A Texas Thanksgiving. Margaret Daley

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      Standing at his back door leading into the kitchen, Evan shouted at the retreating figures racing toward Paige’s bedroom, “I want you two to wash your hands before we leave for dinner.”

      His daughter abruptly stopped in the entrance to the hallway and put her hand on her waist. “You have to, too, Daddy.” She waited until he made his way to the sink before whirling around and continuing on to the back of the house.

      “I suppose I’d better, or Ellie will nail me when she comes back in here.” Julia stepped up next to Evan, and found his scent of leather and hay surprisingly pleasant.

      “Yep. Nothing slips past them.” He finished and placed the dish towel on the counter for Julia.

      She ran the warm water over her hands. “I want to make it clear before they return that I’ll pay for my dinner and Ellie’s.”

      “I invited you.”

      “No, you didn’t. Your daughter did.”

      “That’s the same thing.” His sharp gaze drilled into her, his mouth firm in a hard line.

      “Sorry, I pay my own way.”

      “Did anyone ever tell you that you are stubborn?”

      “On a number of occasions.”

      Evan glanced toward the doorway that led to the hall. “While they’re still gone, I have a question. Why did you correct me earlier when I said Mrs. Saunders?”

      Thankfully, she’d prepared herself for this question. In the past when people asked her about her name, she didn’t go into too much detail other than to say she was single. Most didn’t pursue the topic, especially since she didn’t encourage them. “I am a single mother and always have been. I didn’t want there to be any confusion concerning that.”

      “I get the feeling you’ve had to defend your choice to others.”

       My choice? Being a single mother hadn’t been her choice. She wanted to marry Ellie’s father—he was the one who had run off, disappearing from her life. Julia lifted her chin. “No, because I won’t. It’s something that’s personal, and if someone has a problem with it, then I’m sorry but it won’t change the facts. Ellie is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

      “I know what you mean. That’s the way I feel about Paige. Ah, I hear them coming.”

      Relieved that was over with, Julia rinsed her hands and dried them as the two girls came into the kitchen. Her gaze strayed to Ellie. Her daughter looked a lot like her father, and he hadn’t even cared. A child hadn’t been in his master plan, so he’d conveniently vanished right before Ellie was born, leaving her to deal with everything on her own, even the medical bills.

      She’d trusted Clayton and lost so much, but at least she’d gained a precious daughter. It had been Ellie’s impending birth that had led her to seek the Lord. Jesus had opened a whole new world to her that she shared with her daughter—a world where mistakes were forgiven.

      “I’m starved.” Paige wiped her wet hands on her jeans.

      Ellie followed suit. Julia cringed, remembering the mare her daughter had sat on not that long ago. She started to say something about washing again, then decided Ellie would live.

      “We need to hit the road. I’m starving.” Evan let the two girls leave first, then indicated for Julia to go after them.

      The ringing of his phone halted his progress toward the door. Julia paused in the entrance while he answered it.

      “We were just heading out.” He listened for a moment, then said, “Thanks, Carl. We’ll be by later, after we take the girls to dinner.” When Evan hung up, he faced Julia. “The only other damage was a few dents and scrapes. He will replace the tire for you with a similar type unless you want something else.”

      She shook her head. “No, that’s fine.” Not knowing much herself about cars, she was sure Carl knew what was best.

      “Then let’s get these kids fed so you can pick up your car.”

       And get home. This evening hadn’t turned out at all as she had thought it would. At least she didn’t have to come up with the deductible. It had taken her five years to pay off her medical bills after having Ellie. She was finally getting on her feet financially.

       Thank you, Lord.