A Blessed Life by Corbit Dana

Author:Corbit, Dana
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Love Inspired
Published: 2002-04-07T16:00:00+00:00

Andrew’s heart quickened as Serena and Tessa approached in the greeting line next to the church exit. He was exhausted from trying not to look at her during the service, and here she was again. It was just more proof that life wasn’t fair.

When he finally allowed his eyes to drink in the sight of her, he was afraid he’d never be able to look away. She looked prettier than ever. Her hair was all tied up in some sort of clip, showing the smooth curve of her neck. She wore her multicolored dress and was bare-legged with sandals, prompting an image in his mind of her running barefoot in that dress along the water’s edge.

His straying thoughts stopped cold when he looked at her face. She looked more fragile today. Dark circles ringed her eyes and trapped him with guilt. He was partially responsible for putting those circles there. If she’d clocked as little sleep as he had the past few nights, it was a wonder that either of them was standing upright.

When he shook her hand, he felt a slight tremor in it. Had it been his hand or hers? And was it a flash of intensity he’d read in her eyes, or was he projecting his inappropriate feelings on her?

Next to him, Mrs. Brewster chatted with Reverend Bob about the secret family recipe potato salad she’d bring to today’s church picnic at Camp Dear-born. His exhaustion doubled at the thought of that afternoon-into-evening event, even though he’d looked forward to it for weeks.

He was still tearing his gaze from Serena, who’d moved on to greet Reverend Bob, when he felt a tug on the bottom of his suit jacket. So grown-up that it made his heart ache, Tessa outstretched her hand for a proper handshake. Instead he bent and lifted her to rest on his hip. “How’s it going, Tess?”

At least one Jacobs female was happy to see him. She giggled as she looked down at the other mere mortals from her perch.

“Will you be at the picnic? Mommy says we can go.”

He rubbed noses with her. “If you’ll be there, you can bet I will, too. Are you going swimming with me?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Can we play chicken? That was fun.”

“Sure, I can’t wait.” When he would have expected some other exciting plans to come out of her mouth, Tessa suddenly looked as if her birthday had passed without presents or a cake. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I have to go to the doctor in two tomorrows. Mommy says they’re going to poke me. I hate pokes.”

“Yeah, I hate them, too. But they’re over pretty quick, right?”

She stuck out her bottom lip. “They still hurt.”

“That’s why nurses give you prizes when they’re done. What do you get?”

“Stickers. Lots of stickers. And sometimes cool stuff like balls or coloring books.”

He looked over her shoulder at Serena, who stepped closer. “Wow, you’re lucky.”

“I cry sometimes, but I told Mommy that I promise not to cry when I get poked this time.

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