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"They still bug you."
It wasn't a question. Shane Galanter doled out the stack of plates in his hand one at a time onto the white linen tablecloth.
"Not really." Lauren grabbed the napkins and followed behind him, setting one at each place. She caught his eye and hesitated. No fooling him, not when he knew all the back roads of her heart. She released a slow breath. "Okay, yes." She set a napkin down on the next plate. "They bother me."
Shane didn't ask if her frustration was with the noise of the jets, or with the fact that they flew training maneuvers over the neighborhood where he lived, a few blocks from the navy's Top Gun facility in Fallon, Nevada. Or if it was something bigger. Like the fact that these were the very jets and pilots that would be used in battle if necessary.
He didn't have to ask. He already knew.
Because long ago he'd learned to know her mind, back when they first fell in love as kids. Yes, time and circumstances had separated them for nearly twodecades, and now that they were in their midthirties, they'd both changed. But even so, ever since they'd found each other again, Shane could still look into her eyes and know what she was thinking.
"Sometimes, Lauren." He crooked his finger and placed it gently beneath her chin. His eyes looked more tired than usual. "Sometimes I wonder about us."
Panic stirred and she felt her world tilt. She shouldn't have hesitated at the noise, shouldn't have looked out the window. "It's no big deal." An anxious laugh sounded in her throat. "This is your life. I can handle it."
He didn't look away. "It's about to be your life too." His tone was kind, careful. "Remember?"
"I know." She put her hand alongside his cheek and kissed him. "By then I'll be used to it."
He searched her eyes. "It's been six months, Lauren."
She refused to give fear a foothold. Instead she kissed him again, slower this time. "I'm trying." She breathed the words against his lips. "Give me that, at least."
The wedding was set for Christmas Eve-not by her choosing. She would've had them married by now. Every conflict resolved and nothing but a bright future ahead of them. Their nineteen-year-old daughter Emily felt the same, especially since her fall figured to be crazy-busy. She had accepted a soccer scholarship to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and she was about to start work in the public information office of the army base at nearby Fort Lewis. Following in her father's footsteps. "Make it a summer wedding," Emily had pleaded with them. "Before school starts."
But Lauren figured Emily wasn't worried about her schedule as much as she was worried about her parents working things out. Even so, Shane wouldn't budge. He wanted to wait and work through some of the issues that stood in their way. Faith, his career choice, their politics, and nearly twenty years between the first time they fell in love and this second chance ...
That was fine. Lauren would wait. She'd do whatever it took to prove to Shane that she could deal with all this. The smallness of Fallon, Nevada; the hour's drive west to the Fallon Airport every time her editors at Time magazine sent her on an assignment. And the incessant sound of fighter jets overhead. She could learn to deal with all of it, right? Even if there were days when being so close to a military base threatened her sanity.
Shane set the plates down and turned into her arms. "So you're saying-" he wove his fingers through her straight blonde hair-"I have nothing to wonder about."
At his touch, the warm tone in his voice, Lauren's world righted itself. She relaxed in his embrace. "Nothing."
"Alright, then." He kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll get the lasagna."
As long as Shane responded to her this way, as long as it took only her kiss to send him into her arms, then she could find a way to live here. She had to find a way. Yes, she was still writing military features for the magazine and flying around the country for interviews several times each month. Most of the time that was enough. So what if some days she wanted to jump on a plane and head back to Afghanistan, to her work as a Time magazine war correspondent. Never mind that she still mistrusted the government and the military and their roles in the Iraqi war. Never mind that her fiancé's political views were on the other end of the hemisphere from hers ...
As long as she had Shane, she could look past all of it.
The doorbell rang, and Lauren took a step back from the table. Their company had arrived. Three couples, none of whom she knew. Not really. Two of the guys worked with Shane in the training department, and the third was a pilot they were considering as an addition to the instruction staff. Each was bringing his wife.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Ever After by Karen Kingsbury Copyright © 2006 by Karen Kingsbury. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Anonymous
Posted February 4, 2012
This book is about how emily finds justin, and they start dating but hes shipped out to aphganistan and leaves emily behind. But i cant tell you more or itl spoil the ending!
So good though! I cried and laughed throuout the book
-izzy
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.marinewifesmith
Posted December 21, 2011
I highly recommend this book! This book will make you even more proud of our military. This book reminds you of the sacrifices of so many military servicmember's. It tells the story of how tragedy, loss, and despair can bring joy, love, and peace even in the mist of the storm. In reading this book, I was reminded of this truth... That God teaches us to trust in Him in our pain and suffering and to rely on Him for healing. God can use suffering and bring good out of any circumstance. It's His gift of grace. The dangers our loved one's face in harms way will never alter God's sovereignty. God can and will redeem you no matter what circumstances you face. Faith is believing in God and trusting His sovereignty no matter how heavy our burdens may be. I am a marine wife of a wounded servicemember and this book deeply touched my heart in thinking about my husband's journey and the hardships he has faced to our journey together and everything we have learned. God has taught us how so much about trusting in Him and being joyful in all situations. God is in control and that's the deal! This book is a must Read for any military families. It will bring tears to your eyes and make you even more proud in your loved one serving his/her country!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 27, 2011
This book made me proud to be an American! I finished the book with a renewed thankfulness for the men and women who fight to protect our freedoms around the world.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.As always, a good job by kingsbury. It did make me very emotional, but also made me really consider the sacrifices of our military and families.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 27, 2012
Loved the first book but this book was so slow that I had to stop reading it. So disappointed!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 3, 2010
Not much can top this novel not even the first one in this series. Thank you Karen Kingsbury for writing such amazing stories.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 5, 2010
.....
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.this story is very patriotic and the characters you just fall in love with them...the story takes you right to the war and brings you back with a sense of awe..very well written..
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 7, 2008
This book was something I'll never forget. Justin is amazing in this book and you can feel how much he loves Emily. The end of the book will leave you crying happy and sad tears.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 7, 2008
I couldn't stand to put this book down. There is so much meaning in this book and its motivational about new life, love, family, and departure. You learn so much through this book when you get to know the characters. I think Karen has a special message for everyone in this book and the only way you'll find yours is through the intercourse of this fabulous book.
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Posted December 13, 2007
This was my first of Karen's books and I loved every page of it. Ever After was extremely moving and one of the best books I've read. I would and have recommended it to everyone.
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Posted May 16, 2007
I loved this book. It wasn't those kind of books that you can predict everything that will happen next. It's a great book to read.
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Posted April 26, 2007
This book really pulled at my heartstrings. I didn't put it down until I finished it. I highly recommend this book, just have plenty of kleenex!
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Posted January 28, 2007
I absolutely loved this book. It's about love, life, loss, and the idea that it's okay to move on. I reccommend it to anyone that has ever lost someone. The sequel totally lived up to it's potential. You won't be disappointed. I promise.
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Posted September 16, 2012
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Posted January 11, 2011
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Posted July 1, 2010
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Posted January 27, 2010
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Posted December 30, 2010
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Posted January 10, 2011
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