A Family All Her Own and Child of Mine by Bonnie K. Winn

Author:Bonnie K. Winn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

By morning Annie was remarkably improved. The doctor, believing the danger had passed, had allowed David to visit his sister briefly. Michael behaved as though he had a new lease on life.

Only Katherine was still wrestling with a problem.

She kept replaying Michael’s words in her mind. For a moment she wondered if they had just been an impulse. But Katherine knew better. He wasn’t the sort of man to make a proposal on a whim.

Michael had left for a few minutes to fetch coffee and make a few calls. But Katherine didn’t mind. Not when she could spend the time in Annie’s room while the child slept. It was such a joy to know Annie was improving, that she would be whole and well soon.

The door opened. Expecting one of the hospital staff, Katherine was surprised to see her mentor, Pastor James McPherson.

“Katherine.” He greeted her in a hushed voice.

“James! What are you doing here?”

“I came to offer solace on the fire at your church. The note I’d written didn’t seem enough.”

“Oh,” she murmured, realizing she hadn’t given the fire or the subsequent repairs a thought.

“I was able to reach Cindy, and she told me you were here.”

Katherine stroked Annie’s hair. “This little one was awfully sick—” Her voice stumbled. “In fact, we almost lost her.” Brightening, Katherine looked at him. “But she’s going to be fine.”

“That’s wonderful.” James searched her expression. “But something else is wrong. What is it?”

Her smile was tremulous. “You’ve always known me too well.” She hesitated, again looking at Annie. “I’m afraid I’ve grown too close to her, and her brother…” Katherine glanced up at him. “And her father.”

James’s gaze was kind and understanding. “Why don’t you tell me about it.”

And so she did, pouring out what had happened, her own feelings, and Michael’s proposal. Then haltingly she explained her background as well and the disastrous result of her parents’ failed marriage.

“So you see,” Katherine concluded, wiping away her tears, “why Michael and I can’t have a future.”

But his answer wasn’t what she expected. “I’m afraid I don’t. You’ve just told me you love Michael and his children. Not having an ideal childhood doesn’t preclude you from being a good mother.”

“How can you say that?” she demanded, expecting him to be the one person to understand.

But James’s voice was gentle. “Katherine, I wish you could see what I do. A woman who has stayed beside the man and children she loves, one who even now can’t take her glance from that child for a moment. You have fussed over her since I arrived. I don’t think even a blind man would view that as indifference or inability. Whatever maternal urges your mother lacked have been given to you twofold. You forget, I saw you with the children before. You’re wonderful with them, and they’re obviously crazy about you. Katherine, your love for Michael and his children all but consumes you.”

Could he be right? Hope that had been nearly extinguished fluttered to life. “But what if you’re wrong?”

James placed one hand on her shoulder.

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