Read Online Missionary Daddy by Linda Goodnight - Free Book Online Page B

apron. Sam couldn’t help noticing the pink breast-cancer bracelet sliding up and down the woman’s right wrist, a reminder that other people had far more serious problems than she did.
    “How are you doing, Sandra?” According to Sam’s mother, the café owner had battled breast cancer a couple of years ago while searching for the child that had been taken from her at birth. That child had turned out to be Kelly Van Zandt. Just one more of the terrible heartaches Sam’s grandfather had caused.
    “Couldn’t be better.” With a fingernail, Sandra ripped open the package and handed an animal cracker to Gabriel.
    “Cookie,” he said and rewarded her with his toothy smile.
    “I’m sorry for my family’s part in all that’s happened to you,” Sam said.
    “Honey, none of that has anything to do with you. You don’t need to apologize.” Sandra stepped aside when the waitress brought the drinks, then said, “I’m thankful the Lord allowed me to live long enough to have a relationship with my daughter. That’s all that matters to me.”
    “I’m glad, too.” And she meant it. Sometimes she was so ashamed of the Harcourt name. “Kelly’s a terrific person.”
    Sandra patted her arm. “So are you, hon.”
    The statement took Sam aback. Could Sandra, with her world-wise eyes, see that Sam’s totally together persona was nothing but a facade? And that on the inside she was a tangle of uncertainties, not even sure what she wanted out of life?
    Unsettled, she busied herself by stirring the hot black coffee. Without sugar or cream the action was useless, but it gave her something to do with her hands.
    “Can we get anything else for you, Sam?” Sandra asked.
    “No, thank you. I’m meeting someone.” As if waiting for his cue, the bell over the diner door jingled and Eric entered. The little tingle of awareness Sam experienced every time he appeared shimmied down her back.
    “Good evening, Eric,” Sandra said as he slid into the booth across from Sam. “Tea?”
    Eric nodded. “Sweet and cold.”
    With her usual cheery smile, Sandra went off to fill the order.
    “I see you brought company.” Eric shook Gabriel’s reaching hand and was rewarded with a glop of soggy cookie.
    Mortified, Sam jumped up and grabbed for the napkins. “I am so sorry.”
    Eric laughed, teeth white and even in his dark face. “Not a problem. I worked in an orphanage, remember? I happen to like kids and their gooey messes.”
    Without thinking, Sam took his hand and carefully wiped the mess away. Instantly, she flashed to Africa, remembering the strength of that hand and how good his warm, calloused skin had felt against hers.
    Samantha, the model, had schmoozed with princes and movie stars, but the touch of a missionary’s hand had her blushing like a teenager. She released his fingers and sat back. When she looked up, Eric’s expression was thoughtful as though he, too, remembered that time as special.
    Thankful for the diversion Gabriel provided, Sam dug in the small diaper bag for Wet Wipes, using them to wash her nephew’s hands and face. “My sister, Ashley, had a late class. I promised to babysit.”
    “That’s what sisters are for, I guess.”
    “I’m glad to do it. Gabriel’s an angel.”
    “He was an angel in the Bible, too.”
    “Really?”
    “Yep. The angel who announced the birth of Christ.”
    “I didn’t know that.” Truthfully, she didn’t know anything about the Bible, but Ashley had been talking about it a lot lately. Her sister was different, as were her parents since accepting the Lord. And after spending time with Eric and the kids from the youth group, Samantha was curious to know more.
    Before she could ask, the waitress brought Eric’s iced tea and refilled Sam’s coffee cup.
    Eric took a drink and let out a refreshed, masculine-sounding sigh of relief. “The heat out there today reminds me of Africa.” The skin around his eyes crinkled. “Without the jackals, of course.”
    “I loved