Authors: Debbie Macomber
Silver Linings (36 page)
“I know. I didn't want you to love meâ¦not when I considered myself a coward. But I couldn't stop myself from loving you.”
“Come back,” I pleaded. “Just come backâ¦you can explain everything then.”
My plea was met with silence. “Mark, Mark,” I cried, fearing the connection had been cut off.
“I'm here,” he whispered. “Jo Marie, I'll do everything within my power to make it back to you. If I don't⦔
“Don't even say it. You're coming back, Mark. I can't think of anything else.”
“If I don't⦔
“Mark,” I pleaded, doing my best not to sob, “don't even say it. Please, I can't bear the thought of losing you.”
“Jo Marie,” he shouted, “please listen to me. If I don't make it, then I need you to do something for me.”
I bit down on my lower lip, swallowing down my fear as best I could. “Of course. Anything.”
“I need you to help Ibrahim and his family. It's possible they'd make it across the border without me. If they do, will you help them?”
“Markâ”
“Promise me,” he said, cutting me off.
“I promise.”
“Thank you.”
I was sobbing openly now, and nearly incapable of speech. “Just come home.”
“Home,” he repeated slowly. “I've learned something important through all this.”
“Yes?”
“My heart is wherever you are. I could no more stop thinking about you than I could stop breathing, although there were plenty who would enjoy giving me the opportunity.”
“Just make sure they don't get the chance.”
“I'll do my best, my love.”
And then suddenly the connection was broken.
I held on to the phone for a long time, unwilling to let go of Mark. All I could do now was wait and pray God brought him back to me.
To Rick Hamlin
Trusted Friend
Talented Writer and Singer
All-Around Good Guy with a Big Heart
Happy 60th Birthday
ROSE HARBOR INN
Silver Linings
Love Letters
Rose Harbor in Bloom
The Inn at Rose Harbor
Blossom Street Brides
Starting Now
Mr. Miracle
Starry Night
Angels at the Table
Last One Home
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR
D
EBBIE
M
ACOMBER
, the author of
Silver Linings, Last One Home, Mr. Miracle, Love Letters, Blossom Street Brides, Starry Night, Rose Harbor in Bloom, Starting Now, Angels at the Table,
and
The Inn at Rose Harbor,
is a leading voice in women's fiction. Nine of her novels have hit #1 on the
New York Times
bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the
New York Times, USA Today,
and
Publishers Weekly
lists. Her holiday novels,
Mr. Miracle,
Mrs. Miracle,
and
Call Me Mrs. Miracle,
were all top-watched movies on the Hallmark Channel. In 2013, Hallmark Channel produced the original series
Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove.
Debbie Macomber has more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
