Read Online When Grace Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Free Book Online Page A

years older than Alexa, Sandra seemed more like a sister than an aunt. From their very first encounter, Sandra had openly accepted Alexa into the circle of family, unlike Clete and Shelley who’d struggled with the idea of their older sister having a child without the benefit of a husband. Not until the truth was revealed about Alexa’s parentage had Clete and Shelley relaxed around her. But they hadn’t completely accepted her yet.
    To Alexa’s delight, Shelley seated her next to Sandra, and she anticipated the chance to chat with her young aunt. However, the children were especially boisterous. Grandmother blamed their unusual rambunctiousness on the storm that had blown through yesterday afternoon, declaring them “little barometers.” Whatever the reason, their loud voices hindered conversation between Alexa and Sandra, but from experience Alexa knew that Shelley would send the children to the kitchen for dessert. She’d be able to visit with Sandra then.
    Just as they finished their meal—savory homemade chicken pot pie so good Alexa battled a groan of delight with every mouthful—Shelley rose to cut the pies Alexa had brought along to share. Sandra and Derek’s little Isabella wakened from her nap on a blanket on the living room floor and let out a quavering wail. With a sigh, Sandra pushed to her feet. “I suppose it’s only fair she’s hungry when the rest of us are. Shelley, may I take her to your bedroom and nurse her?”
    Shelley began herding the children into the kitchen. “There’s not a chair in there, but if you don’t mind sitting on the bed, go ahead.”
    Sandra scooped up the baby and headed for the hallway. “Alexa, I’m trusting you to save me a piece of the peach-pecan.”
    “Will do,” Alexa laughingly promised. She helped Shelley serve half portions to each of the children, from Clete and Tanya’s eight-year-old Jay down to Sandra and Derek’s three-year-old Ian, then carried plates to the dining room table for the adults. Shelley followed with a pot of coffee. As Alexa started to sit down to enjoy her dessert, an idea struck and she picked up both her and Sandra’s pie plates. “Aunt Shelley, would you mind if I took this in to Sandra?”
    Shelley hesitated for a moment, pursing her lips, but then she nodded. “Just tell her not to drip pie filling on my quilt.”
    Alexa flopped a pair of napkins over her arm and then headed to the bedroom hallway. She passed the open doorway where twin-sized beds draped with pink-and-white-checked quilts, nearly buried beneath a pile of stuffedanimals, identified the room as Ruby and Pearl’s. The door at the end of hall was closed, but Alexa could hear Sandra’s soft voice coming from behind it. She tapped on it with her elbow.
    “Who is it?”
    “Alexa. I have your pie.”
    “Get in here!”
    Giggling, Alexa balanced everything on one arm and opened the door. Sandra had propped a pillow in her lap and draped a blanket over her shoulder. Isabella’s little body formed a misshapen lump under the blanket.
    Sandra kept one arm wrapped around the baby but held her other hand toward the pie and wiggled her fingers. “Gimme.”
    Alexa laid a napkin out on the bed next to Sandra’s hip and put the plate on top of it. “Shelley said not to make a mess on her quilt.”
    Sandra grinned. “Of course she did.” She took her fork and eagerly stabbed up a bite. “Mmm … I love peaches and pecans together.” She ate another bite, even closing her eyes in exaggerated enjoyment. Then she pointed her fork at Alexa. “You know, you should experiment with this pie recipe and make a breakfast cake with peaches and pecans. I bet your guests would love it.” An impish grin twitched her lips. “I’d be willing to be your official taste tester until you got it right.”
    Alexa laughed again. Sandra always managed to make her laugh. She sat carefully on the edge of the bed and held her plate under her chin to catch any crumbs. “I might take you