Read Online Another Chance to Love You by Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book Online
Authors: Robin Lee Hatcher
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athletic shoes.”
“Ever sorry? About giving up college, I mean. You would have been a great architect. It was like an art with you. I remember all those buildings you used to design in your basement. You could have made quite a name for yourself.”
Tony looked thoughtful for a moment, his gaze locked on his coffee mug. “What you mean is, did I resent Jennifer for getting pregnant? The answer is, no. Sure, I wish we’d done it the right way—got married first, then started a family.” He met Daniel’s gaze. “But I loved her, man. Still do. Making a name for myself was never as important to me as it was you. I wasn’t that ambitious. I just want to do right by my family. That’s what’s most important to me.”
Again Daniel thought of Monica and Heather. It was tempting to tell Tony that he’d met his daughter. But what right had he to do so?
None.
At least, not yet.
Members of the congregation stood outside the church, visiting with one another after Sunday services. Monica was glad she’d worn a sweater. Last night’s rainstorm had dropped the temperature about fifteen degrees.
Heather didn’t seem to mind the cooler weather. Her laughter rang in the spring air as she ran with some friends in the park that bordered the small nondenominational church the Fletchers attended. Watching her daughter, Monica’s heart ached.
She’d been disappointed by Daniel’s decision to wait to tell Heather he was her father. And yet, she’d also been terrified when he’d said it was time to tell her, wondering if it wasn’t too soon.
Even the reasons for her disappointment were confused. Partly it was because Daniel wasn’t sure he was ready to be a father. She even respected him for being cautious, for not wanting to risk hurting Heather. But part of the reason for her disappointment was that she’d felt Daniel pulling away from her.
This isn’t about me, she reminded herself for what seemed the hundredth time since yesterday afternoon.
Maybe it was time she talked to her pastor about Daniel. Maybe he could help her work through these confusing emotions.
She glanced toward the church entrance. Pastor Clyde and his wife, Jolene, stood at the top of the steps, visiting with another couple. A man in his late fifties, Pastor Clyde was a wise and gentle shepherd of his small flock. His biblical teaching had helped Monica become grounded in the word of God from the day of her conversion. She knew she could trust him to give her sound advice.
Yes, she would talk to him. She would talk to him soon.
“Is it true, Monica?”
Pulled from her reverie, she turned toward her mother. “Is what true?”
“Heather told me you spent yesterday with Daniel.”
She suppressed a sigh. “Yes, Mother, it’s true.”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
“We’ve been over this already.”
“But—”
“Mom, you’ve got to let me handle this the way I think is best.”
Ellen obviously wanted to say more, but she restrained herself.
Monica offered a conciliatory smile. “It’s going to be okay. Daniel and I didn’t make it as a couple, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be good parents.”
“I just don’t want you or Heather to get hurt. I remember how devastated you were when—”
“You can’t protect us from life, Mom.” Monica put her arm around her mother’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
Ellen Fletcher had always been there for her daughter. When Monica announced she was pregnant with Daniel’s baby, Ellen hadn’t placed blame or made Monica feel guilty for her mistakes. She had done everything to make those difficult months easier. Ellen had gone with Monica to Salt Lake City and helped her get settled into an apartment where she’d awaited the birth of the baby. Her mother had been supportive of her plans to give the baby up for adoption, but when Monica changed her mind and decided to keep Heather, she hadn’t chastised her or tried to talk her out of it.
Monica felt a sudden rush of
“Ever sorry? About giving up college, I mean. You would have been a great architect. It was like an art with you. I remember all those buildings you used to design in your basement. You could have made quite a name for yourself.”
Tony looked thoughtful for a moment, his gaze locked on his coffee mug. “What you mean is, did I resent Jennifer for getting pregnant? The answer is, no. Sure, I wish we’d done it the right way—got married first, then started a family.” He met Daniel’s gaze. “But I loved her, man. Still do. Making a name for myself was never as important to me as it was you. I wasn’t that ambitious. I just want to do right by my family. That’s what’s most important to me.”
Again Daniel thought of Monica and Heather. It was tempting to tell Tony that he’d met his daughter. But what right had he to do so?
None.
At least, not yet.
Members of the congregation stood outside the church, visiting with one another after Sunday services. Monica was glad she’d worn a sweater. Last night’s rainstorm had dropped the temperature about fifteen degrees.
Heather didn’t seem to mind the cooler weather. Her laughter rang in the spring air as she ran with some friends in the park that bordered the small nondenominational church the Fletchers attended. Watching her daughter, Monica’s heart ached.
She’d been disappointed by Daniel’s decision to wait to tell Heather he was her father. And yet, she’d also been terrified when he’d said it was time to tell her, wondering if it wasn’t too soon.
Even the reasons for her disappointment were confused. Partly it was because Daniel wasn’t sure he was ready to be a father. She even respected him for being cautious, for not wanting to risk hurting Heather. But part of the reason for her disappointment was that she’d felt Daniel pulling away from her.
This isn’t about me, she reminded herself for what seemed the hundredth time since yesterday afternoon.
Maybe it was time she talked to her pastor about Daniel. Maybe he could help her work through these confusing emotions.
She glanced toward the church entrance. Pastor Clyde and his wife, Jolene, stood at the top of the steps, visiting with another couple. A man in his late fifties, Pastor Clyde was a wise and gentle shepherd of his small flock. His biblical teaching had helped Monica become grounded in the word of God from the day of her conversion. She knew she could trust him to give her sound advice.
Yes, she would talk to him. She would talk to him soon.
“Is it true, Monica?”
Pulled from her reverie, she turned toward her mother. “Is what true?”
“Heather told me you spent yesterday with Daniel.”
She suppressed a sigh. “Yes, Mother, it’s true.”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
“We’ve been over this already.”
“But—”
“Mom, you’ve got to let me handle this the way I think is best.”
Ellen obviously wanted to say more, but she restrained herself.
Monica offered a conciliatory smile. “It’s going to be okay. Daniel and I didn’t make it as a couple, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be good parents.”
“I just don’t want you or Heather to get hurt. I remember how devastated you were when—”
“You can’t protect us from life, Mom.” Monica put her arm around her mother’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
Ellen Fletcher had always been there for her daughter. When Monica announced she was pregnant with Daniel’s baby, Ellen hadn’t placed blame or made Monica feel guilty for her mistakes. She had done everything to make those difficult months easier. Ellen had gone with Monica to Salt Lake City and helped her get settled into an apartment where she’d awaited the birth of the baby. Her mother had been supportive of her plans to give the baby up for adoption, but when Monica changed her mind and decided to keep Heather, she hadn’t chastised her or tried to talk her out of it.
Monica felt a sudden rush of
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