Neighbors by Pat Simmons

The list of bad actors disguising themselves as good neighbors is endless. We've had our share of early morning wake-up calls from barking dogs—ugh. The neighbor who won't shovel snow to their door, rake leaves, or do exterior repairs? There always seems to be one who won't follow the rules.

My story isn't about neighbor nightmares. I've lived in a cul-de-sac for more than 30 years, and I love my neighbors. If there is death in a household, my neighbors are on top of it, coordinating food deliveries, monetary gifts, attending funerals, and writing resolutions. 

These are the types of neighbors who have keys to your house in case of an emergency, will pick up your child from school or an event, or cut your grass when you’re sick. We have gotten together to celebrate each other's birthdays, anniversaries, and game nights. 

Priceless.

I live in a suburb of St. Louis, about twenty miles from the city limit, so I’m not in a rural area. 

Some of us are now empty nesters, while others are young married couples with expanding families. I guess it's time to think about downsizing, but what about the neighbors? If I can take them with me, I won't hesitate. Healthy living includes surrounding yourself with people you can depend on—that's my neighbors.

I guess I should mention that our house is a must-hit for fundraisers—I still have cookies and pizza in my freezer that probably need to be thrown away. It is the designated safe house for their children to run to in case of an emergency. That is an honor I don’t take lightly in an era where people can't be trusted because we don't know what goes on behind closed doors.

I can't say enough about good neighbors because sometimes, they are really hard to find.

Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth and a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance and the 2022 winner of the Leslie Esdaile “Trailblazer” Award.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for over twenty years. She is on the Christian Book Lovers Retreat (CBLR) board as a publicist. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

Pre-order my upcoming Christian romance from the Jamieson Legacy series. You'll laugh, cry, and pray for a happily ever after.

Parke “Pace” Jamieson VIII knows something is special about Harmony Reed, his sister’s college friend who was almost stranded in St. Louis for Christmas. She checks all his compatibility boxes: looks, charm, a great sense of humor, and strong attraction. Plus, the Jamiesons love her.

When not at school, Harmony lives in Chicago with her three overprotective brothers. She is not interested in a relationship with her best friend’s brother.

Pace, who lives in St. Louis, is not deterred by the distance, her objections, or her brothers. He’s a Jamieson, and they play to win. #Christianromance#bestfriendsbrothers#younglove