twinkle.
She grasped the hand offering the diamond. “Give me that ring,” she teased. She took his face, his precious face, between her hands. Her heart overflowed as he covered her right hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life,” she whispered.
“I was kind of hoping you’d say that.”
Her laughter was swallowed up in his kisses.
A NOTE FROM DEB
Dear reader,
It’s finally here! The second book in my Chandler Sisters series! And I’m so pleased with how Joanna’s story turned out. Even though I’m an oldest sister (who married an oldest brother), I think I relate more to middle sister Joanna than I do to Phylicia. At least, Joanna’s reactions to the dilemma in Chasing Dreams is very much like my own might have been. I’m so eager to hear what you think about this second story in the series!
As I write this author’s note, my husband and I are surrounded by packing boxes and Bubble Wrap and change-of-address forms, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. But we are excited to be embarking on an exciting new chapter of life. One that will take us closer to our daughters and their families in the beautiful state of Missouri. We’re so grateful to have a chance to live closer to five of our nine grandkids and be more a part of their lives than distance has allowed in the past. But our decision to move also means we’ll be moving far away from our family and friends here in Kansas. It’s especially heartbreaking to be leaving this town where I’ve been so close to my brother and my sisters—the inspiration for these Chandler Sisters novels.
I’m so very grateful for modern technology that will allow us to keep in touch with family across the miles … almost as if we still lived in the same town.
And speaking of technology, I love that social media allows me to keep in touch with you, dear readers! If you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Twitter, the blog I write along with several author friends, or my Facebook Readers Page, I’d love to meet you there! You can find links to all those connnection points and more on my website at deborahraney.com.
As I wrap up another novel, my deepest thanks go out to the many people who made this book possible: my agent, Steve Laube, Steve Barclift, and the team at Kregel, especially my editors, Catherine DeVries, Janyre Tromp, and Cheryl Molin.
I owe more than I can express to my beloved critique partner, friend, and favorite author, Tamera Alexander, along with others who read my manuscripts and offer solutions—especially my dear friend Terry Stucky and my sister Vicky Miller.
I’m so grateful for the encouragement and love of my family—in-laws and outlaws alike, as my husband, Ken, likes to say. Perhaps I could still write a book without the support of our four kids and their families, my amazing dad, my wonderful mother-in-law, and so many other friends and family—but I sure wouldn’t want to! You all make the journey an absolute delight!
As always, thank you, Ken Raney, for making life such a glorious adventure! Thank you for pushing me to be my best, for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, and for your unwavering support over the years.
And most of all, thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the immeasurable blessings You have bestowed, along with just enough challenges to produce perseverance, character, and hope.
Deborah Raney
June 20, 2019
BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION GUIDE
SPOILER ALERT: These discussion questions contain spoilers that may give away elements of the plot.
In Chasing Dreams, the Chandler sisters are settling into life at their edge-of-town Airbnb and are learning to become business partners as well as sisters. What challen
ges does owning a business with family members present? What advantages? Have you ever been in business with family members? Share your experiences, both positive and challenging.
This novel opens with a dramatic encounter that ultimately changes the direction of Joanna’s life and career. Have you ever started down the path toward one career only to have an unexpected change of direction? What caused your change of heart or your decision to go in a different direction? Was it difficult for you to switch gears and change plans? Do you have any regrets for changing course?
How do you feel about Joanna’s reluctance to accept Mateo as part of Luke’s life? Do you identify with her fears and frustrations? Or do you feel she’s being selfish or shortsighted? Why do you think she’s so resistant to the idea of marrying a man who comes with responsibilities and obligations that will assuredly involve her?
Do you think it was wise for Luke to take on the guardianship of Mateo? Were his intentions heroic from the beginning, or did he “fall into” his role as guardian and not know how to extricate himself from a difficult situation?
How did Joanna’s sisters contribute to her attitude and decisions about Luke and Mateo? How was Phylicia’s influence different from Britt’s? How, if at all, do you think the sisters’ attitudes might have been shaped by their birth order?
Why do you think Joanna was so drawn to her ex-boyfriend? Do you think she was right to forgive Ben and give him a second chance? Do you think she was more influenced by the warm memories of their former relationship and her physical attraction to him, or by her desire to find an “alternative” to Luke and Mateo?
Why do you think Joanna found it necessary to have a relationship with “someone, anyone”? Would it have been better for her to remain unattached while she was deciding whether she could accept Mateo as part of Luke’s life? Why?
How did Mateo change Joanna, both for better and for worse? Why do you think his entrance into her life first brought about negative changes? What do you think was the turning point when Mateo’s presence started to be a positive influence on Joanna?
Discuss the dynamic that Phylicia’s husband, Quinn, brought to the sisters’ relationships? How has the entrance of in-laws into your own family affected your relationships with family members? If you are an in-law yourself, how do you think your entrance into a family changed the dynamic? Has that influence fluctuated over time? Does distance make a difference in how in-laws integrate into a family?
If you were in Luke’s position, do you think you’d be as patient and accepting as he was of Joanna’s fears and hesitance about Mateo? Why or why not?
How do you think Mateo’s presence might change the dynamic of the sisters’ relationships? What challenges might his entrance into the family create? What benefits? (Stay tuned for book 3 for the answer!)
CHAPTER 1
Tuesday, November 22
BRITT CHANDLER COULDN’T HELP THE smile that came as her car approached the freshly installed, ornate sign near the entrance to their long driveway. The Cottages at Poplar Brook Road. Sign? Billboard was more like it. It had cost a small fortune to have it painted and installed along with its smaller counterpart at the highway turnoff. But Britt and her sisters agreed it was worth it, given the rather remote wooded acreage where they lived. More than one of their Airbnb customers had become lost trying to find their way on the curvy Missouri road.
Her phone chirped through the car’s speakers. Seeing her brother-in-law’s name on caller ID, Britt pressed the button on the steering wheel to answer. “Hey, Quinn, what’s up?”
“Not much. Are you home right now?”
“I will be in about two minutes. Why?”
“Would you mind looking in on Phee? At the new house.”
“Sure. Is everything okay?” She didn’t like the worry that shaded Quinn’s tone. “She’s working awfully late, isn’t she?”
“As usual. And it’s probably nothing, but she was feeling kind of puny when I dropped off some lunch around one. I’m at the house here in town, but she’s not home yet and she’s not answering her phone. She’s probably just working outside, but I’m out the door in about five minutes for a meeting at church and I’d feel better if somebody checked on her. Maybe persuade her to go home if you can.”
“Ha. You forget this is my stubborn big sister you’re talking about.”
“I remember. Believe me, I remember.”
Britt laughed. “Let me get my groceries put away and I’ll run over there. I have something to send home with her for you anyway.”
“For me?”
“Well, both of you, but you’ll appreciate it more than Phee will.”
“That sounds promising. No clues?”
“It’s a surprise, but you might want to save room for dessert when you get home from your meeting.”
“My mouth is already watering. Thanks, Britt.”
“No problem.” Britt ended the call, but easing her Ford Escape up the lane, she frowned. Her oldest sister’s pregnancy had been pretty routine, but the morning sickness had dragged on for almost five months now—and not just in the mornings. Britt knew Phylicia was weary of it, especially when she had so many things she wanted to accomplish at the house she and Quinn were building on the property.
Britt peered through the windshield and sighed. The glorious autumn colors that had brightened the view only a few weeks ago were all but gone now. The last smattering of leaves clung tenaciously to the poplars and dogwoods lining the lane. Before long, snow would blanket the countryside. Of course, winter had its own beauty here in southeast Missouri, but Britt wasn’t ready for that yet. Especially not for how short the days had grown, thanks, in part, to the recent switch to daylight saving time. She glanced at the dashboard. Not even six o’clock and it was already dark!
Still her spirits lifted, as they always did, when the cottages came into sight. Lights gleamed from the cottage windows and even from a distance, Britt could see Joanna moving around inside, no doubt obsessing over the plans for her spring wedding.
Farther up the lane, she spotted Phee’s car at the construction site of the two-story home that currently sported a Tyvek wrap—and mud where a front yard would be next spring. Phylicia and Quinn were hoping to move into the house before the baby arrived next March. But since they were doing a lot of the work themselves, Britt had her doubts they’d make that deadline. She would never voice those doubts to her sister though. Phee was nervous enough about being ready for the baby’s arrival—a child she and Quinn jokingly declared had been conceived on their honeymoon in Hawaii. For now, they were living a few miles away in another house Quinn had built. Or at least that’s where they slept. They spent nearly every waking hour at the new build. Britt loved that they would soon all live here on the same property, but she sometimes worried that her sister overdid it. Half the time Phylicia forgot to eat lunch until Britt or Joanna reminded her, or Quinn brought her a sandwich from town.
Remembering the cookies she’d baked this morning, Britt parked in front of her cabin and pulled her phone from her purse, dialing Phylicia. The phone went to voice mail. “This is Phee. You know what to do.”
Britt waited impatiently for the tone. “Hey, you. I’m bringing over some cookies for you to take home. I made Quinn’s favorite—oatmeal scotchies.”
The sisters all doted on Quinn Mitchell and for good reason. Britt wasn’t sure how they would have managed getting their little Airbnb enterprise up and running without him. But things were going surprisingly well, despite some rather major hitches at the beginning. She and her sisters made a good team. In fact, Phylicia had declared just yesterday that they’d built their renovation fund back up to the eleven thousand dollars they’d started with after purchasing the cottages free and clear. If Joanna’s idea for opening a wedding venue here at the cottages took off, they could probably breathe easy where money was concerned.
She turned off the ignition, and as she did every time she arrived home, she stopped to admire the tiny
cabin she’d claimed for her own. Dim lamplight outlined Melvin’s silhouette on the windowsill, tail twitching, anticipating his nightly treat, no doubt. Their mother’s tuxedo cat they’d inherited after Mom’s death had become decidedly Britt’s cat. Her sisters might argue with that claim, but Britt’s cabin was where Melvin was fed, where he slept, and, less happily, where his litter box resided. Mom would have loved knowing that Melvin had taken to country life so quickly. In some ways it felt surreal that the first anniversary of her death was approaching, yet in other ways, it seemed an eternity since they’d had Mom in their lives.
Britt unloaded groceries from the back of the Escape and glanced toward Quinn and Phee’s house. The lights were on inside and she didn’t see Phee anywhere outside. It wasn’t like her not to return a call. Of course, she might be on the phone with someone else. Maybe Dad had called from Florida. He’d been keeping in touch with all of them more often now that he was going to be a grandpa.
Opening the front door, she heard the thud of Melvin jumping down from the windowsill, and a second later he appeared in the kitchen. “Hey, buddy. Sorry, but you’re going to have to wait a few minutes for your treat tonight.”
Britt gave him a quick head-to-tail stroke, then shrugged out of her jacket and put the groceries away before dialing Phee again. Straight to voice mail. Hmm. Well, no matter. She’d walk the cookies over and make sure everything was okay. The exercise would do her good after the three warm-from-the-oven cookies—and cookie dough worth three more—she’d snarfed while baking this morning.
She slipped out of her booties, changed into tennis shoes, and donned her jacket again. The night air was cool and the ground soggy from recent rains, but she knew the lane by heart, rain or shine. Picking her way across the makeshift boardwalk Quinn had laid up to the house, she listened to the sounds of the Missouri night. A gentle breeze rustled the branches overhead and a barn owl hooted somewhere above her.
Chasing Dreams Page 30