A Searching Heart by Janette Oke Read Free Book Online Page A

Virginia only hoped that there would be no complications with the birthing. Each day Clara and the new baby took a good share of the family prayer time.
    Their mother had seemingly gotten over her earlier fears and, with the help of their father, had placed her confidence in the fact that God was in total control of the situation. Whatever the outcome of the impending birth, God would be with them and help them to face whatever they must face. It was in the middle of the night that the knock came on their door. Belinda was up and at the door so quickly, Virginia wondered if her mother had been lying awake anticipating it.
    Virginia heard the murmur of voices even before she could stand on shaking limbs and work her arms into her robe.
    Then she heard her mother hurrying back down the hall to be met midway by her father. “Luke and Dr. Braden have gone over to Clara’s,” she heard her mother say just as she exited her room.
    â€œHow is she?” asked Drew, tying his own robe around himself.
    â€œSo far they have no concerns. Things seem to be . . . normal.”
    â€œAre they taking her to the surgery?”
    â€œNo. Luke thinks that under the circumstances she will be better if she is not moved. They plan to deliver the baby at home.”
    â€œI’ll get dressed.”
    The final statement from her father was an acknowledgment that Belinda would need to be there. He was prepared to get her there as quickly as possible.
    Francine came sleepily into the hallway. “Is it—”
    â€œYes,” her mother answered without waiting for the complete question. She stopped long enough to brush Francine’s hair back from her face, cast a quick glance Virginia’s way, and then moved hurriedly on.
    Virginia turned to Francine, who had suddenly dissolved into tears. “Don’t,” pleaded Virginia. “We should pray—not cry.”
    She felt in no condition to try to comfort a sobbing sister.
    â€œI have prayed,” wailed Francine.
    â€œThen trust,” Virginia responded almost severely. Then she thought better of it and reached out to pull Francine’s head against her. She said no more, just stroked the trembling shoulder of her younger sister until the sobs subsided.
    â€œI have a feeling it is going to be a long night,” Virginia whispered into the darkness. “We should try to get some more sleep.”
    â€œI’ll never sleep now” came the sniffing reply, and Virginia feared that Francine might start crying all over again.
    â€œThen let’s go to the kitchen and have some warm milk,” she quickly suggested and led the way.
    â€œI wish Rodney were home,” Francine snuffled.
    â€œHe is to come tomorrow.”
    â€œI wish he were here now.”
    Virginia wished that, too. But Rodney, who normally would have arrived home already, had been given permission to spend a couple of weeks on a camping trip with some of his new friends. One was Austin, who had finally warmed to Rodney’s friendship and had admitted that his unknown disease had him worried and scared.
    â€œThis time could be very important,” Rodney had said over the phone. “I feel that Austin needs me.”
    And his parents had readily agreed that the time in the outdoors, away from college pressures, would be time well spent.
    â€œHe will be here soon,” Virginia repeated. “Maybe he will even get here before Clara’s baby.”
    Francine’s eyes widened. “It takes that long to have a baby?”
    â€œSometimes.”
    â€œBut that’s hours.”
    â€œI know. Sometimes it takes hours.”
    Francine began to cry again. “I don’t think I can stand it for that long,” she cried.
    â€œ You stand it?” Virginia asked abruptly. “What about Clara?”
    The cries grew louder, and Virginia knew she had said the wrong thing.
    â€œBlow your nose. Here.” She handed Francine a fresh hankie.