Read Online A Place Called Home by Lori Wick - Free Book Online

Nolan said, “Maybe one of you has been away from home. The Lord Jesus Christ is watching and waiting to welcome you back. Maybe you aren’t sure you even have a home. Maybe you haven’t taken that step of faith and told Him of your sin and believed He died for you.”
    Christine stood for the closing song on wobbly legs, not understanding everything he had said but knowing the part about home was making her depressed and teary. She mentally shook herself lest she cry right there in church.
    Moving through church, Grandma Em took Christine with her, introducing her and staying close. Christine was unaware of how conscious Grandma Em was of her feelings. Grandma Em had glanced up at one point to find Mark and Susanne’s eyes on Christine. She watched them exchange a glance, and Grandma Em’s heart felt heavy for Christine. Emily still knew next to nothing about her, but she knew that when Christine was ready to talk she would be ready to listen.
    In the wagon ride home, Christine tried to sort out the people she had met. The sermon, along with all the new faces, had been a bit overwhelming. Plus she still had not met Julia and her family.
    Upon arriving, Christine went straight to the kitchen, hoping the work would take her mind off her jumbled emotions.

13

    â€œWell, if that isn’t the most depressing sight I know—seeing my dress on another woman and having it look better on her!” Christine spun around in surprise upon hearing these words. Her eyes met those of a beautiful, dark-haired woman.
    Julia Cameron MacDonald stood with her hands on her hips trying to look disgusted, but the smile in her eyes told Christine the truth. Julia stepped forward then, hand extended and a full smile lighting her face.
    â€œI’m Julia MacDonald. Gram tells me your name is Christine.” Julia shook Christine’s hand and both women felt a spark of comradeship. Their relaxation was visible as all doubts cleared.
    â€œYes, I’m Christine Bennett, and thank you for the dress. I hope it hasn’t put you out.”
    â€œJulia has enough dresses to loan the entire town and not be put out.”
    It was a man’s voice coming from the kitchen doorway that Julia had just vacated. He was the size of a mountain. Christine stared at him, thinking it was the first time she had met someone bigger than her grandfather. But Julia spoke to him as if she were scolding a child.
    â€œBehave yourself, Mac. Come over here and meet Christine.” She caught his hand and pulled him over. “Mac, this is Christine Bennett. Christine, this is my husband, John MacDonald, Macfor short.” Christine’s hand was swallowed in a huge paw that she could not keep from staring at. Mac, seeing the train of Christine’s thoughts, said, “My mother always tells me I just didn’t know when to stop growing.” He smiled before adding, “I can’t say as I meet too many women the height of my Julia.” Mac dropped an arm across Julia’s shoulders and gave her a quick hug.
    Christine smiled at Julia. “I was rather surprised when Susanne brought me a dress that actually fit. You can’t know how much I appreciate it.”
    The next hour was spent in dinner preparation and conversation. Christine met Calvin and Charles, Julia’s sons. They had their mother’s dark hair and their father’s expressive brown eyes.
    Content with family surrounding her, Grandma Em bustled around finishing the table with a hug here and a word there. Christine was again amazed at how accepted she was. When Susanne and Mark arrived, Emily bounced into the kitchen to hug Christine and inform her of her upcoming fourth birthday. Then she raced off to find Calvin and Charles.
    Dinner was wonderful—with only one embarrassing moment. Mark prayed, thanking God for the day, the food, and the addition of Christine to the family. Immediately upon the heels of the “Amen,” Emily