His Healing By Perfect Love

By Ronteé Marshall

When a crisis in the family occurs, Alexander Copeland returns to the one place he has been running from his entire adult life ‒ back home to Canada. He hasn't seen that place since he was seventeen and he would rather be sailing in solitude on high seas in London than on a plane ride back to his guilty past. Fear grabs a hold of him as guilt eats away at his heart. What will his family say when he arrives after all these years? And what about the gorgeous, Costa Rican brunette he's fallen for while on vacation? What will she think of him now after his secret is finally spilt? He certainly had not planned to find her in Canada!

 

Georgia Adams is not at all excited about her trip to Canada. She isn't keen on the idea of travelling to a foreign country, not least alone, but her best friend Samantha thinks the three-month trip will do her well. Who knows? Maybe God provided the opportunity. Leaving Costa Rica to work as a counsellor at Camp Muskoka Oaks won't be so bad, and maybe the kids and summer fun will help her get her mind off Alexander Copeland ‒ the man she's hopelessly fallen for. Without warning, he left her life just as quickly as he came in, leaving her with a confused mind and a broken heart.

 

Georgia is ready to move on. So, what will she do when she finds Alexander at the same camp she's working at? He is the last person she expects to find there. What is God doing in her life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Believe It Publishing
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215675786

Book preview

His Healing By Perfect Love

A Christian Romance Novel

Ronteé Marshall

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Believe IT! Publishing

Copyright

Copyright ©2023 by Ronteé Marshall.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means – for example, electronic, photocopy, or recording ‒ without prior permission. The only exception is a brief quotation in printed reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Contents

Dedications

Author's Note

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-one

Twenty-two

Twenty-three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty- Eight

About the Author

Acknowledgements

A Letter from Ronteé

Afterword

DEDICATIONS

To my family and friends who encouraged me along the way, especially Sarah, my number one reader fan.

To my grandmother who told me to have faith and never give up on my dream of being published.

To myself for persevering and accomplishing such a task. And to God, the one I love, who told me to Come and write for Him.

I couldn't have possibly done it without You, my love.

Author's Note

This novel is set predominantly in Ontario, Canada. Some of the landmarks are named factually, and the settings are accurate. For example, Toronto Pearson Airport and Lake Rosseau. Other establishments are nothing more than figments of my imagination. I hope those of you who are familiar with the surroundings in Canada will have fun distinguishing between the two. The Muskoka Oaks camp settings are a combination of actual observation with imaginative re-creation.

Prologue

THE FIRST sensation Alex noticed was the heat. Damn, the place was hot! He landed in Costa Rica over a week ago but he still wasn’t used to the heat. But maybe the way he was feeling right now had little to do with the humid temperature and everything to do with the soft body of the woman he was holding tightly against his sweat-soaked chest.

Alex’s heart thudded loudly to the beat of Latin music playing buoyantly in the background while rich, spicy scents and warm bodies caged them in on the dance floor. They were merely dancing but from the innocent, nervous look in her eyes, they were treading on dangerous ground.

Feeling a sudden urge to protect her, Alex slowed his rhythm.

We should stop now, he said, looking down at her as the song neared its end. He nodded his head toward the exit of the beachfront restaurant. Let’s get some fresh air. Alex didn’t miss the relief that flooded Georgia’s face as he held her hand gently and led her to the door. Never in his life would he have opted to stop such a heated moment with any other woman…until now.

Alex would have led her straight to his bed in any other circumstance. Wasn’t that what he had come down to the beach to do anyway? He was only looking for a quick fix, something to get his mind off his troubles and give him a release, but then, he ran into Georgia.

Alex had only just met her, but something about her commanded a man’s respect, and he would be the one to give it to her tonight.

One

THE AFTERNOON June sun was high in the sky, shining at its zenith, and Georgia Adams could swear she was dying. She lay sprawled on the floor like a dried-out starfish in her room. Her skin was moist and felt disgustingly clammy, and her hair stuck uncomfortably to her forehead. At the same time, she stared at the ceiling fan, which was doing nothing to combat the heat even though its long arms were spinning vigorously.

Georgia! Samantha Garcia’s voice broke her reverie. Her voice was clipped with annoyance as she shouted. Georgie! The childhood nickname rolled off her tongue as she looked down at Georgia from her standing position in front of the huge, white wardrobe at the far end of the room. Would you please stop being so dramatic and get up from the floor? You need to help me pick out a nice outfit.

Samantha Garcia was Georgia’s best friend; the two had become inseparable when she moved to Costa Rica when she was only twelve years old. No matter how much older she became, Georgia remembered the events of that moving day like it was just yesterday. Her parents had barged into her room, breaking the news that they were quitting their jobs in Florida and moving to the tropics to make a new start.

They were so excited, and as young as she was, Georgia tried to be happy for them. But she knew she hadn’t a clue how to speak Spanish, let alone live in a Spanish-speaking country for the rest of her life.

That was why the day she met Samantha was considered the day her social life was saved. Samantha’s ability to speak English and Spanish fluently allowed the two to become fast friends, and they had stuck together like glue ever since.

Can’t I just wear jeans or something? Georgia wiped the sweat from her brow. I really don’t feel like overdressing, Samantha.

Her friend frowned. But what else did she expect? Samantha was a fashion freak. Honey, you’ll be meeting your employers. We’d want to leave a good impression on them, wouldn’t we? She turned her slender back to Georgia and continued to dig around in the closet, causing Georgia to roll her eyes. Even if it’s just for a couple of months, Samantha’s voice came out muffled as she searched, you’d better dress more presentable.

Aha! Perfecto! Georgia’s friend blew out a wisp of air as she held out two dresses for her to see.

What do ya think, Chica?

From her place on the floor, Georgia spotted the Bohemian mustard dress. The very same dress that she never wanted to see again. Her breath caught in her throat as the frock dangled from Samantha’s finger.

How did she find it? She’d stuffed that in the depths of her closet over a year ago and had long forgotten it. At least, that’s what she liked to believe.

Georgia knew full well that she still dreamt of those arms. The strongest arms that she had ever felt in her entire life and the most piercing blue eyes she’d ever seen. Every night her mind tormented her and laughed cynically at her as she fell over and over again into the memories as though her heart hadn’t endured enough misery. Now the very same organ that was responsible for her pain moved into overdrive and threatened to beat out of her chest simply at the sight of the dress she had worn that day she met him.

This is what she hated most about broken relationships. Falling was the easier part but forgetting? It was the topic that a person tended to avoid because it was the most difficult step in the process of moving on. And moving on was what she ought to be doing.

Georgia shook off the thoughts. I’ll go with the blue dress Sammy, she said, referring to the other piece of clothing that her friend suggested. She wearily picked herself up from the floor and drank the glass of remaining water that had now turned warm from the humidity. I don’t like the look of yellow on me these days.

Are you kidding me? Samantha scoffed. "Amarillo happens to be one of the most complementing colours on olive skin. She put her hands on her hips and, giving Georgia the once over, said, Something else is the matter. I can see it in your eyes."

Despite the sudden pain in her heart, Georgia chuckled softly. Of all the friends she’d made on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, where her parents decided to live, Samantha was the only one who knew Georgia’s emotions the best. It was the other reason why they were best friends. She set the empty glass back on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed. It’s nothing. she lied. It was probably for the best that her friend didn’t know that she was still in love with Alexander Copeland.

God…tell me why. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

No distinct answer came to Georgia’s mind, but a simple Bible verse came rushing back to her memory. It was the one she had hidden deep inside her heart ever since Alexander disappeared from her life and the one she desperately needed now.

The verse was from Jeremiah, chapter 29. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…

She’d first read that eleventh verse in her alone time with God as she took her usual early morning walk along the seashore near her home. And Georgia wanted to take it and run with it. Wanted to believe that somewhere in the Lord’s plans for her life was a gorgeous man with dark hair and steel blue eyes named Alexander. But, if she was being honest with herself, Georgia knew that a year was a long time to sit around waiting to see if the guy who had captured her heart would waltz back into her life. And she refused to pick up the phone and call him too after his mysterious disappearance without even so much as a goodbye.

So, here she was today, twenty-three years old, without a husband or any sense of direction for her life, and still living with her parents in a country she believed was the hottest place on the planet.

Okay, so if you’re going with that colour…I at least get to pick the shoes. Samantha rummaged around in the closet some more and yanked out a pair of knee-length beige boots. She set them down next to the dress on the bed and grinned, much to Georgia’s amusement. The woman was indeed a fashion freak which was yet another reason why they had clicked. Even though Samantha was a few years older than she, they were both very creative, as Georgia loved the idea of designing and planning weddings. It was the job she desperately longed for, but it was also the one that seemed so far out of reach.

Realising her silence, Samantha sat on the edge of the bed next to Georgia. You’re thinking of him again. Aren’t you? Samantha took her thumb and moved a strand of hair away from Georgia’s face. Sweetie, you know you can tell me anything.

Georgia tried to ignore the way her heart palpitated in her chest at the mention of him. But with her best friend looking at her with those patient eyes of hers, she couldn’t stop herself. So, against her better judgement, Georgia did what she often did when her nights got lonely. She allowed the memories to resurface.

Alexander Copeland was unlike any other man she had ever met. And it wasn’t just the way his body attracted hers to his like a moth to an illuminated streetlamp. There was something much more under the surface of his manly appearance ‒ something…wounded, something dark and cold and Georgia’s heart immediately went out to his. She could blame it on her caring heart for her friends, but that wouldn’t be exactly true in this situation. Alexander was a stranger, and their meeting was unorthodox.

Suddenly, there she was again, in the quiet cool night, walking the shores of the beach along Dominical. She remembered most how the stars lit up the clear sky and the way her bare toes sank deep into the wet sand beneath her feet. It was one thing Georgia would never regret about her move to Costa Rica ─ the liberty to see the ocean as much as she wanted to.

She was alone on her walk, and the waves crashed in to touch her feet and ebbed away like a single-player game of tag. As she walked, her heart couldn’t help but praise God for his beautiful works of nature when suddenly, there in the distance, she spotted a figure sitting on the shoreline. From her stance, the man seemed to be deep in thought. It was only when she reached closer to him that he noticed her presence. He stood tall to greet her, and Georgia would never forget his size. He had to be about six feet or more, and his muscles …. good heavens! His muscles were visibly printed through the grey, buttoned-down Aflani shirt that he wore. Georgia’s heart skittered around in her chest as an image of the way his shirt hung open to reveal the dust of thick hair on his upper torso etched in her mind.

I’m sorry. Did I scare you? Alex placed his hands in the back pockets of his wet jeans.

No…um…you, Georgia laughed nervously.

She glanced back at the long stretch she just walked and turned again to face him. You just magically appeared, that’s all. She hugged herself, trying to shield her body from the cold wind that had picked up, or at least that is what she tried to convince herself. But she knew it had little to do with the wind and everything to do with how this stranger was looking at her with an unhidden, raw hunger in his eyes that excited yet, scared her.

You believe in magic, I see. The way he watched her so intently sent feverish chills across her skin. Georgia had never felt this way before. So electrified … as though he was a starved lion, and she was the first piece of juicy meat he had seen in a very long time.

She felt so exposed.

Licking her lips, she replied, No, not at all. I only believe in God. Her heart pounded inside her chest as she tried her best to take in his rugged appearance discreetly. She noticed that he had thick, dark brown hair which settled in neat curls on top of his head and his trimmed sideburns followed into an equally neat and shaved five o’clock shadowed beard along his sharp jaw.

Alex chuckled, his blue eyes hot on her. I was only jesting, sweetheart. He gave her a warm smile. Are you from around here? I realize you’re not speaking Spanish like half the people I bumped into.

I currently live here, but I am from Florida, she answered. And strangely enough, Georgia felt oddly comfortable around this man… if you could rule out the predatory way he looked at her. My folks moved here a while back.

I see.

Alex shifted his gaze away from her to the open-spaced restaurant behind them, where people were gathered, socialising and laughing on the balcony. White fairy lights hung on the low ceiling, twinkling vibrantly along to fast-paced Spanish music as someone strummed the guitar, the salsa music travelling down towards their spot on the beach. They were on the beautiful shores of Playa Potrero, not very far from the Costa Rica Sailing Center. It was Georgia’s favourite place to visit on a night like this, especially when she was craving some seafood.

Alex turned his attention back to her, and if she didn’t know any better, she thought his eyes twinkled with mischief. I’m sorry, he said. I didn’t get your name?

Georgia giggled another nervous laugh. She was highly impressed by his manners and the proper way he spoke. It’s Georgia… and yours is? She asked, suddenly shy.

He gazed at her through heated eyes that, God save her soul, ravished her inside out.

It’s Alexander. He held out a large palm towards her. Join me for the night Georgia.

That night Georgia did something she had never once considered in all her years. She took the hand of a stranger. She remembered the way his warm palm enveloped hers as he slipped his fingers through hers and walked her over to where the people were eating and dancing by the restaurant. For the entire night, his powerful body shielded her from the wind blowing across the sea. They laughed, talked, danced, and ate in the wee hours of the morning until it was time to say their goodbyes.

Call me when you can. Alex pulled his wallet from his back pocket and took out a business card. He gave it to her and watched her again with intense eyes. You are unlike any woman I have ever met, Georgia. They were in the parking lot where she had left her car to walk down to the beach. It was deserted at that late hour, leaving just the two of them and God above to hear. She let herself get lost in his eyes and struggled to breathe as he took a step closer to her.

I want to know more about you. He took another step closer, this time closing the distance between them, trapping her between his solid body and her car door.

Never in her life had Georgia felt like she did at that very moment. Like she was the only other human being in the world besides this beautiful man, she had been lucky enough to meet.

I─ I’d like to know more about you too…., she heard herself stutter.

Good. Alex’s eyes held hers the entire time. They never once roamed her body, as was the custom of other men who had no shame in showing their appreciation of her body and her beauty. For that, she was grateful.

But her breath caught in her throat as Alex brought his fingers to her hair. He moved a lock of her silky hair from her face, and his features relaxed in a soft smile. That’s better, he whispered. You are absolutely beautiful!

Georgia’s heart thudded so vigorously in her chest that she was afraid he could hear it galloping.

She was blessed enough to constantly hear that she was beautiful, but with Alexander… boy, she felt it all the way down to her toes.

Thank you. And with bravery that she never knew she had, she said. You are too.

A deep chuckle rumbled from Alex, and he placed a warm kiss on her forehead. Do take care of yourself. Until we meet again.

And with that, he backed off from her and walked away. Georgia sighed, eyes glued to his broad back as he retreated, his feet spanning the asphalt with long strides.

God. Let him be for me…

A gentle whisper in her soul only quieted the burning desire that had sparked in her heart for Alex, but it never burned out‒ not during the long drive home nor after the two weeks of togetherness where they had talked over the phone and hung out some more. Georgia took that as an answer from