The Hamilton Heir Page 18

  Dawn laughed and squeezed his hand. “I don’t doubt that. It’s sure done wonders for mine!”

  Epilogue

  “Have you heard the latest?” he asked with a sneer. “Chris Hamilton is engaged to that Dispatch reporter he was guarding.”

  “Yeah. I saw them together at church this morning. She was waving around a rock the size of my thumbnail. I should be so lucky.”

  “Well, what are we going to do about it?” The man’s face was reddening and contorting with anger.

  “Nothing, unless you can come up with some more dirt on the Hamiltons,” the woman answered. “I’ve done all I can. Even the Observer insists on some semblance of truth behind the stories I give them before they’ll go to press.”

  “I did get an idea while I was at Betty’s Bakeshoppe a while back,” he said. “I couldn’t hear everything that was being talked about but I know it involved the Hamiltons. Tim was there with that assistant of his and Betty seemed to get really upset. I’ll keep digging. Somebody will slip sooner or later and tell me something we can use.”

  She smiled cynically. “Good. Keep me posted. I hear the old man is getting better. It’s high time we hit the family with another bombshell and gave them exactly what they deserve.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” he said with a look of disdain. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Dear Reader,

  Once again I have been asked to collaborate with five other authors to create my part of this ongoing story, which is book number four in the inspiring DAVIS LANDING series.

  Many thanks to my fellow authors, Arlene, Kathryn, Irene, Patricia and Lenora, and to our editor, Diane, of course. We brainstormed via e-mail and worked hard to make our series books fit together, as well as be wonderful, standalone tales of love and faith.

  In this book there is a lot of consideration given to whether it’s important for believers to be involved in a local church. I think it is. It’s been my experience, as we’ve moved around the country, that the most essential thing to look for when choosing a church is what’s being taught inside. Churches are full of fallible people, just like me, so not one of them is perfect, but if you will seek out a place where the gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached, that will help you make the right choice.

  I have been blessed to have found such a church here in Arkansas. Its pastor, Brother John, is an excellent teacher and true believer who leads by example, in and out of church, as well as by his words from the pulpit. It is a privilege to know him.

  I love to hear from readers. The quickest replies are by e-mail—VALW@CENTURYTEL.NET—or you can write to me at P.O. Box 13, Glencoe, AR, 72539 and I’ll do my best to answer as soon as I can. Or look at www.valeriehansen.com.

  Blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Dawn questions why her prayers for her brother’s total healing were apparently unanswered. If she were a more mature Christian who had had greater experience with God’s wisdom, do you think she would still struggle? Do you struggle with something like that?

  When Dawn is pushed beyond her comfort zone by being asked to write a feature article, she doubts her ability, then surprises herself by enjoying the task. Can work be a blessing, rather than a chore? Does it help to view it that way?

  Dawn and Tim come from very different backgrounds. If Dawn has trouble relating to him, as he is, is she guilty of reverse discrimination? Why is it so hard for her to accept that his family has more monetary blessings? Should Tim be embarrassed by what the Lord has done for him?

  Dawn is a community volunteer. She has no trouble giving of herself and is truly blessed to be able to help others, yet she has difficulty accepting help, especially from Tim. Why is that so much harder to do?

  The older folks Dawn visits and later interviews have much to offer to younger people. Are there similar interesting individuals in your community? Do you know them?

  Due to circumstances beyond her control, Dawn’s life had not turned out the way she planned. Is that a bad thing? In retrospect, does she begin to understand that her path through life may be different than expected without being bad?

  When Dawn is being coerced into letting Tim buy her a new outfit for the party, she resists. Do you think she was wrong to finally give in? Does accepting the fancy dress damage her reputation or hurt her Christian walk? What would you do in her place?

  Tim comes from a large family. Dawn has only one brother. Setting aside the differences in their families’ finances, do you think their upbringing under those circumstances would help or hinder them when trying to understand each other? Why?

  Church is very important to Dawn. She sees it as her home-away-from-home. However, by viewing Tim as an outsider, is she overlooking the basic message of her faith? What is more important—going to church regularly or going for the right reasons? Is there anyone who does not belong in church?

  Family dynamics are at work in everyone’s life. Tim thinks he is going along with his family traditions for his mother’s sake until he begins to relate to a little boy. Has the enthusiasm and blind trust of a child ever reminded you of what is really important in life? Have you acted on those thoughts? Are you glad you did?

  Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Valerie Hansen for her contribution to the DAVIS LANDING miniseries.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-8574-7

  THE HAMILTON HEIR

  Copyright © 2006 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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