Read Online Missionary Daddy by Linda Goodnight - Free Book Online

of the rich folks he’d encountered.
    “As you can well see, I am a fat but very happy woman. If only this little Cavanaugh were not quite so fussy at times.”
    “What do the doctors say?”
    “Well, Dr. Daddy doesn’t want me to move, much less work. But my OB doctors have approved a few hours a day from this spot as long as I take it easy. Believe me, I am taking it so easy I could scream.”
    The picture of cool elegance even in her advanced state of pregnancy, Rachel had developed a simple system to keep her finger in the pies at the Noble Foundation. A laptop and a conference telephone were within arm’s reach without having to leave her bed. When she’d phoned Eric yesterday, her voice had held a hint of excitement.
    Eric figured he could use a little good news.
    “You’re on our prayer list at the agency.” Every morning the staff met for updates and prayer. They kept a running list of friends and situations that needed the Lord’s special touch.
    “I appreciate that. And I have full confidence that the baby and I both will come through this preeclampsia thing with flying colors.” She shifted her very round body and asked, “So how’s your picnic committee coming along?”
    At the reminder of the committee, Eric thought of Sam again. A knot formed in his belly. He still wondered why she’d come to him about Gina. He knew nothing about such things, but he couldn’t imagine a sweet Christian girl like Gina being so foolish. All teenage girls, he supposed, worried about their weight. His sisters had. They’d even gone on crazy fad diets a few times, but none of them had starved themselves to death. Didn’t that only happen in made-for-TV movies?
    Well, whatever, Sam was annoyed with him. He didn’t like that. Not because it was Sam but because he didn’t like tension and trouble with anyone.
    And now that the teens were playing their silly matchmaking game, he was really uncomfortable. How did he tell the kids, in a Christian manner, that Sam’s lifestyle and his did not mesh?
    “Sam and the kids are working on the last-minute preparations today.”
    And tonight he and Sam had a private meeting at the Starlight Diner to go over the end result. He still couldn’t figure out how that had happened. He shook his head. Teenagers. He’d been safer in the jungles of Africa.
    “For the past three days my telephone at home and at the office have rung continually. The kids are all over this project with great enthusiasm.”
    Rachel picked the silky ruffle on a throw pillow. “How are things working out with you and Sam?”
    “Excuse me?”
    Rachel laughed. “I meant with Sam as your cochair.”
    Given the matchmaking thoughts streaming through his head, Eric was glad his skin was too dark to blush. “Fine.”
    “Excellent. I knew she’d be great. Besides her obvious clout, Sam Harcourt is not afraid of hard work.”
    He’d thought the same thing in Africa, but here he wasn’t so sure. Standing in front of a camera or discussing color swatches with her decorator wasn’t Eric’s idea of work. But, he had to admit she never missed a meeting with the committee and had carried her share of the load.
    “I think everything is about ready with the other committees, too,” Rachel went on. “Andrew has worked hard, adding in these fresh ideas. I hate to miss it, but if the weather cooperates, we should have an excellent fund-raiser even without me there.”
    “I hope so,” Eric answered, glad to be off the topic of Samantha. “Africa is a worthy charity.”
    A smug smile crossed Rachel’s pretty face. “Africa is exactly why I’ve asked you to come by. And not just because of the picnic. I have some very exciting news.”
    Right now the most exciting news Eric wanted was word that Matunde and Amani could be adopted. The African government was balking for reasons they had yet to explain.
    Rachel pointed to an elegant burgundy briefcase next to an end table. “Would you get that for me please? I