Tracie Peterson Read Online Free PDF Page A

nineteen-year-old promising some pension-bound retiree the moon when I can’t deliver it.”
    “You are a thoughtful woman.”
    “I’m a realistic woman,” Tess countered. “I’m also a Christian businesswoman. Two things that do not alwaysgo together very well. I have a deep concern for the elderly and their needs. I have seen many of them taken advantage of by major corporations and our own government. I don’t wish to add to that problem. Rather, I’d like to be a light through that dark tunnel.”
    “I admire that and would never want your goals to change.”
    “But you don’t understand,” Tess replied. “Increasing the number of employees and making the location a fixed business will only impersonalize this service. People feel comfortable because they are only dealing with one person instead of the thirty or more that might otherwise be needed for such a major move. I won’t even employ a secretary for that very reason. I take only so many cases a month and I heed well my limitations.”
    “But if your heart is in helping the helpless,” Aznar said rather firmly, “would it not be better to train additional people and help even more? Why not train a staff to be just as personal? You could assign cases to each person and let them be the one sole contact for each client. Give them individual pagers and phones. Arrange it as it is now, with you to supervise the entire situation—approve all the final decisions.”
    Tess nodded. “I suppose something like that could work, but at this point I’m just not ready for expansion.”
    “At least think on it,” Aznar requested. “The timing might not work just now, but perhaps later.” He handed her his business card.
    She took the card and shrugged. “Perhaps.”
    Tess felt a tremendous sense of relief when the last of the businessmen, with the exception of Justin, had departed with Mel for one of the more popular nightclub spots. Mel could always be counted on to show his people a good time. Miami wasn’t really the kind of town known for its late-night activities, but such events could be had if a person knew where to look. And with Mel married to the vivacious Kelly, he had no trouble in locating a party.
    “I thought they’d never leave,” Brad said in an apologetictone. “I’m really sorry. I figured it for being two, three hours tops.”
    “It’s really no problem,” Tess said, picking up glasses from the living room.
    “Why don’t you just leave those for a minute and come sit down? Justin and I have something to discuss.”
    Tess looked at her husband’s eager expression and began to run through a mental list of anything he’d hinted at over the last couple of weeks. There were no men’s retreats planned or church parties that would require her attention. She couldn’t remember Brad planning any getaways for fishing or other activities that might spell complications for her own very organized life. Smiling, she put the glasses down and straightened.
    “All right, what are you two up to?”
    Justin looked to Brad. “Do you want to tell her or should I?”
    Brad grinned. “You go ahead.”
    “Well?” Tess questioned. “Somebody tell me.”
    Justin shrugged. “I guess the responsibility falls to me. I know how badly you and Brad have been wanting a baby.”
    Tess felt her stomach tighten. She hadn’t expected Justin to speak on this matter.
    “Well, I was telling Brad that I know of several unwed mothers who are expecting. You know I’m involved with the Christian Crisis Pregnancy Center. Some of these mothers-to-be are just kids themselves and they come from good families who are Christian and want to see the babies adopted rather than the sad alternative.”
    Tess held up her hand. “I’ve told you both how I feel about adoption. I think it’s a wonderful option, but I don’t know that I can do it. I really want to have my own baby.”
    “And if you can’t?” Justin questioned softly.
    Tess felt as though he’d