Country Roads (50 page)

As he pulled away, he reached behind her ear and brought out a ring, its stones flashing even in the low light. She laughed in delight.

“May I?” he asked, holding out his other hand.

She put her palm on his, savoring the warm strength of his long fingers as he slid the ring on. “It’s a horseshoe,” she said. “With black diamonds.”

“Darth insisted.”

“I love you so much,” she said, feeling as though there wasn’t enough room for her heart inside her rib cage.

He locked his arms around her and smiled. “I’ve loved you since I saw you standing beside a broken-down old car looking like a disgruntled wood sprite.”

She shook her head. “You tried your darnedest to drive right by me.”

“But I couldn’t. I thought I was there to rescue you, but you’re the one who saved me.” His smile was replaced by a look of love so powerful she felt it in her bones. He lowered his mouth to hers.

As Paul’s hands began to move over her body, focusing her attention on the swirl of heat and pleasure he knew so well how to evoke, she felt an insistent tug on the back of her jacket.

Pulling away from Paul, she turned to find Darkside nibbling at the leather. She laughed as she eased the hem of the jacket out of his mouth and stroked his nose. “Don’t worry, buddy, I said yes.”

“He just wants to make sure,” Paul said, “because I promised him a lifetime supply of horse treats if he could convince you to marry me.”

Julia wound her arms around Paul’s neck and locked her body against his. “I’m convinced.”

Discussion Questions for Country Roads

1) Julia’s relationship with her uncle, Carlos, is complicated because she loves him but chafes against his overprotectiveness. Where is the line between protecting someone and controlling them? Do you think Carlos crossed it?

2) Paul also wants to protect Julia but does so without curtailing her freedom. Is this because he did not see her when she was affected by epilepsy? Do you think he would act differently toward her if she still had seizures?

3) Darkside plays a major role in giving Julia the confidence she needs to present her art to the world, stand up to her uncle, and fight for Paul’s love. How can an animal, especially one that can be dangerous, help people work through their problems? Have you ever felt an animal helped you through a difficult time?

4) Julia’s art changes throughout the book. How did each of her paintings reflect the events in her life? Do you see the
Night Mares
as sinister figures or as something different?

5) In
Take Me Home
, the first book in the Whisper Horse series, Claire Arbuckle is a principal character. She also plays an important role in
Country Roads
. Does including a familiar character
help tie the books together? Would you like to see Julia and Paul play a part in the next book?

6) Julia grew up feeling fragile and damaged because of the way her family treated her. Despite many instances of courage and independence on her part, it is hard for her to believe she is strong until those around her see her as such. What affects our self-image? Is it dependent on other people’s opinions or do we determine it? Do you have something you believe is special about yourself, as Julia believed her art was?

7) Paul remains in Sanctuary to take care of his alcoholic brother, Jimmy. Do you consider it noble or foolish for Paul to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of Jimmy’s? If Jimmy hadn’t had his son, Eric, do you think Paul still would have stayed?

8) The town of Sanctuary, West Virginia, is an important part of the story in
Country Roads
. What other books have you read in which the setting plays a strong role in the book? Do you have a favorite kind of setting?

TAKE ME HOME

A Whisper Horse Novel
In the mountains of West Virginia, Claire and Tim find love through the power of a whisper horse.

SHOWER OF STARS

Charlotte offers Jack a business proposition; he counters with a most unusual proposal.

A BRIDGE TO LOVE

When Kate tells Randall he was a one-night stand, he refuses to take no for an answer.

MUSIC OF THE NIGHT

Detective Anna Salazar must resist the seduction of Maestro Nicholas Vranos and his music to die for.

“Smart, sexy, and deeply emotional.”—Barbara Bretton,
USA Today
bestselling author

I
COULD NOT
write my books without the help of family, friends, and colleagues. You all make my creative life richer and more satisfying. Many, many thanks to:

Kelli Martin, my editor, who champions my books and makes me feel valued as an author;

Jane Dystel and Miriam Goderich, my agents, who never cease to amaze me with their professionalism and support;

The author relations team at Montlake, who are helpful, knowledgeable, and just plain nice;

Andrea Hurst, my developmental editor, who makes every book she touches better;

Tara Doernberg and Deb Taber, my copy editors, and Toisan Craigg and Sara Brady, my proofreaders, who allow me to sleep at night;

Miriam Allenson, Cathy Greenfeder, and Lisa Verge Higgins, my critique group, whose wise and judicious reading of my work makes it infinitely stronger;

Rebecca Theodorou, English major extraordinaire, who developed the thoughtful, provocative discussion questions for this book;

Patti Anderson, my exercise guru, who helps me take care of myself in so many ways;

Clemente Brakel, Bruce Funderburke, and Mary McElroy, my friends and treasured resources, who have the answers when Google doesn’t;

Brodie and Rocky, my whisper dogs, who keep me healthy by taking me on long walks; and

Jeff, Rebecca, and Loukas, my family, whose love is my anchor and my joy.

Photo by Phil Cantor, 2003

Although she now lives in the suburbs of New Jersey, Nancy Herkness was born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia. A graduate of Princeton University, she majored in English literature and creative writing. Her senior thesis was a volume of original poetry.

Her contemporary romances have won several awards, including the Golden Leaf, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Aspen Gold.

She enjoys vacations to exotic locales (like Niagara Falls and Philadelphia, PA) and shares those with readers on “From the Garret,” her own personal blog. She loves animals, having grown up with five dogs, three cats, a pony, and various wild creatures the cats brought home. She has phobias about driving across bridges and flying.

Nancy lives in a Victorian house with her husband and two mismatched dogs and cheers loudly for the New Jersey Devils hockey team.

To read excerpts, enter her contest, or find out about upcoming releases, please visit Nancy’s website:
www.NancyHerkness.com
.