title: Second Time Round
author: Messruther, Sue
description: Everything was finally falling into place for Amy. She was certain that the choices she had made in her life had destined her for a happily ever after with the man she had chosen. Amy had always loved Christmas, not just because of the gifts and music, but also because of the warmth and the way that everyone always treated each other with so much love.
  Christmas was a time of togetherness, a time to celebrate the love of family and friends. So what better time could there be to have a wedding? Amy has planned every minute of her ceremony to perfection. She is certain that all it takes to be happy and have a successful life is careful planning and logical expectations.
  True love, as she had once believed in, now seemed like a romantic dream of a giddy teenager. What she had with her future husband she felt was much more important than a pounding heart; it was real, rational, and made perfect sense. They were good together. Their lives would be good together. At least that was what Amy continued to tell herself whenever an ounce of doubt approached her. Because of this she was not worried in the least, as most brides might be. Amy was eager to begin her new journey, she was certain she has chosen her groom wisely. He is a kind, successful, and reliable man.
  At least, she thought he was. Just as the ceremony is about to begin Amy's beloved sister delivers some shocking news. There would be no wedding. There would be no perfectly planned life unfolding before Amy. Her carefully selected groom had eyes for one of Amy's bridesmaids, and the two had run off together, leaving Amy with a wedding full of guests to face. She is painfully embarrassed to have to call off the wedding, but what is even worse is that she is not really heartbroken. She had only ever been head over heels with one man, and when that relationship did not work out she had made what she thought was a mature choice by setting aside her childish beliefs in romance and accepting the affection that she felt was love that was good enough.
  Now she could only think of that pain that happened so long ago. It was the loss of that love that echoed in her mind, not the absence of a man who she had never felt that strongly about. When her family insists that she go on her honeymoon after all, as a chance to escape the drama of the ill-fated wedding. Amy finally agrees that it might be good for her, but in truth she is just looking forward to being able to lie in bed all day with no one around to try to cheer her up.
  Amy was not the only one who could make plans. Someone was plotting away behind the scenes, and when Amy arrived in paradise she soon discovered that things were amiss. She is not the only one who has been booked into the honeymoon suite. When Amy is faced with true love once more will she be too afraid to pay attention to it? Has too much damage been done? Can Amy overcome the hurt she feels, and find a way to trust again? Will she give true love a second chance?