Thanks guys for the comments. I do appreciate them. As my email sign off says: "There are boundless benefits to the perspectives of others."
I would caution, respectfully, to reread the ending. Now for the spoiler alert but we've already opened that door. Gordon, having left Lucas and Lise behind, near the end of the book actually states (by thoughts to himself which appear as dialogue) that he has "left them behind, not wishing to interfere in their lives ever again." He doesn't see her again until she appears... well... you know where, at which point it is clear that it was her decision. If you read the FREE on line after story it is clear that he is happy to have her around (yes I'm being vague so as not to completely spoil it for others) but if you did read that, it is plainly clear that he does not sleep with her as the situation is not good. He even offers her accommodations far from his. Gordon is not in the least bit a perfect character, he struggles with right and wrong throughout the book as I portray him as imperfect. I state very early in the novel a quote from a Spiritual and Self Help Author, Dan Millman, "No experience is ever wasted because every experience contains a lesson. The lessons of experience are always positive, even if the experience is not." There are many good and many bad experiences in the book, all contain lessons, the deciphering what is right and wrong I leave to the reader.
Thanks so much for the conversation, the perspectives, I do appreciate your opinion.
Sincerely,
Brad Isham