Mother reached out and grabbed Diane’s hands. “And I’m so happy for you.”
Diane tilted her head. “For me? Why me?”
Mother smiled. “Listen to yourself, Margaret Diane. Do you hear the joy in your voice? No resentment. No jealousy. Only delight that your beloved child has united with her father. Do you realize how much your heart has softened?” She gave Diane’s hands a squeeze and let go, then settled against the chair’s back again. “I’m so proud of you. So very proud.”
Diane ducked her head for a moment, contemplating Mother’s observation. After all the worrying and wondering, she now recognized how fully God had prepared her to accept Kevin’s presence in Meghan’s life. And in her own. Forgiving him—and herself—made such a difference.
She looked at Mother again. “Well, there’s more. Meghan invited Kevin, his mother, and Kip to Carson Springs for a Fourth of July get-together. She wants us to come, too.”
Mother puckered her face. “Arkansas in July? The humidity will kill me.”
Diane drew back. “You don’t want to go?”
Mother huffed. “Did I say that? Of course I want to go. But did you forget that my sister will be flying here for the same holiday? It’s become our tradition, you know.”
Diane groaned. “In her excitement, I’m sure Meghan forgot. Well, I’ll have to call her back and tell her—”
“No, no.” Mother waved her hands. “I doubt Emily has her plane reservation yet.” She released a soft laugh. “She always waits until the last minute, bless her heart, and then complains about the high price. I’ll call her tomorrow and tell her to book a flight to Little Rock instead. She’s mentioned wanting to visit Arkansas. Maybe we’ll rent a car and take a drive to Cumpton after the get-together at Meghan’s. We can make it a reminiscing vacation.”
Diane heaved a sigh. “Sounds perfect.”
Mother wound her fingers through the thick hair on Miney’s ruff and smiled, contentment evident in her expression. “Perfect, indeed.”
Carson Springs, Arkansas
Meghan
Meghan carried a plate of uncooked hot dogs to the grill and placed them on the little shelf attached to the grill’s base. She grinned up at her father. “Thanks for taking over here. Sean got a little sidetracked.”
Kevin bounced a glance at the tag football game taking place on the opposite side of the yard. Sean and Kip were skunking Sheila’s brothers, Wayne and Brandon, but from the whoops and playful insults filling the air, they were having fun anyway. “It’s fine. I just hope everyone likes their burgers well done, because that’s the only way I know how to cook ’em.”
Meghan laughed. “Well done is fine.” She headed for the house, smiling at the trio of older women seated around the picnic table under the protective canopy Sean had constructed for the celebration. Their chatter and laughter added to the noisy chaos in the yard. Grandma, Great-Aunt Emily, and Memaw, as Melinda insisted Meghan call her, had formed a quick bond, and Meghan especially delighted in seeing her grandmothers enjoying each other’s company.
In the kitchen, Mom was digging in the refrigerator, and Sheila was adding dollops of mayonnaise to the huge bowl of potato salad Meghan had tossed together the night before.
Meghan opened the cupboard where she stored her serving platters and peeked into the bowl. “What’s the matter? Too dry?”
Sheila bobbed her chin in Mom’s direction. “She said so. She also said it needs pickles.”
Mom emerged from the refrigerator, holding a jar of pickles aloft. “Ta-da!” She handed it to Sheila. “Chop three of those and add them, along with a little juice, to the salad. Then it’ll be perfect.”
Meghan pulled a wedding-gift platter from the cabinet and shook her head. “Mom, for the love of Pete, you don’t even eat potato salad because of the eggs and mayonnaise in it. So why should you care if it doesn’t have pickles?”
“Potato salad isn’t potato salad without pickles, Meghan. Everyone knows that.” She picked up the covered platter of lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and raw onion rings and headed for the back door. “Honestly. No pickles in potato salad? Who raised this kid?” The screen door slammed on her final mutter.
Sheila laughed and opened the pickle jar. “Your mom is so different from mine, but I like her. Thanks again for inviting us.”
Meghan gave Sheila a quick half hug and then handed her a cutting board and knife. “Thanks for coming. I couldn’t celebrate the Fourth without my favorite little sis.”
Sheila pinched out a pickle and giggled—a girlish sound that made Meghan smile. Of course, she’d been smiling a lot already. Having her whole family—Sean, Mom, Grandma, Great-Aunt Emily, Memaw, Kevin, Kip, and Sheila and her gang—under her roof was a joy she’d never have imagined. One simple search had brought so much change. And if the vibes she’d picked up between Mom and Kevin proved accurate, another change might be coming in the not-too-distant future. It might be fun to be a bridesmaid.
“Those beans are sure smelling good.” Sheila’s comment pulled Meghan from her reflections. “When’ll they be done?”
Meghan checked the oven timer. “Three more minutes.” She hoped they’d taste okay. She’d found the recipe for molasses baked beans in the cookbook Grandma had given her, but this was her trial run for making them. She leaned against the counter and crossed her arms, watching Sheila chop a pickle into small chunks. “What’s the latest on Brandon’s college admission?”
“He’s been accepted to the premed program at the University of Arkansas. The financial-aid director said he qualifies for academic scholarships based on his high school grades and ACT scores.” Sheila shot a nose-crinkling grin at Meghan. “Toldja he was smart.” She fished another pickle from the jar. “Because our income’s not so great, he’ll also get some grants, and then he’s eligible for student loans, but we’re gonna hold off on those until we get the final word about Dad’s life insurance.”
“I think that’s smart.” The oven dinged. Meghan donned oven mitts and reached in for the bubbling casserole.
“Yeah, Mr. Meade at the bank is working hard with the insurance company to get the funds in time.” She shrugged and scooped the chopped-up pickle into the salad. “But even if he can’t, we know Brandon’s in, and that’s what matters most.”
Shouts and raucous laughter exploded from outside and carried through the screen door. Meghan set the casserole dish on top of the stove and glanced in the direction of the sound, then turned her smile on Sheila. “Sean’s having a blast with Wayne and Brandon. I think he’s gonna want to have regular football games with them.”
Sheila set down the knife, yanked a paper towel from the holder, and wiped her hands. “Sounds fine to me, but it’ll be kinda hard without Kip here. You can’t make two even teams with three people.”
Meghan removed the oven mitts and chose serving spoons from a crock on the counter. “If you wait a few years, there might be a fourth person to join the game.”
Sheila froze in place, her mouth forming an O. Then she sputtered to life. “Meghan, are you”—her gaze dropped to Meghan’s stomach and up to her eyes again—“expecting?”
“No. Not yet.”
Sheila seemed to deflate.
“But we’re hoping we will be by Christmastime.” She placed one spoon in the beans and handed another one to Sheila. “By then Sean and I will have all the paperwork in place to open Eagle Investigations.”
Sheila squealed. “You’re really doing it?”
“Yep.” Meghan took the spoon from Sheila and stirred the pickle mess into the potato salad. “Sean’s staying at the bureau for the time being. He says it’s smart, and I agree—predictable income, good insurance. If the private agency really gets off the ground, he’ll resign and join me. But working from home will give me the flexibility to get one of the bedrooms set up as a nursery so we’ll be ready
when the time comes. It’ll be the best of both worlds, you know?”
Sheila clapped twice, then held her palms together under her chin. “I’m so happy for you. And I’m gonna pray for you to get pregnant quick. I can’t wait to be Auntie Sheila!”
Meghan couldn’t resist wrapping Sheila in a hug. Her life was morphing in so many ways. From only child to big sister, from having a father “somewhere out there” to her dad being active in her life, from resisting motherhood to embracing the idea. The rapid adjustments should have left her dizzy and overwhelmed, but instead she welcomed every new person—present and future—with enthusiasm. Proof of God’s work in her heart.
The back door smacked into its frame, and footsteps stomped into the kitchen. Kip, sweaty and red faced, plunked his fists on his hips. “Hey, what’re you doing? The burgers are ready. Dad needs something to put them on.”
Meghan grabbed the platter and handed it to Kip.
He tucked it under his arm like a football. “He says to get everything else out here. As soon as the dogs come off the grill, we’ll eat.” He turned and stomped back out.
Sheila smirked. “For a minute, I thought Greg was here.”
Meghan laughed. “We’ll have to invite him and his family next time. The more the merrier, you know.” Had she really said that? She was definitely morphing.
Sheila picked up the bowl of potato salad. “You heard the man. Get those beans and let’s go.”
Meghan slid her hands into oven mitts, lifted the casserole dish of aromatic baked beans, and followed Sheila. The screen door slammed shut behind her, and she paused on the concrete stoop, struck by a wave of emotion. Every single person in her backyard owned a piece of her heart. In her wildest imaginings, she wouldn’t have guessed she would be part of such an eclectic group. She let her gaze rove the yard, taking in every bit of activity.
Kevin rolled scorched hot dogs back and forth on the grill with a pair of tongs while Mom supervised, both of them relaxed and smiling. In the center of the thick, freshly mowed grass, Sean stood with his arm slung around Kip’s shoulders and chatted animatedly with him, Brandon, and Wayne. Sheila arranged bowls and platters on the picnic table, talking with Grandma, Memaw, and Great-Aunt Emily as easily as if she’d known them forever.
Joy pulsated from every corner of the gathering, and Meghan wished she were an artist so she could paint the sunshiny, full-of-happy-faces scene exactly the way she viewed it. She would title it Family in Sonlight. She closed her eyes for a moment, searing the images into her memory.
“The hot dogs are charred just right, so c’mon, everybody!” Kevin’s cheerful command rang over the other backyard noise.
Meghan stepped off the stoop and headed for the picnic table. The sweet yet spicy scent rising from the beans mingled with the aromas of grass, charred meat, and sweat. Chatter and bursts of laughter filled the air. The combination of sights, sounds, and smells tantalized her senses, almost dizzying in its effect. She placed the casserole dish on the table, flicked off her oven mitts, then scurried to join the misshapen circle formed by those who’d gathered to celebrate the day.
They linked hands, Meghan between Sean and Kevin. Sunlight flowed down, illuminating every perspiration-dotted, smiling face, and she examined each one by one. From Sean to Grandma, to Great-Aunt Emily, to Memaw, Sheila, Wayne, Brandon, Kip, Mom, and finally to Kevin, who was grinning down at her.
“Who’s going to ask the blessing?”
Meghan started to volunteer Sean, but Sean spoke first. “How about you do it, Kevin? After all, you’re the patriarch of this motley crew.”
Laughter rolled around the circle, but a knot of emotion blocked Meghan’s throat and brought the sting of grateful tears. Look at how many people would welcome their children, would love them and influence them. Part of the proverb Sean had read during their morning devotions trickled through her mind.
“ ‘The LORD works out everything to its proper end.’ ”
They’d unveiled shadowy pieces of the past and revealed a brighter present than she’d ever anticipated. And she couldn’t help but believe that God would continue to bring them together to the end He’d intended from the beginning of time.
She swung her father’s hand, something she’d wanted to do from the time she was a little girl, and nodded. “Yes, you should say the prayer.”
He winked, gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and bowed his head. “Dear Father, thank You…”
Readers Guide
Meghan grew up in a single-parent household, which meant she didn’t witness the give-and-take of a typical husband-wife relationship. Because of this, she felt ill equipped to be a wife. How could she have gained insights about being a wife? Have you ever been thrust into a role for which you felt unprepared? How did you handle the challenge?
Although always curious about her father, when armed with information to locate him, Meghan didn’t seek him out right away. Why do you think she put off finding him? Was the timing of her search her timetable or God’s? What makes you think so?
Sean often thought about his childhood and the way he was raised. He longed for a similar lifestyle with Meghan. Were his desires reasonable or unrealistic? Why? Most people tend to take what they know from childhood and use it to mold their adult expectations. When is this healthy? When is it unhealthy? How can we break the cycle of unhealthy lifestyle choices?
Sheila held a great deal of bitterness about her mother’s illness and the way her life changed after her dad disappeared. Was her bitterness understandable? Bitterness is a common response to out-of-our-control circumstances, but is it a helpful one? How can we use difficult circumstances to make us better instead of bitter?
Kevin was successful in business but a failure in relationships. Hazel tells him that he won’t find contentment in owning properties or finding a wife and that he needs a solid foundation on which to build his life. Kevin initially scoffs at the idea but eventually comes to realize he needs Jesus Christ, the cornerstone and completer of life. What brought about his heart change? How does Jesus fill us when things of this world do not?
Kevin’s father, when faced with the destruction of his reputation and a possible jail sentence, chose to end his own life. Kevin and his mother carried a burden of guilt over his father’s decision. Was the guilt theirs to bear? Why or why not? How would you advise someone who feels suicide is the answer to his or her problems? How can we minister to those left in the wake of another’s suicide?
Meghan reflected how elements of her lonely childhood had prepared her to be a cold-case detective and how her position opened up the door to blessings for her. What elements of your past has God used to prepare you for where you are today?
Sean wasn’t eager to partner with Tom Farber, who tormented Sean for his Christian faith. Have you ever been treated unfairly by someone because of your faith? How did you respond? What scriptures help you react in a God-honoring way when you’re being mistreated?
Diane worked hard to build a successful life after becoming an unwed mother. Even so, underneath she tended to define herself by that one title. How can we keep from letting our mistakes define us? Hazel told her she needed to forgive Kevin Harrison but also herself. Is it easier to forgive someone else or ourselves? Why?
Kevin’s adopted son, Kip, was a troublemaker in childhood and continued to make unwise decisions in adulthood. Who was at fault for Kip’s problems? Was Kip hurting others or himself more by his behavior choices? At what point do we have to assume responsibility for our behavior instead of using past experiences as an excuse for poor decisions?
Hazel reminded Meghan that she had always had a father in God, and then Meghan relayed this to Sheila. Many people aren’t blessed with a loving earthly father, yet God is willing and able to fill the role when we allow Him to. How would you adv
ise someone who lacks an earthly father to look to God to fill that hole in his or her life?
For Mom—
I miss you every minute of every day.
I’m doing my best to make you proud.
And for Daddy—
Of all the fathers God could have given me,
I’m so glad He gave me you.
Acknowledgments
Mom and Daddy, thank you for setting such wonderful examples of Christlike behavior. You viewed God as your Father, and because of your faith, I easily grasped the concept of a loving Father-God. If every child was blessed with the kind of parents God gave me, what a different world it would be.
Mom, writing this book in the throes of grieving your unexpected departure for heaven was the hardest task I’ve ever undertaken. But remembering your many prayers for me, your advice to lean on Jesus’s strength, and your steadfast example of “I can do all things through Him” gave me the courage to finish the story. You’re gone, but your legacy of faith remains strong. I’ll see you soonly.
Kathy, I couldn’t help but recall so many delightful excursions in Las Vegas as I wrote. I’m so blessed by our enduring friendship.
The Posse and my Sunday school ladies, you truly held up my arms. Thank you.
Tamela, Shannon, Julee, Kathy, and the entire team at WaterBrook, thank you for your support, your understanding, and your help in whipping this story into shape. I am grateful for every suggestion and every word of encouragement. Bless y’all.
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