Just Destiny (45 page)

Steve raised a playful eyebrow. “Hot, eh? Hold that thought.” He ducked his head and searched her face. “You’re sure about giving up Gabe’s baby? I couldn’t stand it if we couldn’t have children and you hated me. I’d rather walk away now.”

Jenny wrapped her arms around him, and Steve cuddled her close, as if wanting to meld their bodies together. She’d have loved climbing right inside his big, warm body, being close to his pounding heart, his huge heart capable of loving her so well. He knew all her faults—all her secrets—and still wanted her. But he’d walk away if she couldn’t deal with life without children. She had to convince him.

Jenny gulped against the emotions clogging her throat. “Don’t be such a coward, Grant. If things go as I plan and we prove to be eminently compatible—meaning, we can live together without killing each other, I’d love to have your children.”

“And if we can’t.”

“
But
, if we can’t, we’ll explore other medical options or adopt.”

“If we adopt, you wouldn’t get to be pregnant and give birth.”

She waved a hand airily. “Pregnancy is highly overrated. And delivery?” She shuddered. “Not all that great either. Remember, I’ve been there.”

Steve searched her face looking for signs of uncertainty, but he wouldn’t find any. Jenny had made up her mind.

“You’re sure?”

She cupped his jaw, her eyes traveling his beloved face. “Absolutely.”

The End

Dear Reader,

If you’d like the opportunity to revisit Jenny and Steve, keep an eye out for my fall release,
The Lives Between Us
.

If you really enjoyed
Just Destiny
, feel free to loan it to a friend—or writing and posting a review on your retailer’s website is a wonderful way to help other readers discover this story.

If you choose
Just Destiny
for your Book Club reading, and would like to see if I can pop in for a telephone or Skype chat during your Book Club meeting, fill out the request form on my website.

Also, I love to collect and post pictures of Books Clubs who choose my book to read, so please email me a picture of your Book Club and I’ll add it to my collection.

I love to hear what readers have to say about my books and look forward to hearing from you.

Happy reading!

Theresa

The Lives Between Us

Coming Fall 2014

Grieving the loss of her beloved niece, reporter Skylar Kendall plots revenge on the US Senator who opposed life-saving stem cell research and therapy. She becomes romantically involved with his best friend, putting her in the perfect position to tear the senator's world apart when tragedy strikes. Only, she hadn’t counted on falling in love.

Sen. Hastings's tragedy would absolutely
make
Skylar’s career and satisfy her thirst for revenge, but can she betray her new love and friends?

1) Steve attempted to realign his heart with his engagement to Annie. Many might scoff that it was a doomed effort from the beginning. Did Steve simply choose the wrong woman or is the whole idea of transferring one’s affections a poor idea?

2) What difficulties might Gabe and Jenny’s child have had to face and do you think Jenny could have adequately prepared him/her?

3) Should Jenny have tried to ease her grief by using Gabe's sperm to conceive his child, when deep down she suspected that he really didn't want more children or does what he would have wanted have no part in this decision?

4) Soul mates are two people who are destined to be together-and only those two people-for all eternity. Soul mates share a deep, intimate connection. Do you believe in soul mates? Do you believe we only have one soul mate in this lifetime?

5) Do you think men would have a different perspective than women on the idea of deliberately conceiving a baby after the father has died?

6) Reproductive materials, such as sperm and eggs, are legal ambiguities. They are parts of the body, yet, under specific circumstances, they have the unique ability to create another human being, so should they be legislated by their own set of laws? Why?

If you choose
Just Destiny
for your Book Club reading, check out the Book Club page on my website where I have posted many more questions to help stimulate discussions.

I research my books thoroughly and try not to take much “creative license” to fudged facts to suit my story. Below I’ve listed real organizations and places in the Grosse Pointe area that pop up in
Just Destiny
. Take a look…

Proliteracy Detroit is a real organization that does wonderful work.
http://proliteracydetroit.org

Coloseum International Day Spa is a great little spa in Grosse Pointe I confess to trying out a time of two.
http://coloseumsalon.com

Elan’s Candies by Maralyn is only open from October through April because the rest of the year it’s too humid to make the delicious toffee. Luckily it freezes well, ’cause it’s amazing!
http://elancandy.com

The Grosse Pointe Hunt Club is nestled in the middle of a residential area. We used to play tennis there and one summer I took horseback riding lessons. My children loved going through the barns and seeing all the horses and watching riding events.
http://grossepointehuntclub.com

Antonio’s Restaurant may have moved from Mack Ave to Grosse Pointe Park to become Antonio’s in the Park, but they still make the amazing, rich scamorza I love. The rest of the menu is pretty tasty too
http://bit.ly/1nuMJbw

When I was a teenager, during the winter months, my mom, dad, sister and I play tennis most Friday nights at
Wimbledon Raquet Club
.

Buddy Pizza is just a favorite of mine. I love the cheesy flavor and amazing crust. I have to get it every time I’m in town.
http://www.buddyspizza.com

East Detroit Bakery is a real store my dad claims is the best bakery in all the Detroit area, and in his retirement I think he made a study of finding the best bread and doughnut place, so I have to take his word for it.

Save a Life is a fictitious organization modeled after
Gift Of Life Michigan
. More than more than 120,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the United States. It’s true that though 90% people support organ donation, less than 45% of Americans have joined their state’s donor registry.

If you believe in organ donation and haven’t yet registered, please go to Donate Life America -
www.donatelife.net
and sign up. If it’s your destiny to suffer a great loss, at least make it count for something by saving other’s lives.

Huntington’s Disease Association is an organization I made up. I have tremendous respect and sympathy for those struggling with Huntington’s disease. To learn more about Huntington’s Disease, the
Huntington’s Disease Society of America
is a wonderful resource.

Theresa Rizzo is an award-winning author who writes emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials. Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she now lives outside of Boulder, Colorado with her husband of thirty years.

Her debut Book,
He Belongs to Me
, was a finalist in the General Fiction Category of The 2013 USA Best Book Awards.

Learn more about Theresa at
http://www.theresarizzo.com
. Follow Theresa on Twitter
(@Theresa_rizzo)
and
Facebook
.

• Title page
  
• ALSO BY THERESA RIZZO
  
• Acknowledgments
  
• Prologue
  
• Chapter 1
  
• Chapter 2
  
• Chapter 3
  
• Chapter 4
  
• Chapter 5
  
• Chapter 6
  
• Chapter 7
  
• Chapter 8
  
• Chapter 9
  
• Chapter 10
  
• Chapter 11
  
• Chapter 12
  
• Chapter 13
  
• Chapter 14
  
• Chapter 15
  
• Chapter 16
  
• Chapter 17
  
• Chapter 18
  
• Chapter 19
  
• Chapter 20
  
• Chapter 21
  
• Chapter 22
  
• Chapter 23
  
• Chapter 24
  
• Chapter 25
  
• Chapter 26
  
• Chapter 27
  
• Chapter 28
  
• Just Destiny Discussion Questions
  
• Just Destiny Fact or Fiction
  
• ABOUT THE AUTHOR