Read Online A Father for Philip by Judy Griffith; Gill - Free Book Online

missed
him, or to feel any nearer to a decision with regard to their future. She had
worked hard during that time. She’d emailed off her latest manuscript, complete
with sketches to guide the artist Appleton Publishing would hire. They’d
offered her another contract, which she hadn’t yet signed, so she felt
completely unburdened. Maybe, she thought, this would be a good time to take a
much-needed break, or even seek out another publisher.
    She’d give it some consideration.
Perhaps she could get a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Appleton paid poorly,
but she’d stuck with them out of loyalty. Loyalty to the company, and loyalty
to Grant.
    But she didn’t need to rush into
anything. Besides, Kathy was coming to spend the afternoon with her sewing.
    Eleanor went to meet the glowing
mother-to-be. “My goodness, Kath!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never seen anyone quite
as pregnant as you are.” She took the bundle of pastel printed flannel from
Kathy. “We sure there’s only one in there?”
    Kathy’s infectious grin broke out.
“Nope,” she said cheerfully, “the doctor told me this morning she thinks we’re
doing a double on her. She’s pretty sure he can hear two distinct heartbeats.”
    “You’re kidding!” Eleanor gave the
younger woman a hug. “Twins? She really thinks so? So now you’re going to have
that ultrasound she wanted you to have a weeks and weeks ago?”
    Kathy shook her head and sat heavily on
the cushion Eleanor placed for her on a high-backed Adirondack chair at the end
of the table in the arbor. “I am not.” Her tone firm, she added, “I told her
and I told Bill, I refuse to expose my unborn child to any unnecessary
radiation. Luckily, Bill agrees with me. Women had twins for many years before
there was such a thing as ultrasound examination. I’m young, strong, and
healthy and if I’m having two babies at once so be it.”
    She laughed. “But the way I feel, I
could be having a foal or a calf for all I know.” She folded her arms along the
top of her protruding tummy. “All I know is that whatever is growing inside me,
it, or they, better hurry up and get here soon. I’m sick to death of waiting.”
    “Oh ho,” jeered Eleanor gently. “Where’s
the girl who not so very long ago said she’d give it away if it came before the
end of June? Still nearly six weeks to go, my pet.”
    “Don’t remind me.” Kathy groaned,
pulling a face. She reached for another tiny night gown which required a hem.
“I really can’t take much more of this though, Ellie.”
    “I know. I remember,” said Eleanor
sympathetically. “Gosh, seven years ago. Sometimes it feels like forever, yet
others, it seems like only yesterday. It’s Philip’s birthday on Sunday,
remember. And you and Bill are coming for dinner. There will be a cake, with
cherries in it,” she added as extra inducement.
    “Oh, we’ll be here. Wouldn’t miss it for
anything... Except accept perhaps for my own ‘whatever’s’ birthday. How goes
the imaginary friend? Jeff, wasn’t it? All forgotten I imagine.”
    Eleanor rubbed her forehead with the
back of her hand. “Oh, no. He’s still very much in evidence. I have to send
extra cookies and things out into the woods for Phil to share with ‘Jeff’. Last
week we had dinner at the hotel with Grant, and ‘Jeff’ even shared our table,
eating exactly what Philip did. I have to say one thing for ‘Jeff’, though,”
she laughed. “He’s a nice quiet guest. I didn’t even know he was there until
Philip told me. And I even smiled at him,” she added in mockery of her son’s
words.
    “My, how wonderful,” Kathy giggled.
Then, “But speaking of Grant, which you haven’t in the past few days, where is
he? I haven’t seen him around at all.”
    “Oh, he’s gone to Kamloops to wheel and
deal. I think he’s trying to option some land up there. I don’t know when he’ll
be back,” Eleanor replied with an off-hand shrug. “How many pairs of sleepers
have