“Neither would I.”
The letter gently slipped from Ginny’s grasp. Brett took it and set it on top of one of the boxes.
“But I’m, uh, not finished yet….” She tried to hide her smile and glanced up under her lashes to see the adoration in his gaze.
“I thought you wanted to see what I’d gotten out of my truck. It’s really important, Ginny. It could change everything.”
“Is it now?”
He moved his hands down her arms and then grabbed her left hand, pulling her palm to his face. He kissed it, and she couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in his eyes. “There’s a problem. A big problem, you see.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“With your hand. Don’t you realize it?”
Ginny looked at her hand, opening and closing her fingers. “I never realized. I mean my fingertips are a little calloused from the guitar, but nothing too unusual.”
“I’m not talking about that. There’s something missing.” He glanced at her ring finger, and suddenly she understood.
“Oh there is, is there?” She smirked.
“Bare naked. You should be ashamed to be walking around like that.”
She took his free hand and spread his palm on her face, drinking in his gaze. “Oh, Brett, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I have a ring that needs a finger to go on.”
“What a coincidence. I have a ring finger ready and willing.”
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the priority envelope. It was the one she’d mailed back to him nearly two years ago. His grandma’s address was written on the front in her handwriting, yet it wasn’t open.
Brett ripped it open, and then a small wad of white tissue paper fell out. Bret opened the tissue and then held up the ring. “This is the first time I’ve touched this ring since it was on your finger, Ginny. I told myself I wouldn’t until I was putting it back where it belonged.”
“Did you know, Brett—” Her words caught in her throat. “Did you know we’d end up together?”
“I was praying, Ginny.” He offered her a wink. “Was praying it would be God’s will in the end.”
Then with a smile as big as Glacier Bay, Brett dropped to one knee. “Ginny, I know I’ve already asked you this, but you can’t take back your answer this time.” He breathed deep. “Ginny, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Brett. A thousand sunsets over this beautiful bay, yes.”
Brett’s hand trembled slightly as he slid it on her finger.
“Ellie’s ring,” she said with a smile.
“Ginny’s ring.” He rose and pulled her into his arms, tucking his face into her neck. “I’ll love you forever, Ginny. You can count on that.”
He pulled back slightly so their faces were only inches apart, then ever so gently Brett offered her a kiss. His lips were warm and sweet. They were a fulfillment of God’s plan to her. They were home.
It took a minute for Ginny to calm down—for her heart to stop racing and for the kisses to slow—but she had to finish the letter.
Brett released her, stepped back, and handed her the last page with a smile. Whatever words were to come, deep down, Ginny had peace. Peace that her and Brett’s story—while not always happy or free from pain—would end as beautifully as Ellie’s. As long as they looked to Jesus, trusted Jesus, it would.
And so, Janey, we all grabbed the gear and headed back across the inlet to our cabin.
We were married the next week at the schoolhouse. Reverend Martin performed the ceremony. Grandfather and Nurse S. lived with us until Grandfather died two years later. What a joy it was to spend those years with him in Alaska. Wasn’t he a hoot? It was like he was born to live here. After that, Nurse S. talked of returning to San Francisco, but then she met Lester, and they bickered enough that they decided it would be better to bicker as married folk.
That’s our story, Janey.
Perhaps you’re right, maybe future generations will find the simple tale of our love a blessing, not because it’s the grandest, but because throughout, God’s love shone through ever greater. From beginning to end, He was—and still is—the Rock on which we stand.
All my love to you and anyone who may read this,
Ellie
P.S. In case you’re wondering about James. He ended up marrying Lavinia Doodle, an heiress from New York. I’ve heard she’s a terrible gossip who drives both James and his mother quite mad.
Authors’ Note
.......................
Two excited authors, one husband, one adorable little girl, all on a whirlwind trip to Alaska. Sounds like fun to me! In September of 2011, Tricia, her husband, John, and their sweet little girl met me, Ocieanna, in the Juneau airport to launch our adventure. We had the same reaction as our character, Ginny. Is this the airport in their capital city? It was small and friendly—not what we’re used to. But we soon fell in love with Alaska.
Our next experience reaffirmed Alaska’s uniqueness—the little incident of the bear. Tricia and I were shopping for books (what else?) in the gift shop at the Mendenhall Glacier, when John came in and told us a bear just crossed the walk-way. The ranger was pretty ho-hum about it. “Yeah, she’ll wander down to the meadow if you want to see her.”
What a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As we stood watching on a footbridge, the black bear hunted salmon mere feet away from us.
Not quite as harrowing an experience, but just as spectacular, was traveling in a tiny aircraft from the Juneau airport to an even smaller destination, Gustavus—the entry-way to Glacier Bay. A gorgeous blue sky greeted us as we wove between high peaks toward our destination. I got to sit in the front!
The tour of Glacier Bay—amazing!
Throughout our stay, we caught a glimpse of the tiny town of Gustavus. Trust us, all the quirky facts in Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska are true—Bud’s Rental Car, the lack of license plates, the community bulletin board, the unsecured ATM, the absence of doctors nearby, and more. Also true are the warmth of the people and sense of community. I can see why people return year after year. It’s a special place.
About the Authors
.......................
TRICIA GOYER is the best-selling author of more than thirty novels, including Night Song, which won a Carol Award in 2005, and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, which won the same award in 2006. Her co-authored novel The Swiss Courier was a Christy Award nominee. She has also authored nine nonfiction books and more than three hundred articles for national publications. In 2003, Tricia was one of two authors named “Writer of the Year” at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference, and she has been interviewed by Focus on the Family, Moody Midday Connection, The Harvest Show, NBC’s Monday Today, Aspiring Women, and hundreds of other radio and television stations. Tricia and her husband, John, have four children and one grandchild and live in Arkansas.
OCIEANNA FLEISS has cowritten two historical novels with Tricia Goyer: Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington. She has written for several publications, including CBA Marketplace and Guideposts, and contributes a bi-monthly column to the Northwest Christian Author. Ocieanna has edited many of Tricia Goyer’s novels and nonfiction titles. An avid historian, she teaches home-schooled junior high students intense history classes involving considerable research and creative methods of bringing history to life. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and their four children.
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Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky
by Andrea Boeshaar
ISBN: 978-1-934770-37-5
Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
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Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-934770-46-7
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska
by Irene Brand
ISBN: 978-1-934770-38-2
Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
by Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-934770-61-0
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-934770-39-9
Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina
by Tamela Hancock Murray
ISBN: 978-1-934770-65-8
Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-934770-66-5
Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida
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Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-934770-74-0
Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio
by Lisa Harris
ISBN: 978-1-934770-81-8
Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-16-6
Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-18-0
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio
by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 978-1-935416-17-3
Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire
by Lauralee Bliss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-20-3
Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-935416-19-7
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-935416-25-8
Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-29-6
Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-935416-63-0
Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania
by Cerella D. Sechrist
ISBN: 978-1-935416-64-7
Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-66-1
Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-84-5
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico
by Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN: 978-1-935416-74-6
Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii
by Bodie Thoene
ISBN: 978-1-935416-78-4
Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-60936-000-9
Love Finds You in Calico, California
by Elizabeth Ludwig
ISBN: 978-1-60936-001-6
Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio
by Serena B. Miller
ISBN: 978-1-60936-002-3
Love Finds You in Deadwood, South Dakota
by Tracey Cross
ISBN: 978-1-60936-003-0
Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho
by Janelle Mowery
ISBN: 978-1-60936-005-4
Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-60936-027-6
Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe
by Irene Brand and Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-60936-004-7
Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas
by Pamela Griffin
ISBN: 978-1-60936-007-8
Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho
by Angela Ruth
ISBN: 978-1-60936-008-5
Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-65-4
Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-60936-104-4
Love Finds You in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-60936-110-5
Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island, Canada
by Susan Page Davis
ISBN: 978-1-60936-109-9
Love Finds You in Groom, Texas
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-60936-006-1
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-60936-135-8
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 97-8-160936-212-6
Love Finds You in Branson, Missouri
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-60936-191-4
Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-60936-277-5
Love Finds You on Christmas Morning
by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry
ISBN: 978-1-60936-193-8
Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii
by Robin Jones Gunn
ISBN: 978-1-60936-028-3
Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 97-8-160936-194-5
Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland
by Roseanna M. White
ISBN: 978-1-60936-313-0
Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 97-8-160936-214-0
Love Finds You in New Orleans, Louisiana
by Christa Allan
ISBN: 978-1-60936-591-2
Love Finds You in Wildrose, North Dakota
by Tracey Bateman
ISBN: 978-1-60936-592-9
Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-60936-593-6
Love Finds You in Sunflower, Kansas
by Pamela Tracy
ISBN: 978-1-60936-594-3
Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-60936-640-7
Love Finds You at Home for Christmas
by Annalisa Daughety and Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-60936-687-2
COMING SOON
Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
by Pamela S. Meyers
ISBN: 978-1-60936-769-5