Promise Me Forever (Debbie Macomber Classics) (23 page)

As she steps into A Good Yarn, Lauren Elliot is dealing with a nightmare of her own. Here she is, not even engaged, buying yarn for her
younger
sister’s baby gift. Maybe her problem is that she falls for the wrong men, drawn in by good looks and charm. She decides to end her dead-end relationship with Todd Hampton and, instead, find a good man with character. What she doesn’t anticipate is that the one man who fits her list is named for a barnyard animal.

Rooster Wayne decides to come along for the ride when his friend and business partner, Max Scranton, hops on his motorcycle and heads for Seattle. Max is determined to get his wife’s ex-husband out of their hair for good—and for them to decide once and for all if she’s moving to California or if he’s moving to Seattle.

What Rooster doesn’t tell Max is that he, too, is looking to make some big changes. Moving their business to Seattle would be prohibitively expensive. But he’s ready to get out of California. With a failed marriage behind him, Rooster isn’t necessarily looking for love. But can he help it if he happens to fit someone’s Husband List?

As Lauren and Rooster grow closer together, it seems that wedding bells aren’t far off. But when Rooster’s past threatens their future together, they must decide if those bells should be unrung. It’s a choice that will impact more lives than just their own.

1. Elisa and Garry married young and are still very happy together. Why do you think Elisa reacts the way she does when her daughter tells her about her pregnancy and marriage? What about Elisa’s reaction to Lauren’s wedding? What does it say about Elisa as a friend?

2. When Rooster accuses Max of not trusting Bethanne, he counters by saying, “I trust Bethanne; the one I don’t trust is Grant” (page 105). What do you think about Max’s behavior toward Bethanne and Grant? In what ways is his mistrust of Grant a reflection on his trust in Bethanne?

3. Weigh the pros and cons of Max moving to Seattle versus Bethanne moving to California. Which scenario do you think makes the most sense? Why?

4. Should Rooster have told Lauren about his previous marriage? Why do you think he didn’t? Is her response an overreaction? How do you think you would respond?

5. Grant is using his daughter—and his soon-to-be-born grandchild—to get Bethanne back into his life. What are his true motives? Have you ever had interactions with someone like Grant?

6. After the confrontation between Rooster and Todd at the restaurant, Rooster thinks that Lauren is just using him to make Todd jealous. What about Lauren’s behavior could make him think that? Do you think she was fair in the way she ended things with Todd? Why or why not?

7. How could Bethanne better handle the situation with Grant?

8. Max ponders that Annie’s “pride often came at a steep price” (page 232). What are some other examples in the novel of pride getting the best of someone in this book? What are some times in your life when you, or others you know, have paid a price for pride?

9. Lydia is grateful that her customers are generous people. What are some of your favorite reactions to handmade gifts that you’ve given to others? What gifts have you been particularly grateful to receive?

10. What do you think about Lauren’s father asking to do a background check on Rooster? How do your feelings change knowing what the background check revealed? If your parents asked to do a background check on your spouse or potential spouse, how would you react?

11. Lauren realizes that she must stop listening to other people’s advice and start listening to herself. What are some instances in your life where other people’s advice got in the way of doing what you thought best? What was the result of following their advice? How would these situations have turned out differently if you’d listened to yourself instead?

12. Evelyn tells Lydia, “don’t borrow trouble.” (page 169) What does she mean by this? Was Lydia right to talk to Evelyn about Casey’s dreams without telling her? How could she have handled the situation differently or better?

Times Square on New Year’s Eve doesn’t have much in common with the Realms of Glory. Perhaps that’s why Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and their apprentice, Will, find it irresistible. As long as they don’t interfere with humans’ lives, what could go wrong? Plenty, as it turns out. With a flutter of his wings, Will causes Lucie Ferrara and Aren Fairchild to bump into each other. The attraction is instantaneous and clearly meant to be. Only it wasn’t meant to be for another eleven months. As the next Christmas approaches, the four angels find themselves dispatched again to New York City on a mission to reunite the wayward pair. Getting them back together is the easy part. But when Lucie finds out Aren’s secret, even divine intervention might not be enough to keep them that way.

Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy
Back on earth for another adventure, these three angels always have the best of intentions—always with mixed results.

Will
An apprentice Prayer Ambassador. With Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy taking him under their wings, what could go wrong? Also, he’s heavy handed with a saltshaker.

Gabriel
Chief Executive Angel. His job is to make sure prayers get answered and certain mischievous angels straighten up and fly right.

Lucie Ferrara
Recent culinary-school graduate and fledging restaurateur. Along with her mother, Lucie is owner and chef at a new Brooklyn hot spot called Heavenly Delights. She hasn’t dated much since her father died and she started school. But a seemingly chance encounter on New Year’s Eve with Aren Fairchild could change all that.

Aren Fairchild
A handsome journalist who’s new in town. He writes restaurant reviews for the
New York Gazette
under the pseudonym Eaton Well. Has “perfect pitch” when it comes to tasting food, but a not-so-perfect history with women. Lucie thinks he’s about the most wonderful man on earth.

Eaton Well
Aren’s pseudonym in the
New York Gazette.
Lucie thinks this sharp-tongued
critic is about the most repugnant man on earth.

Wendy Ferrara
Wendy’s mother and Heavenly Delights’ hostess and co-owner. She feels responsible for a missed connection between Lucie and Aren. She can’t change the past, but she can pray for the future.

Josie Fairchild
Aren’s sister. After she and her financé both got cold feet, they canceled their wedding.

1. Hoping to persuade Lucie to go after Aren, Wendy tells her, “If you wait until everything is perfect you might lose Aren” and “falling in love is never convenient” (page 55). What do you think would have needed to happen in Lucie’s life before everything was “perfect”?

2. Lucie doubts that God cares about something as simple as her getting together with Aren. How would you respond to her? Is there anything too frivolous for prayer? Explain your answer.

3. Aren—or, rather, Eaton—can make or break a restaurant with one review. Do you pay attention to restaurant critics? Where do you turn for reviews? How have social media and increased reader feedback changed how we evaluate restaurants? Do you think this is a good change?

4. Are there times when you’ve felt angels intervening in your life? When Lucie was trying to buy a newspaper, she believed everything was working against her. What are some difficult moments you’ve faced that, in hindsight, were part of a larger plan?

5. Mercy uses bells to get humans’ attention. She says that, with humans “one must be subtle” (page 95). What do you think she means by this? What were some moments in the book where the angels were less than subtle? How did it work out for them?

6. Aren’s editor tells him it’s okay to write a follow-up review of Heavenly Delights, even though he knows the chef. What do you think of her decision? How would it affect your trust of a review if the writer is intimate with the owner?

7. Lucie says that this is the best Christmas of her life. What was your best Christmas so far? What made it so special?

8. The angels’ primary goal is to teach us lessons. What lessons did they teach the
characters in this book? Though the angels weren’t involved, what lesson does Aren learn from volunteering at the soup kitchen? How can we ensure that all our gifts come from the heart?

9. The angels talk about the difference between “prayer warriors” and those who only pray when they really need something. What do prayer warriors receive in return for praying for others? What are some instances in your life where you felt the power of prayer?

10. When Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will cause an uproar at a Broadway show, many people think it’s just a publicity stunt. How can we be more perceptive of the miracles that occur every day? Would you have been among the people who believed something extraordinary had happened? Or would you have dismissed it as a publicity stunt?

For my dear sister Josie—

I’ve received the most wonderful Christmas presents this year. I get to have coffee with my sister every morning. I managed to get a second chance with the most wonderful woman in the world. I helped feed and comfort people less fortunate than I am. I hope that patching things up with Jack means that you, too, will have the best Christmas ever.

Love,

Aren

To Gabriel—

We wish you glad tidings of comfort and joy! Thank you for all your help and patience with the Aren and Lucie project. We’re sorry about the camel. And the play. And the Times Square Jumbotron last year. And the salt. Especially for the salt. But we have one question. When did you learn how to ride a motorcycle?

Merry Christmas!

Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will

Merry Christmas, Mom!

I’m grateful for the amazing year we’ve had and all the blessings we can count. Success with Heavenly Delights, new love, and the chance to help others. Here’s to everyday miracles—they’re better than any present we could receive.

Love,

Lucie

By Brie Stilton

As my longtime readers know, I don’t venture to the outer boroughs for every flash in the culinary pan. So if I grab my passport and set sail for Brooklyn, you know it’s for a restaurant that’s truly special.

And wouldn’t a restaurant have to be special to deserve the uproar that ensued after a rival newspaper ran Eaton Well’s scathing review? If you answered yes, then you—unlike my fellow critic—are right.

Reservations are essential and can be a bit hard to come by. Since its opening in April, Heavenly Delights has gained a large and loyal following—mostly due to word-of-mouth advertising.

And the word at Heavenly Delights is “dessert.”

Dessert is the first thing you notice when you walk in the door. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself veering uncontrollably toward the refrigerated display case of sweets. Luckily, the smiling hostess is there to welcome you and set you back on course for the dining room.

The decor is elegant and understated in warm gray with black accents, lending an intimate atmosphere that suits romance, celebrating, or just a casual dinner. The servers have mastered the high-wire act of being attentive and informed yet unobtrusive.

I can’t say for sure what happened the night Mr. Wells dined there. Maybe it was a supernatural phenomenon. Mischievous gremlins at work in the kitchen, perhaps? But the little devils were absent tonight.

The Dover sole with beurre blanc practically sang to me from the menu. It’s a dish that
can stymie even the most experienced cook in the kitchen. But owner and executive chef Lucie Ferrara doesn’t miss a step. The aroma and plating were intoxicating. The succulent fish was surrounded by fluffy mounds of whipped, golden-toasted potatoes. Every element was perfectly balanced and seasoned.

My companion is a sucker for chicken Parmesan. After sampling nearly every one in the city, he knows his stuff. The verdict on Heavenly Delights’ version? Delizioso.

It was juicy and crisp, with a beautifully seasoned crust and a burst of flavor from a blend of the finest Italian cheeses. Many eateries treat pasta as a throwaway side dish. Not so here. The spaghetti was delightfully al dente and the marinara bold and rich.