Blessings of the Heart and Samantha's Gift
Page 33
“Okay. Maybe you have been right more than once. And I have to admit I’ve been wrong—at least about a few things.”
“Like what?”
“Kids, for one thing.”
Rachel stiffened. “What kids?”
“Sam, to start with,” Sean said. Rachel was just beginning to breathe again when he added, “and maybe having some of my own someday, too.”
“That’s nice.”
“I thought you’d agree.” He gave her a quick squeeze. “So, how about it?”
“How about what?”
“Kids? A family? You and me?”
She pushed herself away from him and struggled to her feet. “No, thanks.”
The dejected expression on his face, in his eyes, hurt her to the core. The truth wouldn’t wait. It wasn’t fair to leave Sean wondering why she’d turned his proposal down flat. No matter how hard confession was going to be, he deserved to hear her reasons.
Drawing the blanket closer as a symbolic shield, Rachel stood at his feet and spoke softly. “I can’t have children, Sean. You need to find a wife who can.”
He stared up at her. So, that was it. No wonder she’d acted so upset when her mother had kept needling her about grandchildren. Martha must not know.
“Have you told anyone else?”
Rachel grimaced. “Only Hannah. And Craig. You know how that turned out—he dumped me.”
Sean slowly got to his feet. There was a lopsided smile on his face that confused Rachel. He reached for her. She backed away, tripped on the dragging tail of the blanket and nearly fell. Sean righted her just as the curtain around Samantha’s bed slid open.
They froze, staring at the emerging doctor. He was stripping off his gloves as he announced, “Your daughter’s going to be fine.”
Rachel was glad Sean’s arms were around her shoulders again because her knees felt suddenly wobbly. She started to tell the doctor, “Samantha’s not…” then felt the tightening of Sean’s grip and realized there was a definite advantage to being considered the little girl’s parents. There would be time enough to set the record straight after they’d spent some time at her bedside.
“She’s not badly hurt?” Sean asked, filling in the gap in Rachel’s response.
The doctor shook his head. “Doesn’t appear to be. I’m going to go ahead and order a few tests, just to be sure. I really don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“Thank God,” Rachel breathed.
Beside her, Sean said, “I already did.”
Samantha was wheeled to a private room as soon as the tests were completed. Rachel and Sean stood at her bedside, holding hands and watching her sleep.
“I can’t believe she’s going to get to stay in Arkansas,” Rachel said. “What did Robert tell you while I was in being examined, anyway? Why the change of heart?”
“Apparently, Daphne didn’t want the responsibility of a child in the first place. Being related, Robert felt guilty so he insisted on trying, but when he saw his wife with Sam he decided he’d made a big mistake and called everything off.”
Rachel sighed. “Well, that’s one worry behind us.”
“Actually, it’s two,” Sean said quietly. He stepped closer to the woman he loved and gently caressed her shoulder. “You see, all along I’ve been bothered by the idea of having kids of my own. If you’d been listening closely, instead of worrying about your own problems, you might have figured that out.”
“But…”
He laid a finger across her lips. “Hush. Let me finish. It took me a while to think it all through but I finally saw the light—in more ways than one. God knew what we both needed. He went out of His way to bring us together.” Sean glanced briefly at the sleeping child. “He provided our first little girl, too.”
Awed, Rachel could hardly believe her ears. She placed her hands flat on his chest and felt the rapid beating of his heart. Her own pulse wasn’t exactly dawdling, either. “Do you think we’d have a chance,” she breathed, “really?”
“Well, there is a catch. I’m afraid we’ll have to get married.”
“I could probably manage that,” Rachel told him. “If you asked me properly.”
A stirring from the bed prompted them to glance at Samantha. Though her eyes were still closed, Sean suspected she’d been listening. He leaned over her to whisper, “I’m about to ask Miss Rachel to marry me, kiddo, so pay close attention.”
“Do you think she can hear us?” Rachel asked.
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Sean dropped to one knee. “Ms. Woodward, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes!” She couldn’t help giggling. “Now get up before the nurses think there’s something wrong with you.”
Sean immediately took her in his arms and swung her around, feet off the ground. “You said yes! What could possibly be wrong with me? I feel wonderful!”
From the direction of the bed came an answering giggle. Then a small voice asked, “Can we go home, now?”
Epilogue
Rachel stood at the rear of the crowded church, her bouquet in one hand, Samantha holding tightly to the other.
“Now?” the excited child asked.
“Very soon.” Rachel smiled down at her. “Remember what you’re supposed to do?”
“Uh-huh. I throw flowers and stuff. On the floor.” Her blue eyes widened. “You sure I won’t get in trouble?”
“Positive.” Rachel laughed softly. “I’m the bride and I get to do anything I want today. Even make a mess in church so I can walk on flower petals.”
“Okay.” Samantha giggled. “I’m gonna do that when I’m a bride, too.”
“I’m sure you will.” Love glowed in Rachel’s eyes as she looked from the child to the wonderful man who had just joined the pastor in front of the altar. “There’s Sean. See? It’s almost time. Are you ready?”
“Uh-huh.”
Bending, she kissed the child’s warm cheek, then took her by the shoulders, turned her so she’d be facing the right direction and made a last-minute adjustment to the circlet of fresh flowers atop her blond curls.
“Okay. The music is starting. Let’s go. I’ll be right behind you.”
Watching the two most important people in his life approaching, Sean was in awe. Rachel’s elegant white gown accentuated her delicate but regal stature, and her flowing skirt barely brushed the floor as she glided toward him.
Walking slowly in front of her and grinning from ear to ear, Samantha was taking evident pleasure in scattering handful after handful of rose petals. When a few of those petals fluttered down and landed outside the aisle runner, the little girl dutifully followed and stomped them flat with her brand-new patent leather shoes, bringing titters of laughter from wedding guests who were close enough to see what she was doing.
Samantha paid them no mind. As Sean watched, he saw her pause and lift her gaze to the highest part of the vaulted ceiling. Then she smiled, nodded and continued straight to the front of the sanctuary, where she reached for Sean’s hand as if she’d just been reminded of the solemnity of the ceremony.
Those who had been observing her progress looked up at the empty rafters, then at each other, with curious interest.
Sean’s gaze met Rachel’s. Mutual understanding held it. They didn’t have to wonder what Samantha had seen or heard. They knew she believed guardian angels had blessed her with a new family—and that was fine with them. After all they’d been through, they weren’t about to question the simple, un-shakable faith of their very special little girl.
Dear Reader,
I checked the cyclopedic index in my Bible and found sixty-seven listings concerning angels—and that’s not counting the forty-seven more in the concordance!
I don’t presume to understand everything about angels, but I do know Jesus spoke plainly about the jobs they do here on earth and in the heavens, and that’s a good enough reference for me.
Could a child with a special need actually see an
angel the way Samantha does in this story? I think so. Children had a special place in Christ’s heart, and there’s no reason to believe that has changed from then to now.
Have I ever actually seen an angel? Maybe I have and just didn’t realize it. Either way, my faith is not based on things seen, as this story explains. Faith is a gift with two sides: intellect and choice. Each of us has the inner need to believe in a Higher Power, but that’s only the beginning. Choosing to surrender to the will of God and follow Jesus is what makes the difference. That part of faith cannot be reasoned out like a puzzle; it can only be embraced wholeheartedly. That, I am sure of.
I’d love to hear from you. You can write to me at P.O. Box 13, Glencoe, AR 72539-0013, check out my Web site at www.ValerieHansen.com, or e-mail me at valw@centurytel.net.
Blessings,
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2587-3
BLESSINGS OF THE HEART AND SAMANTHA’S GIFT
BLESSINGS OF THE HEART
Copyright © 2003 by Valerie Whisenand
SAMANTHA’S GIFT
Copyright © 2003 by Valerie Whisenand
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