#MFRWhooks Blog Hop - An Excerpt from A LONG WAY FROM EDEN - A Sad Goodbye
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
I'm glad to be with you on this Book Hooks Wednesday! In this Excerpt from A LONG WAY FROM EDEN, Zane has recently discovered the identity of his biological father. He also discovered he has a brother he knew nothing about. But his father is dying. He had one previous visit that Meg joined him on, but now he's back in Vancouver by himself because his father's passing is imminent. He has to say goodbye to the father he only recently discovered.
Excerpt:
Frances nodded and took Nathan's hand. "If you have some final words you want to say to your father, you should do it now. He's too weak to speak, but I believe he can still hear you."
Nathan looked across the hospital bed, meeting Zane's gaze. "I think Zane should go first. After all, he's Dad's oldest son."
Frances turned to stare at him, and Zane felt the full force of her hatred. Even now, while her husband lay dying, she couldn't let go of her jealousy. It controlled her, creating ugliness where once there'd been beauty. Like the cancer that ravaged Clayton's body, anger consumed Frances. Had his father felt that anger all their married lives? Had she never been able to forgive him, though he'd remained faithful to her for the past forty years?
He wondered why Clayton had stayed with her. Had Frances used guilt to keep him with her?
He ignored Frances and bent low to speak softly into his father's ear. "Goodbye, Dad. I'm glad I got to meet you, even though our time together has been so short. I'll always remember you and I'll remember what you said about wanting Nathan and me to truly be brothers. I'll do my best to make sure that happens."
He tenderly kissed the old man's forehead. As he gave Clayton's hand one final squeeze, he thought he detected a flicker in his eyelids, as if he'd heard him. Zane held on to that belief, needing to trust that his father heard him and understood.
Nathan took his father's withered hand and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Dad. I always will. I'll remember all the good times we've had, all the things we did together. I'll make sure my sons remember you, and I'll do my best to be a good brother to Zane, like you wanted. Goodbye Dad."
Nathan continued to hold his hand. A moment later, Clayton's breathing changed, a rattle sounding deep in his chest. And then it stopped. He was gone.
For one desperate moment, Zane wished with all his heart that Meg was by his side.
Blurb:
Zane Martin's teenage daughter is pregnant. Meg Evan's son is the baby's father. Because Zane grew up not knowing who his father was, he'll be damned if he'll let his grandchild live with that shame. Meg was forced into an abusive marriage because of an unplanned pregnancy, so she knows that love is the only good reason to marry. Neither Meg nor Zane expects or welcomes the attraction that sparks between them. As they await the impending birth of their grandchild, old wounds open and long hidden family secrets come to light. The young couple builds a newer, stronger relationship, while Meg and Zane reach for a love passionate enough to overcome the past—if they're strong enough to trust it...and each other.
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/A-Long-Way-From-Eden-by-Jana-Richards
Buy Direct from Author: https://www.curios.com/c/WX4MJR
I’m participating in MFRW Book Hooks—browse the current hop here:
Very sad scene but love the drama with the whole situation.
I love the idea of an older couple, but what a sad scene.
What a heart-wringing scene, Jana. Very effective though painful to read.