by Francis Ray
One worry she didn—t have was finding an agent. She had been inundated with requests. Those numbers climbed once it became known that TriStar still wanted to take The Madison Reed Show into national syndication and it she wanted to stay in Dallas, that was fine with them.
Madison thought it couldn—t get any better than the day she married Zachary. She was bursting with joy. She and Zachary spent the next two days in the honeymoon suite of the Mansion with a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door. She already knew Zachary was an inventive and attentive lover, but he outdid himself.
As expected, when they arrived home, Manda had made out like a bandit with new toys and clothes. On outings she had picked up more loot. Her two sets of doting grandparents who had stayed with her had spoiled her rotten. She was a charmer and a heartbreaker-in-the-making.
It couldn—t get any better, or so Madison had thought until she held a screaming Zachary Lowell Holman, Jr. in her arms. Tears streamed down her cheek as she counted and recounted fingers and toes, checked him thoroughly and decided he was the most perfect, the most precious baby in the entire world. His father was just as awed, and didn—t feel the least ashamed of his own tears or the fact that his hand was unsteady as he cut the umbilical cord.
As soon as Madison was back in her room, friends and co-workers streamed in. Three-and-a-half-year-old Manda was scooped up by her father and sat on the side of the bed to see her new brother.
“Daddy, how long before he can play with me?” she asked.
“Not for a little while, munchkin,” Zachary said. “But you still have me.”
She giggled as he swept her up in his arms and gave her a smacking kiss. Her Tiffany bracelet dangled on her wrist. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too.” With his daughter in his arms, Zachary reached for Madison—s hand, then stared down at his sleeping son with pride and a heart bursting with love. “He—s so incredibly small.”
“Six pounds three ounces is just right, from my point of view. He can get big afterwards,” Madison said with a smile.
“Men,” Camille said, and frowned at Gordon. “If this one weighs an ounce over seven pounds you—re in trouble.”
Grinning, Gordon curved his arms around her bulging stomach. “It was probably a fluke that Jeremy weighed eight and a half pounds,” he said referring to their fifteen-month-old son.
“Chastity weighed six pounds,” Clarence announced proudly, as if he—d personally seen to the weight of his nine-month-old daughter.
“And we—d better get going to pick her up from the sitter,” Kelli said; then, to Madison, “He—s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Madison said, gazing adoringly back at her son, tears misted in her eyes. He was absolutely perfect.
Immediately Zachary was by her side. “What—s the matter?”
She blinked back tears. “I—m just happy. I have everything I—ve ever wanted.”
Gently he brushed his lips across hers. “That makes both of us.”
The door opened. Madison—s parents, her sister, and Zachary—s parents, who had gone to pick them up at the airport, entered. They rushed across the room. Hugs were given, Zachary Junior and Manda praised.
Through it all, Zachary—s and Madison—s gazes touched again and again. Life couldn—t be better.
Or could it? There was always tomorrow.
LETTER TO READERS
Dear Readers;
I want to thank you for the wonderful support of The Turning Point, It meant so much to me as did your concern about my vision. I—m doing well. As for your inquiries about Rafe and Kristen, if all goes well their book should be finished by the time you read this letter. We—ll have to wait and see if Nicole will get her own story.
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow is a different kind of book, but one that I feel will touch your heart just as much. What would you give for fame and fortune? Many people think if they just had enough money, if they could just make it to the top, all their problems would be solved. Perhaps, but as Madison Reed learns, money and prestige can—t bring happiness. In fact, they can be more binding than liberating.
I hope I Know Who Holds Tomorrow made you think of the healing power of love, of how important family is, how you should never take people you care about for granted. Tomorrow isn—t promised and hugs are free -
Have a wonderful, blessed life,
Francis Ray
e-mail:[email protected]
or
P.O. Box 764423
Dallas, Texas 75376
READER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -*&
1. A lot has been said and published about the disintegration of the family. What do you think are the most important elements in staying happily married? Sexual compatibility? Financial success? Education? What?
2. Madison and Wes both had busy, high-profile careers and were often apart. Can a marriage survive if the couple spends a great deal of time away from each other? How?
3. In researching I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, I interviewed a lot of women to ask if, given the same circumstances Madison faced, they would take Manda. The majority said yes. Some even related they—d grown up in a blended family. Others emphatically said no way. What is your opinion? Why?
4. Zachary helped Wes because he loved him, and because he was his half-brother. Are there occasions when family members ask too much? Was this one of those times? Initially what would you have done in Za-chary—s place?
5. How do you feel about older men/younger women, and younger men/older woman being in a relationship? Can it work? Do you immediately rule out a person because of age?
6. People often show the side of them that is most flattering. Do your friends really know the real “you” or do they only see what you want them to see?
7. Who holds your tomorrows? Why?
Table of Contents
COVER
TITLE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Preface
Chapter ONE
Chapter TWO
Chapter THREE
Chapter FOUR
Chapter FIVE
Chapter SIX
Chapter SEVEN
Chapter EIGHT
Chapter NINE
Chapter TEN
Chapter ELEVEN
Chapter TWELVE
Chapter THIRTEEN
Chapter FOURTEEN
Chapter FIFTEEN
Chapter SIXTEEN
Chapter SEVENTEEN
Chapter EIGHTEEN
Chapter NINETEEN
Chapter TWENTY
Chapter TWENTY-ONE
Chapter TWENTY-TWO
Chapter TWENTY-THREE
Chapter TWENTY-FOUR
Chapter TWENTY-FIVE
Chapter TWENTY-SIX
Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN
Chapter TWENTY-EIGHT
Chapter TWENTY-NINE
Chapter THIRTY
Chapter THIRTY-ONE
Chapter THIRTY-TWO
EPILOGUE
READER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
