Too Far to Say Far Enough: A Novel (45 page)

Acknowledgments

People have told me they actually read the acknowledgments in a novel, just to see what breathed real life into it. I thought I was the only one who did that. Since I’m not alone, here’s a peek at the folks who shared their breath with me.

Rich Petrina,
the unfortunate man who tried in vain to teach me to ride a Harley. He introduced me to the riders’ philosophy that we have always come too far to say far enough. I believe him (but I still can’t ride a motorcycle …)

The warm, hospitable
people of St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
, whose eyes never glazed over when I started a conversation with, “I’m writing a book …”

My daughter,
Marijean Rue,
whose research assistance led me to
Rory Evans
of the St. Johns County Family Court.
Thanks to them, Desmond’s adoption and Flannery’s plight did not come purely from my imagination.

Drew Etter,
whose considerable expertise in law kept me from breaking into a cold sweat when writing about corporate things. Besides that, he rides a motorcycle.

The
Reverend J. Mark Forrester,
Vanderbilt University Methodist chaplain and director of the Wesley Foundation, as well as
my friend and spiritual director, who always helps me make theology real. Really real.

Jackie Colburn,
who has allowed me to see a
prophet in today’s world and not run the other way.

The works of
Abraham Heschel
and
Rami Shapiro
, whose understanding of prophets both biblical and contemporary opened the strange new world for Allison and for me.

The entire editorial and marketing staff at
David C Cook
.
Don Pape,
who took a leap of faith for this trilogy.
Ingrid Beck,
whose patience with me is angelic.
Karen Stoller,
who believes enough to keep on marketing Allison et al.
Renada Arens,
who has the thankless task of keeping me on track with details, and
Amy Konyndyk,
my liaison with the cover design team, who knows how to capture a vision.

My virtual assistant (yes, there really is such a thing),
Leah Apineru
of Impact Author Services, who may be personally responsible for your knowing about this book. She is the reason you can actually find me on Facebook. In case you want to …

My editor,
Jamie Chavez (
www.jamiechavez.com
),
who truly is one of the best in the business, and who has cared for Allison and her crew like friends. We cry in all the same places.

My husband,
Jim Rue,
who taught me all I needed to know about packing heat for this book and who, more importantly, takes me anywhere I want to go on his Harley. We have never said, “Far enough.”

The Academy for Spiritual Formation,
Academy 31 class. I am a different kind of Christian because of them. And so is Allison.

My agent,
Lee Hough,
to whom this book is dedicated. We have come far together, and for that I am so grateful.

TOO FAR TO SAY FAR ENOUGH

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance View

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook Distribution Canada

55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imp
ly an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

This story is a work of fiction. Characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.

Matthew 5:41 quote taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

LCCN 2012944301

ISBN 978-1-4347-6490-4

eISBN 978-0-7814-0851-6

© 2012 Nancy Rue

Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

The Team: Don Pape, Jamie Chavez, Amy Konyndyk, Nick Lee, Renada Arens, Karen Athen

Cover Design: Kirk DouPonce, Dog-Eared Design

Cover Photo: istockphoto

First Edition 2012

Endorsements

What people are saying about …

Too Far to Say Far Enough

“The final book in Nancy Rue’s well-received Reluctant Prophet series,
Too Far to Say Far Enough
reminds us all of the struggles throughout the human journey. Rue’s characters are flawed, quirky, and believable, while her scenes are contemporary and edgy. Despite a dive into the dark underbelly of prostitution, readers are left with a beautiful reminder to love thy neighbor. If you have always dreamed of zipping up a black leather jacket and hitting the highway on a Hog, or if you just want to immerse yourself in a different world for a while, this is the book for you.”

Julie Cantrell,
New York Times
and
USA TODAY
best-selling author of
Into the Free

“Allison Chamberlain is a gritty, human, thoroughly likable modern prophet. In an era of tamed and timid faith, she models a bold path as she follows the Nudges of God. Author Nancy Rue has crafted a gutsy page-turner, a compelling tale of fear and forgiveness that is packed with both tragedy and humor, which ultimately invites readers to explore for themselves how to answer the call to courageous faithfulness in a hurting world.”

Joyce Hollyday,
copastor of Circle of Mercy congregation in Asheville, NC, and author of several books, including
Clothed with the Sun

“Thank you for painting a picture of a
followship
of Jesus that is told through a woman’s voice but also connects with male ears. There is a strength portrayed here that crosses gender-based perception ... not something I find often in Christian literature.”

Chris Bell,
lead pastor of The Ridge Faith Community and national president of the Sons of Dominion Motorcycle Club

Praise for …

Unexpected Dismounts

“Rue wins the day with this marvelous tale of victorious love that overcomes all obstacles.”

Publishers Weekly

“Nancy Rue has once more proven that Christianity doesn’t necessarily arrive in a double-breasted suit or wearing pearls. Sometimes it roars in on a Harley, packing more punch than a three-part sermon.”

DiAnn Mills,
author of
Under a Desert Sky

Praise for …

The Reluctant Prophet

“I love this book! Hop on and ride with this ‘reluctant prophet’—but hold on tight, because the call of God not only takes Allison the Tour Guide out of her comfort zone, but the reader as well. An important novel about the awesome, quirky, breathtaking adventure of obeying God’s Nudge.”

Neta Jackson,
author of
The Yada Yada Prayer Group
novels and The Yada Yada House of Hope series

“In Allison Chamberlain, Nancy Rue has created a fresh and unique protagonist to challenge all who follow Christ. How will we change the world? By being willing to leave our comfortable pews and habitual routines to truly
listen
to the voice of the Spirit … and show the world that Jesus called us to love. Not to take care of ourselves, but to take risks in loving others.
The Reluctant Prophet
is a wonderful book with the power to changes hearts and lives.”

Angela Hunt,
author of
The Debt

“In her latest novel,
The Reluctant Prophet
, Nancy Rue asks this question: What can God do with broken people? The answer Rue comes up with is humorous, hopeful, and challenging. A story to remind us that God is involved in the everyday, and in love with everyone. You’ll cheer this motley band of people who decide love is more important than living a safe, easy life.”

Bonnie Grove,
award-winning author of
Talking to the Dead

“If you believe following Jesus can be an exciting adventure that is baffling at times and even a little messy, with zero tolerance for self-righteous complacency, then
The Reluctant Prophet
is a book for you.”

Bill Myers,
author of
The God Hater

“
The Reluctant Prophet
is a bold, wonderful novel. If you have ever felt a Nudge and thought it might be God trying to get your attention, read this book. It might just give you the courage to follow that Nudge and see where it leads. Nancy Rue writes about the tough issues of life and faith with grace, love, and daring. I am so glad God Nudged Nancy to write and so glad that she followed, Harley and all!”

Joyce Magnin,
author of
The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow
and
Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise

Photo by Joel Strayer

NANCY RUE is the author of more than one hundred books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award–winning
The Reluctant Prophet
and
Healing Waters
(with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).

If you enjoyed this title, visit
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for more great reads.

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