The Patient Gift
Patty Howell
Highland Press
Lea Novak has allowed grief to numb her heart. Durham
North’s fortuitous need for a tow truck sends him
knocking on Lea’s door and a Christmas miracle is
about to occur.
“The Patient Gift” is a powerful testament to love
overcoming all obstacles, including the dark despair
grief can cause. Patty Howell has created a true hero
in Durham North as his sensitivity and patience are
exactly what Lea needs. And who doesn’t need a dog
like Basil? Patty Howell is guaranteed to garner some
new fans with this enchanting holiday tale.
Excerpt
Durham looked her phone number up the next day and
called. She sounded more aloof on the telephone than
when he was with her. Since the first snowy night,
when she’d opened the door, he’d been drawn to her.
Embarrassed by his fascination with her, he’d
intentionally not called the first week. Let the days
slip by, even though he’d wanted to. Oh, did he ever.
He wondered what had made her so sad. He could have
run a search on her name. But that wasn’t his way.
Now.
It had been at one time, with his parents. He’d
worked closely with U.S. intelligence and military
types after the debacle in Africa. Did a little
reconnaissance on his own. Sometimes what the U.S.
couldn’t do legally, others could. And doing things
outside the country wasn’t all that difficult. A few
connections, palms greased and he got answers. Then he
took action. Those who’d harmed his parents would
never harm anyone else. And although he was a
sensitive, deeply caring man, he had no remorse.
However, that was the past.
It wasn’t difficult to discern something traumatic
had happened to Lea, nevertheless he’d learned to be a
patient man. A few women had turned his head before,
none who’d pulled at his heartstrings as she had. He
wanted to know her—spiritually, emotionally, and yes,
physically. He wanted to break through the pain that
had enshrouded such a beautiful creature.
Recalling last night at the restaurant, telling her
the story about the hummingbirds, he’d intentionally
not told her about the female. As the birds had
continued their nest building, the female took a
precarious turn and one of her feathers stuck to a
portion of the spider web. Webs are extremely viscous
and if not for the temerity and persistence of her
mate, she wouldn’t have gotten loose.
Lea reminded Durham of that snared female. Something
had happened to turn what he believed to be a normally
vibrant person into the withdrawn hermit she’d become.
He prayed she’d allow him to help lift her out of the
abyss.
He called again the next day, and the next. No
softening of her shell-like exterior was apparent. But
he wasn’t losing hope. He was patient.
$2.25
Problems with download contact
support here.
