“How about kids in the youth group? You’ve gotten to know most of them.”

  Holly named the ones she had spent the most time with. She thought one or two of them might show up.

  “And we should ask Brian, of course,” her aunt said, adding his name to the list.

  “Brian?”

  “Sure. He told Tammy he’d be sure and watch out for you while she was gone.”

  Holly started to tell her she must be mistaken but realized Brian had been talking to her each Sunday at church and making sure she knew about the activities they were doing as a group. She thought he only wanted to hear what she’d heard from Tamara because that’s what they mostly talked about, but had he been trying to be her friend too?

  “And then I’m sure you want to invite Deb. Will Madeline be here on Sunday?”

  “I think so,” she replied. She hadn’t thought about asking her employer, even though Deb meant much more to her than that. Holly didn’t know if the feeling was mutual.

  “Well, that should be a good number,” Aunt Dana said. “But if you think of anyone else, just say so.”

  The next afternoon when she went to work, Deb said Aunt Dana had called and told her about the party. “Did you know you and Maddy have the same birthday?”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Hers is on Sunday too.”

  “That’s sweet. Are you having a party for her?”

  “Well, the day care she goes to will have one for her, and that’s where most of her friends are. I’m planning to have a cake and get her a gift, of course, but it will just be her and Scott and me.”

  “She could share my party, if you and Scott don’t mind. My aunt goes all-out for birthdays.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Why not? Madeline is one of my most favorite people in the world. I think sharing the day with her would be fun.”

  Deb laughed. “I guess if Scott doesn’t mind. I know Maddy will be thrilled. She always asks about you on Sundays.”

  That evening she had some homework to do and had to search for some loose paper. She had used the last sheet in her binder during her English class that morning. She pulled out a folder she had used last term for her writing class, certain she had some extra paper in there, and came across something she had almost forgotten about. On the last day of school in June, her creative writing teacher had handed them their graded short stories. He had assigned them to write a short piece of fiction based on a true event or situation from their own life.

  She had written a story about a teenage girl that had gotten pregnant and gone through the similar process she had of trying to decide what to do with the baby. She had fictionalized it by changing the girl’s situation somewhat but kept the part about her boyfriend leaving her outside the clinic, the sidewalk counselor she had talked to, and getting counseling at the pregnancy center.

  On the front page Mr. Tate had made a large red “A,” followed by a note in parentheses. See me after class. His words had taken her by complete surprise:

  “Holly. This is amazing work. From the first sentence you drew me into the story and had my full attention until the last line. You have a gift with words.”

  “Thank you,” she said, feeling embarrassed at his high praise. “I learned a lot this term, and I enjoyed the class.”

  He handed her a three-by-five card with a name and address on it. “This is a friend of mine that is the editor of a teen magazine that publishes stories and articles about making tough choices and positive decisions. It’s written by teens for teens. They also take poetry and nonfiction. Schools, teen shelter homes, drug and alcohol rehab hospitals, and other places helping youth are their biggest subscribers.”

  “You think I should send my story to him?”

  “It’s the kind of stories he’s looking for. You should give it a shot. I’m not promising anything, but it’s definitely good enough.”

  She had thanked him and taken the card, planning to think about it and correct some of the grammar and word usage errors Mr. Tate had pointed out. But then with Tamara graduating and leaving the next weekend and the flurry of activity, she had forgotten about it until now. Taking some unused paper from the folder, she set the card aside but thought she might consider sending the story to the magazine once she had a chance to look over it again.

  On Saturday she received a package from Faith for her birthday. She decided to go ahead and open it and found a CD and a Christian novel along with a card and letter updating her on everything going on in her life since they had talked on the phone last. Faith also invited her to come spend a week with them sometime next month, and Holly thought she might take her up on that.

  After Sarah went to bed that evening she listened to her new music and started reading the book by one of her favorite authors. Faith had all of her books, and Holly had read a few of them during the short time she had lived there. This was one she hadn’t read before, and she had a hard time putting the book down and going to bed.

  She wondered if she might ever be able to write a complete novel someday. It seemed like a lot of work compared to the type of writing she had done thus far, but she also thought it might be fun.

  The party on Sunday ended up being a success and surprising in more ways than one. She had expected Leila and Carrie. Molly had gone to camp along with Tamara or she probably would have come too. Brian came as Aunt Dana had predicted, as well as several other kids from church that were friends of Tamara’s. She had gotten to know them but still felt surprised they came.

  Holly made an effort to thank Brian for coming and asked him how he was doing. He missed Tamara and was looking forward to going to see her next weekend. Holly tried to assure him that Tamara missed him too. She mentioned him every time she wrote, telling Holly about a phone conversation they’d had or something he had written in a letter.

  She received several gift cards, a necklace, and a photo album. Aunt Dana and Uncle Jack got her a camera. Once again she felt overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.

  Sharing the day with Madeline made it extra special. Everyone appeared to be as taken with the delightful four-year-old as she had always been. Holly thought Scott looked a little uncomfortable around so many people he didn’t know. He and Madeline attended a church in The Dalles and hadn’t been at the church here in Hood River on any Sunday morning that Holly could recall. But she knew he had gone there when he lived at home, and he did know Dana and Jack.

  She saw him sitting with her uncle in the family room watching a baseball game after the last person headed out the door. Holly had laid Sarah down for a nap, and she saw Madeline had decided to do the same, sacking out on the couch beside her daddy.

  Holly collapsed on the other sofa. Her face hurt from smiling so much during the past two hours. She leaned her head against the cushion and closed her eyes. She would get up and help her aunt with the cleanup, in a minute or two. Opening her eyes when Uncle Jack announced he needed to take out the garbage and do a few other Sunday afternoon chores, she watched him leave the room, then looked at Madeline’s limp frame. Holly smiled, thinking about how they had blown out the candles on the cake together and what Madeline had said afterwards.

  “Okay, time for mine!”

  Scott stroked Madeline’s cheek. He looked tired too.

  “Feel free to join her,” Holly said. “I am.”

  Scott looked down at Madeline and ran his fingers through her curly brown hair. He looked thoughtful. “I can’t believe she’s four years old.”

  Holly understood what he meant. Sarah was already ten months. It seemed like yesterday she’d been a tiny newborn with a very scared and overwhelmed mama. In some ways Holly felt relieved those days were over, in other ways she missed them. Holly knew it wouldn’t seem like much time until she would be looking at her own four-year-old.

  “I remember the day she was born,” Scott said. “I thought I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my entire life. From that moment I knew my life would never be the same. It seems like she gets more beautiful every day.”

  Holly had a warm feeling pass through her. She didn’t know that much about Scott, other than what Deb had told her, but she knew he loved Madeline with all his heart.

  “How old were you when she was born?”

  “Nineteen.”

  Holly knew Scott had to be young, but she didn’t think he was that young. Doing some quick figuring in her head, she realized he must be about twenty-three, just five years older than herself.

  “I wish Melissa could see her now.”

  Holly remembered Deb telling her that Scott’s wife had left when Madeline was six months old, even younger than Sarah was now.

  “Do you think she’ll ever come back?”

  Scott didn’t reply, and Holly wondered if she had pried too much. Why can’t I just keep my mouth shut?

  “I’d love to say yes,” he finally said, rubbing his fingers on the back of his neck. “But no. I don’t.”

  “I’m sorry. That must be really hard to be raising Madeline without her.”

  “Madeline makes it pretty easy on me. But for her sake I wish things could be different. She’s going to need a mother one of these days.”

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I think there’s someone out there who will gladly fill that role. What you have there is a real chick-magnet. Nothing better than an attractive guy holding a child’s hand.”

  Scott laughed. “The problem is most women think I’m married. You don’t see many men my age walking around with a little girl who aren’t.”

  Holly hadn’t thought of that. “Maybe you should wear a sign. Something like, ‘Think we’re cute? We’re available!”

  Scott laughed again. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll try that.”

  Madeline stirred, opened her eyes briefly, then turned onto her side and went back to sleep. Scott readjusted her so she wouldn’t accidentally roll off the couch. Holly was about to go see if her aunt needed any help cleaning up when Scott spoke again.

  “So, what’s your story, Holly? What happened to Sarah’s father?”

  Holly felt comfortable sharing with him. “He left me outside an abortion clinic when I decided to talk to a sidewalk counselor.”

  “Great,” he said dryly.

  “Yep. I guess he really loved me, huh?”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, sounding sincere. “What were you, sixteen?”

  She nodded. “The worst day and the best day of my life.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, at the time I thought it was the worst because I was alone and scared and I had this thing growing inside me. But later on after I decided to carry the baby, my counselor at the pregnancy center introduced me to God. I may not have the life I thought I would, but I do have Him. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

  Scott smiled and stared at her thoughtfully for a moment, then laid his head back and closed his eyes. “Me neither.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Holly drove slowly through the familiar neighborhood, looking for the right house. She couldn’t remember how far down the street Patrick and Faith lived, but she recognized the two-story home nestled between the two large maple trees as soon as she saw it.

  Pulling into the driveway, she turned off the engine and stepped from the air-conditioned car into the hot summer sun. Unfastening Sarah from her car seat, she lifted her into her arms and reached for the diaper bag. She would come back for her suitcase later.

  Faith opened the front door before she had a chance to knock. “Holly. You made it!”

  “We made it,” she replied, accepting a hug from Faith. She had missed her.

  “Hello, Sarah,” Faith said. “Look how big you are!”

  Sarah stared at the new face, and Holly was reminded of how much she had grown over the last seven months since being here last.

  “You look great,” she said to Faith who was back to her normal, unpregnant body, a way she had never seen her except in pictures. “Where’s your little guy?”

  “He’s inside,” she said. “Come on in where it’s cool.”

  Holly followed Faith through the door and down the front hall to the kitchen. Patrick came in from the backyard through the patio door and smiled broadly, crossing the room to welcome her.

  “That can’t possibly be our little Sarah, can it?”

  “She’ll be a year next month.”

  “Whew! Time sure does go by fast.”

  Holly had to agree, especially when Faith brought their newest addition into the room. He looked like a linebacker. “Ohh, how old is he?”

  “Five months.”

  Patrick went out to bring in the rest of her things, and she and Faith went into the family room. Holly set Sarah down to play with some toys on the floor. Faith laid Ricky on a blanket beside Sarah.

  “So, how are you?” Faith asked. “All done with school?”

  “Yes. I passed all my classes and have officially graduated now.”

  “Good for you. Are you still working at the day care?”

  Holly nodded and went on to tell her about Deb’s offer to have her work full-time starting next month.

  “If you enjoy it, you might as well,” Faith said. “Are things okay at home too?”

  “I miss Tamara,” she admitted. “She’s coming home in two weeks, and I can hardly wait. But then she’ll be gone again by mid September. I wish we could have had more time together.”

  “But other than that, everything’s good?”

  She nodded. “I couldn’t ask for more, Faith. I really couldn’t.”

  Holly’s week with Patrick and Faith turned out to be as enjoyable as she had imagined. Getting out of her routine and adjusting to the change in surroundings seemed a small price to pay for all the good talks she and Faith had throughout the week. Aunt Dana had a good listening ear, and Holly had used it often, but Holly had a special bond with Faith. Faith had been there during her darkest time and shared God’s love with her. She felt like she could talk to her about anything.

  On Thursday she told Faith about the disaster visit with her mom, and Faith confirmed what Aunt Dana had said about God’s unconditional love. Faith told her about a similar conversation she’d had with Josie, her nurse from the hospital and also Faith’s sister-in-law. Josie was a single mom too and had fallen in love with this guy last winter but hadn’t felt worthy to accept his marriage proposal because of her tainted sexual past. Faith had convinced her otherwise.

  “Josie got married?”

  “Yes. Last March. Brandon is a great guy, and her little boy has a daddy now. They’re expecting a baby in January.”

  “Ohh, I wish I could see her. She was my lifeline that night. I will never forget her voice of encouragement during those grueling hours.”

  “Why don’t we then? I’ll call her and see if we can come over for awhile. I’m sure she’d love to see you too.”

  Faith made the call, and Josie invited them over for the afternoon. Holly felt excited about seeing her. Josie may have only been her nurse for one night, but Holly didn’t think she would ever forget her.

  Josie greeted her with a huge smile at the front door of her Victorian home and gave her a sincere hug. Sarah had been going through a clingy stage and looked apprehensive when Josie tried to get her to come to her. But Josie’s charm quickly won her over.

  Holly met Josie’s husband in the family room. He and Tommy were playing a video game. Her heart stirred upon seeing the little boy with a daddy he hadn’t always had. Holly tried to picture a man other than Uncle Jack holding Sarah or playing with her. She thought of the way Scott was with Madeline and hoped that Sarah could have a special daddy like him someday.

  Seeing Josie happily married, Holly’s own desire resurfaced for someone to share her life with. Josie’s son was seven now, so she had waited a long time to find the right man. Holly didn’t feel ready for a dating relationship, let alone marriage, but for Sarah’s sake she hoped to find that idea less threatening soon.

  Josie had to work that evening, so they didn’t stay too long, but Josie said she wanted to talk with her privately before they left. Faith watched Sarah while Holly followed Josie upstairs and down the hall to a beautiful bedroom with a four-poster bed, lace curtains, and wonderful antique furniture.

  They sat down on the window-seat overlooking an apple tree in the side yard. Holly wondered what Josie had on her mind that she wanted to share with her.

  “I dreamed about a bedroom like this for a long time. I used to lie awake at night and imagine the house I’d have and the people I’d share it with: Tommy, my other children, a wonderful man. And I prayed. And I prayed. And I prayed. But you know what? I never really believed God would answer me. I thought I did, but when that wonderful man came into my life and asked me to marry him, I said no.”

  “You did?”

  “I did. Unbelievable, huh?”

  “Why did you say no?”

  “I didn’t think I deserved him. All those years I had prayed for someone like Brandon: loving, gentle, patient, honest, upright. A man who would love me fully and unconditionally. Then when God brought him to me, I said no.”

  “It’s hard to let go,” Holly said, understanding completely. “Of the mistakes, I mean.”

  “But you have to. That’s what God wants for you.”

  Holly’s eyes traveled around the bedroom. She too had imagined such a room, such a man to love her. Her eyes came to rest on the bed.

  “Can it be wonderful, Josie?” she asked. “Is it?”

  Josie smiled. “Yes.”

  Holly began to cry. She hadn’t allowed the longing within her to surface like this before. She hadn’t been with someone who could understand completely. But Josie could, and she held her and reminded her of God’s faithfulness.

  “Ask God to bless you, Holly. He will.”

  Holly thought about Josie’s words often in the weeks that followed. Back in Hood River her life fell into routine once again. Tamara’s three weeks at home were wonderful but short. Holly was glad she had a job to keep her busy when Tamara left for school. The children kept her days lively and filled with a sense of purpose. She missed her cousin, but she thanked God every day for the good things in her life.