Sophie's Dilemma

by Lauraine Snelling

  He chuckled softly. ‘‘Four children. I love you, Sophie, more each day. We could get married as soon as the house is finished.’’

  Sophie straightened and looked into his eyes again. ‘‘Ah, Garth, one other thing.’’

  ‘‘What?’’ His brow furrowed. ‘‘Is there a problem?’’

  ‘‘Well, I think you have to ask my father first. Isn’t that proper?’’

  He blinked, then rolled his eyes. ‘‘I’ll go do that right now.’’

  ‘‘Could you kiss me again before you leave?’’

  ‘‘With pleasure.’’ And he did.

  Sophie lay back against the pillows. This time there was no rush. Garth would be right here with her all the way. And what was one month or two? Maybe she should bribe the men building the house to hurry up. Besides, if they married before her year of mourning was over, Mrs. Valders was going to have a tantrum. In spite of her giggle, she heard a baby whimpering. Was it Hamre or . . . Lord, I need a name for my baby girl. Such joy you have given me. Joy. Of course! Joy is a wonderful name. And Garth, you will be the first to know.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  THE MORE BOOKS I WRITE, the more people I get to know and the more stories and bits and pieces come my way. Thanks to Chelley, Kathleen, and Marcy for reading and commenting. New eyes are always helpful. RaeLynn contributes through her research of the period and the area. I have a cadre of prayers who help more than any of us know. Thank you.

  I am always grateful for all the people at Bethany House Publishers who work so hard to bring books to life and get them out to readers. What a great family you are.

  Thanks also to my personal team: Agent Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency, you are wonderful; Cecile, my assistant without whom I’d be lost; Round Robin friends who help keep me on track; husband, Wayne, who puts up with all the craziness of the writing life; Chewy, resident basset hound who makes me laugh; and Bidley, cockatiel of advanced years who announces visitors and Dad coming home, a watch-bird, if you will.

  Thanks to all my readers who make it possible for me to continue to do what I love. You are the greatest. Most of all, thanks to my heavenly Father for all of life.

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