Prodigal Daughter by Patricia Davids

Author:Patricia Davids
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-05-31T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Richard bent toward Melissa, but just then, Lettie and the girls returned from the kitchen. He sat back and pretended interest in the shoe box contents. At least the interruption had come before he’d made a fool of himself and embarrassed them both.

Melissa turned her attention to his aunt. “Lettie, what would you think of my paper doing a story about your reporting back in the day?”

“Are you pulling my leg?”

“Not at all. I’m serious about looking into this story.”

Lettie grinned. “I reckon it won’t hurt my reputation after all these years, but I’m not sure it’s newsworthy.”

“Our paper is always looking for personal interest pieces. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to do a little more research on your work and the work of any other women you can recall.”

“All right, you come over tomorrow afternoon and I’ll have some letters and such for you to look at.”

“That would be great.”

After spending another hour with Lettie, Richard drove Lauren, Samantha and Melissa home. He followed them into the house, but as the girls headed for the kitchen to store their teensy pies, he stopped Melissa with a hand on her arm.

“I have the adoption forms and information for you. They came in the mail to my office today.”

“Your friend didn’t waste any time.” She turned away but not before he saw the troubled frown that chased the happiness from her face.

Lord, lend this woman Your strength. Help her make the right decision.

“Melissa, if you aren’t ready for this, I understand.”

Her chin came up as she faced him again. “I’m ready.”

After setting his briefcase on the coffee table, he opened it and withdrew a bundle of papers. “I’ll let you look these over. I’ll be around if you have any questions.”

She nodded but didn’t answer as she took the forms and walked down the hall toward her room.

“Melissa, wait.”

She stopped and looked back over her shoulder. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I wanted to invite you to attend church with us in the morning.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

He walked toward her, uncertain of his next words. God’s infinite love was waiting for her if only she would open her heart, but how could he make her believe that? He stopped beside her and asked gently, “Why?”

She looked down. “I’d just rather not.”

“Are you ashamed to be seen in church?”

“Maybe.”

“You don’t have anything to be ashamed of.”

“Oh, some people would disagree.”

“Tell me something. Are you sorry for the way you behaved?”

She folded her arms across her chest. “That’s a stupid question. Of course I am. I know that I hurt other people. If I could undo the choices I’ve made, I would, but life doesn’t have a rewind button, so I’m stuck with my regrets.”

“Have you forgiven Dean?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I used him to get back at my father. I guess I shouldn’t be angry that he used me, too.”

“All God asks of us is to forgive those that trespass against us and to seek His forgiveness for our sins.

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