by Mills, DiAnn
“How much longer?” Caleb asked, breaking the silence from the ticking clock above the fireplace.
“Soon,” Gabe muttered. “Can’t be much longer.”
He went back to pacing, keeping time with the clock. In the next moment, he heard a cry. He stopped cold and stared at the quilt leading into their bedroom.
“You have a girl, Gabe Hunters!” Nettie Franklin called. “A healthy baby girl!”
“Can I come in now?” he asked, frozen in his spot. “I want to see my wife and baby.”
“Not just yet. Give me a moment,” Nettie replied. “Oh, she’s right pretty, but no hair.”
Gabe waited for what he believed was an hour. Suddenly he couldn’t contain his excitement a moment longer. He pushed through the quilt, his gaze drinking in the sight of his lovely Lena and the red-faced baby in her arms.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispered, tears springing to his eyes. “And you’re beautiful.” He kissed Lena’s damp forehead, then her lips, before kneeling beside the bed.
Lena glanced up from staring into the baby’s face. “Thank You, Lord,” she whispered.
“Amen,” he said, gingerly picking up a perfect, tiny hand. The awe of this miracle left him speechless. He memorized every bit of the tiny face, then kissed the baby’s cheek. “I love you, Lena. You never cease to fill my days with joy.”
“And I love you. She looks like you.”
“Oh, I want her to look like you.”
“Nonsense. She has your eyes and chin. They’re just like her father’s. I certainly hope she doesn’t have my temper.”
Gabe chuckled. “I want my daughter to have spunk.”
“I’ll settle for spunk. What shall we name her?” Lena asked.
He pressed his lips together. “Hmm. How do you feel about naming her after our mothers?”
Her eyes widened. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“I’ve been thinking the best way for me to honor my mother is to name my daughter after her. What was your mother’s name?”
“Cynthia.”
“Cynthia Marie. What do you think?”
“Perfect,” Lena said with a smile.
“Caleb, Simon. Come on in and meet Miss Cynthia Marie Hunters, your new sister.”
Gabe’s eyes pooled with joy. The Lord had showered him with so many blessings. Surely something he’d never have known from books. The intensity of his feelings for Lena and his family spread through him like sweet molasses. Never had he expected the love of such a fine woman, or two strapping sons, or the sweetness of an infant daughter. He was happy. He was content. He’d given and received the greatest gift of all.
About the Author
DiAnn Mills draws the broken to wholeness in her writing. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Dean. She wrote from the time she could hold a pencil, but not seriously until God made it clear that she should write for Him. After three years of serious writing, her first book, Rehoboth, won favorite Heartsong Presents historical for 1998. Other publishing credits include magazine articles and short stories, devotionals, poetry, and internal writing for her church. She is a founding board member of American Christian Romance Writers, speaks for various groups, and conducts writing workshops. She is an active church choir member, leads a ladies’ Bible study, and is a church librarian.
Dedication
To Lane and Katie Dyke and their precious children,
Hannah, Hayley, Jim Bob, and Jenni Beth.
Many thanks to Meredith Efken
for her valuable assistance in researching Nebraska.
A note from the author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
DiAnn Mills
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
