Just Over the Horizon
Susan Rush
Author Bio
Susan has a psychology degree from Furman University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Not in a million years did she think she would ever work with hospice. She jokes that God didn’t lead her to a career in hospice; He took her kicking and screaming the whole way. Ironically, she is now passionate about end-of-life care and has been in hospice for more than twenty years. She has worked as a social worker, grief counselor and director. She is honored to provide care and counseling for patients during the final chapters of their life story. Susan loves sharing about God’s redemptive grace and unfailing love during lif’e’s most difficult challenges. Her debut novel, Just Over the Horizon, chronicles the faith journey of a hospice nurse and is a heart-warming story that teaches us how to embrace life fully while never losing sight of our eternal home. Of course, there has to be some romance and suspense thrown in for fun! Her perfect day is spent on the lake with her family. Susan also enjoys blogging and is obsessed with Downton Abbey. She presently serves as a hospice director in Columbia, SC where she lives with her adorable hubby and three phenomenal children.
Description
Is it possible for a traveling hospice nurse to find romance in a small southern town? After all, she is only passing through and needs to focus on her job. A job that requires compassion and dedication. She can’t afford to have any distractions.
Since her grandmother’s death, Sarah has been alone. No family. No friends. No distractions. Just the way she likes it. Traveling from town to town is an adventure, meeting new people, exploring new places, but could her solitary life be growing lonely?
Much to her surprise, two vastly differing men compete for her attention in the small historic town of Camden, South Carolina. Nate, the adopted son of one of Sarah’s patients, is a true Southerner with a sarcastic wit and genuine warmth. On the other hand, Dr. Joseph Thornton is a caring oncologist who is known as the best catch in the state. Who could say no to his Hollywood smile and emerald eyes?
No distractions. This has been her goal as a hospice nurse. But distractions are exactly what she gets. Will she be tempted to put down roots in the small town?
It’s a good thing Sarah’s eccentric Nana left her a mysterious box. Nana’s gift provides the guidance and comfort Sarah desperately needs as she faces heart-wrenching trials. Not only does she have the stress of caring for the dying, she has to visit patients in the ghetto. What dangers await a beautiful young nurse making home visits at night?
Enduring sadness and trauma, Sarah’s childhood faith is shattered. She tries desperately to hold onto Nana’s godly legacy, but it is slipping away. When a bizarre stranger appears at her door with devastating news about Nana’s past, can her cherished box continue to provide answers and deepen her faith or will Sarah realize her life has been based on nothing but lies?
Book excerpt
Sarah gripped the steering wheel as she leaned forward,
straining to see out the windshield. Steady, rhythmic rain pelted
down, making it impossible to concentrate. She hated being late
more than she hated her allergy to cats. She’d have to slow down if
she was going to make sense of the scribbled directions. Why did
people live in places unknown to GPSs? She shook her head as her
patience wore thin. How many soybean fields can South Carolina
possibly have? She looked at her watch and grew more agitated. She
was scheduled to admit a patient in Rembert at four–‐‑thirty. It was
already four–‐‑thirty–‐‑five.
It had been a long time since she’d driven through the
country. On a clear day she would have enjoyed the rural setting
with vast farmlands occasionally interrupted by a rolling pasture
sprinkled with dairy cattle. But not today; her supervisor hadn’t
even given her time to unpack before rushing her out to see a new
patient.
Sarah sighed in relief when she spotted the narrow road
hidden between a pair of weeping willows. Their gloomy branches
spilled over the drive like long, arthritic fingers. Sarah turned her
fuel–‐‑efficient coup in and came to a rolling stop. Why had she not
invested in a four–‐‑wheel drive?
Staring down the deserted road, she imagined that on a
sunny day it would be picturesque with the stately oak trees and
towering pines framing the passage. But as clouds hovered lower
and the skies grew more ominous, Sarah shivered and willed her
heart to slow down.
Determined to reach her destination, she forged ahead only
to discover the country road quickly became a gravel drive. Within
a few hundred yards the gravel disappeared, and before she
realized it, it was merely a clay pathway. Sarah hesitated,
wondering if she should push forward or give up and turn around.
As she prayed about what to do, the skies opened and
released sheets of rain. The windshield became a gray wall. She
didn’t have a choice; she had to stop and wait out the storm.
A chill ran up her spine as lightning bolts flashed across the
sky. A traveling hospice nurse? What was I thinking? Out in the
boonies… no cell phone coverage, nobody to ask directions. I was an idiot
to take this job. What was I thinking? Sarah’s self–‐‑reprimand was
interrupted by a loud boom of thunder that shook the car.
She looked in her rearview mirror and was horrified to see a
muddy creek running down the middle of the dirt drive. Her car
began inching sideways. She locked her brakes but the car
continued to slide. This is not good, so not good. Just as she started to
panic, it eased into the bank and found a solid resting place.
I am not going to have a meltdown. Her knuckles turned white
as she squeezed the steering wheel and emphatically declared, “I
refuse to have a meltdown.” As Sarah consciously slowed her
breathing, she leaned her head back on the headrest and let her
mind drift to Nana, her amazingly eccentric grandmother who
always knew just how to comfort her, how to quiet her nerves.
Sarah turned and climbed into the backseat. She ripped the
tape off of a moving box, reached in, pulled out several items and
tossed them aside. Sarah was searching for one special treasure.
When she finally found it, she smiled in relief and placed it on her
lap. Simply having it near comforted her.
Author Website
http://www.susandrush.com/