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СКАЧАТЬ nose soared, defiance radiating out of her.

       Patience. Give me patience.

      Might be time for a change of tactic. An act of desperation, surely, and not one any parenting expert would condone, but something had to be done. “I thought you wanted a doughnut. If you forget your manners, you will not get one.”

      “I want a doughnut!” Macy’s eyes widened.

      “Well, then, you’ll have to behave.”

      A moment passed before Macy sighed. “Yes, Mommy.”

      Stephanie reached for her hand again. They hustled toward the big barn converted to a country store. Macy oohed over an orange cat running by, and Stephanie craned her neck to see through the clusters of people. Tom’s tall, athletic frame rounded the corner, and her pulse thumped, then sped up. His easy smile? Just like when they first met. In a navy blue pullover and jeans, he attracted several female stares, yet he appeared oblivious to the admiration. She tightened her hold around Macy’s hand.

      “Ouch, Mommy.”

      “Sorry.” All worked up over six feet of strapping male. And why not? They’d been good together, once upon a time.

      He squatted in front of Macy, grinned and held out his hand. “I believe we met already, Miss Macy. How are you doing today? Are you ready to pick out a pumpkin?”

      Macy hesitated, but she eventually shook his hand, her eyes stony.

      “What’s wrong? Don’t you like pumpkins?” He righted himself to a standing position.

      Stephanie nudged her.

      “They’re all right.” Macy sounded as enthused as she did when she had to get a booster shot.

      “Thanks for meeting us here, Tom.” Stephanie plastered her widest smile on. “Why don’t we mosey out to the field? Which patch is the best, do you think?”

      With questions in his eyes, he glanced at Macy, who was now picking at her sling. “Looks like a lot of people are headed that way.” He pointed to a lane where kids ran ahead, moms pushed strollers and dads toted young boys or girls on their shoulders.

      “Do you want a ride, Macy?” He tapped his shoulders.

      She shook her head, pigtails slapping the sides of her face.

      “Okay.” He frowned.

      Stephanie considered pulling him aside to explain, but what could she say? Macy isn’t really a brat. She’s acting like one because she doesn’t want to share me. Yeah, that would sound great. Stephanie did the best she could as a single mom, and sometimes it wasn’t good enough. When she’d lived with Dad, it hadn’t been as bad. He played with Macy while Stephanie tackled a term paper. He soothed the tension when her patience vanished.

      She peeked at her daughter, clutching her hand. How would Tom fall in love with Macy if she acted like a sullen statue?

      They made their way to the lane. Ducks flew overhead in a V formation, and a line of trees swished in the light wind.

      “So what have you been up to?” Stephanie forced a cheery tone. “How is your family?”

      His sharp glance ratcheted her nerves. “They’re good. Claire got married this summer, Libby earlier this year. Bryan and I run all the dealerships, and we share a house. Sam took over as CEO of Sheffield Auto last fall.”

      “Your dad retired?”

      “Yes and no.” He chuckled. “He retired from the auto business to be a superintendent for my brother-in-law. Dad is in construction now.”

      “I always liked Dale.” She stepped over a tree root bumping out of the ground. “I could see him in construction. He’s got a lot of energy.”

      “When my grandpa retired, he had a big party. He has lots of energy, too,” Macy said with a shade of snottiness.

      “Good.” Tom nodded. “I’m sure he enjoyed his party.”

      “He did. We got him floaty balloons and everything.” She picked up her pace, shoulders wiggling with her determined stride.

      “I miss my grandpa. He taught me how to tie ropes and build birdhouses. We went out on his fishing boat all summer. I wish he was still around.”

      “Where did he go?” For the first time since arriving, her voice wasn’t dripping with attitude.

      “Heaven. He died a while back.”

      “I’m going to heaven, too.” She jabbed her chest with her thumb. “My Sunday school teacher told me so.”

      Tom grinned down at her. The most patient, loving expression crossed his face. Stephanie almost gasped. Loving, yes. But patient? She sifted through her memories. He’d always been quick with a reply. Time must have mellowed him. But maybe that wasn’t fair on her part. Could she say she truly knew him when they were only together a year?

      He tugged one of Macy’s pigtails. “Well, you keep listening to your Sunday school teacher.”

      “Mommy’s going to heaven. Aren’t you?”

      “Yes. And Tom is, also.”

      “No, he’s not.” Macy shook her head and laughed.

      “Macy, that’s a very mean thing to say.” Stephanie halted.

      “But—”

      “No buts. All believers go to heaven. You know that.”

      “You mean I have to share you there, too?” she wailed. “I don’t want to go anymore.”

      Stephanie dreaded looking at Tom, but she had to. His curious expression reassured her. “Will you excuse us a minute, please?”

      He nodded.

      She marched Macy to the side of the lane and kept her voice low. “Why did you say that, Macy? Do you know you hurt his feelings?”

      “I don’t care.” Her cheeks drooped. “Heaven isn’t for him. It’s for us. It’s our girl place.”

      “It’s not our girl place. We will be together, but everyone else who trusted in God will, too. You wouldn’t want to leave anyone out of heaven, would you?”

      Macy bowed her head and dragged her tennis shoe back and forth in the dirt.

      “Answer me, Macy.”

      “I want to go home.”

      Clenching her hands into fists, Stephanie waited until her nerves calmed before answering. “Fine. I’ll take you home. I’ll call the sitter. You can stay there, but I’m coming back to pick out pumpkins with Tom.”

      That got her attention. Macy wrapped her arms around Stephanie’s legs. “No! I want to stay. He СКАЧАТЬ