A Texas Thanksgiving. Margaret Daley

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      Special thanks and acknowledgment to Margaret Daley for her contribution to the Homecoming Heroes miniseries.

      Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him and bless his name.

      — Psalms 100:4

      To three special girls,

       Ashley, Alexa and Abbey

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Epilogue

       Questions for Discussion

       Chapter One

       “A m I glad you are finally here, Julia. I need help!”

      Olga Terenkov, dressed in a jean skirt with a leather vest, cowboy boots and large pieces of turquoise jewelry, planted herself in front of Julia Saunders.

      “What’s the problem?” Julia asked and placed her cherry pie on the dessert table.

      “Too many pets. When I decided to have Show and Pet for the children, I never thought they would bring everything from a boa to a pig! Those are not pets!” In her exasperation, Olga’s Russian accent became heavier.

      “And my daughter just brought a goldfish,” Julia said and peered around the grief counselor to search for Ellie among the crowd of parishioners at the church picnic. Her daughter had raced toward her friends the second she’d climbed from the car. Ellie stood in the middle of a group of children showing them her new and only pet swimming in its plastic bowl.

      Leading a pony, a little girl with light brown shoulder-length hair joined the group of kids. Her daughter immediately latched on to the cute animal, holding her small fishbowl in one hand and stroking the pony with the other. Ellie, even though she was only five, wanted to learn to ride ever since they had arrived at Prairie Springs from Chicago four months ago. Julia was sure she would hear about her daughter’s renewed longing later that night.

      Olga gestured toward the newest arrival. “See? Next someone will bring a rat.”

      “What can I do to help?”

      “I need someone to get the Show and Pet organized, to be in charge. I thought all we would have were a few cats and dogs. Where are the normal pets?” The older woman threw her arms up in the air. “I’ve got Paige’s dad to help, too. I need all the animals moved over there.” Olga pointed toward an area roped off with a few temporary pens set up. “Can you do that for me?”

      “I was supposed to help Anna with the food.”

      “Oh, she’s got more than enough with David, Caitlyn and Steve. See?” Olga fluttered her hand toward the end of the long tables.

      “Then, sure. I’d be happy to help with the pets.” This from a woman who had never owned a pet, except now—a low-maintenance goldfish. Julia spied her friend Anna giving instructions to a small army of volunteers and wished she could take back her words. She would be better handling the food.

      “Who’s Paige’s dad?” Julia asked, still learning all the children’s names. This was only her third Sunday attending Prairie Springs Christian Church.

      “You see that handsome cowboy over there?” Olga nodded her head in the direction of the group of children Ellie was in the midst of. “That’s Paige’s dad, Evan Paterson.”

      Julia found the man Olga indicated. He was the picture of a quintessential Texan cowboy one would see in an ad campaign. His image had plagued her dreams since СКАЧАТЬ