Is Scent of the Missing a God Wink?

A woman, in about her early 30's, frosty long blond hair, wearing a turquoise blue shirt and a necklace with turquoise blue and brown wooden beads came up to the counter. She was buying two magazines. She looked at the cover of SCENT OF THE MISSING, which I have displayed by my register for the 100 handsell book challenge.

       

"Look at this!", she said. "Is this good?"

"It is, it's a wonderful book," I said. "It's about a woman who is a pilot and works search and rescue and she decides to get this dog (I point to Puzzle's picture on the front). She trains her to be a search and rescue dog. It's about her decision, her love for her dogs, training the dog, search and rescue; it's really great."

"You read it?" she asked.

"Oh yes. She already had six Pomeranians at home, then decided to get this dog for search and rescue. SO much hard work goes into training search and rescue dogs, I had no idea before I read the book. It's amazing."

"Six? Wow," she paused. "This is kind of incredible, but I am an occupational therapist and I'm going for six weeks to train dogs as service dogs. I'm not much of a reader, but I think I this might be a good book for me."

"It might be great for you," I said. "And what I like about this book is that it's not like each chapter is a cliff-hanger, you can read some and put it down and come back to it. There are also pictures..." I open the book and show her pictures of Puzzle in training.

"Okay. I need to get this. And just so you know, I wouldn't have gotten it if you hadn't read it." She paused. "Do you know the book GOD WINKS?"

I think for a moment. "It sounds kind of familiar, I'm not sure..."

"It talks about how little coincidences are really ways God is leading us in the right direction. I think seeing this book is a God wink."

"Oh, good!" I said. "Where are you going to train the dogs?"

"It's Bergin University in Santa Rosa, it's the only accredited college for training service dogs in the country."

"I'm from that area," I said. "I grew up in Marin and lived in Lake County."

"Oh. My. Goodness.", she said. "I think you and I could stand here and talk for an hour. I think this is another God wink. It looks like we might be moving down there. I moved a lot when I was younger, a military brat, and I absolutely love it here in Portland. I haven't wanted to move there. Do you miss it?"

"I love it here too. I do miss some people there. I don't miss living there, though sometimes I miss the weather. And it is a beautiful area and there is a lot going on culturally."

"Okay. I think I just need to make a go of it. Wow. I'm amazed that you were here and this book was here." She shakes her head and smiles. And she buys the book!*

I looked up the God Wink book, and Squire Rushnell is the author...

       

*I'm still ahead in the contest!

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