Finding Hope (Love's Compass Book 2) by Melanie D. Snitker Read Free Book Online

spread it out over Lexi’s form.
    “Thanks, Mom.” The blanket did little to help and she realized it had to be her nerves that were prompting her shivers. Her eyes roamed the room, pausing at each of the people who had taken time to come and see her: Patty, Grams, Tuck, Laurie, Serenity, Gideon, and Lance. She received smiles, nods, winks, and thumbs up. “You all didn’t have to come, but I appreciate it.”
    Tuck held Laurie’s hand with one of his and elbowed his best friend in the ribs with the other. “If you have any trouble back there, let us know, and we’ll come in with guns blazing.”
    “In a heartbeat,” Lance agreed.
    “I have no doubt you guys would do that, too. Don’t worry, I’ll call if I need the cavalry.”
    The door opened and the doctor entered followed by the anesthesiologist and a nurse.
    Lexi listened as they again explained what would happen in surgery. They wanted to see if she had any questions. When she assured them she didn’t, the anesthesiologist stepped forward.
    “I’m going to start medication in your IV to make you sleepy. You’ll still be awake when we get to the operating room, but you’re not likely going to remember it.”
    She held up a hand to stop him. “I’m a registered nurse. I know the drill.”
    “In that case, stop me if you need anything.”
    “You got it.”              
    Lexi leaned back against her pillow and felt the sting as the medication entered her body through the IV, followed by warmth as it traveled through her blood stream.
    Grams stepped forward to take her hand. “Let’s pray.” When everyone had bowed their heads, she began. “Our heavenly Father, we ask that you surround Lexi with Your perfect love and peace. We pray for clear minds and wisdom for the doctors and nurses who will be performing this surgery. We pray that you place an angel in that operating room to give guidance to all involved. We ask that Your will be done.”
    Several murmurs of agreement echoed in the small room followed by a moment of silence before Tuck closed the prayer.
    “Thank you for carrying Your children through the challenges in life and for Your faithfulness. In the name of Jesus, Your Son, we pray, amen.”
    “Amen.”
    The word was uttered by the rest of the family in unison. The nurse and the anesthesiologist prepared her bed for transport. “We’ll take good care of her,” the nurse assured them.
    Lexi’s eyelids were getting heavy as the nurse wheeled her out of the room and into the hallway.
     
    ~
     
    Lance listened as Patty told the story of Tuck when he had his appendix removed as a child.
    “The doctors warned us he shouldn’t eat much for the rest of the day. But you know Tuck, he’s always hungry — and he eats a lot.”
    Tuck groaned and Laurie patted his knee sympathetically, a smile on her face.
    “She’s never let me live this down. I was seven.”
    His mother chortled as she continued. “He was resting on the couch and we were keeping an eye on him. The next thing we know, he’s in the kitchen eating a sandwich and diving into a bag of chips. How the boy moved that swiftly after a surgery, I still don’t know.”
    Laurie shook her head and gave Tuck’s leg a squeeze. “You didn’t.”
    He shrugged. “I did. I had convinced myself I was starving to death.”
    Patty pointed at him. “And what the doctor predicted came true — you wound up sick as a dog, on top of having an incision.”
    “One of the most painful moments of my childhood.” Tuck placed a hand on his side. “I can honestly say that sandwich, no matter how good it tasted at the time, wasn’t worth it.”
    Grams’ laughter blended with the others. “It doesn’t surprise me. You never had a strong stomach. Not like Lexi. She takes after me. Our stomachs are made out of iron.” She shifted her legs and crossed her ankles as she prepared to tell her story.
    Lance thought back to the discussions that went on in his own family and they