Shadows on the Sand (39 page)
Read Shadows on the Sand Online
Authors: Gayle Roper
Tags: #Fiction, #General, #Romance, #Suspense, #Christian, #Religious, #New Jersey, #Investigation, #Missing Persons - Investigation, #City and Town Life - New Jersey, #Missing Persons, #Mystery Fiction, #City and Town Life
“Why resort properties on the East Coast?” Lindsay leaned on the pass-through. “I never understood the reason for that.”
“No reason that we’ve been able to find out,” Greg said. “Maybe it’s just far from Arizona.”
“And Michael liked to fish.” Clooney reminded us.
“Greg’s and Bill’s orders are up, Andi, Carrie,” Ricky called. “It’s never as good as when I plate it.”
I put the sticky bun down in front of Greg and dug in from my side of
the counter. I savored my first bite, all sweet and spicy. As I cut another piece, I grinned at my husband.
He took my right hand in his, absently running his thumb up and down the scar left from my surgery. “Want to go fishing after I’m off duty?”
“If you promise to clean my fish.”
“You know that’s against the rules.”
“I think we have to establish our own house rules, and I think they might be different from your parents’.”
He assumed an expression of mock distress. “I think I feel a discussion coming on.”
“Well, I could just throw back anything I catch whether it’s legal or not.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“You’d better believe it, mister.”
“Look, everybody.” It was Mr. Perkins. “They’re smiling again.”
Greg swallowed his last bite and rose from his stool. He leaned over the counter and gave me a quick kiss. I watched him leave, wrapped in the rosy glow of love given and received.
As I collected our dirty dishes, my wristwatch clanked against the pink marble. I glanced at it and thought of the watch Clooney had given me the day I broke my wrist.
I smiled. Oh, yes. There was a time to every purpose under heaven.
The last year has seen me facing a new life, one that I didn’t seek but which the Lord has allowed. I have become a widow.
How I wish it hadn’t happened. If the Lord had asked me to write this part of my life, my scenario wouldn’t be the one I’m living. Chuck would still be alive, healthy, whole. He was a wonderful guy, and I miss him and his love every day. It’s very strange indeed that he’s gone and life goes on both for me and around me.
It’s interesting that the one line that irritates me most is the one people offer me as comfort. “Isn’t it wonderful that Chuck’s with the Lord!” they say.
Well, of course it is, especially when you think of the alternative. However my internal response is,
No, it’s not! I want him here
.
Grieving is so individual.
When my friend Janny’s mother died, her neighbor came over as soon as she heard and stayed, not wanting to leave Janny alone in her sorrow. When the neighbor’s mother died, she hadn’t wanted to be alone, and she transferred her feelings onto Janny. All Janny, an introvert, wanted was for her neighbor to go home and leave her alone to process her emotions.
Relationships are tricky enough when everything is fine. Just ask Carrie and Greg. When loss is involved, they are trickier still. I’ve been fortunate enough to have family and friends gather around and encourage me. They let me talk and grieve in my way and on my schedule. What a gift!
Thanks to the many whose expertise and imagination made
Shadows on the Sand
so much stronger than I could have alone:
Lucinda Barnett, who gave me my villain’s name.
Katie Fleetwood, whose imagination gave me Carrie’s Café.
Mike, chef and owner of Country Gardens Restaurant, who gave me some of his valuable time and wisdom, and makes the best crab cakes going!
Fay, Jodie, Pat, Denise, and Deb—Country Gardens ladies who not only feed me frequently but talked to me for the book.
Julee Schwarzburg, editor extraordinaire, who makes me so much better than I am.
To my dinner group friends—Bebe, Lois, Vicki, Barbara, and Linda—who have helped make the past months bearable. You women are fantastic, and I’ll vacation with you all any day!
To my writers group—Georgia, Pat, Deb, and Nancy—thanks for being there for me!
And to my family—Chip and Audrey and their girls, Bri, Abbie, and Devan, and Jeff and Cindy and their two, Ashley and PJ—you’ve held me close and held me up. I love you.
1. Carrie loves her café. Greg dislikes property management. What about your job? Why do you feel the way you do about it? Does God promise us jobs we love? Read Ecclesiastes 2:17; 9:10; and Colossians 3:23–24. What are your thoughts?
2. The watch Clooney gives Carrie is a symbol of what? Read Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4. Have you had experience with this principle?
3. What do you do when it doesn’t appear to be God’s timing for your heart’s desire? Read Psalms 27:14 and 37:4. What do you think of these seemingly opposite truths?
4. Carrie says that distance helps her forgive her mother. What do you think of this idea?
5. In
chapter 32
, Carrie talks about the essence of genuine faith. Do you agree with her assessment? Read Hebrews 11:1.
6. In
chapter 34
, Carrie and Greg talk about what often draws men and women to cults that are outside the norm of American life and certainly outside orthodox Christianity. What are the main elements Greg says attract many? What is often the downfall of a cult?
7. When Carrie’s mother arrives in Seaside, what is Carrie’s reaction? What do you think your reaction would be if you had a similar history? Why is Lindsay’s reaction so different?
8. Why are Carrie’s mother and stepfather a sign of hope? Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:1–5.
9. Mary Prudence is Carrie’s “God-mother,” a gift from the Lord. Does a mentor have to be this obvious? Have there been people in your life
who have been there at crucial moments with a word or a helping hand? Share your stories with others in the discussion group.
10. Greg concludes that he can never be all that Carrie needs any more than he was all that Ginny needed. Discuss this critical realization in light of romance novels.
THER
N
OVELS BY
G
AYLE
R
OPER
Fatal Deduction
Allah’s Fire
with Chuck Holton
S
EASIDE
S
EASONS
S
ERIES
Spring Rain
Summer Shadows
Autumn Dreams
Winter Winds
