Page 49 (1/2)

Doug appeared then "To which hospital did your friend take the mother?"

"Swedish," Alix told hi nodded "I called Larry," he said, ood family friend Larry was an attorney orked for the insurance coo to the mother and call him from the hospital"

"What should I do?" Carol wanted to know

"For now, stay here Look after the baby I’ll be back as soon as I can"

"All right" Carol didn’t kno long she’d have the opportunity to nurture and guard this child, but she intended to treasure eachand Alix hurried out the door Carol moved into the nursery, this room she’d decorated with such anticipation and care Each item, each piece of furniture, had been an affirmation of hope and joy…and had beco down in the cushioned rocker, she cradled the sleeping infant and sang hihtening, but he was safe now And he’d always be safe if she and Doug could possibly arrange it

Carol lost all track of tiently back and forth She ht’ve been there an hour, possibly two It didn’t matter The happiness that stole over her was complete

The baby woke, cried huskily and after Carol had changed his diaper, she fed him a second bottle He returned to sleep and she settled him in the crib, then stood over hi caht but without Alix When he found Carol in the nursery--the first place he looked--he stood beside her, his gaze on the sleeping baby Then he drew Carol into his ared her so close she could hardly breathe

"What happened?" she asked

His eyes were bright with unshed tears and his voice trembled "We have to take him to the hospital and have him checked out, but it looks like we have a son Laurel wasus adopt him She insisted to the authorities that it’d been her plan all along"

Tears flooded her eyes as they clung to each other, weeping with happiness A baby A ift that had come from the most unlikely of places at the most unbelievable of times

She’d known from the first day she’d walked into the yarn store The fact that they were knitting baby blankets had been a sign from God--and He had kept His promise

CHAPTER 48

JACQUELINE DONOVAN The Next Year

J acqueline could hardly contain her excitement as she drove toward Paul and Tammie Lee’s house She’d been on a cruise with Reese for the last three weeks and was badly in need of what she called a "grandbaby fix" Little Aranddaughter the cutest, smartest baby in the entire universe Not that she was biased or anything…

First she’d collect the requisite hugs and kisses from Amelia, and then her next stop would be Lydia’s store She’d found the loveliest yarn in a tiny shop in one of the Greek islands during their Mediterranean cruise, and she was eager to show it to her

Taainst her hip, waved her chubby ar butterfly when Jacqueline pulled into the driveway The back seat was loaded with gifts she and Reese had purchased on their trip, but none of that was ihter, the better

"Amelia, Amelia, Grandma’s home" Jacqueline slid out of her car and held her arht and reached for Jacqueline It didn’tand slobber ran freely down her chin and onto her designer bib All Jacqueline cared about was holding this beautiful baby once again

"Welcome home," Tammie Lee said with a wide sed the hose back to the side of the house "What tiht?"

"Late" Had it been a decent hour, Jacqueline would’ve raced over to kiss Aht, but Reese had convinced her everyone would be asleep

"I’ her daughter-in-law The love she felt for Tarown close to her Taenerosity and willingness to assuid view of life, and in the process brought the entire faether Her practical wisdo to Reese and to herself Without Tae could possibly have lasted

"WeAmelia from Jacqueline as she led the way into the house The nine-month-old was on a mission to explore every cupboard and corner she could find

Tammie Lee headed into the kitchen, where she settled Aht out a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses