A Wedding In the Family by Kathryn Alexander Read Free Book Online Page A

lot.”
    “Anyway, Dad, I’m just trying to decide whether to continue seeing him—not whether or not I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”
    “But you shouldn’t date him unless he is a man you could spend the rest of your life with…if you chose to,” Grace commented. “Don’t let yourself fall in love with someone you’re going to have to say goodbye to in the end.”
    “Find out about his past and what his plans are for the future,” Ed added. “I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
    “Dad, I’m not sixteen. I know the risks.” As Angela watched Adam in the distance with her children, those risks didn’t seem to loom so dangerously. She liked nearly everything about him, regardless of how much she didn’t want to. Angela was beginning to wonder how it would feel to be with him, not just the way they were today—awkward, uncertain—but rather, how it would feel to belong to him with familiarity, confidence. How would it be to sit next to him tonight without wondering if she’d ever sit next to him again? Did she trust the Lord enough to allow Him to give her this new possibility? Could she trust Adam?
    “Dinner!” The loud announcement brought the players in from the field and most everyone else to their feet. Soon the crowd gathered around the tables that had been set up and covered with paper plates,napkins, plastic forks and spoons, bottles of condiments and bowls of potato chips and other side dishes. There were coolers of soda pop and pitchers of iced tea. The children were hungry, and they came running to meet Angela and get into the line for their sandwiches, hot off the grill.
    Adam walked up to stand close by Angela as the pastor announced loudly that it was time for a prayer to thank the Lord for their meal and this day. Adam reached for Angela’s hand, linking his fingers through hers. She looked up, surprised—but pleasantly so—by his action. His smile in return was warm and gentle…and brief as he lowered his head and closed his eyes for the prayer. Angela did the same with a heart filled with gratitude. She’d seen other couples holding hands like this during prayer. In earlier years, she had been a little envious. Then she had either stopped noticing or stopped caring. But this time was different. It was her turn, it was Adam’s hand—and something felt very right about his touch.
    Soon they were eating hamburgers that were overcooked and baked beans that were barely warm. The kids opted for hot dogs, which seemed to have been the wiser choice since they ended up going back for seconds.
    When the meal was finished, David, Nathan and Heather all headed in the direction of their friends, and Angela and Adam sat down once again with the Granstons. That’s when Ed’s questions became a little unnerving for Angela: he asked Adam about previousmarriages. Adam had one, he explained without hesitation. It had ended in divorce.
    “And children?” Ed inquired.
    “No children,” Adam answered quietly and more politely than Angela thought her father deserved. She decided that it was time to take action.
    “Okay, guys, it’s getting late and, Dad, you’re getting a little too personal. Help me round up my kids before it gets dark so we can head home.” She leaned near Adam and whispered, “Save my place. I’ll be right back.”
    Adam offered, “I’ll go—”
    “No, please, stay here. Let Dad help me find them. I want to talk to him about his investigative work,” she remarked.
    His mouth curved into a smile in response to her comment Then he squeezed her hand before letting her go.
    “It’s hard for Ed not to nose into his children’s business,” Grace stated after Angela and Ed were out of hearing range.
    “I understand,” Adam responded. “I’d be the same way if I had a daughter.”
    “I believe you would. And I say that as a compliment, you know.”
    “I know,” he replied. “And I want you to know that I really like Angela. It’s been a long