Second Chance Mom by Emilie Rose

Author:Emilie Rose [Rose, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488006616
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PROVE YOU’RE THE most qualified candidate to parent the child.

The lawyer’s advice was the only reason Rachel had allowed herself to be conned—convinced—to take Pam’s place working a Meals on Wheels lunch shift with Carol Johnston on Tuesday. Rachel believed in donating her time to good causes but was leery of entering the homes of people who might remember her less than fondly and even more wary of spending two hours with Matt’s mother.

“All of these folks are homebound,” Carol said as she maneuvered the church van through the center of downtown. “Some have no visitors except us. Most are incapable of preparing meals for themselves. We’ll deliver three meals today—a hot lunch, something simple like a sandwich for dinner and a sausage biscuit or muffin for breakfast. Tomorrow’s crew will do the same.”

“What happens when you can’t deliver?”

The sadness on Carol’s face was unmistakable. “We try to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“But if it does, does each recipient have a supply of nonperishables on hand? I’m sorry,” Rachel hastened to add when Carol’s eyebrows rose. “I’m not trying to tell you how to do your job, but if weather or illness prevents a visit, then a supply of nonperishables could be beneficial.”

Carol nodded. “You raise a good point. I’ll present it to the auxiliary. This virus has taken out a good portion of us volunteers. And Pam’s had her hands full with the kids getting sick. I insisted she stay away from our clients rather than risk spreading the illness.”

“I’m sorry Pam’s having a tough time.” But illness in the Weaver home meant Rachel would get more time with Chastity. Selfish of her? Definitely.

“Families should look out for each other. It’s a shame that our clients don’t have that support.”

Rachel looked out the window to hide any guilt on her face. She was robbing Chastity of exactly that support system.

“You don’t have to travel to third world countries to find those in need, Rachel.”

“I know. That’s why I live where I do and volunteer at the inner-city clinic.”

Carol studied her. “Chastity mentioned you feeding those homeless men when you took her to Atlanta. Hope never mentioned that you volunteered locally. Only that you lived in the slums and traveled to areas too dangerous for them to join you on your vacations.”

The injustice of Carol’s comment took her aback. Why had Hope painted her in a bad light? “I didn’t start volunteering abroad until after Hope and Chastity stopped vacationing with me.”

That earned her a long, searching look. “Did Hope give you a reason why she ended the visits?”

“She said Chastity preferred traveling with her best friend’s family.”

Carol’s frown deepened. She rode for a moment in silence. “Hope vacationed with Pam’s brood once three years ago. I can’t blame her for not repeating the experience. As much as I love my grandchildren, trying to rest and relax around them is impossible. They’re high energy, always in search of excitement.” Her fingers flexed on the wheel, then she shifted in her seat.

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