Lonestar Homecoming (36 page)
“What about Vargas? He escaped.There's still the bounty on your head.”
“I got a call this morning. His body was found in the wash along with Cid's. Someone else will rise to power, and he won't care about me.That battle isn't mine anymore. I'm weary of death and combat. I can focus on life for a change.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Just then, a cameras flashed in her face. She smiled at Rick and Allie as they approached.
Rick slapped him on the back. “That's a beautiful bride you've got there.”
“I always knew she'd be a knockout in a wedding dress,” he said. His eyes held a meaningful glint.
She poked him in the ribs. “Sh,” she said.
“Did you tell her yet?” Rick asked.
“Not yet,” Michael answered, his eyes still on Gracie.
“Tell me what?” She didn't trust the impish expression on his face.
“It's customary for the groom to give the bride a gift.You haven't asked about yours.”
“I have you and the kids.What more could I want?”
Michael's grin widened. “I think there's one thing.” His large, warm hand enveloped hers and he led her out of the tent. Rick and Allie followed them.
Hope waved to her from atop a horse. “Mommy!” Jordan held the horse's lead, and Evan walked with her. Caesar bounded beside the kids, with his ears alert.
Gracie clutched Michael's arm. She squinted into the sun. “I-is that. . . King?”
“What do you think?”
Her vision blurred. She ran for the horse and children. Michael stayed on her heels. The horse whinnied when he caught sight of her and began to walk faster. Gracie broke into a jog and reached the horse and children.
King thrust his nose against her neck and huffed a blast of warm air onto her skin. She rubbed his neck. “You're not dead,” she whispered. She turned toward Michael. “Where did you find him?”
His grin faded. “In a rendering plant. I barely got there in time. Rick and Allie kept him until today so I could surprise you.”
She leaned her head against the horse's blaze. “It's the best surprise I've ever had. Other than the one when I opened my eyes on a train station bench and saw my hero for the first time.”
He colored as he smiled. “God had a plan, didn't he?”
“One I sure couldn't see.” She laced her fingers with his.
“I don't know about you, but I'm ready to go home and start that new life.”
“
Home
is a beautiful word,” she said, leaning into his embrace.
I
HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED OUR THIRD VISIT TO THE GORGEOUS
B
IG
B
END
area of West Texas as much as I have. I've been a little obsessed lately with marriage-of-convenience stories. Do you love them as much as I do?
The thing I adore about these stories is watching how love works out when it's a choice. It's the day-to-day choices to love and to sacrifice that make a marriage work. A good marriage doesn't just happen. All marriages are between flawed people who have to figure out a way to meld their differences into a relationship that works. It's about learning how to give when you'd rather take. It's about agreeing to watch golf when you'd rather watch
The Biggest Loser
. (Not that I'm too good at that one, mind you!)
Gracie's story developed when I pictured a woman getting off a train in a bedraggled wedding dress, without a dime to her name. Intriguing picture, isn't it? I knew I had to find out what made her run like that.
Judging from my reader mail, you have been enjoying these peeks into relationship building as much as I have enjoyed writing them. Be sure to let me know what you think of this one. I love to hear from readers! Drop me an e-mail at [email protected], and check out my Web site at
www.colleencoble.com
.You can also follow me on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/colleencoble
, and I'm on Facebook as well. Thank you all for giving up your most precious commodityâ
time
âto spend it with me and my stories.
Much affection,
Colleen Coble
I am
so
in my sweet spot! It is such a joy to do another project with my wonderful Thomas Nelson family. Publisher Allen Arnold constantly comes up with new ways to build my brand. Senior Acquisitions Editor Ami McConnell (my friend and cheerleader) is never allowed to be gone for an edit again. I crave her analytical eye! Marketing Manager Jennifer Deshler brings both friendship and fabulous marketing ideas to the table. Publicist Katie Schroder is always willing to listen to my harebrained ideas. Fabulous cover guru Kristen Vasgaard (you
so
rock!) works hard to create the perfect coverâand does it. And of course I can't forget the editors, assistants, and sales reps who are all part of my amazing fiction family: Natalie Hanemann, Amanda Bostic, Becky Monds, Jocelyn Bailey, Ashley Schneider, Heather McCulloch, Chris Long, and Kathy Carabajal. I wish I could name all the great folks who work on selling my books through different venues at Thomas Nelson.You are my dream team! Hearing “well done” from you all is my motivation every day.
Michael Wayne was named by Joe and Frances Schwartz. Their daughter Mary Ann Dynes bid and won on the honor of naming a character in my next book at a Taylor University auction. She let her parents have the fun of naming the character, since they were also a great resource for me when I wrote my Amish mystery
Anathema.
I liked the name so much, I chose it for my hero in the story.Thanks, my friends!
My agent, Karen Solem, has helped shaped my career in many ways, and that includes kicking an idea to the curb when necessary. Thanks, Karen.You're the best!
Erin Healy is the best freelance editor in the business, bar none. Thanks, Erin! I couldn't do it without you. Check out her upcoming solo novel.
Writing can be a lonely business, but God has blessed me with great writing friends and critique partners. Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter make up the Girls Write Out squad (
www.GirlsWriteOut.blogspot.com
). I couldn't make it through a day without my peeps! And another one of those is Robin Miller, conference director of ACFW (
www.acfw.com
), who spots inconsistencies in a suspense plot with an eagle eye.Thanks to all of you for the work you do on my behalf, and for your friendship.
Thanks to my husband, Dave, who carts me around from city to city, washes towels, and chases down dinner without complaint. Thanks, honey! I couldn't do anything without you. My kidsâDave and Kara (and now Donna and Mark)âand my grandsons, James and Jorden Packer, love and support me in every way possible. Love you guys! Donna and Dave brought me the delight of my lifeâour little granddaughter, Alexa! It's hard to write when all I want to do is kiss those darling, pudgy feet. She is the most beautiful baby ever!
Most important, I give my thanks to God, who has opened such amazing doors for me and makes the journey a golden one.
1.Why do you think Gracie wanted to cut up the wedding dress when she was able to change out of it?
2. Gracie's desperation drove her to extreme measures.What would you have done if you were in her situation?
3. Michael took his duty very seriously. Where is the line between duty and family?
4. Michael was a crusader, out to save the world. In what ways did he go too far?
5. Gracie ran from trouble while Michael faced it head on.What is your response to conflict and why is that your reaction?
6. Had you ever heard of synesthesia before? Have you ever experienced a touch of cross sensation?
7.Why didn't Jordan want to accept Gracie's love?
8. How easy is it for love to grow out of gratitude and how does it relate to our love for God?
9. Is love an action or an emotion? How are the different manifestations similar and how are they different?
10. Have you ever felt like a prodigal? Share this experience.
11.When you read the prodigal story, which brother do you most relate to and why?
12. Is there a relationship in your life that needs to be reconciled?
