Tracie Peterson (28 page)

Authors: The Long-Awaited Child

BOOK: Tracie Peterson

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“You can do both of those things when you’re thirty,” Brad replied. “Eighteen still seems too young.”

The ladies laughed and Tess felt an overwhelming happiness as Sherry gave Brad a playful nudge. “No fair, Dad. I want to be just like all the other kids.”

“I’d rather you just be yourself,” Brad replied. “Now, I’m going to head back to the car. You ladies hurry it up.”

Sherry released him and nodded. “We’re coming.” She waited until Brad had stepped down the hall to look to Tess. “I love it here. I’m so glad you picked this house.”

“I like it too,” Tess admitted. “It feels like home.”

Sherry nodded and came to where Tess stood. She hugged Tess tightly. “You’re the best, Mom.” She stepped back and
grinned. “I love being able to call you that. Mr. D always says what a privilege and joy it is to call God ‘Abba-Father,’ and I agree with that, too, but there’s nothing in the world like having a mom.”

Tess felt tears come to her eyes. “There’s nothing quite like having a daughter, either.”

Tess reached her hand up to brush back an errant strand of Sherry’s hair. “I’m so proud of you, Sherry. You’ve come so far and had to deal with so much. You’ve worked hard on your studies and now you’re graduating with honors and getting ready for college. I know it hasn’t always been easy for you, and sometimes I haven’t handled things as well as I had hoped to. But I love you. And I consider myself the most blessed woman in the world.”

“I love you too,” Sherry said, beaming with happiness.

Tess knew that no one else in Sherry’s life had ever praised her like this. Tess thought of her own adopted mother and how good it felt to be recognized as having worth. Suddenly the past seemed so unimportant. The pieces all fit, and each one held equal value.

Tess had known security and love in her adopted home. Her birth and the difficulties that followed were of little consequence, because what man had meant for evil, God had worked for good. She couldn’t help but fervently hope that her own children would feel the same way one day.

“Come on,” Tess said, reaching out for Sherry’s hand. “Laura and Darren are probably half crazy trying to keep up with your brother and sister.”

Adoption had proven such a blessing with Sherry that Brad and Tess had found four-year-old twin siblings to add to their family. “We’ll be lucky if they haven’t turned the entire retirement center upside down. I’ve never seen two kids with more energy.”

Sherry laughed and the sound rang through the empty house like a song. It was a melody Tess hoped to hear many
times in the years to come. It was a song of hope and joy. It was a song of home and family.

TRACIE PETERSON is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 80 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.

Visit Tracie’s Web site at:
www.traciepeterson.com

Books by Tracie Peterson

www.traciepeterson.com

House of Secrets
•
A Slender Thread
•
Where My Heart Belongs

LAND OF THE LONE STAR

Chasing the Sun

B
RIDAL
V
EIL
I
SLAND
*

To Have and To Hold To Love and Cherish

S
ONG OF
A
LASKA

Dawn’s Prelude
•
Morning’s Refrain
•
Twilight’s Serenade

S
TRIKING A
M
ATCH

Embers of Love
•
Hearts Aglow
•
Hope Rekindled