Halfway to Forever: Book 3 in the Forever Faithful trilogy Read online

  PRAISE FOR

  KAREN KINGSBURY’S BOOKS

  Halfway to Forever

  “Halfway to Forever has believable characters you care about. You’ll feel their tension, heartbreak, and joy. Karen Kingsbury sweeps readers right in. She really knows how to tell a story!”

  RANDY ALCORN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF

  DEADLINE AND THE ISHBANE CONSPIRACY

  “Karen Kingsbury’s Halfway to Forever is an emotionally charged novel of heartache and hope. Keep the tissues handy!”

  ROBIN LEE HATCHER, AUTHOR OF

  RIBBON OF YEARS and THE STORY JAR

  “Karen’s signature style will inspire you and keep you turning pages until the last luscious page.”

  PATRICIA HICKMAN, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF KATRINA’S WINGS AND SANDPEBBLES

  When Joy Came to Stay

  “Kingsbury confronts hard issues with truth and sensitivity.”

  FRANCINE RIVERS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LEOTA’S GARDEN

  “Kingsbury’s poignant tale of a lost and broken family and how they experience God’s miraculous healing is a sure guarantee to bring hope and joy to her readers.”

  MELODY CARLSON, AUTHOR OF DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL

  “A thought-provoking account of the battle of depression in a believer’s life. It leaves no doubt that God is loving, merciful, and faithful.”

  NANCY MOSER, AUTHOR OF THE MUSTARD SEED SERIES

  A Moment of Weakness

  “Kingsbury spins a tale of love and loss, lies and betrayal, that sent me breathlessly turning pages.”

  LIZ CURTIS HIGGS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BOOKENDS and MIXED SIGNALS

  “A gripping love story. A Moment of Weakness demonstrates the devastating consequences of wrong choices, and the long shadows deception casts over the lives of God’s children. It also shows the even longer reach of God’s providence, grace, and forgiveness.”

  RANDY ALCORN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “One message shines clear and strong through Karen Kingsbury’s A Moment of Weakness: Our loving God is a God of second chances.”

  ANGELA ELWELL HUNT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE IMMORTAL

  Waiting for Morning

  “What a talent! I love her work.”

  GARY SMALLEY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Kingsbury not only entertains but goes a step further and confronts readers with situations that are all too common, even for Christians. At the same time, it will remind believers of God’s mercy and challenge them to pray for America. The book … reveals God’s awesome love and His amazing ability to turn moments of weakness into times of strengthening.”

  CHRISTIAN RETAILING, SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

  NOVELS BY KAREN KINGSBURY

  Where Yesterday Lives

  When Joy Came to Stay

  On Every Side

  A Time to Dance

  A Time to Embrace (sequel to A Time to Dance)

  One Tuesday Morning

  Oceans Apart

  THE FOREVER FAITHFUL SERIES

  Waiting for Morning

  A Moment of Weakness

  Halfway to Forever

  THE REDEMPTION SERIES

  (Co-written with Gary Smalley)

  Redemption

  Remember

  Return

  Rejoice

  Reunion

  THE RED GLOVES CHRISTMAS SERIES

  Gideon’s Gift

  Maggie’s Miracle

  Sarah’s Song

  www.karenkingsbury.com

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  HALFWAY TO FOREVER

  Published by Multnomah Books

  A division of Random House, Inc.

  © 2002 by Karen Kingsbury

  Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc.

  7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

  Excerpts from the hymn GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS by Thomas O. Chisholm © 1923, Ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by Permission.

  Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from:

  The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)

  © 1973, 1984 by International Bible Society,

  used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House

  Multnomah and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission.

  For information:

  MULTNOMAH BOOKS • 12265 ORACLE BOULEVARD, SUITE 200

  COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80921

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Kingsbury, Karen.

  Halfway to forever / Karen Kingsbury.

  p. cm.

  eISBN: 978-0-307-76938-1

  1. Adoption—Fiction. 2. Pregnant women—Fiction. 3. Brain—Cancer—Patients—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3561. I4873 H35 2002

  813′.54—dc21

  2001007865

  v3.1

  Dedicated to …

  DONALD, MY KNIGHT in shining armor, my one true love. Can this really be our fourteenth anniversary? Years slip by like hours in a day, but I cherish every one. With you by my side the best keeps getting better, and I thank God that you are such an example to me, to our children, to your students and athletes. Thank you for being my best friend and for believing in forever. Aren’t we having a blast? Year after year after year after year … I love you so.

  Kelsey, my sweet little “Norm” who has long since shed her little-girl image and traded it in for the look of a young teen on the brink of everything new and wonderful and exciting. You’re busy these days, sweetheart, but it does my mother-heart good to know you still remember who you are: a child of God, a daughter, a sister, a student, a friend. I cherish the times we have together even more now that you are in middle school, because in the distant corridors of time I see you, not too very far from here, in a cap and gown. I can’t slow the ride, but I can be grateful for every minute, knowing full well that God’s plans for you will be nothing less than amazing. I am so proud of you, honey. Always remember that I love you, Kelsey.

  Tyler, my handsome, budding young writer. I love when you tell me you’re going to act and sing when you grow up—but in your spare time you might write for fun. I guess that’s all writing is, after all: fun. The way God intended His gifts to be. I will long remember your “one voice” ringing out across the school’s Veteran’s Day assembly. May God lead you to always be that one voice ringing out for Him, and may His plans for your life become more evident with each passing year. I love you, Ty.

  Austin (or Michael Jordan, depending on the moment). This past year I have watched you take giant steps away from babyhood and into the strong, strapping young boy you are becoming. I will never forget sitting on the edge of your bed that September evening before your fourth birthday, singing with you, kissing you goodnight, and saying good-bye to my three-year-old. You’re not my baby anymore, but you are still my miracle boy. The heart that beats within you is fully devoted—whether slamming a basketball through a net or singing songs for Jesus. Keep that, honey, as God’s spectacular plans for your life unfold. Keep it always. I lov
e you, Austin.

  EJ, our youngest Haitian son. Adopting you has blessed us beyond words. We have watched you grow from a shy, insecure little boy to a confident, goal-kicking, letter-sounding, smiling child with no limits to your potential. God definitely brought you into our lives for a reason, and I am grateful every day. I can’t wait to see what He has planned for you. I love you, EJ.

  Sean, our half-angel boy. When we brought you home from Haiti you made an instant place in our hearts for one reason—you were constantly praying to Jesus. Even now, when we give you a present, you drop to your knees and thank God for the giver. When we give you a meal, you won’t take a bite—no matter how hungry you are—until proper thanks has been given. And when you finish eating you look to the heavens and say, “Thank you, Jesus.” You told me recently that you would grow up and get a good job one day so you could give me and Daddy some money because we’d helped you so much. With teary eyes I told you that wasn’t necessary, just love Jesus all your life, Sean. And as God reveals His plan for you, I am convinced that will always be the best advice I could give you. I love you, Sean.

  Joshua, chosen by God for our family. When I went to Haiti to adopt your two best friends, I didn’t know about you. But you worked your way into my heart in minutes with your sweet songs for Jesus and your sad little smile. How wonderful God is to bring you into our family this past September. You are brilliant at everything you do, from reading, to those soccer foot skills that would make any teenager envious. At six years old you clearly have a great desire to do things right, a determined spirit that will take you far, and a compassion for others that makes you a natural leader. Always remember where your gifts come from … and that God has very special plans for you. I love you, Joshua.

  And to God Almighty, my Lord and Savior, the Author of Life, who has—for now—blessed me with these.

  Acknowledgments

  SO MUCH GOES into the writing of any single book. I couldn’t possibly move on to my next project without stopping to thank the people who have made this one possible. First, and foremost, it is my great pleasure to thank God who has given me the gift of writing. I am amazed at the letters pouring in from my readers, letters that prove God is changing lives with the gift of story—just as He did when Jesus walked this Earth. I pray I always use His gift in a way that touches hearts and glorifies God.

  Also, thanks to my wonderful husband and children, who understand when life goes on hold because Mommy has a deadline. Donald, you have the most uncanny ability to pick up where I leave off when I need a little extra help. “Thanks” doesn’t come close. In addition, thanks to my extended family, many of whom tirelessly continue to spread the word about my novels. I am grateful for each of you.

  Beyond family, there are those friends who have prayed for me, supported me, and listened to me discuss story ideas. In that light, a special thanks to Sylvia Wallgren and Ann Hudson, my personal prayer warriors, without whom none of this would ever happen. And to those special friends and sisters in Christ who have made such a faithful impact on my life. You know who you are.

  A sincere thanks to Amber Santiago, my dear friend and personal assistant. You have a golden voice, the best I’ve ever heard. You could be performing for all the world, yet instead you spend each day taking care of my sweet Austin and overseeing dozens of other tasks that make my writing possible. May God bless you for your servant-heart. And to Jenna Hiller who stepped in and helped with our six children during crunch time.

  When researching a novel, I often call on experts. For this book and several others I want to thank Bryce Cleary, M.D., and Attorney Stan Kaputska for their valuable insight. Also my father, Ted Kingsbury, who often takes an hour from his morning to brainstorm ideas with me.

  Once a novel is written, there are still many people who take it to the next level—the place where you, the reader, receive it. For that reason, a special thanks goes to my agent Greg Johnson and the folks at Alive Communications. I am continually awestruck by your talent, Greg, and humbly blessed that I have the chance to partner with you in bringing these books into being.

  Also, thanks to my editor, Karen Ball. Each time you edit a book it’s like taking a class from the very best in fiction writing. You are so good at what you do, Karen. Thanks for rubbing a little of your incredible talent on my books. And thanks to Julee Schwarzburg, Chad Hicks, Steve Curley, and Lisa Bowden, who champion my work with the great people at Multnomah Publishers. All of you at Multnomah are like family to me, and always will be. Thanks for taking a chance on me four years ago. In addition, thanks to Joan Westfall, who always does an amazing job on my final edit. I’m blessed to have your help.

  A huge thanks to Kirk DouPonce, the brilliantly gifted man who designs my covers. I can only pray that people do judge my books by my covers, and that in the end the story measures up. Thank you for offering your best work on behalf of mine.

  Finally, thanks to the Skyview Basketball team, you hustling, runnin’, gunnin’ guys—for giving me a reason to cheer, even on deadline.

  Contents

  Cover

  Other Books by This Author

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Discussion Questions

  Author’s Note

  Other Books by Karen Kingsbury

  One

  Hannah Bronzan rarely visited the cemetery.

  The grassy knolls and quiet, sad whispers were not necessary for her to remember Tom and Alicia, because they did not live in the confines of a garden of stone, but in Hannah’s heart.

  Where they would always live.

  But on this day, Hannah climbed out of the car, slipped on her sunglasses, and gazed across a sea of cold, gray tombstones. Her heart ached as she drew a slow, shaky breath.

  Much as she didn’t want to be here, it was time. Despite the emotions warring within her, Hannah knew she had no choice. She needed to come now, just as she’d needed to come two years ago when Matt Bronzan asked her to be his wife.

  By then she had grieved the loss of her first husband, and with a strength that was not her own, she’d survived. Enough to tell Matt yes, to believe there was indeed a new life for her and young Jenny on the other side of a darkness and pain that had nearly destroyed them both.

  Coming here had been difficult back then too, but it had given her a chance to say good-bye to Tom, to thank him for all they’d shared, and to release him. To let die a flame she thought would burn forever. Hannah set her gaze in the direction of their tombstones and pulled her sweater tighter.

  Her eyes welled up. Now it was time to let go of Alicia.

  This was a private moment—one she needed to share with Tom and Alicia alone. Regardless of shaded grounds, the glasses would stay. She walked amidst the markers, her fingers brushing against an occasional cold stone as she made her way across the cemetery to the place where their markers lay, side by side.

  Her eyes drifted from on
e to the other. Dr. Thomas J. Ryan … Alicia Marie Ryan. The birth dates were different, but the date of death was the same: August 28, 1998.

  A lump formed in Hannah’s throat, and she swallowed hard as she knelt down, sitting back on her heels. She wiped an errant tear from her cheek … Alicia would have been nineteen, finished with high school and making her way through college. In love, perhaps, or dreaming of a career.

  Alicia. I miss you, baby …

  It was harder to picture them now, harder to see the crisp definition in her mind’s scrapbook … how Tom’s eyes sparkled when she was in his arms, or the way Alicia’s smile lit up a room.

  They’d lost so much in one terrible moment. A drunk driver, an awful collision … and the life she and Tom had spent years building was shattered.

  Hannah exhaled, and the sound mingled with the breeze. You can do this. She squeezed her eyes shut, searching for the strength to move ahead. She and Matt had worked out the plans for more than a year. It was the right thing, she was sure of that much. Even now, with sadness covering her heart like a blanket, she could feel the excitement welling within her, convincing her that somehow, sometime soon, it would happen.