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• 55.2- I have created my own scene for this, it just didn't make it into the final book. :) Thank you for a splendid job, Lil. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:59:44 10/04/07 Thu
  • Had to jump out of lurkdom to ask -- Care to share it, Cindy? ;) (NT) -- Sallie, 09:59:34 10/04/07 Thu
    • Here 'tis Miss Sallie, it's not quite complete, but the snippet is more or less self-contained>>>> -- celtgirl (), 11:07:34 10/04/07 Thu
      • Ummm Wow! I'm not sure what else to say at the moment...I'll come back later. Thanks for sharing that girl! (NT) -- Marilyn, 11:17:07 10/04/07 Thu
      • Oh goodness! >>> -- Denise, 11:39:33 10/04/07 Thu
        • This is amazing! Sort of went how I imagined it in my mind, but of course you say it so much better. Thank you for sharing that! (NT) -- Lil, 12:50:52 10/04/07 Thu
      • That's powerful, Cindy! >>>> -- Sallie, 12:21:00 10/04/07 Thu
        • Cindy, this was great. I am one of those who didn't care for Belinda as well. I have to wonder if I was a bit jealous on Pamelas behalf. But this was a side of Belinda that was not shown to us in the book, and I felt sad for her, and any other woman whom Jamie attempts to love. When he does fall in love she will have to have a very strong, personable, presence. I hope he does, and she does. (NT) -- bug, 07:36:54 10/05/07 Fri
        • I agree with you Sallie. I never had any warm and fuzzy feelings for Belinda. It all seemed too 'convenient' of a relationship; geographic neighbors moving in the same social circles. It always felt like a 'show' relationship--reminded me of Capt. Von Trapp and the Baroness in Sound of Music. I was somewhat surprised to read this excerpt and learn of Belinda's feelings. I guess I sold Belinda short. For that I apologize to her and Cindy. (NT) -- LadyPeggyB, 07:46:47 10/05/07 Fri
          • No apologies necessary- she didn't get filled out the way I'd originally intended, simply because I didn't have room in the end. So she did seem rather one dimensional. But can you all imagine being in Jamie's house, dating him, and spending time in his bed and NOT falling in love with the man? ;) (NT) -- celtgirl (), 11:25:49 10/05/07 Fri
            • Heck, I'm in love with him just hanging out on the sofa in his study!! (NT) -- LadyPeggyB, 12:46:07 10/05/07 Fri
      • O-M-G!! *THUD* An absolutely wonderful piece of writing. So much emotion gathered in the room with the three of them. I know Pamela isn't there physically but she sure is every other way. Thanks for sharing this. (NT) -- Tracy, 12:47:08 10/04/07 Thu
        • Thanks ladies. Belinda obviously had some positive attributes or Jamie wouldn't have had her in his life. I felt sorry for her at some points- remember these people do and say all sorts of things in my head that never make it to the page. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:57:02 10/04/07 Thu
          • Plus the poor man needs to have sex every once in awhile. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:27:18 10/04/07 Thu
            • yes, he does and he can't really help it that every woman he meets falls head over heels for him. (NT) -- susiej, 11:03:57 10/05/07 Fri
      • Wow.....that ruins my opinion that the tossed glass of wine was well deserved. I really felt for her having read this. Oh the webs we weave...... (NT) -- JaneH, 09:07:06 10/05/07 Fri
      • Cindy that is gorgeous. "Forever!" Ahhhh my heart aches for the man. (NT) -- Rebeccab, 12:14:31 10/08/07 Mon
    • Hey Sallie! Where have you been? I miss my bench warming buddy! (NT) -- Denise, 11:45:47 10/04/07 Thu
      • Hi Denise (aka Bench Buddy)! Inside for the lowdown >>>> -- Sallie, 12:56:25 10/04/07 Thu
        • Holding steady, Sallie. Never fear! (NT) -- Denise, 16:35:49 10/04/07 Thu

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• Well, Belinda really started things here. She was jealous and had good reason to be but she completely mishandled this...or not, perhaps she wanted it out once and for all. I may think Pamela should do a better job of letting Jamie go, but I don't really think she was out of line here. Jamie gave her the horse. Belinda is not his wife and has no say so over who he gives gifts to- she looked petty as if him spending all that money was the real issue. And when she knocks Casey well, I won't fault Pamela for reacting the way she did. I bet some of the ladies here would have thrown a lot more than a glass of wine at Belinda. (NT) -- susiej, 09:38:30 10/04/07 Thu
  • Ya know, until reading Cindy's snippet above, I was never really sure if Belinda loved Jamie..truly, if she was really in the realtionship for the right reasons. So I was always wary of her, but I did feel bad for her too. No she wasn't married to him, but she really had more of a legitmate claim on the man than Pamela did (her being married and all). I didn't condone her pettiness but I understood it. (NT) -- Marilyn, 14:10:29 10/04/07 Thu
    • Yep,I answered this before I read the snippet. I always thought it would be a bummer to lose Jamie so I sympathized with that, but she did push here- she forced out the truth. After reading it, I do feel for her and for Jamie. But I was surprised when he said he'd loved Pamela since she was eleven. I always thought he loved Colleen really loved her. I didn't know he was susceptatible when they were married, but I guess it wasn't a very happy marriage. Poor Jamie, he has so much love to give but the women he wants won't take it. Thinking about this makes me wonder- if Pamela had truly loved Jamie she might have waited a bit for him to thaw insteaad of running straight to Casey. And then when she did, she doesn't accept the fall out as Belinda so aptly puts it-she runs to Jamie for help nearly every time. As I've said, it doesn't set well with me. Casey and Jamie are very honorable in this situation ,but as I see it, in this scenario, Pamela is selfish. (NT) -- susiej (), 10:55:45 10/05/07 Fri
      • He really did love Colleen, and some part of him always will. She is his first real love after all- and he would have stayed married to her forever if they could have recovered from the death of their boys, but they couldn't. At this point though they are somewhat estranged, and though Pamela is only eleven (or twelve, I can't remember exactly) he feels connected to her right away, but not in a weird way, because he's fully aware she's a child. It's not until she comes back into his life at a legal age that he is attracted to her as a man to a woman. However he realizes he's always loved her in some fashion or other. Their love is a shifting and evolving thing. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:52:38 10/05/07 Fri

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• Ch 53- I think this shows how much Jamie still cares for Pamela, to give her something so exquisite. I was confused (and still am kinda) about that deal at the cottage. Ch 54-- Well Lil, I don't read enough into things to really say, per the book. But in life, it makes perfectly good sense. Ch 55--I can't imagine it was easy facing a jealous woman who thought she had more of a say than she really did. I am glad Pamela did what she did,,,,,, Belinda deserved worse than that really. As I said earlier, she was playing a part that was not hers to play. She was a girlfriend, not a wife, and was trying to act otherwise. I think the honesty they shared with each other at this point was necessary. I'd think it helped. (NT) -- bug, 11:04:50 10/04/07 Thu

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• 55- I will tell you all that this is one of the scenes (the one in the library between Jamie and Pamela) that actually turned out the way I hoped it would. It translated to the page exactly as I was seeing it in my mind. That doesn't always happen, needless to say. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:37:52 10/04/07 Thu
  • As I wrote to you before, Chapter 55 is probably my favourite, but also the most trying part of the story fo me. I love seeing the emotions come to a head with Pamela and Jamie, but my stomach was in knots and I was terribly upset because the conclusion meant no happy resolution for Jamie. This was the tear-jerker point in the book for me, more so than the tragedies we see further in the book. I'm not sure what that says about me, that I'm a cold-hearted biatch, or hopelessly in love with Jamie! (NT) -- Denise, 11:44:29 10/04/07 Thu
    • It's the second option, Denise. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:17:43 10/04/07 Thu

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• 53.1 Jamie is all that and a bag of chips! An elegant, classy gift from an elegant, classy man. 53.2 I had no idea but was intrigued and couldn't put any of it together. (NT) -- Tracy, 12:41:57 10/04/07 Thu
  • 53.1) And he's obviously thoughtful :-) Money's not a problem for him but he doesn't just go and spend a huge amount of money on her without it being something meaningful. He'd be the kind of husband that doesn't forget anniversaries..hell he'd be the kind to remember your first date, first kiss..yes definitely thoughtful. (NT) -- Marilyn, 14:05:36 10/04/07 Thu
    • He'd remember everything with the woman he loved, I think he's a little fuzzy on the details of his other numerous partners though. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:25:06 10/04/07 Thu
      • *THUD* I LOVE the man! He breaks my heart. I just want to jump in between those pages!!! (NT) -- Tracy, 16:19:44 10/04/07 Thu

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• 53.2- I am working on a scene that takes place inside that cottage right now actually. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:55:32 10/04/07 Thu

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• Lil Just wanted to say (while it's on my mind and before CRS takes it away ;-) Thanks for a great week of questions girl!! I'm popping in here real quick at the moment, I'll think about these ?? a little more and come back. The library scene in chap 55 was gut wrenching for me in more ways than one. (NT) -- Marilyn, 12:58:28 10/04/07 Thu
  • Thanks Mari! I was a little nervous, but tried my best! (NT) -- Lil, 21:56:24 10/04/07 Thu

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• Belinda is a woman in love with a man whose heart belongs to another. Knowing this is perhaps one of the hardest things with which to live and be graceful. Trying to act normal and nice all the while one's heart is breaking is torturous. I think Belinda is hurt and is sorrowful over what will never be. Sometimes her heart and mind may not be in sync and therefore her behaviour may not be as stellar as one would hope, but then Belinda is only human. My heart broke for Jamie but also for Belinda. (NT) -- Tracy, 13:06:22 10/04/07 Thu

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• Lil! Lovely week of thoughtful questions. Thanks. (NT) -- Tracy, 13:07:33 10/04/07 Thu
  • Thanks Tracy! (NT) -- Lil, 21:57:29 10/04/07 Thu

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• 55.3) I've known all along that they love each other but I guess I never realized (or maybe I just didn't want to recognize) just how strong their feelings were. This chapter did it for me along with upcoming actions on J's part, I gained a whole new respect for Jamie. I so want him to be happy...Pamela might be really good for him, but I don't see how he can have her without something happening to Casey and I just can't even go there. I also thought, reading the library scene, that the author was trying to prepare me....ya know by making me see the love between these two...she thinks I'll be more willing to accept Casey not surviving this series - she's wrong *g* ;-) (NT) -- Marilyn, 14:21:12 10/04/07 Thu

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• 55.3- From my point of view, they HAD to get this out- they knew it but they needed to say it and move past it. They generally aren't ones to not face up to their demons- so it was natural that it was going to have to come out. (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:55:30 10/04/07 Thu

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• Chapt. 53 Q1 I think this gift says that Jamie knows Pamela down to her soul, that he loves her, is worried about her and is willing to do just about anything to try and make her happy. He is truly one of those generous souls who will make those he loves happy, even if it costs him emotionally. Q2 I thought more that Jamie was somehow tied into the organization, or they had a message for him, rather than Jamie being connected to Brian's murder in any way. (NT) -- Carla, 15:13:42 10/04/07 Thu

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• Chapt. 54 Casey is one of those people who truly understand what makes others work, how people think, react and feel and what they need to be at peace with themselves. As for Brian's words, they can be applied to just about any challenge in life and in particular to the realities of life in Belfast. As for me, I think some days I do just that -- work within the constraints of being a stay-at-home-mom to do the things I need to do to feel whole. And other days I seem to have lost my way entirely and fight against the current, which just makes everyone unhappy. (NT) -- Carla, 15:29:36 10/04/07 Thu

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• Chapt. 55 Q1 To be honest I think Jamie bears a great deal of the responsibility for what happens between Belinda and Pamela. He should have told Belinda that Phouka was a gift for Pamela, not an investment. It was that misinformation that caused the whole thing to blow up in public. Should Pamela have thrown the drink in Belinda's face? It probably wasn't the most mature thing to do, but given Belinda's snide comments about Casey's whereabouts and then calling Pamela a whore, I probably would have chucked the freaking glass and it's contents at the bitch. I do, however, understand, how Belinda must have wanted to strike out at the women she knew had Jamie's love. Q2) I think Cindy has done a better job of this than I could even begin to imagine. (NT) -- Carla, 15:57:14 10/04/07 Thu

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• Q3) I think they've both said things that need to be said, however I don't think it will take either one of them down the path to happiness, at least not for a long time to come. When Jamie chose to turn >>>Pamela away (for valid reasons), he set a chain of events in motion that has led to them having to work through their feelings on their own, rather than together. Pamela needs to figure out how to go from be in love with Jamie to loving him. I think a huge clue to her feelings for him is that deep down she really doesn't want him to be happy without her. Contrast this with Jamie who turned her down out of love. In many ways, I think Pamela's love for Jamie is still the love of a young girl for the first man who touched her heart and soul. The real dichotomy of it, to me, is that it's both immature and yet so deep and abiding. Jamie, having made the decision that he's not right for Pamela also needs to come to terms with his decision and (NT) -- Carla, 15:58:48 10/04/07 Thu
  • Okay, not sure where the rest of my long-winded comment went, but I was going to say that Jamie needs to figure out how to move on before he truly brings another woman into his life. One-night stands or at least relationships based solely on lust may be a way for the boyo to relieve those natural urges without breaking anybody else's heart. Right now I think it's rather unfair of him to bring a women into his home and life until he's worked out how to love Pamela without being in love with her. (NT) -- Carla, 16:05:35 10/04/07 Thu
    • I agree Carla about Jamie, but in all fairness, Pamela had supposedly moved to Boston then BAM- she's sleeping on the couch of his private study all needy and ready to bask in his light again. (NT) -- susiej, 11:00:01 10/05/07 Fri
  • Carla, I really like the way you said that Pamela has to go from being in love with Jamie to just loving him (as friends). Hit the nail on the head! They do love one another and it's more than a platonic love, but that's how it must remain for Pamela's marriage to stay intact. It can't go beyond that and they both must come to terms with the limitations their relationship must have. (NT) -- Denise, 16:45:08 10/04/07 Thu

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• 53.1- Jamie knew how much she loved horses and he knew it might be one way to get her mind off the miscarriage and help her begin to heal again. (NT) -- celtgirl, 18:04:52 10/04/07 Thu
  • For me, whenever horses are involved between Jamie and Pamela, it takes me back to their first meeting. For me, the gift of a horse is Jamie's acknowledgement, conscious or not, of their bond that began those many summers ago. But then, I like horses too, so perhaps I'm over romanticizing? (NT) -- LadyPeggyB, 07:52:40 10/05/07 Fri
    • No, not over romanticizing at all, Peggy. Horses are a connection between the two of them and Jamie, as mentioned above, is not one to forget. (NT) -- celtgirl, 09:51:09 10/05/07 Fri
      • yes, and innocent as it may or may not be, Jamie's ability to give her a horse is something Casey most likely will never be able to do- certainly not one of that caliber. And unless I'm mistaken, Pamela's love of riding is not something she can share with Casey. In all honesty its not an appropriate gift to a married woman from a man not her husband. And again, it rings the bell to me that sounds a bit like Love. And I am saying this as a girl on the Jamie bench. I love him but I don't say he's a total innocent. (NT) -- susiej, 11:07:08 10/05/07 Fri
        • No, Jamie isn't terribly innocent at all- I know he seems all noble and honourable most of the time, but from time to time he does indulge in selfish behaviour. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:21:08 10/05/07 Fri
          • We love him because he is human and flawed! (NT) -- Denise, 15:48:07 10/05/07 Fri
            • Oh, I thought it was because he was gorgeous and rich! (NT) -- LadyPeggyB (**D&R**), 17:57:57 10/05/07 Fri