Because You're Mine(86)
“Will you be nervous?” she asked. “Both sets of parents are out there tonight, meeting each other for the first time.”
“It’s not everyone who has two sets of parents,” he said, smiling down at her. “I’m glad they were willing to get along.”
The last few months hadn’t been easy. Jesse’s mum, in particular, had been devastated and still clung to Liam as if some part of her boy lived in him. And really, didn’t it? Liam wore Jesse’s face. It had taken Alanna a little while to get used to the change. They’d discussed having surgery to restore Liam’s looks, but it hadn’t seemed worth the pain and expense. The man she loved was more than his face—he was his character, his integrity, and his spirit.
Things were stiff between Liam and his father right now. She hoped tonight would help mend the breach. Life was too short to hold grudges.
The curtain opened to the stage band’s strains of “Nightsong.” The audience roared when they stepped to the stage. Alanna’s eyes widened when Liam stepped to the mic. He usually had to be coaxed to sing.
“This is a song I wrote for my wife, Alanna, the love of my life,” he said. “Many of you have heard the story of how even supposed death couldn’t separate us. The song has never been more appropriate than this moment.”
He held out his hand to her, and she took it in a daze. Her face could crack from the smile she wore. Liam picked up the mic and began to croon the lyrics to “Nightsong” to her.
“Two souls bound and none can sever. This nightsong is for you. Our love will last through fire and trouble. This nightsong is for you. Though death may try to break our hearts, I’ll find you where’ere you go. This nightsong is for you.”
God had been so faithful, she realized in a rush of emotion that choked any possibility of joining Liam in the song. Even when she had doubted, God had performed the miraculous. She held her husband’s hand and faced the crowd, which was on its feet roaring its approval.
Tears filled her eyes and spilled to her cheeks. Love was the greatest gift of all and transcended death. Her heart full, she managed to sing the final chorus of the song with Liam. He swept her into his arms, and his lips met hers as the crowd nearly lifted the roof from the rafters.
Discussion Questions
Have you ever been ashamed of your heritage and upbringing or did you grow up in the perfect family? How did it affect you?
Do you think Alanna handled the situation with Liam’s parents correctly? Why or why not?
Have you ever been angry with God? If so, how did you handle it?
Evil can lurk behind the most handsome face. How can we recognize it?
Prejudice can exist against many different ethnic groups. Alanna experienced it from being a Traveler. How do we combat prejudice?
Jesse wanted the accident to be a chance for him to be a better person. Do you think it’s possible for a person to change that much?
Patricia went to great lengths to protect her son. Do you think she could have changed anything if she’d acted differently?
Alanna realized God created every person uniquely. Have you seen that in your life and the lives of others?
Acknowledgments
I’m so blessed to belong to the terrific HarperCollins Christian Publishing dream team! I’ve been with my great fiction team for fourteen years, and they are like family to me. I learn something new with every book, which makes writing so much fun for me!
Our fiction publisher, Daisy Hutton, is a gale-force wind of fresh air. She thinks outside the box, and I love the way she empowers me and my team. The last two books have been with my terrific editor, Amanda Bostic, who really gets suspense and has been my friend from the moment I met her all those years ago. Fabulous cover guru Kristen Ingebretson works hard to create the perfect cover—and does. And, of course, I can’t forget the other friends in my amazing fiction family: Becky Monds, Kristen Golden, Karli Jackson, Jodi Hughes, Paul Fisher, and Kayleigh Hines. You are all such a big part of my life. I wish I could name all the great folks at HCCP who work on selling my books through different venues. I’m truly blessed!
Julee Schwarzburg is a dream editor to work with. She totally gets romantic suspense, and our partnership is pure joy. She brought some terrific ideas to the table with this book—as always!
My agent, Karen Solem, has helped shape my career in many ways, and that includes kicking an idea to the curb when necessary. We are about to celebrate fifteen years together! And my critique partner of seventeen years, Denise Hunter, is the best sounding board ever. Thanks, friends!
I’m so grateful for my husband, Dave, who carts me around from city to city, washes towels, and chases down dinner without complaint. My kids—Dave, Kara (and now Donna and Mark)—love and support me in every way possible, and my little granddaughter Alexa makes every day a joy. She’s talking like a grown-up now, and having her spend the night is more fun than I can tell you. And as I write this, my little grandson, Elijah, is due to arrive in two weeks. Exciting times!
Most important, I give my thanks to God, who has opened such amazing doors for me and makes the journey a golden one.