Before the Dawn by Kathleen Bauer

Author:Kathleen Bauer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780824934743
Publisher: Guideposts
Published: 2013-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

I have to say, you and Dad Stevenson are very brave, doing your duty by those kids.” Anna brushed a nonexistent piece of lint off her jacket and gave Charlotte a careful smile. “I know I would have a hard time taking someone else’s children. I’m sure not many people would be able to take care of two teenagers and a young boy. Especially when you’ve got so much grief to deal with.”

Charlotte wasn’t sure she was able either, but at the same time she couldn’t help feel a small stab of resentment at Anna’s choice of words. Duty. As if she and Bob had no choice.

“We chose to take them in,” she said carefully, trying not to read too much into Anna’s phrasing. “They’re our family. And I pray every day that God will give us strength to love and care for them.” She finished rinsing the dishes and re-filled the sink with soapy water.

“Of course they’re family, but you haven’t seen them much, have you?” Anna hastened to add, seeming to understand how tactless she’d been. “Bob said that when Denise ran away, she never wrote anyone, never called.”

Charlotte twisted the tap shut and slid the plates into the sink, almost spilling water onto herself. “She called us.”

“But not very often?”

Charlotte pressed her lips together, stifling her reply. Anna’s undiplomatic words were a stark reminder of their estrangement from Denise and her children.

“Do you prefer that I wash or dry, Mother?”

Why did that always make Charlotte feel like a nun? But she simply gave Anna a quick smile. “If you could dry, that would be great. The sooner we get done, the sooner we can check on the children.”

Anna frowned as she slipped her beautiful jacket off and carefully hung it on the back of a nearby kitchen chair. “Are the girls okay with them?”

“They’re fine,” Charlotte assured her, rinsing the soap off the plates. “She and Sam are attentive to Christopher so I’m sure they will take good care of Madison and Jennifer.” She was surprised herself at the defensive tone that crept into her voice. Though they had been here less than two weeks, Charlotte already felt protective of her other grandchildren.

“Oh, I’m sure Emily is fine with the girls. And Christopher too.” Anna’s hasty reply told her otherwise, but Charlotte let it pass. “Madison and Jennifer were very excited to come. They missed coming last week.” A note of resentment crept into Anna’s voice as she carefully rolled her sleeves up. “I hope it won’t be as long until our next visit.”

Until Denise died, Sam, Emily, and Christopher were simply shadowy figures—children of a woman Anna barely knew. Madison and Jennifer had always received all the attention as the most visible grandchildren in the family.

“Of course not. But I’m glad the girls can finally meet their cousins.” As Charlotte stacked the rinsed plates on the drain board, she wished Anna could understand that right now Emily, Sam, and Christopher needed her more.

“I just hope everything is going okay.

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