title: Life, Love, and Laughter: Gifts of the Spirit
author: Helen Heightsman Gordon
description: Helen Heightsman Gordon, Ed. D., began her poetic career writing light verse for her high school newspaper, then polished her techniques with writers' critique groups and writers' conferences. She began publishing in magazines and newspapers while still a young mother. During her years as a professor of English, she revised and published some of her earlier work, won an occasional contest, and authored five textbooks as well as a historical novel.  Frequent requests from family and friends for copies of her poems led to the collection entitled "Life, Love, and Laughter: Gifts of the Spirit."  Requests for additional gift copies led to the publication in perfect bound form through Anacade International.  Dr. Gordon is delighted when readers don't keep her books but pass them along to their friends. For those who can't bear to part with their copy, however, she makes this slender, affordable volume available for purchase.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A Scottish Love
  
  Karen Ranney
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dedication
  
  
  To Irene Mercatante.
  
  
  Some people are friends.
  
  
  Some are examples.
  
  
  Some are blessings.
  
  
  Irene is all three.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 1
  
  
  Autumn 1859
  
  Inverness, Scotland
  
  Gordon MacDermond was standing at the door of her parlor. Standing there
  staring at her, as if she’d invited him into her home. As if she should smile
  and welcome him.
  
  She’d sooner greet the devil.
  
  For a moment, Shona just sat there and watched him. Sounds faded away, even
  the air stilled, leaving Gordon standing there alone, illuminated by the
  sunlight streaming through the open door.
  
  He took a few steps into the room, his eyes never leaving hers.
  
  Her heart beat so fiercely she could feel the tremors in her throat. And why
  were her palms so damp?
  
  It was only Gordon.
  
  A stranger would look at him and see a tall man with symmetrical features, a
  straight nose, and a square jaw. A woman might note that his chin looked
  stubborn, a correct assumption abo