Roses in Winter

AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF THE HEART.  Riley Rosemont loved Savannah Graystone from the moment she was born. He always said that "Forever isn't Long Enough" for their love, words he carved into her heart. Life in the icy northern Montana mountains is hard, a world only fit for the strong. But promises for a lifetime of love made life worth living. Riley always swore that someday he'd marry that beautiful talented woman. They would have a family. He vowed to listen to her talented fingers play the piano until he was old and gray.But Life had other plans for Savannah.Savannah is a musical prodigy blessed with a composer's heart and photographic memory for music. When inspiration strikes, songs flow from her heart to the piano keys like a gift sent straight from heaven. Angel songs, she respectfully calls them; because nothing that pure and perfect could be man-made. It would be wrong to take credit. She is only God's instrument bringing those sounds into the world. At eighteen, she leaves Riley and Montana for a chance at stardom in New York City. Her music is embraced by the world. Love was the sacrifice she made to do what she believed God intended, fulfilling her destiny. But she never stopped loving Riley. She had faith that someday they would get a second change. But Savannah has a secret. She was pregnant with their son.  Praying raising him alone was the right thing to do, she kept a video diary of Ryan. Everyday she records something, talking to Riley as if he were simply away on a trip, showing him their son's life. She teaches Ryan about his father, teaches him to love him and hopes when the time is right and the music is over, they can go home to Montana and be a family.  It is that hope for love that keeps her strong. Seven years later, on a quiet road in upstate New York they are involved in a devastating car accident. In two precious minutes she loses everything good. Ryan is gone. The beautiful music inside her heart dies with him. Without Ryan she has no will to live. For a month in the hospital, her battered body and bruised mind battle death. Alone. She has no one. Her parents are gone and Riley is part of the past.  He doesn't know about the accident.  He doesn't know about their son. Savannah is coming home.  One winter day she arrives in Montana wanting to curl up in a dark corner and fade away. Her mind is still shattered inside. Thoughts are confused and jumbled. She wants to join her son. Snow is falling fast, bitter and cold from the oncoming October storm. Her hand is on the door to Graystone Heights, her childhood home.  The giant ski lodge high in the mountains has been deserted for years.  It's a perfect place to let go. But behind her a dog growls.  She isn't alone anymore.  Graystone Heights is Riley's home now. He raises beautiful Spanish Andalusian horses, training them to dance. It is his gift, the reason he stayed in Montana. It is where he belongs. But Riley has kept a secret too. He knew about their son and chose to let Ryan live in Savannah's musical world, giving their talented son opportunities he would never have in the cold northern mountains.  Life gave them a second chance.  But hearts are broken, the good is gone.  All they have left are the movies she made, moments captured of a little boy's life. The video diary has become more precious than she ever dreamed it might be. It is all she can give Riley.  They both made choices they regret. He knew about Ryan and left them alone. She kept their son a secret. Forgiving each other is hard, forgiving themselves is even harder. Dangerously fevered, Savannah still wants to die. Can Riley save her? He hurts too. They need a miracle.