The Other Place: Discovery Series - Book One

By June Chapko

Gwen Nichols seems stuck in the past and can’t find her way out of widowhood, until she is faced with a crisis which brings her to a crossroad. Having lost her beloved husband 3 years prior, she is now faced with making the decision to end her dying pet’s life. How can she go through this again? She earnestly seeks help from family, only to be rejected. Gwen finds the answer to her dilemma in a surprising source, but will she accept it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: June Chapko
• Release date: Jul 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215184691

June Chapko

June Chapko, a transplanted Texan since 1958, resides in San Antonio with her husband, Nick and Shih Tzu puppy, Chai. She is a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoys reading, quilting, and finding teacup treasures for her burgeoning collection.She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). June has written several Bible studies, many devotionals, and has been published in Mature Living, Quilt World Magazines and other publications.June has written two previous novels, The Estate Sale, published in 2018, and Legacy’s Path, published in 2019.In 2020, June co-authored a health and wellness Bible study with Joyce Ainsworth, Count it all Joy: A study in James, and a Devotional for Breast Cancer Survivors: Cancer Courage Christ, in 2021.June is active in her church women’s ministry, teaches a women’s Sunday school class, and loves to speak to women’s groups. June was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in June of 2020, during a worldwide pandemic, and is an active member of two local breast cancer groups, Metro’s Pink Warriors and Overcomers Daughters of the King of Kings.

Book preview

The Other Place

Discovery Series: Book One

June Chapko

Other Books by June Chapko

The Legacy Series

The Estate Sale

Legacy’s Path

Legacy’s Truth

Devotional

Cancer Courage Christ: A Devotional for Breast Cancer Survivors

Bible Studies

Count It All Joy

by Joyce Ainsworth and June Chapko

Strength For The Journey

by Joyce Ainsworth and June Chapko

Endorsements

Many of life’s tragedies can lead to a valley devoid of hope. The Other Place, follows one woman’s journey from isolation & sorrow, to the reopening of her soul to faith and joy. Gwen isolates herself in her grief over her husband’s death three years prior and must face a difficult challenge that becomes the catalyst for a life of new possibilities.

June’s talent at weaving a fascinating tapestry of characters will enchant you. The Other Place is a must-read for anyone who has lived through loss, back to a place of healing.

Jane R.

This is the first book in a new series for June. I can’t wait to read the rest of them. This book deals with the loss of loved ones and letting go of the pain while turning to God. I could not put it down, reading through to the end.

I’ve read every book she has published. As a result, she has become one of my favorite authors. It started with the Legacy series (The Estate Sale), about a legacy left behind that drew strangers together. I loved it! It was without foul language and no sexual content.

Her book Cancer, Courage and Christ is excellent. I have purchased 9 copies for friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. They all found it comforting and helpful.

Cecelia G.

A charming, fun, easy read. The Other Place quickly immerses the reader into the lives of the characters. Gwen, Suzanne, Claire, and Rose, quickly become like family and draw you into the small-town Texas lifestyle. Family, faith, friendship, and grief, are all tied together like a beautiful bow on top of the precious gift of this story, as is the way of life.

Sherri P.

I’ve read this author’s Legacy series (The Estate Sale, Legacy’s Path, and Legacy’s Truth), and did not want it to end! When I had the opportunity to read this book, the first in her new Discovery Series, I jumped at it. June’s ability to create and develop characters and weave them together is outstanding.

Charlene S.

To Moxie,

Forever loved

Acknowledgments

People have the idea that writing is a solitary thing, when in reality, without people, I would never be able to write. I’m thankful for the support of my family and friends because they are vital to my ability to create characters and construct stories. I especially appreciate those who nudge me frequently with, When is the next book coming out?

A special thank you to Hal Carson, for his grammar expertise, and patience as I changed chapters around, deleted a character halfway through, and rewrote pages.

My church, Brookhill Baptist, supports me with their encouragement through book signings, promotion, and purchasing what I write. Pastor Aaron Treanor, has always supported my writing and prays over my manuscripts.

I thank God for the love of reading and writing He breathed into my soul. May He be glorified in everything I write and put my books into the hearts of all those whom He desires to read them.

Contents

Title Page

Other Books by June Chapko

Endorsements

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Epilogue

The End

Recipes

Luscious Lemon Chicken

Fancy Benedict Casserole

Uncle August’s Humble Gumbo

About the Author

Chapter 1

Ben! Gwen pleaded. There must be something you can do.

The vet removed his bifocals, placing them in the roomy pocket of his wrinkled lab coat. I’m sorry, Gwen. The cancer is in his bones. There is nothing I can do.

There must be a drug or a new treatment of some kind. Gwen searched the steel-blue eyes of her family vet for a sign that she was right.

I think the best thing you can do for Moxie is to leave him with me. I’ll take care of everything and you won’t have to go through—

NO! she shouted, then, feeling her poodle flinch, she added softly, You can’t believe I would do that. Curt gave him to me. Gwen wanted to escape this room filled with Norman Rockwell pictures, animal caricatures, and plaster paw prints. The sterile smell invaded her senses, and she knew she had to leave quickly. Gwen felt Ben’s arm around her shaking shoulders, his six-foot frame towering over her protectively. She leaned against him, sobbing.

I know … memories. He patted her arm tenderly. I’ll give him a shot for pain and a prescription. Give him one tablet every six hours but think about what I said. It’s the humane thing to do.

Thank you, she said, dabbing her eyes. She ignored the last part of his advice. Gwen held Moxie still on the stainless-steel table as Dr. Burcher inserted the needle. She focused on a framed print of a scruffy mutt holding out his paw for his young master to examine. A boy gazes compassionately at his pet while a bespectacled elderly vet, not unlike Ben, prepares the injection.

Gwen’s mind flashed back over the last sixteen years, remembering the many occasions she had brought Moxie to Ben’s office. The miniature apricot poodle was a Christmas present from her late husband, Curt. Last year, Moxie had developed cancer, and it was slowly taking its toll. The beautiful, curly coat had lost its shine. His sight was gone, and he could no longer control his bodily functions. Gwen trusted Ben because she knew he loved Moxie and treated him as part of his family.

Gwen stroked her poodle, gently tugging his goatee in her familiar way. It hurt her to see him in pain, but she certainly couldn’t let him go.

There, Moxie, Gwen reassured him as Ben withdrew the syringe. Soon you’ll feel better. Let’s go home. Moxie nudged Gwen’s hand and licked her cheek as she bent to pick him up. She watched Ben carefully count out the pain pills. A wreath of white hair hugged the back of his head, refusing to fall out. Ben was such a dear friend, with unending patience.

Don’t leave him alone for long periods of time while he’s taking this medication.

I won’t, she promised. And, Ben, thanks. Thanks for being here for us.

Smiling tenderly, he hugged Gwen’s shoulder, handing her the medication. He patted Moxie gently on the head. If he gets worse, call me.

I will. Gwen tucked Moxie carefully into the basket lined with the handmade quilt she’d stitched when he was a puppy and headed out the door.

Gwen glanced at the early afternoon sky, searching for the sun’s rays to take away the chill. The darkened clouds seemed to hold the sun ransom, threatening to spill rain and hail at any given moment. A distant rumble in the spring sky echoed across the rice fields as Gwen hurried to her car. East Texas weather’s being so unpredictable; she knew she had better hurry before the promised storm exploded. Securing the seat belt across Moxie’s basket, she knew his injection should keep him comfortable for the twenty-minute drive home.

Gwen ordinarily enjoyed thunder and rain; it seemed to spark her creativity. Her memory book business certainly required fresh ideas, which seemed to come more readily when it stormed. Before Curt died three years ago, they always enjoyed the booming and cracking of a storm. He would tease her about it making her more romantic. Today, however, Gwen wished she could free the sun from the grasp of the gray skies and hug its warmth to her heart.

As she drove toward home in Gapland, Texas, Gwen recalled her visit with the vet. Dr. Burcher had said Moxie wouldn’t get better and she should let him go. She shook her head at the thought of it. She wouldn’t make that kind of decision again. The doctors had said the same thing about Curt. He won’t get better. You should let him go. The cancer has spread. She had listened to the doctors then; she would not listen now. She would find a way to care for her pet. Moxie couldn’t be left alone too long at a time, so she would have to find someone to stay with him when her memory book business required her to travel out of town. Her mind began reaching for ideas and her thoughts settled on her daughter, Suzanne. With only two semesters left to obtain her degree in Business Management, Suzanne moved into an apartment with her friend, Terri.

Gwen rehearsed how she would persuade Suzanne to move back home. She could live here rent free and wouldn’t have to work at the hotel, which would give her more study time. With Suzanne’s living at home, Gwen could keep her travel commitments without worrying, and the two of them could share in Moxie’s care. Gwen decided to call Suzanne and invite her to dinner the following night. She had not seen Suzanne in a month, and with Spring Break beginning next week; it would be the perfect time to suggest a move.

Gwen narrowly escaped the onslaught of hailstones as she pulled the car into the garage. She silently thanked Curt for designing the underground garage when he built the house. He always thought about her safety and comfort. Now it was Moxie’s safety and comfort that she thought about. Once inside, Gwen carried her pet upstairs through the kitchen to the fireplace in the living room. She lit a fire and sat next to Moxie, asleep in his basket on the oval braided rug. She watched as the orange flames licked the cones and popped, making it seem more like winter than spring. The warm fire relaxed her, and she began her mind-walking process, which helped relieve her emotional pain. Casting her mind back, she focused on a time before cancer took over Curt’s body, when they were so happy. Her eyes darted around the room, resting on the doorknob. Immediately, she remembered Curt’s smile. The day was quite warm as she soaked up the sun in the pool at her old apartment. Her legs lazily drifted in front of her in the lapping water, while her face lifted to greet the sun. Suddenly, Curt was behind her. He bent and kissed her gently.

Gwen’s heart quickened as she remembered the moment so many years ago. Once more, she saw him. The sun had screened his face, but she knew those dark brown eyes were smiling. He handed her a brown paper bag, saying, The house will come later. She had pulled herself up onto the edge of the pool and peered into the bag. Reaching in, she pulled out an antique brass doorknob. I’m asking you to marry me, he said.

Curt not only married me, Gwen thought, but adopted Suzanne and loved her as his own. She loved him, too, and called him Daddy from the start. Suzanne was too young to have memories of the violence in Gwen’s first marriage. She never really knew her biological father.

The grandfather clock in the corner chimed five, transporting Gwen back to the present. She rose quietly so as not to wake Moxie and made her way into the kitchen. She picked up the yellow receiver and dialed Suzanne’s number.

Hi, you’ve reached Suzanne Nichols. You know the drill. I’ll call you back. The loud beep sounded.

Suzanne, it’s Mom. I’m calling to invite you to dinner tomorrow. I’m fixing your favorite. Call me as soon as you get this message. Love you. Gwen replaced the receiver and found her notepad in the drawer. She put the teakettle on and settled at the corner desk to make her grocery list. I’ll fix lasagna, garlic bread, and Caesar salad, she said, as she wrote down what she needed.

It’s true, Suzanne and Gwen had some differences; what mother and daughter didn’t? She remembered the stinging words of their conversation before Suzanne moved out. Mother, you love the memory of the dead more than living in the present. The look on Suzanne’s face as soon as the words were spoken showed that she regretted it. Gwen hugged her daughter as they both cried, but it bothered her that Suzanne had never said, I’m sorry.

That was months ago, and they had kept in touch. They seemed to get along better since January. Every year since Suzanne was graduated from high school, she celebrated her January tenth birthday with a goal-setting party. At first she invited lots of school friends and they laughed about what they wanted to accomplish that year. For several, it was some young man’s attention; others, a job; one girl, temporarily confined to a wheelchair because of an automobile accident, wanted her freedom. Over the years, the size of the party decreased as Suzanne matured. As Gwen sipped her tea, she remembered how they laughed about how the growing number of twenty-four candles could become a forest fire out here amid the pine trees. Gwen smiled at the memory. Once they ate and opened gifts, all the party guests would gather by the fireplace. They had written their goals in advance and then each one revealed her secret desire, while offering encouragement toward one another, praying for guidance and help in achieving their goals.

Suzanne’s goal this year had been to learn to live independently and get her degree. Gwen thought the first part of that was initiated by Terri.

The phone interrupted Gwen’s thoughts. She carried her now empty teacup with her to the phone. Hello, Suzanne, how have you been?

I’m doing good, Mom. How are things with you?

Outside of missing you, I’m okay. I was wondering if you might want to come over for dinner tomorrow.

Sure, I’d love to. What time?

Is five o’clock good?

That works for me; I’ll see you at five.

Gwen hung up the phone. She