A Dream of Family

by Jill Weatherholt

“If I lose the bookstore and my chance at adopting Grace, there’s no reason for me to stay. The best thing I could do is start over in a new city.” These thoughts had raced through her mind at all hours of the night.

  Molly felt Derek’s eyes burning into the side of her face. Was it that big a surprise to hear she’d want to leave Whispering Slopes if her business failed? Did he think the kiss they’d shared earlier meant anything? The kiss should never have happened. And after tonight, she’d make sure there wasn’t a repeat performance. Derek McKinney had already caused enough heartbreak in her life.

  * * *

  Molly plans to leave town? This was news to him. An hour later, Derek remained numb after Molly’s shocking announcement. She loved Whispering Slopes, and the people in this town loved her. He couldn’t let that happen. As much as he’d tried to fight it, he was falling in love with her. Was he ready to accept the risks involved in opening his heart to the possibility of a relationship with Molly?

  “Well, it looks like I’m about ready to go.” Mark zipped his leather satchel and flung the strap over his shoulder.

  Derek rounded the counter. “Don’t you want to wait and find out what the final tally is from tonight?”

  Mark shook his head. “The way my hand feels, I think Molly’s sales broke an all-time record.” He made a fist. “I’m finally getting the feeling back in my fingers. I need to get back to your house and soak my hands in some Epsom salts.” He laughed and extended his arm over the counter to Molly. “I hope it all works out for you. But whatever you do, keep writing. And remember my offer still stands to read your work.”

  Molly shook his hand and smiled. “Thank you for everything, Mark. I appreciate it. Who knows? If things work out, maybe you can come back when your next book is released.”

  Derek considered the tone of Molly’s comment. She doubted she’d ever see Mark or host another signing again. When the front door closed behind his friend, Derek turned to her. “Are you ready to do some calculating? I have a good feeling about this.” He smiled in an attempt to lighten the mood.

  Following an hour and a half of tabulations behind the register, the numbers didn’t lie.

  “Do you want me to count it one more time?” Derek hoped counting for a third time would change the bottom line, but he knew it wouldn’t. The sales were good, but not good enough to cover both this month’s rent and the next as well as the money she owed to vendors. This event had been a long shot, and Derek truly believed it had gone well for Molly. It would buy her more time with Rusty.

  Molly shook her head. “There’s no point, Derek.” Her tone remained defeated.

  No. He wouldn’t allow Molly to surrender her dream of owning a successful store and bringing Grace into her home.

  Derek’s heart squeezed when Molly covered her face to hide the tears trickling down her cheeks. “Please, don’t cry. We’ll figure this out. Whatever you do, don’t make any rash decisions.”

  “I have to do something, Derek. Once my store closes, I can’t stay here and watch Grace go and live with another family. It’s too painful. And I won’t continue to lead Grace on and fill her with false hope. I’ll have to tell her tomorrow.” Molly snatched a tissue from a box behind the counter and wiped away the tears. “It could be time for a new start. There are too many memories here in Whispering Slopes.”

  Silence hung in the air.

  Molly tossed the tissue into the trash can. “I think it’s time to call it a night. I’m exhausted, and you need to get home to Mark. Thank you again for everything you’ve done. I know you’ve tried your best, but I guess some things aren’t meant to be.”

  Molly turned and headed to her office, leaving Derek alone and feeling desperate. He had to fix this. But how? She couldn’t move. Whispering Slopes was her home. She belonged here. And he belonged here, too—with Molly and Grace.

  It was time he started to trust God and move past his fears. It was okay to be vulnerable. He didn’t need a promise from Molly that she’d never hurt him. That a life with her would be perfect and free of problems. No. That was unrealistic. It was time to take risks again, like he’d always done in business. Vulnerability was a strength, not a weakness. Could Molly and Grace be the family he’d once dreamed of having? Derek considered his thoughts and smiled. He’d never had a dream he couldn’t turn into a reality.

  Later in the evening, Derek sat in his home office slumped over his laptop, replaying the events from earlier. His computer chimed, announcing a new email. Mindlessly, he slid his finger over the mouse. His adrenaline raced when he saw the subject line next to his father’s email address. I can help you. Those words sent Derek’s mind reeling. Could his father help? Could the man who’d caused him to second-guess everything he’d once believed help him to discover there was such a thing as happily-ever-after?

  Minutes passed. He stared at the screen, feeling like that frightened little boy who used to bury his head in the pillow when he heard sirens outside his window at night. His hand shook. He opened the email, and began to read his father’s three-page apology and a request for forgiveness. At the end, there was an offer to help his only son.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Before dawn on Saturday morning, Molly paced the floor in her kitchen. The coffee maker gurgled and hissed. The aroma of the fresh brew filled the room. She’d been awake for an hour reading her Bible and praying for guidance. As a child, countless times she’d been hopeful and believed a family wanted to adopt her, only to be left brokenhearted and disappointed. She couldn’t do that to Grace. Today at the festival, she’d have to be honest with her. As much as she wanted to bring Grace into her home, it might not be possible. The thought of such a discussion filled Molly’s heart with sadness.

  Later, after a long walk to clear her head, Molly was dressed and waiting for Annie’s arrival. Her pulse accelerated when she heard car doors slam outside. Footsteps clomped on the front steps. The doorbell rang, and Molly exhaled. Until last night, she’d been so excited about this day and looking forward to spending time alone with Grace, but now, dread had taken hold.

  Molly crossed the floor and made her way toward the door. While taking those steps, she decided if today would be the last time she’d have with Grace, she would make sure the child had the best day ever. She placed her hand on the doorknob to welcome her company.

  “Good morning, Molly. I’m running late as usual.” Annie smiled, handed the car seat to Molly and looked down at Grace. “You have a good time today with Miss Molly. You can tell me all about your day when I come to get you this evening. Have fun, you two.”

  “Thanks, Annie,” Molly called out as the social worker turned and headed to her car. “Are you ready to have some big fun?” Molly motioned for Grace to come inside.

  The child stepped into the foyer and looked in Molly’s direction. “I can’t wait!” Grace’s dimples flashed like a shining ray of hope.

  Molly’s heart filled with joy. Grace would have the best day of her life. Molly had a feeling it was going to be an extra special day.

  Fifteen minutes into their drive, Molly snuck a glance at Grace in the rearview mirror as she navigated the car along the mountain road. Her heart pulsed as she imagined going on daily outings as mother and daughter. Spending an afternoon shopping for back-to-school clothes or picking out a wedding dress after Grace fell in love. In a matter of weeks, this child had filled a void, one Molly had tried to ignore because she believed having a family was an impossible dream after she’d been left at the altar. Lately, the yearning for a family was palpable. Molly longed to give Grace the home she’d dreamed of when she was a child.

  “Did you ever go to this festival when you were my age, Miss Molly?” Secured in the car seat Annie had provided, Grace leaned forward, squinting into the sun streaming through the front windshield.

  “I didn’t move to Whispering Slopes until I was a teenager. That’s when I was adop
ted. After that, my mother brought me to the festival every year.”

  A sigh sounded from the back seat. Molly stole brief glances in the mirror.

  “Are you okay, sweetie?” Molly considered the fret in Grace’s brows.

  “I’m sorry you had to wait so long, Miss Molly. If I hadn’t met you, I probably would—” She inhaled through her nostrils.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. It’s just, I shouldn’t get my hopes up. None of the other families ever wanted me around.” She peered out the window. “I think most people take me in for the money.”

  Molly’s heart broke. Grace was living the life she’d experienced. Ahead, Molly spotted the first overlook area where Shelley had brought her. It was there Molly had learned of Shelley’s plan to make a permanent home for her. Molly guided the vehicle off the road to where several empty picnic tables stood. “Let’s pull over for a second.”

  Molly placed the car in Park. She stepped out, opened Grace’s door and unlocked her seat belt. Grace climbed out onto the gravel parking lot and turned her attention to the four-foot-high stone wall providing safety to spectators.

  The child’s head jerked back at Molly. “Wow! You can see forever up here.”

  They strolled toward the wall. Molly’s pulse quickened at the soft touch of Grace’s hand reaching for her own. Molly wanted to hold it tightly forever.

  Grace stood on her tippy-toes and looked down with a firm grip on Molly’s hand. “I’ve never been this high. Everything looks so clear and bright. Do you think this is what heaven is like, Miss Molly?”

  Molly could only nod. Her throat tightened. She’d asked her mother the same question. Forcing down the lump caught in her throat, she gazed at the spectacular skyline. “I’d like to think so, sweetie. Let’s go and sit over there for a minute.” She pointed to the picnic table that still provided a view.

  Grace kept a secure grip on Molly’s hand but skipped along by her side. “I like it here.”

  Molly laughed. The child’s enthusiasm was contagious. Grace released her hold and plopped down on the bench, squirming to ensure she still had a view. Molly settled in across from her.

  “My mother brought me here to tell me she loved me and wanted to adopt me.” Molly gazed at the area. The leaves popped with color, and the air was crisp. “It was a day like today.”

  “What did it feel like?”

  Molly locked her eyes on the little girl. “You mean the weather?”

  Grace wiggled, her jeans scratching against the wooden seat. “No. What did it feel like when you heard someone say they loved you?”

  Molly’s heart crumbled. Her vision blurred as she wiped a tear. “Oh, sweetie. You are loved. You must always remember God loves you. He loved you first. He’ll never leave you.”

  Grace looked at the crow cawing overhead. Her brow crinkled. “But how come God isn’t listening to my prayers?”

  Given the homes Grace had been in and out of, Molly was surprised to learn Grace was aware of the power of prayer. “Who taught you about praying, sweetie?”

  “Mrs. Mayfield. She was a nice, white-haired lady who lived next door to one of the homes I lived in, but I was only there for two weeks. I missed her when I had to leave.”

  “Why such a short time?” Molly questioned with caution, worried she would spark any painful memories.

  Grace’s expression grew more solemn. Not what Molly wanted today. She reached for the child’s hand and covered it with her own. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

  Grace sat straighter. “The social worker came and removed me from the house.” Her lower lip quivered. “The lady I lived with burned me with hot water from the bathtub.”

  Bile burned in the back of her throat. “Oh dear. Could it have been an accident?”

  Grace shook her head. “No. Whenever she drank a lot of bad stuff, she got mean. One day, Mrs. Mayfield found me crying outside after the lady had held my arm under the water for a really long time. Mrs. Mayfield told me to pray for a new home.”

  Molly recalled the picnic. That’s why Grace had been afraid of the river.

  A second of silence passed before Grace looked at Molly. “Do you think I’ll have to wait until I’m a teenager before God answers my prayers?”

  Molly would do everything in her power to make sure that didn’t happen. “It’s important for us to place our trust in God’s timing.”

  “Yeah, that’s what Mrs. Mayfield used to say.” Grace put her elbows on the table and palmed her chin. “But I sure wish His clock moved faster.”

  Molly laughed out loud. “So do I, sweetie. So do I.”

  * * *

  Following an afternoon of pony and hay rides, Molly couldn’t remember a time when she’d been this happy. She and Grace strolled the grounds of the festival, each munching on a caramel apple. “I forgot how these stick to your teeth.” Molly flicked her tongue along an upper molar.

  “It’s what makes them so good.” Grace giggled. “Oh look! It’s the petting zoo. Can we go there next? I can’t wait to see the baby goats.” The child bounced up and down, her pigtails swinging.

  “Of course. I’ve been excited to see them, too.” Molly and Grace headed toward the fenced area. Leaves crunched underneath their feet. “When I was your age, I always wanted a baby goat and a monkey,” Molly revealed.

  “Me, too! If I had a monkey, I’d name it George.” Grace smiled.

  “Like the book?”

  Grace nodded. “Yeah, it’s one of my favorites.”

  “Mine, too,” Molly added, and Grace reached for her hand.

  Children’s laughter carried on a soft breeze when they arrived at the fencing. A half-dozen kids were romping on the ground, playing with the goats.

  Grace stopped. “You’re going to come in, too, aren’t you?”

  One look into the child’s sparkling eyes, and she was a goner. Molly took the remainder of Grace’s apple and along with her own, tossed them both into a nearby trash can. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  A cupcake-for-breakfast grin crossed the child’s face. Her deep-set dimples shined as they stepped inside of the corral.

  Within seconds, a black-and-white goat, the smallest of the group, ran toward Grace. She flopped to the ground and laughed as the animal bounded into her lap. “He likes me, Miss Molly!”

  “It sure seems like it,” Molly called out as a solid chestnut goat headed her way. She dropped to the grass, and the animal butted its head against her arm.

  Giggling, Grace looked in her direction. “I think that one likes you.”

  After forty-five minutes of frolicking with the baby goats, Molly’s stomach grumbled. “Are you ready for a slice of pizza?”

  “Yes! Yes! That’s my favorite!”

  “Mine, too.”

  “We like a lot of the same things, don’t we, Miss Molly?” The child grinned.

  “I think you’re right. Let’s head to the restroom and wash our hands before we eat.” Molly gulped a breath. She knew explaining to Grace her current financial situation and its impact on the adoption process was necessary. But how could she disappoint her? She was having so much fun. Please, Lord, give me the words.

  Ten minutes later, Molly and Grace ate their lunch in the area that resembled a food court at the mall. “This is the best pizza ever,” Grace exclaimed. A string of cheese stretched before snapping and getting stuck to her chin. She giggled and used her tongue to lick it off. “You’re the best, Miss Molly! I wish you could be my mommy.”

  Molly’s breath hitched. This was the day she’d dreamed of having with Grace. Not only was the weather perfect for the festival, but this time with Grace had been the perfect balm. Was she being selfish? Would Grace’s heart be broken like hers had been at her age? She still remembered how painful it was when her
chance to be adopted by the Corbett family had been stripped away. Withholding the truth would be worse for Grace in the long run. As much as she didn’t want to see this glorious day come to an end, it was time to be honest. No matter how painful, she couldn’t continue to mislead Grace.

  * * *

  Derek couldn’t contain the excitement surging through his body. Earlier that morning, his father had called after receiving the second email from his son. Following an hour of angry words spoken by Derek, and a lot of tears shed, father and son had made peace with the past and agreed to start fresh. Derek had let go of the judgment and grievances, not just for his father’s sake, but for his own. It was the only way to begin the healing process and move on with his life. A life he wanted to spend with Molly. He loved her. The kiss they’d shared told him she felt the same, yet she’d convinced herself leaving Whispering Slopes was the best solution. Well, it wasn’t. If she wanted a new start, a new life, he planned to offer it to her. Today, while she was still at the festival with Grace.

  He white-knuckled the steering wheel and guided the vehicle into the parking lot. He exhaled a steadying breath when he spotted Rusty stepping inside the coffee shop. After speaking with his father, Derek had made a phone call and asked his landlord to meet him.

  Seconds later, Derek zipped into an empty space and smashed his foot on the brake. He was on a mission. Molly had mentioned her plans to talk to Grace today about how much she wanted to make a home for her, but financial obstacles were standing in the way. He couldn’t let that happen. Grace would be crushed. He loved the child as much as Molly. He exited the car and jogged to the front entrance of the store.

  “Hey, Derek.” Rusty stood at the counter. “What’s got you so charged today, son?”

  Derek ran his hand through his hair. “Can we talk over there?” He pointed to an empty table in the corner. “Coffee?”

  “No thanks. Let’s take a seat.”

  Derek’s adrenaline surged. He couldn’t sit still long enough to string two sentences together. When he finally settled down, his heart opened, and the words flowed. He told Rusty everything—about his father and his feelings for Molly. Fifteen minutes later, in the quiet corner of his coffee shop, Derek and Rusty sealed the deal on the property with a handshake.