wanted to know if Christine was now a member of the family because she was wearing Aunt Juliaâs dress.
Seeing Christineâs flaming cheeks and Mark about to reprimand Emily, Grandma Em broke in kindly and explained that Christine was family because they loved her and wanted her to be.
Readying herself for bed, Christine reflected on the long day. She had read a story to the children and also listened to Julia and Susanne talk about babies and pregnancies. Mark hadstopped her at one point to ask after her shoulder. She assured him everything was fine.
Silas had been quiet until Grandma Em announced that she and Christine were going to paint the porch this week. Everyone save Julia protested. Conversation was frenzied for nearly 20 minutes, when Silas ended with âLuke wouldnât like this, Gram, and I think you know it. I also think you know, if he were here, heâd put a stop to this idea in a hurry.â But the determined look on Grandma Emâs face told them they had all wasted their breath.
Reasoning that Luke must be the oldest and the head of the family, Christine wasnât too sure she would like anyone who was at all hard on Grandma Em. But then she realized she was being silly and unfair; Luke probably loved his grandmother very much. She would reserve judgment until she met the man.
Christine now lay in the darkness waiting for sleep to come. Pastor Nolanâs words came back to her. âMaybe you arenât sure you even have a home.â Home! The thought brought a fresh pain to Christineâs chest. She would finish that letter to Mrs. Hall and get it off soon. The thought helped ease the ache in the region of her heart as she drifted off to sleep.
14
The next two weeks were joyful and busy. The painting of the porch and shutters went off without a hitch. Grandma Em was thrilled, though her grandsons were still doubtful.
Emilyâs birthday party was held at Grandma Emâs one Saturday afternoon. Emilyâs special guest that day was Mr. Turley, Grandma Emâs neighbor. Emily usually saw Mr. Turley when she was at her great-grandmotherâs. The manâs kindness and lack of a grandfather in her own life made him a special asset.
Julia came one afternoon. Leaving Calvin and Charles with Grandma Em, she whisked Christine back to the farm to go riding. Christine was more than a little surprised when Julia took her upstairs for riding clothes and handed her a pair of menâs jeans. Christine looked down at the jeans and then back to Juliaâs mirth-filled eyes. Both women broke out in uproarious laughter.
The MacDonald land adjoined the Cameron land, and as the women rode over the wide acres with joyous abandon, it occurred to Christine to ask Julia how Mac felt about her in menâs pants, thinking back to her grandfatherâs reaction. But she thought better of it and kept quiet.
Christine mailed her letter to Mrs. Hall, explaining briefly her situation and that she was well. Christine asked many questions in the letter, making it hard to sit and wait for a reply.
One day brought a confrontation between Christine and Mark, when she insisted upon knowing the balance of her medical bill. Mark assured her there was no hurry, but Christine was adamant. Taking nearly every dime of her first wages from Grandma Em, Christine made her first payment. Mark protested right up to the time she left his office, but to no avail. As he saw her out the door and watched her walk up the street, he realized why Grandma Em and Julia liked her so much: They were three of a kind.
After nearly three weeks in Baxter, Christine was settled and content. Much of the time she was too busy to think of Spooner and its troubles.
Three weeks with the Cameron family was bringing changes to Christineâs life. She was very aware that they were something special. At first she attributed it to a big family and many friends, something she had never had. But as time went on it was
Seeing Christineâs flaming cheeks and Mark about to reprimand Emily, Grandma Em broke in kindly and explained that Christine was family because they loved her and wanted her to be.
Readying herself for bed, Christine reflected on the long day. She had read a story to the children and also listened to Julia and Susanne talk about babies and pregnancies. Mark hadstopped her at one point to ask after her shoulder. She assured him everything was fine.
Silas had been quiet until Grandma Em announced that she and Christine were going to paint the porch this week. Everyone save Julia protested. Conversation was frenzied for nearly 20 minutes, when Silas ended with âLuke wouldnât like this, Gram, and I think you know it. I also think you know, if he were here, heâd put a stop to this idea in a hurry.â But the determined look on Grandma Emâs face told them they had all wasted their breath.
Reasoning that Luke must be the oldest and the head of the family, Christine wasnât too sure she would like anyone who was at all hard on Grandma Em. But then she realized she was being silly and unfair; Luke probably loved his grandmother very much. She would reserve judgment until she met the man.
Christine now lay in the darkness waiting for sleep to come. Pastor Nolanâs words came back to her. âMaybe you arenât sure you even have a home.â Home! The thought brought a fresh pain to Christineâs chest. She would finish that letter to Mrs. Hall and get it off soon. The thought helped ease the ache in the region of her heart as she drifted off to sleep.
14
The next two weeks were joyful and busy. The painting of the porch and shutters went off without a hitch. Grandma Em was thrilled, though her grandsons were still doubtful.
Emilyâs birthday party was held at Grandma Emâs one Saturday afternoon. Emilyâs special guest that day was Mr. Turley, Grandma Emâs neighbor. Emily usually saw Mr. Turley when she was at her great-grandmotherâs. The manâs kindness and lack of a grandfather in her own life made him a special asset.
Julia came one afternoon. Leaving Calvin and Charles with Grandma Em, she whisked Christine back to the farm to go riding. Christine was more than a little surprised when Julia took her upstairs for riding clothes and handed her a pair of menâs jeans. Christine looked down at the jeans and then back to Juliaâs mirth-filled eyes. Both women broke out in uproarious laughter.
The MacDonald land adjoined the Cameron land, and as the women rode over the wide acres with joyous abandon, it occurred to Christine to ask Julia how Mac felt about her in menâs pants, thinking back to her grandfatherâs reaction. But she thought better of it and kept quiet.
Christine mailed her letter to Mrs. Hall, explaining briefly her situation and that she was well. Christine asked many questions in the letter, making it hard to sit and wait for a reply.
One day brought a confrontation between Christine and Mark, when she insisted upon knowing the balance of her medical bill. Mark assured her there was no hurry, but Christine was adamant. Taking nearly every dime of her first wages from Grandma Em, Christine made her first payment. Mark protested right up to the time she left his office, but to no avail. As he saw her out the door and watched her walk up the street, he realized why Grandma Em and Julia liked her so much: They were three of a kind.
After nearly three weeks in Baxter, Christine was settled and content. Much of the time she was too busy to think of Spooner and its troubles.
Three weeks with the Cameron family was bringing changes to Christineâs life. She was very aware that they were something special. At first she attributed it to a big family and many friends, something she had never had. But as time went on it was
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