I'll Be There Part 29

"Jenny Thompson-"

"That's not my name anymore. It's Jen Reid now."

"Will you do me the honor-"

"I always thought, if I ever decided to *be' with someone, it would be something more along the lines of a civil union, because I'm just not the marrying-"

"Of being my wife."

When he said the words "my wife," something inside Jenny s.h.i.+fted. Physically s.h.i.+fted. A feeling of profound love and happiness washed over her that really was like something out of fairy tale.

"Your wife."

"My wife." He pulled a box from his jacket and opened it. Nestled against the velvet lining was a silver ring with a stone like the one in the center of the pendant he'd given her.

She touched the stone. "The place where all the elements come together," She looked up. "The joining of souls when two lives intersect and become one."

"You remember."

She caressed his face. "Of course I do."

He placed his hand on her stomach. "Do you remember the rest?"

"Life springs from the joining of two people."

Her smile lit every corner of his soul.

"Did you make it?" she asked.

He nodded, tears filling his eyes as he thought back to the night they'd created this precious life-the night they'd made s.p.a.ce in the midst of all the chaos for each other. He'd worked on the ring all those months they'd been apart, dreaming of someday being able to give it to her and make her his wife. He'd never dreamed their child would be growing inside her when he proposed. "Say *yes'."

She pushed the hat back off his head and let her fingers glide through his silky hair. "Okay, but I insist on giving the baby my name."

"I hate to point this out, but *Reid' isn't really your name, darlin'."

She touched the smoother, fading scars on his cheek and said, "Our baby will never know her or his heritage."

Cord placed the ring on her finger and kissed her. After several moments had pa.s.sed, he said, "My child's mother is a fantastic writer. Someday, when she or he is old enough to understand, you can tell this child, and our other children, the story of us."

She eased her hands around his neck. "Children?"

He nodded, ridiculously happy.

"The Story of Us..." she said. "Catchy t.i.tle. By the time I finish writing that book, it'll be long and filled with many rich, interesting stories."

He kissed her again. "And love. Always love."

Dixie's Farewell.

"In the fall of that year, Abigail Frances Thompson-McCall Reid-Goins was born. Boy, that's a mouthful! That happy, healthy baby girl is loved and cherished by her parents every day. Jenny and Cord also cherish the love they found together in the midst of a terrible storm in their lives.

"Jenny runs a non-profit organization with a website where she is able to continue her work as an investigative reporter, working on cold cases. She has no byline on anything she publishes on the site, so none of it can be traced back to her. Cord helps her with the investigations and continues to make beautiful, unique jewelry.

"I cannot confirm or deny (I just love saying that) whether they stayed in Seattle or moved to Oregon or other parts unknown. As protected witnesses, for their safety and ours, we can never know where they are, but we can be sure that they are safe and secure and together forever.

"Just the thought of it makes me sigh. Not that I'm ready or willing to give up my independence for anyone, but I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to love and be loved liked that.

"Forgive me, but I guess it's the rash of weddings we've had around here in the past few years. All my good friends have found the loves of their lives and are living happily ever after. There's Jenny and Cord, and then, of course, there's Cole and Josie and my big brother, Blake, and the new lady doctor in town, Janice. Grady and Candi still aren't married, but they're definitely in love. Let's just say that their relations.h.i.+p is not what anyone around here would call *traditional,' which fits Candi to a tee.

"And then there's the loss of my dear friend Susan, who lost her brave battle with cancer about a year after Blake and Janice married. With all that change, I suppose I'm feeling lonely and out of sorts. But with all this love blooming and babies being born, it reaffirms that love really does carve out that s.p.a.ce that's new and stronger for the struggles we endure and survive.

"Things have been real calm around here since Jenny and Cord had to leave. Everyone has returned to a sense of normalcy, but we'll always remember that time when Candi Heart first came to town and showed us a different side to life in Angel Ridge. It makes us all more thankful for our peaceful little town where everyone knows their neighbor and lends a helping hand when one's needed.

"I hope you enjoyed your visit to Angel Ridge. Y'all come on back real soon."

(Continue reading for more information).

Dixie's Readers Guide.

1. Jenny Thompson, like me, is a transplant to Angel Ridge who was never quite welcomed with open arms by the general populace. Does this bother Jenny? Do you think she is confident enough in who she is and what she's doing to overlook the lack of the town's acceptance?

2. Cord is content to live alone in his mountain hideaway. Even when he makes his infrequent trips to Angel Ridge, he doesn't allow anyone to get to know him. Discuss Cord's reasons for these choices. Also discuss what it is about Jenny and her situation that draws him out of hiding.

3. Sheriff Grady Wallace seems to never consider there might be a mole in his office with connections to the dormant crime syndicate that Jenny uncovers with her investigation. Why do you think Grady didn't consider this possibility? What are the implications of this critical oversight?

4. Frannie Thompson comes to Angel Ridge to begin to deal with the loss of her sister. Discuss the bond between the Thompson sisters and how the loss of their only sibling impacts the two emotionally.

5. Mayor Patrick Houston is dealing with the grave illness of his wife and my best friend, Susan. In a weak moment, he and Frannie Thompson find a brief escape from their pain in each other. I think it's clear how I feel, but please do discuss this moment in the novel and how this event influences how you feel about Patrick and Frannie.

6. Jenny and Cord fight their feelings for each other. Discuss the reasons why they do this. Is it because they wanted to protect each other, themselves, or both?

7. Miss Estelee continues to defy explanation. In I'll Be There, the villain points a gun at her and pulls the trigger, but the gun does not fire. Miss Estelee scolds saying guns won't work in her house. Discuss Miss Estelee and the role she plays in the Angel Ridge novels. I could tell you my theory, but I don't want that to color your views. Where do you think the author is going with this character?

8. Jenny has an unflinching determination to right wrongs and expose evil. When faced with the choice to hide the evidence of the crime ring she uncovers or expose it and give up a life and family she loves, she turns the evidence over and goes into Witness Protection. I'd like to think I'd be so brave. How do you think a person, particularly a woman, finds the strength do what's right no matter the cost?

9. In Witness Protection, Jenny struggles with handing over control of her life. I for one, as an independent woman myself, can understand. Discuss how Jenny manages to maintain her independence and continue to make her own decisions about what will become her life.

10. Who are your favorite characters in the Angel Ridge series? Who would you like to learn more about and see have their own love story and why? If you care to share, send your thoughts to the author at [email protected]

Deborah Grace Staley is available in person or via Skype to meet with your book group or speak to your group. To schedule an appearance, contact

Acknowledgements.

The author would like to acknowledge the G.o.ddard College, Port Townsend, MFAW community whose love and encouragement gave me the courage to write again.

In particular, Paul Selig, Program Director, who allowed me the privilege of being part of this exceptional community, Victoria Nelson who saw something in me and held up a mirror so I could see it, too, Darrah Cloud who understood my vision for this book and helped me bring it to life, all the students in the program from 2009 a 2011, but especially for the Cla.s.s of 2011 You are, quite simply, Amazing!

About Deborah Grace Staley.

Deborah Grace Staley is a life-long resident of East Tennessee. Married to her college sweetheart, she lives in the Foothills of the Smoky Mountains in a circa 1867 farmhouse that has Angel's Wings in the gingerbread trim.

In addition to being an award-winning author, in her spare time, Deborah enjoys watching her son play college baseball and recently received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from G.o.ddard College in Port Townsend, Was.h.i.+ngton. She now writes full-time and teaches.

Deborah loves to hear from readers. Please contact her at:.

P.O. Box 672, Vonore TN 37885 or via her website at http://www.deborahgracestaley.com.