Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

The man who had attacked her was far away. Maybe she’d get a welcome break from the nightmares that plagued her. From the memories that crushed her heart and wouldn’t allowher to forget for even the smallest second what it had felt like to be assaulted by the stranger.
    Of how his rough fingers had scraped her skin. Of how the hospital’s strong antiseptic scent had burned her nose. How the nurses’ voices had been strained and hushed when they spoke to the doctors. Of how the English doctors had talked about so much that she didn’t understand.
    A tear escaped as she closed her eyes. Breathing deep, she caught the scent of freshly made gingerbread and held it close. It smelled heavenly and warm. Like a childhood memory that existed only in her dreams.
    Breathe in. Breathe out. Think of better days. Of other times.
    Think only of what a perfect holiday should smell like. Think of cinnamon and molasses. Of fresh snow. Of what she used to feel like. Before.
    Little by little, she felt her body relax once again. Maybe this time she’d be able to take a nap.
    “I still don’t see why we are obligated to let them both stay here,” Katie whispered as she rushed to help her mother pull out a handful of vegetables for soup. “The girl doesn’t have a reservation. She even admitted to not even trying to make one. And there’s something peculiar about her. Actually, there’s something strange about that man, too. He had less conversation inside him than this chair right here.”
    “He is quiet,” her mother agreed, “but we’ve had other guests who were quiet, too. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
    “I suppose. Well, if he only wants to be left alone, that won’t be difficult. But that girl is another story. She definitely should not have shown up like she did. Without a reservation. We could point that out to her.”
    While her mother only turned on the sink and began scrubbing carrots, it was her brother Henry who chided her. “She’s with child. If she’s here alone, it’s obvious she has nowhere else to go. You can’t
not
allow her to stay.”
    Put that way, Katie felt ashamed. But not enough to give up her fight for the perfect holiday. Unbidden, tears sparked her eyes, which was a terribly curious thing.
    Obviously, her emotions were running high. Too high to be reasonable.
    But before her brain could caution her tongue, she started talking again. “But why do you think she’s here? She’s awfully big. Close to her time, don’t you think? Too close to travel.”
    “Neither you nor I is her doctor. It doesn’t matter what we think.”
    “It does. What if something goes wrong?” Alarm coursed through her as Katie started to imagine all sorts of wors-case scenarios. “What if she needs a physician on Christmas Eve? What would we do then?”
    “Then we’ll find a doctor. Accidents happen all the time, but God always provides,” Henry said reasonably.
    But Katie didn’t want to be reasonable. She wanted to be surrounded just by her family and friends this holiday. She was tired and Eli had been challenging. All that had gotten her through the last couple of weeks was looking forward to spending the holiday together.
    But now her dreams were disappearing. “What if she’s on the run from her husband? She could bring danger here.”
    As a shadow filled Henry’s eyes, Katie felt her cheeks flush. But still, her mouth kept running on. “I’m sorry. I know you’re thinking of when Anna hid here, but this is different.”
    “Perhaps. Or perhaps not …”
    “If she is in trouble, then she’s brought it our way. And I, for one, don’t think that’s right. I have Eli.”
    As her last plaintive objection filled the air, her mother whirled around and glared. “Enough, Katie. Your talk is shameful. I don’t want to hear another word against our guests again.”
    “Yes, Mamm.”
    “It’s time you looked beyond yourself, Katie, and think about other people’s needs instead of your own.