Read Online Love Comes Home by Terri Reed - Free Book Online Page A

opened her eyes. Her gaze focused on Rachel. “I love you.”
    Rachel swallowed the huge, burning lump in her throat and tried to smile, but could only manage a slight lifting of the corners of her mouth. Agony and grief gnarled in her heart. “I love you. ”
    â€œYou’re my daughter. And I thank God every day that He brought you into my life.” Her voice was weak, strained with the effort to talk.
    Rachel let the tears slipping down her cheeks fall into her lap. She couldn’t fight the pain of losing the only person who really cared about her.
    â€œRachel, happiness lies beyond what you think’s possible. It’s there waiting for you. You only have to have faith.”
    â€œI don’t want you to leave me,” Rachel whispered, shuddering with the intensity of her grief.
    Mom G.’s grip tightened ever so slightly. “It’s time for me to go be with my Savior. I’ve had a good life.” She shifted her gaze away from Rachel. “Josh, you’ll keep your promise?”
    Josh’s deep voice filled the room. “Yes, I promise.”
    Mom G. nodded and then seemed to shrink within herself.
    Rachel pressed Mom G.’s hand to her cheek. Wanting to hang on, to somehow, with the force of her love, keep her from slipping away.
    â€œI’ll wait for you in heaven.” Mom G. breathed the words with a smile and then her eyes closed.
    Rachel refused to budge from Mom G.’s side. The hospital staff went about their business and Josh pulled up a chair beside her. Even though he didn’t touch her, she felt his presence like a soft covering.Two hours ticked by in agonizing slowness as Mom. G’s breathing slowed to small hiccups of air.
    Mom G.’s heartbeat fell, then stopped. Machines sounded a strident warning. Rachel instinctively reacted by rising, ready to begin resuscitation. She looked wildly at the others filing into the room. Everyone stood quietly by as Mom G.’s life ebbed away. “Why aren’t you doing something?” she sobbed. “Let’s bring her back!”
    Dr. Kessler stepped forward and lay a gentle but firm hand on her arm. “She has a standing DNR. She was in great pain. She wanted to go.”
    Rachel looked down at her mother. Peaceful was the only word she could use to describe her. She was at peace with God.
    Slowly Rachel sat back in the chair. A cold numbness seeped into her heart, spreading throughout her body. The two most important people in the world—her mother and Mom G.—had left her behind.
    The weight of Josh’s hand on her shoulder brought a fraction of solace to her restless thoughts. But that was an illusion, she reminded herself. A momentary respite from the grief welling up inside.
    As soon as possible, she would return to her life and Josh would stay here.
    Now she was truly alone on this earth.
    Â 
    Rachel sat near the window and surveyed the crowded church reception room. Among the various flower arrangements and tables filled with food, there were so many people. So many lives touched by Mom G. Some of the faces she recognized, others were new to her. Everyone had expressed his or her grief overMom G.’s passing and then wandered off to talk among themselves.
    Her gaze dropped to the taupe carpet and the polite smile she’d worn all day faltered. She was out of place among these people. Without Mom G. she didn’t belong.
    A slight film of dust covered her black pumps. Though she’d numbly stood by the grave with eyes blurry from tears, the graveside service had been beautiful. Pastor Larkin had delivered a lovely eulogy and Josh had spoken, giving a sentimental testament to Mom G.’s memory.
    He’d grown so close to Mom G. while Rachel had been so far away. She was glad the funeral was over. After the reception, she would meet with the lawyer, Mr. Finley, to discuss Mom G.’s estate and then she wouldn’t have any reason to stay.