A Place for Family

by Mia Ross

“I think he’ll want to be awake for this.”

  She couldn’t begin to guess what John meant, but she stood and followed him onto the porch. When the driver stepped out of the car, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Dad?”

  “Just to be clear,” he began, holding his hands in front of him like a shield. “This was your mother’s idea.”

  “Oh, stop it, Harry,” a tiny blond woman scolded as she hurried over to embrace Amanda. “Don’t pay him any attention at all, sweetheart. He wanted to see you as much as I did. He’s just too mule-headed to admit it,” she added with a chiding glare over her shoulder.

  “So that’s where Amanda gets it from,” John commented lightly, blowing the tension away with a confident grin. After a hug for her mom, he offered a hand to her standoffish father. “I’m glad you two could make it. We’ve got an awful lot of food in there.”

  Amanda was a quick study, and she turned to her meddling fiancé with an accusing look. “You called my parents?”

  The fool didn’t even blink. “This is Aidan’s first Thanksgiving. I figured his grandparents should be here. Don’t you?”

  “Well, yes, but—”

  “Stop talking and hand over that handsome boy,” Mom interrupted, taking him from Amanda’s arms. He blinked up at her, then gave her a baby smirk. Closing her eyes, she cuddled him close. “It’s so nice to meet you, Aidan.”

  Dad fished an envelope from his inner jacket pocket and handed it to John. “Just a little something for the nursery. Babies are expensive.”

  His comments were gruff, but as he watched Aidan, there was a softening around his eyes. After a few moments, the frown he normally wore mellowed into something dangerously like a smile.

  “Thank you so much.” When Amanda hugged him, he stiffened at first but quickly relaxed.

  “You’re welcome, punkin.” As he gazed down at her, regret showed in his dark eyes. “I only wish I’d done it sooner.”

  Harry Gardner was a very proud man, and she knew it took a lot of courage for him to admit he’d been wrong to turn away from her. Proud tears welled in her eyes, and she forgave him on the spot.

  “Does this mean you’ve reconsidered about walking me down the aisle?”

  After a quick grimace, he nodded. “I should never have said no in the first place.”

  “Water under the bridge.”

  All hatchets buried, they walked through the door and everyone greeted her parents. The huge table was crowded with food, and for the first time Amanda saw the two extra places that had been set. She’d been so focused on Aidan, she hadn’t noticed them before, and she marveled at the Sawyers’ ability to keep a secret.

  Once they were all seated, Matt, the one-time black sheep, folded his hands in front of him on the table and looked around with a warm smile. “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.”

  “Happy Thanksgiving,” they all replied, smiling at each other.

  “We’ve been through a lot the past few years.” Grasping Caty’s hand, he went on, “And even though we had a rocky start, I want to say how proud I am to be the head of this family. Most days,” he added, sending a mock glare down the table at John.

  “One word, big brother,” he shot back with a grin. “Soybeans.”

  “He’s got you there,” Lisa teased, blowing Matt an air kiss while the others laughed.

  It was a warm, cozy moment, perfectly suited to a day devoted to showing gratitude for the blessings in your life. Shifting a fussy Drew to her other shoulder, Marianne lifted her water glass. “To family.”

  Those simple words wrapped around Amanda’s heart, and she cuddled Aidan a little closer. Smiling at each other, she and John clinked glasses and then raised them up toward the center of the table.

  “To family.”

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this story by Mia Ross,

  be sure to check out the other books

  this month from Love Inspired!

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt of Reunited for the Holidays by Jillian Hart!

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed reading Amanda and John’s story as much as I did writing it. Sometimes it’s fun to think about what would happen if you met up with a long-lost friend again. Sometimes it’s not.

  Some people change to the point where we don’t recognize them anymore, as Amanda had. Or they’re like John, who’s remained constant over the years. We often discover they’ve settled somewhere in the middle, so we still recognize the friend we remember but can appreciate the changes we see. Whatever the case, keeping an open mind is the best way to resurrect an old relationship. It may not be easy, but it just might be worth the effort.

  If you’d like to stop by for a visit, you’ll find me online at www.miaross.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. While you’re there, send me a message in your favorite format. I’d love to hear from you!

  Mia Ross

  Questions for Discussion

  When Amanda arrives at the farm, her appearance has changed so much that John doesn’t recognize her. Have you ever come across someone you knew a long time ago who’s changed to that degree? Did you consider those changes good or bad?

  Sometimes, when people move away, in trying to start fresh they neglect where they came from. Are you like that, or do you have fond memories of the past?

  John hasn’t changed much since high school, which Amanda thinks is a good thing. What do you think?

  The old saying “Bloom where you’re planted” really applies to John. Do you believe that, or should people strive for something more?

  When Amanda’s parents discover her situation, they refuse to help her. John suggests they might change their minds someday, but Amanda’s not so sure. When they show up for Thanksgiving, she’s stunned by their turnaround. Have you ever been surprised in a similar way?

  While Amanda takes several crushing blows to her pride, she never loses the spirit John always admired. Have you been confronted with the same kinds of challenges? How did you handle them?

  John feels responsible for his father’s death and has been struggling to forgive himself. With Amanda’s help, he’s finally able to think of Ethan in a positive way. Have you ever felt you had to forgive yourself for something? How did you get to the point where you could move on?

  Amanda has lost her connection to the faith she was raised with. John thinks that’s why she has so much trouble accepting setbacks in her life. Do you know people who’ve drifted away from God and been grateful to find their way back again?

  When Amanda sees the window in the church, she spots a shadow in the design John never noticed before. Have you ever seen a work of art in which you notice certain things while someone else sees something else entirely? Do you think artists intend that, or do we see what we’re looking for?

  Ruthy knows Amanda’s situation even before she’s told. Are you or is someone you know intuitive that way? If so, how does that intuition affect the lives of others?

  At the end of the story, John lays out his plans for enlarging his house to make room for a bigger family. When Amanda asks where the money is coming from, he tells her he now feels comfortable spending some of the money his father left him. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to settle something in the past before tackling something in the future? If so, how did it work out?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.

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  Chapter One

  Dr. Brian Wallace plucked the ceramic frog out of the flower bed, tipped it upside down and shook hard. The spare front-door key fell onto his palm as he squinted into the watery afternoon sun. It was good to be home. Late November air crisped over him and he shivered, goose bumps traveling down his arms. Weak from an extended illness, he gripped the railing to steady himself. The long trip from rural Texas had taken a toll on him.

  The old adage There’s No Worse Patient Than a Doctor had never been more true, he thought, as he struggled up the stairs. Easily winded, he paused a moment at the top, thanking God he was here to see the colors of sunset. His near brush with death had marked him. He couldn’t deny it. He’d missed his life here in Fort Worth. He missed his kids—although they were grown, they were what he had left of his heart.

  He ambled to the door, leaned heavily against the wall and inserted the key. The door creaked open. Every part of him vibrated with a mix of weakness and exhaustion. As he crossed the threshold into the comfort of the house, memories surrounded him. It had been years since his children had lived here, but he recalled the pound of music from an upstairs bedroom, the chatter of his daughter on her phone, the drum of feet as one of the boys prowled the kitchen.

  Emotion dug into his chest, claws sharp. Yes, looking death in the face changed a man. It stripped away everything extraneous, leaving what mattered most.

  His footsteps echoed in the lonely living room. He eased onto a couch cushion, sighing heavily as fatigue washed over him like water. Maybe he should have listened to his colleague—he’d valued Dr. Travors’s expertise, which had saved his life—but he’d had enough bed rest. He needed to get home; he needed to be here. The Lord had put a deep call into his heart. He couldn’t explain it as he reached for the phone to try his children again. He needed to see them.

  He dialed his daughter’s number first. Dear Maddie. Many things had crossed his mind while he’d lain on a spare cot in the corner of a migrant worker’s temporary home—a shack beside many others on a remote Texas farm. His failings and regrets hit hard, but none as cruelly as his missteps in his personal relationships. He’d always had a difficult time opening up. He had to try to fix that. He’d been given a second chance.

  He waited for the call to connect. A muffled ringing came from what sounded like his front porch. The bell pealed, boots thumped on the front step and joy launched him from the couch. He set down the phone, listening to the faint conversation on the other side of the door. His kids were here? Theirs were the voices he’d missed during his illness, the ones he’d most longed to hear. He gripped the brass knob, tugged and set eyes on his children. All three of them.

  Praise the Lord, for bringing them here safe and sound. “You got my messages.”

  “You left about a dozen.” Maddie tumbled into his arms. “Dad, you have no idea how good it is to see you. No idea.”

  “Right back at you, sweetheart.” The endearment stumbled off his tongue—he wasn’t good with them—but he had to get better at speaking his feelings. He had to try harder. His dear Maddie, so like her mother. His chest ached with affections too intense to handle, so he swallowed hard, trying to tamp them down as he held her hands in his after their hug was done. “I was gone a little longer than I’d planned this time—”

  “A little?” Her voice shot up. “Dad, you have no idea how worried sick we’ve been over you.”

  “I don’t even know how to say how sorry I am—”

  “What matters is that you’re all right.” Her hands gave his a warm, understanding squeeze.

  “Where have you been?” Grayson, his oldest child, stepped in to join the reunion. Tall, dark and handsome. Pride swelled up, making it hard to look at the boy properly.

  “Grayson.” Those couldn’t be tears in his eyes, of course not. Brian wasn’t a man given to tears. Maybe because he had thought of his two other children when he’d been fighting for his life on that cot. Yet another son and daughter, lost to him forever. His biggest regret of all. Emotion clumped in his throat, making it impossible to say more.

  “We’ve been looking for you.” Grayson’s hug was brief, his face fighting emotion, too. “We found your wallet in a ditch and we feared you were missing. The police—”

  “Missing?” He swiped a hand over his face, grimacing, hating what he’d put them through. “I was in rural Texas, you know that, sometimes without phones or cell service. I would have gotten a message to you kids, but I lost my cell—”

  “I know. We found your phone, too.” Carter, his youngest from his second marriage, stepped in, healthy and whole, back from war. “We were afraid you’d gotten ill. Are you all right, Dad?”

  “Now I am.” He wrapped his arms around Carter, holding him tight. When he ended the hug, he held on, drinking in the sight of the boy—okay, he was twenty-three, but Carter would always be his youngest, a seasoned soldier home from deployment safely. When Brian let go, it was hard to see again. He was grateful to God for returning his youngest son home unharmed.

  “We heard you caught a virulent strain of strep.” Carter ambled into the living room, making himself at home.

  “And that you’d been treating a family who were dangerously ill.” Grayson headed straight for the couch.

  “We feared the worst, Dad.” Beautiful Maddie with her auburn hair and a stylish fashion sense swept through the doorway, anguish carved into her dear face.

  “I never meant to worry you.” He shut the door, swallowing hard. His case had been severe and there’d been days, even weeks, where it hadn’t been certain he would live. He didn’t know what to do with the emotions coiled in his chest, so he shrugged, tried to play things down. “I survived, so it wasn’t so bad.”

  “This is just like you. Always keeping us out instead of letting us in.” Maddie sounded upset, on the verge of anger or tears, maybe both.

  He hated upsetting her. Frustrated at himself, he crossed his arms over his chest. Remember your vow, Brian. You have to try harder. “I didn’t mean it that way, honey. There’s nothing to worry about now. I’m on the mend. That you kids are here, that you came, means everything.”

  It wasn’t easy, but he got out the words.

  “Oh, Daddy.” Maddie swiped her eyes. “Don’t you dare make me cry. I’m choked up enough already.”

  “What do you mean? What’s got you choked up? Is something going on?”

  “Dad, you’d better sit down for this.” Grayson patted the seat beside him.

  “This can’t be good.” He studied Carter’s serious face and the troubled crinkles around Grayson’s eyes. “Something happened while I was gone. That’s why you were trying to reach me?”

  “It’s not bad news, but it could give you a real shock.” Grayson cleared his throat, waiting until Brian eased onto the cushion. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to do it. We found Mom.”

  “Uh...” Brian’s brain screeched to a halt, unable to make sense of those words. He was hearing things. No doubt due to his exhaustion and weakened state. “Sorry...say that again? Your mom’s buried. She died when Carter was three. You remember the car accident.”

  “Not Sharla, Dad. Our real mother, at least for Grayson and me,” Maddie added.

  “Your real...? What?” That’s as far as he got. The mention of the mother of his other son and daughter floored him. How could they know? All they could remember was Sharla, his second wife, the woman he’d married when the kids were very young. “Wait a minute. I don’t understand. You’re not making any sense.”

  “I know it’s a sho
ck for you, Daddy.” Maddie settled on the couch across from him. “But it’s true. Take a deep breath. I found our birth mother.”

  “No.” He shook his head, refusing to see how that was possible. The only person Maddie could be talking about was Isabella...his first wife, his high school sweetheart, the woman who’d broken his faith in true love.

  “I found Violet—” she began.

  “Violet?” He blinked, his brain spinning.

  “Thanks to a lucky coincidence, Violet and I came face-to-face in a coffee shop and I found Mom from there.” Maddie’s hands cradled his.

  Isabella was gone, tucked away in the Witness Protection Program with their two other children, never to be seen again. Their lives depended on it. “My mind’s playing tricks on me because I thought you said—”

  “Yes, I did. Mom is in Grasslands, and we’re all together. Violet and Jack, well, they used to be Laurel and Tanner.”

  Laurel? Tanner? He shuddered, fighting the memory welling up of the U.S. Marshal driving away in a black SUV. Isabella in the window, cradling a six-month-old in her arms, and a little chestnut-haired boy, just two, waving bye-bye.

  He swallowed hard. His lost children were here, in Texas. In Grasslands? Within driving distance? All this time he’d grieved for them, missed them with his entire heart for twenty-five years and now the two sets of twins were reunited? They’d found one another?

  No, he shook his head, refusing to believe it. It couldn’t be true. The hardest thing he’d ever done was let them go. But he’d had to make an impossible choice to protect his family from unspeakable danger.

  “We’re together now, Dad.” Maddie’s happiness was real. Her hands around his were real. “The only one missing is you.”