Jack wiped a few of his own from his cheek.

"The plane was over there." Jack pointed to the center of the grassy field. "By the time I came upon it, your family had been respectfully taken away."

The doctor nodded.

"Over there, in that fencerow, was a large bale of hay." Jack spread his arms as far as he could reach. "A big, loose stack that had been around for a year or two. Soft, yet supportive."

Ben Abrams shook his head. "I don't know how I survived it."

"I'll tell you something, young man," Jack said. "You landed on the prayers of your mom and dad. And God's will." He looked into the blue eyes that had haunted him for fifty years. "You were supposed to be here."

"It's humbling," Ben said. "I'm not sure I've kept up my side of the bargain."

"God's ways are not always understood in this life. I think you're exactly where you're supposed to be."

Ben smiled at him. "I hope so. I want to think I've become the man my parents would have wanted."

Jack laid a hand on the doctor's shoulder. "You've got plenty of time to accomplish more, Lord willing," he told him. "And a fine start at it with that young woman you brought with you."

Ben's eyes sparkled again, and he turned to look behind him where Alexandra, Josh, Beth, and Baby Rose were waiting at the car.

"Let's ask them to join us."

"I'll go get them," Ben said.

"I'll walk with you," Jack winked. "There's still a lot of mileage left in these legs, but it's just in lower gear."

Ben laughed as they turned to walk back toward the road to Mercy.

Discussion Questions.

1. In the prologue, Jack Randall is compelled to go to the site of the plane crash. How might his life have been different if he hadn't gone? Have you ever been prompted by God to do something unusual or unexpected? If you responded to that urging, how did your life change because of it?

2. In chapter 1, Josh Harrison feels confident that he has made the right choices in life. But doubts set in quickly. Why? How could Josh have been better prepared to face his trials?

3. Bethany Harrison had a near-death experience in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Why did this experience leave her torn between the possibility of going to be with the Lord and returning to her earthly existence? How did this affect her actions later?

4. Early in the book, Dr. Ben Abrams holds little regard for people of faith. Why did he feel that way? What happened to change his beliefs? Did this happen through one event or a series of events?

5. Who besides Bethany Harrison planted a seed of faith in Dr. Abrams's life? Who influenced him positively as a child?

6. Bethany's unexpected pregnancy brought back memories of her "secret sin" from the past. How did this make her feel? Did she believe that God had forgiven her? Why did she have a difficult time forgiving herself?

7. What did the rust-colored teddy bear represent to Bethany? How did burying the bear play a significant role in her healing? Do you think she should have asked Josh, or even Alex, to be with her when she buried the bear, or was it something she needed to do alone? Why?

8. Alexandra Hayes provided assistance to Bethany in many ways. Can you list three? Was one of those roles more important than another?

9. How did Nell Stevens's death affect her son Danny's faith? How did Danny's faith subsequently have an effect on Josh?

10. Isaac couldn't understand why his grandfather would disown his daughter, Isaac's mother. Isaac felt that his grandfather had "thrown her away like a faded flower," an analogy from Isaac's work in the flower shop. How is this ironic in light of Dr. Abrams's recommendation that Bethany abort her pregnancy? How is it different?

11. In chapter 37, Josh realizes that a detour doesn't have to alter our destination-it may merely change our path. Can you think of an example of this in his life? In Bethany's life? In Ben Abrams's life? In your own life?

12. During and after the bus wreck (chapters 42 and 43) Josh's nightmare/dream coincides with the physical trauma of the storm going on around him. What other symbolism is represented in the dream? How did the dream reassure Josh in the midst of the storm?

13. Mercy is often defined as "loving-kindness," especially when it is not deserved. In chapter 46, Josh tells Ryan that he is offering mercy because he has been shown mercy. In what ways did Josh believe God had given him mercy? Did others receive mercy as well? In what way?

14. Bethany was confronted with an extraordinary number of problems within a short period of time: a life-threatening illness, medically related drug addiction, an at-risk pregnancy, marriage difficulties, and even guilt from her past. Yet, despite her doubts and fears, her life became a witness to her doctor. Who else did Bethany's faith affect? Who might it affect in the future?

15. In chapter 38, while walking through the cemetery, Josh contemplated if it was possible for our testimony to continue even when we are no longer alive. Can you think of an example of this happening in the book? What examples can you give from the Bible? How about in contemporary society?

16. In the epilogue, Jack Randall tells Ben Abrams that he landed on "the prayers of his mom and dad." Do you believe that prayers can transcend time? Can you think of examples from your own experience?

17. Throughout most of the book, Bethany sought forgiveness from God. Had it been there for her all along? If so, why did it take so long for her to accept it? Read Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:9. How do these verses apply in your life?

What They're Saying About . . .

The Glory of Green, by Judy Christie.

"Once again, Christie draws her readers into the town, the life, the humor and the drama in Green. The Ghry of Green is a wonderful narrative of small-town America, pulling together in tragedy. A great read!" -Ane Mulligan, editor of Novel Journey Always the Baker, Never the Bride, by Sandra Bricker.

"[It] had just the right touch of humor, and I loved the characters. Emma Rae is a character who will stay with me. Highly recommended!" -Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper's Daughter and the Rock Harbor series Diagnosis Death, by Richard Mabry.

"Realistic medical flavor graces a story rich with characters I loved and with enough twists and turns to keep the sleuth in me off-center. Keep 'em coming!"-Dr. Harry Krauss, author of Salty Like Blood and The Six-Liter Club Sweet Baklava, by Debby Mayne.

"A sweet romance, a feel-good ending, and a surprise cache of yummy Greek recipes at the book's end? I'm sold!"-Trish Perry, author of Unforgettable and Tea for Two The Dead Saint, by Marilyn Brown Oden.

"An intriguing story of international espionage with just the right amount of inspirational seasoning."-Fresh Fiction Shrouded in Silence, by Robert L. Wise.

"It's a story fraught with death, danger, and deception-of never knowing whom to trust, and with a twist of an ending I didn't see coming. Great read!"-Sharon Sala, author of The Searcher's Trilogy: Blood Stains, Blood Ties, and Blood Trails.

Delivered with Love, by Sherry Kyle.

"Sherry Kyle has created an engaging story of forgiveness, sweet romance, and faith reawakened-and I looked forward to every page. A fun and charming debut!"-Julie Carobini, author of A Shore Thing and Fade to Blue.

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