“Well, we’ve just thrown open that gate and put man back in charge of his own destiny. Don’t you find that just a little bit frightening?”

“I find you a little bit frightening,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean I want to go back to the way it was before.”

He nodded. “You’re right. Whatever we face in the years ahead, it won’t ever be what it was before. And that has got to be worth it all.”

“And what about the years ahead?” Nicole murmured.

“What?”

“Where will Eric Lloyd be in those years? Back in the valley?”

His eyes widened for several moments, and then he put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Is that what you think?”

“I don’t know what to think. I have no right to ask that, but I want to know.”

“Nicole, going back to the valley hasn’t been part of my plans since you and I tangled with that old she-bear in the mountains.”

“Really?”

“Really. I wouldn’t miss the challenges and the excitement of what lies ahead now for all the valleys in the world.”

“Oh.” Her chin dropped, and she looked away.

He reached out and lifted her head, his eyes twinkling. “And I also promised one young lady I was going to start calling on her in a proper and acceptable fashion.”

She looked up again, her eyes suddenly shining. “No more hiding behind the couch?”

“I promise.”

“No more shattered doorways?”

“My solemn word.”

“It sounds dull.”

He laughed. “I know.”

“But I’ll cope with it somehow.”

About the Author

Gerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University, and has done post-graduate work in the New Testament and Hebrew at Pepperdine University and the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, California.

Retired from employment by the Church Educational System, Brother Lund has been a seminary teacher, an institute teacher and director, and a curriculum writer. His Church callings have included bishop, stake missionary, counselor in a bishopric, and teacher development director.

Brother Lund has authored many books in addition to The Alliance, including Jesus Christ, Key to the Plan of Salvation; One in Thine Hand; Leverage Point, The Freedom Factor; and the best-selling The Work and the Glory series.