Tender Vow by Sharlene MacLaren Read Free Book Online Page A

checking the caller ID.
    “Just thought I’d see how you’re doing this morning, honey,” Arlene Roberts said, her voice chipper. “Wanted to invite you and the kids over for lunch today. You feeling up to it?”
    “Oh, I…I appreciate the offer, Mom, I really do, but I think we’ll stay home today, if you don’t mind.”
    “You spent last Sunday alone,” her mother reminded her.
    “Well, not entirely. Jason stopped over to see us.”
    “He did? You never mentioned that. Did you enjoy your visit with him?”
    “He did a lot of things around the house,” she replied, evading the question.
    “Really? Oh, I’m so glad to hear that. You know your dad would be happy to—”
    “I know, Mom. You guys have been more than generous with your time, taking the kids off my hands when I need a break, bringing over meals or inviting us to your place, even helping me sort through John’s stuff. Truly, I know I can call on either of you when I need help around here. It’s just…I don’t like to be a burden.”
    “You’re never a burden, honey,” her mother assured her. “The thing is, well, Dad and I worry about you. We want to do whatever we can to lighten your load.”
    “Well, don’t worry anymore, okay? We’re managing fine,” she fibbed.
    A long pause and a heavy sigh carried over the line. “We’ll look for you at church, then,” her mother said.
    After their good-byes, Rachel put the phone back in its cradle at the same time that Johnny let out an ear-shattering yell. Meagan switched up the TV’s volume until the sound echoed off the walls.
    “Meagan, turn that down,” Rachel ordered as she picked up her howling son.
    “I can’t hear it good,” she wailed back. “Tell Johnny to be quiet.”
    “I said, turn that down,” she repeated.
    Rather than obey, Meagan threw down the remote and ran to the stairs.
    “Your clothes are lying on your bed,” Rachel called after her, knowing very well she’d need assistance putting them on.
    Plopping into a chair, she retrieved the remote and hit the off button, then situated Johnny in her lap so he could suckle.
    “Oh, Lord, I’m too frazzled to go to church,” she whispered. “I can’t do this. I just can’t do this.”
    “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ” came the gentle reminder.
    A silent tear slipped down her cheek.
    ***
    Rachel tugged continually at Jason’s thoughts. Since seeing her a week ago, he’d dredged up a lot of memories, recalling the early days when she used to play with John and him for hours on end. Because their parents had been close friends, the three had grown up together, shooting hoops and playing tag, hide-and-seek, hopscotch, and the occasional game of “Mother, May I?” to appease Rachel. Being together had been natural back then. In fact, often, they’d simply sat on the back steps and bantered back and forth about school, sports, and mutual friends. Rachel had been a sister in the truest sense, and either boy would have laid down his life for her—that is, until she and John had fallen in love, forcing Jason to take a giant step back. Oh, he and Rachel had remained friends after that, but the deep affection he’d held for her had ceased to exist, unless he counted their never-discussed, completely impromptu kiss just before she’d married John. He remembered it vividly, of course, and he had a feeling she did, as well. In fact, he didn’t doubt it played into her angry feelings toward him and her desire to place blame, misdirected as it was.
    He’d spent most of Saturday at the Wilcox homesite, determined to meet deadlines. He expected township inspectors next week, so, as was his custom, he made his rounds, reassessing the electrical wiring and plumbing—and enjoying the solitude.
    Candace met him at church for the eleven o’clock service. They lived about the same distance from the church, yet in opposite directions, and so they usually met there and then left Candace’s car in