Healing Hearts (New Hope Falls #6) - Kimberly Rae Jordan Page 0,146

now,” Ryker said. “You can hide the ring in a sock drawer until you’re ready for everyone to know. Although, my mom is a bit suspicious that I might be proposing tonight.”

Sophia laughed, her face alight with happiness. “I’m not going to hide the ring.”

“You haven’t seen it yet.” Ryker grinned. “Maybe I have the world’s worst taste in engagement rings.”

“I doubt that,” Sophia said. “But even if you do, I will proudly wear your ring.”

Ryker opened the ring box and slipped the thin band out. Shifting to one knee, he smiled at Sophia as he reached out and took her hand in his. “Sophia Haldorson, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Yes.” Sophia leaned forward, her grip on his hand tightening, and kissed him. “For always and forever…my heart belongs to you.”

With a smile that he couldn’t contain, Ryker slid the ring onto her finger, then drew her into his arms to hold her and kiss her again. He felt beyond blessed to have her in his life, and the fact that she also wanted to have him in hers filled him with an abundance of joy and hope for the future.

The healing he’d found over the past several months had been hard fought for, but it had brought him to the point where the hopelessness he’d felt following his time in Syria had faded away. He’d gotten back in contact with others who had been there at the time, and they’d formed a group chat where they could talk about what had happened and its impact on their lives. Finding out he hadn’t been alone in the struggle with nightmares and guilt had been very freeing.

He was thankful that God had directed his journey over the past year. Having Bryson and Sophia show up in his life had been so unexpected, and though he’d resisted at first, he was glad that God had worked in his heart so that he was able to accept healing and a new direction in his life.

“I love you, Sophia,” he said. “I hope you never have a moment of doubt over that because it will never change.”

“I love you too.” Sophia snuggled closer to him as they faced the flickering flames. “You’ve helped me see that there is hope beyond the hurt. I pray that we’ll always remember that.”

Ryker did too because he knew that moving ahead, God’s will would always include healing, regardless of what caused the hurt. As long as they were both committed to God and each other, he knew they would be able to face life with determination and the promise that God would be their constant companion and guide.

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Dearest Reader ~ Thank you for taking the time to read Healing Hearts. It was a story that was at times challenging to write because of the struggles of both these characters but also because of Sophia and how some might view her as a character.

I realize that it’s not exactly popular in this day and age for a woman to aspire to be “only” a wife and mother, but that was something I knew about Sophia almost from the start. Sophia also isn’t what some would view as a strong female character—at least on the surface. But I saw her strength in the love she had for Bryson and her efforts to do what she thought was best for him, even as she struggled to believe in herself and her ability to make good decisions after what had happened in her past.

Though Ryker had his own set of problems, it was important to me that he also recognize that strength in Sophia even though it was different from the strength of the women in his life. I really was pleased at how things unfolded for them, some taking me a bit by surprise!

I hope that as you read this story, you were touched by Ryker and Sophia’s journeys to healing, to each other, and to God. Though there weren’t a lot of previous New Hope Falls characters in this story, after I wrote about each of them in When I’m with You, I really felt drawn to write their story.

I do hope that you enjoyed Ryker and Sophia’s story, even though it may have been difficult at times. And for all of you who’ve been waiting…yes…Leah’s story is up next!

♥♥

With love and thanks ~ Kimberly Rae

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If you would like to continue to follow the lives of the people of New Hope Falls, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you find out when future books become available!

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New Hope Falls: Book 7 will be available in Spring 2021.

The Harmony of Love

She’s content with her quiet life at the lodge,

cooking and baking for their guests, and writing her music.

She tells herself she doesn’t need anything else.

When the actions of others damage the Christian music group he founded,

he’s left angry, frustrated, and without direction.

He’s come to New Hope to talk to her,

hoping to convince her to work with him

and help him gain some direction for his future.