A Child of Promise
Page 18
Maela managed to tuck away a creditable supper, finding that she did, after all, have an appetite. After finishing his supper, Harry handed meaty bones to the two dogs. Contented growls and crunchings emanated from beneath the table.
“Our home will seem empty without my father,” Maela observed, apparently determined to be gloomy. “I am exceedingly grateful that he stayed on past Epiphany and truly fellowshipped with us, but now I shall miss him terribly.”
“I am certain we shall not suffer from loneliness. My mother appreciates thy value as willing child-minder, and she certainly enjoys thy company. Now that Rosalind has married and gone to town, Mother needs thy listening ears, my dear.”
“I do love thy mother,” Maela smiled, but still seemed distracted. “Harry, I must tell thee something of import.” Her expression was deadly serious.
He waited, then prompted, smiling, “Which is?”
“I believe Laitha again carries pups by Lord Marston’s staghound.”
Harry chuckled. “Verily, I know it; but when shall you tell me of our own pup?”
Maela gaped, uncertain whether to laugh or cry. “Where-fore did you discern it?”
Harry smiled lovingly. “You have been violently ill each morn this past fortnight and believed I would suspect nothing?”
She flushed. “Art thou pleased?”
“I could not be more so. My dearest love. . .” He glanced around the crowded room. “Let us hasten to our chambers and discuss this privately.” Together, the young couple and their hound left the dining room.
Under the table, Ragwort tugged at his large bone, stopped to stare at it, sighed, then abandoned it to follow his family upstairs.
About the Author
Jill Stengl makes her home in North Carolina near Seymour Johnson AFB where her husband is stationed. She home schools the three oldest of her four children and also gives piano lessons. Jill began writing when her husband returned from the Gulf War and bought the family’s first computer. She writes inspirational romance because that’s what she most enjoys reading, and she believes that everything she does should be glorifying to God.
Dedication
To my home school creative writing class: Erin Arensmeyer, Sarah Finch, Allison Kuhnau, Annie Stengl, Kim Strang, and Rebecca Whitmore. May you always desire to use your talents for God’s glory. I love you!
Thank you to Kim Nelson and Paula Pruden-Macha for being blunt and honest, yet kind and encouraging. I couldn’t have written this book without you.