No Love Lost Read online

  “I don’t think you can do that when the person in danger is the person you’re giving the ticket to,” I told him. He’d already told me what he’d thought of my actions, the day before at the hospital. Since I couldn’t argue much, I’d given in to his insistence that he accompany me for a few days any time I left the apartment.

  He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Maybe I could try anyway. It wouldn’t do any good, though, would it?”

  “Probably not.” Nicole’s death had made me resolve one thing—if I had been honest in most situations before, I was determined to be honest all the time now. Secrets could kill people.

  “You up for ice cream, or should I take you straight home?” Ray paused at the Chapel’s entrance to the street while I made up my mind.

  “Ice cream first, then take me home.”

  “Good. I want you to explain to me again why the mention of keys and cell phones made you realize what was happening with Paige, and why you were so sure she caused her sister’s death.”

  “I’ll try, but there’s a lot of intuition involved and I know how you hate that.”

  “Not as much as I love you, Gracie Lee.” I rolled down my window to let the breeze ruffle my hair, as I silently prayed that same prayer I’d prayed the day before. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I may never get tired of it again.

  Dear Reader,

  Some books are harder to write than others, and this one proved to be one of those that was difficult for me to write. I hope the extra effort shows through and you enjoy Gracie Lee’s adventure. Two of the questions writers are always asked is whether their stories are based on their own experiences, and if the characters are real. For me the answers to those questions can’t always be answered with a straight yes or no. My own experiences are what shape my writing, and people who have read several of my books know that I’ve got a heart for those with mental and emotional illness and their families, because that’s where I feel called to ministry as a Christian. I don’t base any character on one real person for a lot of reasons, ranging from ethics to the belief that as a writer it’s a lot more fun to create fictional people than describe real ones.

  For those who ask if the Christian Friends are real, the answer is an easy no. However, if you’re looking for good, real ministry groups in your local church or community, I can never say enough good things about Stephen Ministry and ChristCare small-group ministry. As a Stephen Leader for close to a decade, I recommend their services without hesitation based on my own experience and the testimony of others. These ministries happen in congregations and hospitals in all kinds of Christian environments across the country, and if you need distinctively Christian caregiving, it’s my hope that you can find a group in your community.

  Blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  1. The theme verse for this book comes from 1 Corinthians 13, a passage read during many weddings. Look at that book of the Bible together. What do you think is the most important thing Paul tells us about love?

  2. Do you know anyone who struggles with depression and issues of faith, as Linnette does? How are you a support as a friend or family member to that person?

  3. Relationships, and marriages, particularly are at the heart of this book. What do you think Hal and Nicole’s marriage would have been like if they had married?

  4. What do you think of Ben and Cai Li’s decision to marry before either turned twenty-one? What would you add to the advice their parents gave them?

  5. Sometimes it takes a crisis for people to tell someone else what they mean to them. Have you ever been in that kind of crisis? Share your experience with the group if you’re comfortable.

  6. Nicole’s family seems to play favorites among parents and children. What kinds of problems does this create for a family?

  7. Does God ever play favorites among His children? Explain your answer.

  8. What kind of message did Roger and Lillian send to their children and grandchildren in their decision about remarriage? If a friend asked you how to handle a similar situation, what would you tell her?

  9. Nicole made a decision to let a patient come home with her, a clear violation of the rules and ethics of the place where she worked. How do you decide what to do in a situation where you feel the rules are wrong?

  10. How could Nicole have helped Zoe in a way that would have been healthier for both of them?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-4404-1

  NO LOVE LOST

  Copyright Š 2007 by Lynn M. Bulock

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  Ž and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with Ž are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  www.SteepleHill.com

  Table of Contents

  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

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION