Read Online A Family To Cherish by Carole Gift Page - Free Book Online

night.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll take Janee up to her room and get her settled. I’ll be to bed shortly.”
    â€œI’ll try to stay awake.” Doug gave Barbara a quick kiss on the lips and headed upstairs with the luggage. Barbara took Janee’s hand and crossed the room, turning off the lights as she headed for the stairs.
    On the way to Janee’s room, Barbara grabbed a set of twin-size sheets from the wardrobe and a set of towels from the hall closet. She led Janee by thehand into the cozy bedroom. “You sit in the little rocker with your teddy while I make your bed.”
    When the bed was made, she opened Janee’s bag and handed her a pair of Winnie-the-Pooh pajamas. “You can go in the bathroom and get ready for bed, sweetie. I’ll get you a glass of water and put on the night-light for you.”
    Janee padded off to the bathroom in silence, and returned minutes later, still hugging her floppy bear. Barbara pulled back the covers and said softly, “Into bed, honey.”
    Janee climbed into the bed and lay very still, staring up at the ceiling, solemn-faced, her droopy bear nestled on her chest. Barbara tucked the covers up around Janee’s neck and debated whether to kiss her good-night. She decided against it. “Good night, honey,” she whispered, and flipped the light switch.
    â€œMy prayers,” said Janee. “Mommy listens to my prayers.”
    â€œOf course.” Barbara sat down on the edge of the bed and waited while Janee folded her hands and closed her eyes. In a small, light voice she said, “Now I lay me down to sleep… I pray the Lord my soul to keep… If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
    Barbara winced as tears gathered under her lids. Those familiar words, spoken with such trust and innocence, twisted in her heart like a dagger. If I should die…
    But Janee hadn’t finished praying. “God blessMommy, and God bless Daddy, and God bless Aunt Barbara and Uncle Doug, and God bless Tabby, and Zowie, and…” The prayer went on for another minute or so as Janee surely named every person she had ever met. When she finally said “Amen,” Barbara joined her, echoing the sentiment. “Now it’s time to go to sleep, Janee. I’ll be down the hall if you need me.”
    â€œAunt Barbara?”
    â€œWhat, Janee?”
    â€œWhen will my mommy and daddy come get me?”
    Barbara caught her breath, suddenly weak-kneed. “They can’t come, sweetie. But someday you’ll go see your mommy and daddy.”
    â€œIn heaven?”
    â€œYes, honey. In heaven.”
    Janee’s voice wavered. “No! I want Mommy and Daddy to come here.”
    â€œOh, honey, they would if they could. They love you very much.” Impulsively Barbara knelt and brushed a kiss on the top of Janee’s head. The feel of the child’s soft, tousled curls against her lips pierced a hidden alcove in Barbara’s heart, a secret place she hadn’t let anything touch in four long years. She reeled inwardly, smitten by an inrush of pain.
    As a sob rose in her throat she straightened and strode wordlessly out the door. She padded downthe hall to the master suite and hurried inside, shutting the double doors behind her.
    Doug sat up in bed, bare-chested, his face cast in shadows, except where a small bedside lamp etched his handsome features with a golden glow. “Are you okay, Barb?”
    She sank down on her side of the king-size bed and unbuttoned her silk blouse with shaky fingers. “No, Doug. I’m frazzled.”
    â€œI know, hon. It’s been a long day.”
    She finished undressing and slipped into a sheer nightie. “That’s not the problem, Doug.”
    â€œThen what is? Janee?”
    â€œYes.” She climbed in beside him and stretched her slender limbs between the cool, smooth sheets. What a relief to be back in her own