“There are times in your life when you know you have to do something,” Jessie began.

“You don’t understand why. You just know from the bottom of your soul it’s the right thing to do. That somehow doing this one thing will change your life forever. And if you miss this chance…” She shivered.

As far-fetched and vague as her explanation seemed, David sensed it was the most honest thing she’d revealed all night.

“I need to watch Isabel.” She spoke softly, but with a conviction anchored in solid rock.

After a long silence, David agreed. “Okay. It’s settled. She’s thriving under your care, and that’s what counts.”

When she exhaled, he inhaled her breath. In that exact moment he felt something shift within his soul. He couldn’t put his finger on it. David knew only that for the first time in too long he felt alive. He felt hope. And her smile scared him to death.

CRYSTAL STOVALL

dreamed of writing inspirational romances from the moment she discovered Grace Livingston Hill’s novels as a teenager. These books changed her life in a profound way, starting her on a quest to blend faith and romance in her personal life, as well as launching her writing career. She’s a graduate of Oral Roberts University and a recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award and the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Best Novel Award.

Crystal lives in Tulsa with her husband, Jim, who is president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network. Though she’s lived in Oklahoma for twenty years, she’s still an Easterner at heart. Her frequent visits to her upstate New York hometown—especially a certain boulder on the edge of Cayuga Lake—provide her with the inspiration and perspective that she finds essential to her writing.

Gifts of Love
Crystal Stovall

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Cast your bread upon the waters,

for after many days you will find it again.

—Ecclesiastes 11:1

To Barbara Ankrum, Barbara Joel, Karen Crane,

Jolie Kramer and Debbi Quattrone.

Your friendship is a gift I treasure.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Letter to Reader

Chapter One

“O h, Lord,” Jessie cried out. “What should I do?”

Forced to make a quick decision, she cried out for protection as she raced down the highway toward her home. But as the rain fell harder, the sky grew darker and visibility drastically decreased.

Verging on panic, Jessie turned on the car radio to a weather report for Springfield, Missouri. As she’d feared, a tornado warning had been issued. Several small twisters had already been spotted within a few miles of her location, and Doppler radar showed the conditions were right for the formation of cells slightly to her south and west. As she passed the highway intersection that the meteorologist had just given as a reference point, Jessie swallowed hard, certain she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

From deep within her soul, she heard God’s answer to her earlier plea and knew what she should do. She had to get out of the car. Immediately. Suddenly, everything Jessie had learned from the meteorologists came flooding back. She was just reaching for her cellular telephone to let her parents know where she was, when something to the west caught her eye. Looking out, she saw a funnel over the distant field.

Without another thought, Jessie parked the car on the side of the road and threw the strap of her purse over her head. In a flash of lightning, she spotted a highway overpass ahead. Unless her mind was playing tricks, she thought she’d seen the silhouette of a man. Thunder boomed, and she ran as fast as she could.

When her shoes sank into the soft highway shoulder, she left them behind. Reaching the overpass, she saw an outstretched hand and grabbed on to the life preserver God had sent her. She let the strong hand pull her to safety as she gasped for breath. She collapsed against the strong chest without hesitation. Never had she been so glad to see another person.

She caught her breath, realizing she was in the arms of a stranger. Yet, she was too afraid to inch free of his protective touch. Not until a tiny hand patted her head in sync with a soft coo did she realize the man held a child in his arms.

Lifting her head, Jessie met a pair of dark eyes that reflected the same terror she felt. She was certain she knew this man from somewhere.

Offering a nervous smile, Jessie grasped the child’s hand and was surprised by how cold her tiny fingers were. The man’s arms tightened around the shivering toddler as he tried to warm her.

“It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day when we left home this morning. I didn’t think to pack her sweater,” he explained, his voice brimming with frustration and self-blame.

Yanking off her thin sweater, she draped it over the child’s shoulders. Though the cotton was damp from the rain and didn’t entirely cover the child’s legs, she knew it had made a difference when she heard, “Mama, mama…”

For just a second, Jessie forgot she was in the middle of a severe storm as she listened to the precious chatter. Mama, mama—these were words she’d believed she might never hear from a child’s lips.

With a beholden shine in his eyes, the man said, “I’m David Akers, and this is my daughter, Isabel.”

“Of course,” Jessie said, relieved to know she hadn’t jumped into the arms of a total stranger. “I’m Jessie Claybrook. I think our parents are friends.”

“Don and Helene’s daughter.”

Jessie nodded. “Isn’t it a small world?”

“It sure is.” Then David turned to more urgent matters. “Were you listening to the radio? What was the last weather report you heard?”

“We’re right in the path of a major storm system. Just as I left the car I saw a funnel in the west. It must have skipped over us or turned direction—otherwise it would have hit by now.”

David sighed. “I wish we had a portable radio. From this cubbyhole, I can’t see enough.”

Wedged into a small pocket beneath the highway which crossed overhead, Jessie felt safe from the pounding rain. At least for the moment.

“I could ease down the embankment,” she suggested, understanding David would have if he weren’t holding Isabel.

“No, you stay put.”

Then Jessie remembered her cellular telephone. For an instant she felt a ray of hope, but the all-circuits-busy signal instantly dashed that.

As Jessie dropped the telephone back into her purse, she saw David’s lips move, even felt the warmth of his breath on her neck as he leaned closer, but whatever he’d said was lost in the roar of the wind. Bombarded by unyielding gusts, gritty dirt stung their exposed skin and made it difficult to breathe. They heard a grumble in the distance that sounded like a train coming around a mountain. Instinctively, the trio pressed together as the storm raged. Then, suddenly, all was quiet.

Minutes passed before either Jessie or David moved.

Slowly easing apart, they listened for confirmation that the funnel had dissipated. Not even thunder or lightning dared to pierce the silence, and even the rain fell lightly.

Jessie listened to David’s mumbled prayer: “Please, Lord, I know You and I aren’t on great terms these days, but please don’t let anything happen to my baby before we get home. I can’t lose her, too.”

Unaware Jessie had overheard his plea, David sighed with relief and then matter-of-factly announced, “I think it’s over.”

“But is it safe to move?” Jessie challenged.

Unwilling to take any unnecessary chances, they waited a few more minutes before edging down the embankment. They saw broken tree limbs scattered across both lanes when they reached the highway shoulder, as well as slack power lines clinging to leaning creosote poles.

“That was some storm,” David said, as Isabel held on tightly to his neck.

“Thank God we’re okay. And while I’m sorry you and your daughter were caught in the storm, I’m glad I didn’t have to tough this one out alone.”

“I didn’t do much, but I’m glad we made a difference.”

Uncertain as to whether it was safe to drive, Jessie looked to the sky for answers. The growing brightness seemed to give a go-ahead signal. Still, she feared leaving the overpass, leery of what she might encounter down the road.

As if he’d read her thoughts, David asked, “Would you like me to follow you back into town?”

Jessie pressed her hand against her chest with relief. “Normally, I’m not this skittish, but this storm’s really unnerved me. It’d mean a lot to know I’ve got company on the highway.”

“Then, it’s settled,” David said, though he continued to study the sky.

Like her, he seemed unwilling to end this brief encounter.

But Isabel had other ideas. “Mama, mama…” she said, with one finger wedged in the corner of her lip.

Jessie instantly felt the blush on her face. What had she been thinking? David obviously had a wife to go home to.

“We should go,” she said. “I’m sure your wife is eager to know you’re safe. You’re welcome to borrow my cell phone to call her….” Her words trailed off to a hoarse whisper, as anguish streaked across David’s face. “I’m sorry. I’ve made assumptions that are none of my business.”

She languished in the uncomfortable silence before he found his voice. “Please…you couldn’t know. My wife died a few weeks after Isabel’s birth.”

Jessie gazed at the little girl, her heart breaking over such a tragic loss.

David took another look at the sky and said, “I think we’d better go.”

“Thanks again,” Jessie said, extending her hand. When David’s fingers closed around hers, she felt his warmth and kindness and wished they didn’t have to part.

“I’m just glad we’re okay.” As he walked toward his car, he called out, “Listen, if you’re ever at the Hot & Fresh Deli, stop in. A sandwich and a cup of coffee are on the house. I’m the owner.”

“It’s a deal,” Jessie said, turning toward her own car.

But before she could even open the door, the punishing rain and gusting wind started again. Anxious, she glanced back toward David—and that’s when she saw the menacing funnel in the distance.

Without hesitation, she raced back to the overpass, meeting David and Isabel. Together they scurried up the embankment until they touched the underside of the crossing highway.

“Hold on to the ledge,” David shouted above the wind, and Jessie quickly followed his lead, gripping the rough concrete. With Isabel sandwiched between them, she prayed with all her heart that the tornado would leap over them, or lose its power as the last one had.

But it wasn’t to be. Sounding like a jet, the twister charged toward them. The wind became so fierce that Jessie didn’t know if she could hold on, let alone breathe, as loose gravel and dirt swirled around her.

She lost all concept of time, feeling as if the unmerciful gusts would last forever. Only when lightning flashed could she see David and Isabel.

Oh, Lord, she prayed, don’t desert us now.

With her arms tiring, Jessie didn’t know how much longer she could hang on. But it was for Isabel that she found her strength, because pressed against David’s side she helped form a barrier that sheltered the toddler.

Though it seemed impossible, the winds grew stronger, and Jessie felt as if the three of them were trapped in a vacuum. The temperature continued to drop, and she shook as much from the damp air as she did from fear. With her arm muscles stretched until they hurt and her palms rubbed raw from holding on to the concrete ledge, she just didn’t know if she could last another second.

Then lightning cracked, and in the bright flash she met David’s gaze for just an instant, finding strength in his courage and determination. She wouldn’t let him down.

Suddenly, something shifted. She heard him scream. His body moved. He no longer touched her. The lightning flashed again, and the terror on his face shocked her. He’d purposely positioned himself so as to absorb the brunt of the wind, and now the wind was winning the battle.

“Isabel!” he screamed.

Though she couldn’t see clearly in the dusty darkness, she knew he was slipping away. When the lightning flashed again, Jessie saw David lose his grip, letting go first of the ledge and then of Isabel.

With all her might, Jessie fought against the wind, stretching out one arm, grabbing hold of Isabel first by her shirt and then, miraculously, crushing the girl against her chest.

As the lightning cracked again, she looked up and realized David was gone.

“David!” she screamed. “Da—vid!”

Desperate to protect Isabel, Jessie hunched over the child and prayed for God’s mercy as the gusts continued their assault.

Finally, Isabel began to wiggle and squirm, and Jessie realized the winds had calmed and that the roar was fading. She and Isabel had survived. Chills traveled throughout her body as she thanked God for hearing her desperate prayers.

“We’re okay,” she murmured in the child’s ear, then offered sweet kisses of comfort across the top of the toddler’s head. “We’re okay,” she said again for herself.

Too frightened to venture out, she remained huddled beneath the overpass. She knew she’d just lived through a miracle. Without a doubt, God had called her to this exact place to catch Isabel. And as Isabel cried in her arms, Jessie didn’t know if she’d ever be able to let go of the child.

Then she heard a truck on the highway overhead and the loud muffler jolted her back to reality. She had to find David. They needed help. When she tried to stand, her cramped legs rebelled.

“Help,” she called out. “Help us.”

Clutching Isabel, she fought through high weeds and wet grass to reach the crossing highway above. At first, neither her car nor David’s were anywhere in sight. Power lines sparked, and somewhere close by she heard the insistent mooing of a frightened cow.

At the top, frustrated that the pickup truck was long gone, she turned slowly, looking in all directions. First, she spotted their cars. Hers, though right-side up, was riding piggyback on David’s. But that didn’t matter. She had to find David.

“David,” she yelled over and over again.

Looking at the highways she marveled that there wasn’t another car in sight. She tried her cell phone, but once again she heard the all-circuits-busy signal.

A solitary crow flew overhead, and as she followed its elegant flight across the pasture she thought she saw a speck of red. David had been wearing a red golf shirt. It had to be him.

“David,” she called again as she ran toward him. “I’m coming.”

Isabel securely clasped her arms around Jessie’s neck and molded her body to Jessie’s. Halfway across the field, the red dot came into better focus and there was no doubt that she’d found David.

But why didn’t he move? Why didn’t he at least wave? Surely he’d heard her calling his name.

She stumbled as she tried to move faster than physically possible. Each time she fell to her knees in the rutted and uneven field, she picked herself up and trudged forward. By now, Isabel had spotted her daddy and was calling for him. “Dada, dada, dada.”

After a race that seemed to last forever, Jessie fell to her knees beside David. Lying on his back, his hands and legs were spread out from his sides as if he were trying to create a snow angel. With his eyes shut, he looked peaceful and without pain.

Then she saw the slow rise of his chest. She gasped with relief. “David,” she said. When he didn’t respond, she turned to Isabel. “Dada, dada,” she said, encouraging the little girl to chant with her. As she listened to Isabel’s sweet voice, Jessie briefly closed her eyes and prayed for guidance. Other than a basic CPR course, she had no emergency training. She knew it wasn’t wise to move someone who might have a neck injury, and judging by the distance David had been thrown and the position he’d landed in, his injuries were most likely serious.

He needed a miracle. But hadn’t they already had their share tonight? They were too far from the highway for someone to spot them or for her to flag anyone down. And she couldn’t leave David alone in the field. Pulling out her cell phone, Jessie tried again to dial for help. She dialed and then pushed redial over and over again, but she couldn’t get through to the emergency number. Finally, in desperation, she called her parents’ house. The phone rang and rang, until her father finally picked it up. Without wasting a second, she explained what had happened and where she was. He told her to sit tight and that help was on the way.

With Isabel still in her arms, Jessie scooted as close to David’s side as she dared and took his hand into hers without moving his arm. His breathing continued to grow deeper, settling into an even rhythm, and his hand felt warm and strong—good signs, she quickly decided.

There was only one thing she knew to do and that was pray.

Oh Lord, she began, if only there could be an ambulance close by. If David’s injuries are serious, every second counts.

Looking off across the field, Jessie had no idea how widespread the devastation might be. The tornadoes might have touched down only in this little corner of the state, or they could have traveled for miles, destroying all that was in their path. And if that was the case, the emergency vehicles might already be in use or unable to get here.

Studying David’s hands, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of man he was. His fingers were long and sturdy and his nails were clipped short. Everything about him, from his dark hair and his smoothly shaved face to his stylish golf shirt and navy Dockers, was neat and trim. He had that dependable businessman look about him. And she’d only had to hear Isabel say “Dada” once to know he was a devoted father.

Looking right at David’s fingers, she thought she felt them move. She discounted the light flutter to reflexes, or too much hope on her part. But the second time he rubbed his palm against hers, she was sure. Then Isabel shrieked with glee and clapped her hands. Jessie looked up and directly into David’s dark brown eyes.

She’d never in her life seen eyes so beautiful. Never seen a smile so tender or thankful. Dark bangs feathered across his forehead, and without thinking she gently brushed them aside. Pressing the back of her hand against the side of his cheek, she sighed in relief.

No words needed to be spoken. Together, they’d beaten the odds. When David covered her hand with his and their fingers interlocked, Jessie reveled in the comfort.

“Thank you,” David said, his voice a notch above a whisper. “Thank you for saving my baby.” When he gazed at Isabel, who’d been distracted by a spring flower, his eyes misted over.

Jessie’s throat closed off as a wave of emotion crested in her heart. “I was no hero. It’s as if God dropped her in my arms. I’m just glad I was able to hold on and protect her.” And she hadn’t let go of the little girl since.

Goose bumps rose on her arms as she relived the moment again in her mind. “Isabel came through without a scratch,” she assured him. “But what about you? Are you in a lot of pain?”

When he tried to sit up, Jessie cautioned him to lie flat. “I called my father, and he should be here any minute now.” Send an ambulance, she prayed silently. “I don’t think you should move until you’ve been examined by an EMT.”

David sighed loudly with a resignation that worried Jessie. Either he was hurt more badly than he appeared, or he was just exhausted. Whatever the case, he seemed unwilling to let go of her hand.

So the three of them sat in the field in the middle of nowhere and waited. When Isabel plucked a brightly colored flower and presented it to David, he smiled.

Yes, Jessie thought, everything is going to be okay.

At the sound of an ambulance’s siren, Jessie felt a tiny tremor of emotion. As soon as help arrived, their fragile bond would be broken. And that saddened her in a way she hadn’t expected. Clutching Isabel with her free arm, she hugged the child tightly and kissed her on the top of her head.

Clearly moved by the tender expression, David squeezed Jessie’s hand.

As her father and the EMTs raced toward them, Jessie released David’s hand to stand and wave. Looking back down at him, she encouraged him with a smile. They would go back to their separate lives, and while their paths might never cross again, she knew she’d never forget him and Isabel. This brief moment had cracked open a part of her heart she’d thought she’d sealed off forever.

Chapter Two

L ying in the deep, wet grass, David knew he’d forget neither Jessie’s kindness, nor her courage. She had protected his daughter as if Isabel were her own, and for that he would always thank God.

Looking up at her, he smiled, and when their eyes met he knew she felt the same measure of relief he did. He couldn’t think about what might have happened.

“You’re sure Isabel’s okay?” he asked again.

“Yes,” Jessie said gently. “Though she could use a bath. In fact, we could all use a bath, a hot cup of tea and a change of clothes.”

Jessie grinned, and when she did, so did Isabel. David didn’t know when he’d seen a more beautiful sight.

The EMTs set down their equipment and immediately went to work on David. While they assessed his condition, monitored his vital signs and checked for spinal injuries, David watched Jessie and Isabel.

A few feet away, Jessie embraced her father, who had just arrived. “Daddy, I’ve never been so glad to see you in my life.”

“Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”

“Do you know where the storms hit tonight? Was there much damage?” she asked, eager for information.

“From the radio reports I’ve heard so far, a series of tornadoes touched down. However, most of them were south of Springfield, and they all hit in less-populated areas like this. So far, no fatalities have been reported, and I’m praying there won’t be any. But there has been a lot of wind damage to homes and barns in this area, as well as several power out-ages across the city.”

As one EMT prepared to transport David to the hospital, the other checked Jessie and Isabel, declaring them both in good condition.

Jessie met David’s eyes briefly, and though she didn’t say anything, he knew her thoughts. They easily could have been fatalities. But somehow, and for some reason, God had spared them.

Jessie kept pace with the EMTs and her father, as they hurried back across the field to the ambulance. Though her arm tired from holding Isabel, she refused her father’s offer of help. Neither did she let go of David’s hand. Though the storms were over, she still felt the need to hold on to him and to feel his strength.

When they reached the ambulance, the EMT tried to keep her from riding with David, but she shoved her way into the vehicle and refused to budge. The driver turned on the siren, and in less than fifteen minutes the ambulance pulled up at the emergency room entrance. Greeted by hospital personnel, the ambulance doors opened, and Jessie finally was forced to let go of David’s hand.

“Dada, dada,” Isabel said, as they wheeled her father away.

“It’s going to be okay. Everything is going to be just fine, you’ll see,” Jessie promised.

Following behind, Jessie reached the lobby area as David’s stretcher disappeared down a hallway and behind a thin white curtain.

Having driven his own car to the hospital, Jessie’s father, Don, caught up with her from behind, giving his youngest daughter a squeeze on the shoulders.

“Where’s Mom?” Jessie asked, suddenly aware of her mother’s absence, though feeling her prayers.

“She’s staying at your sister’s house tonight.”

“Is Maria sick again?”

Don nodded. “She’s got a cold.”

“Just when she seemed to be getting over the worst of her morning sickness. At this rate she’s going to be sick her entire pregnancy.” Though Maria was in her seventh month of pregnancy, she still suffered from bouts of morning sickness. During the past two months, both Jessie and her mother had taken turns helping Maria; because she had been so fatigued, she needed help caring for her eighteen-month-old son and husband.

“Did the storm hit near them?” Jessie asked.

“Strong winds gave them a few tense moments, but everyone’s fine.”

“That’s good news.”

A woman wearing white pants and a colorful smock approached them. As she handed a clipboard and pencil to Jessie, she said, “We’ll need your husband’s medical and personal history.”

Refusing to take the clipboard, Jessie said, “Oh, he’s not my husband. He’s my…” She stumbled over the words. What was David to her? They really weren’t even friends. They were barely acquaintances.

With ease, Don stepped in to explain. “My daughter just happened to be on the highway at the same time as the young man when the tornado struck. I’m afraid we really don’t have the information you need.”

Finally, Jessie found her voice. “His name is David. David Akers.” Turning to her father, she added, “He’s Liz and Bart’s son.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Don exclaimed. Then his pleasure quickly turned to concern. “I’m sure I heard the Akers were leaving for an extended anniversary vacation in their motor home.”

“Thanks for your help,” the hospital employee said, before she returned to the admittance desk.

“What a night,” Jessie exclaimed to her father as she wiped her forehead with her sleeve.

“You need to go home, take a shower and crawl into bed.”

“I will,” she said, “but not until I know David’s okay.” She’d wait in her wet, grimy clothes all night if she had to. “Besides, I can’t abandon Isabel.”

Holding out a finger to Isabel, Don waited until she grabbed hold of it, then gently shook her hand. “Good grip,” he said, much to the toddler’s delight. Opening his arms, he attempted to take the little girl. While Jessie appreciated her father’s thoughtfulness, she wasn’t ready to release the child. And obviously, Isabel wasn’t ready to release her.

Staring at Jessie’s father, Isabel’s eyes teared up, and she threw her arms around Jessie’s shoulders and buried her small face in the base of Jessie’s neck.

“Looks like you’ve got yourself a new friend,” her father said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Jessie nodded. “I’m just glad I can be here for her.”

“Since it could be a while before we know anything about David’s condition, why don’t I get us a cup of coffee from the vendor down the hall, and you can tell me the whole story.”

“A cup of coffee sounds great. And while you’re doing that, I need to find some dry clothes, diapers and a snack for Isabel.”

Thanks to the help of a nurse, Jessie attended to Isabel’s needs. Then, as she’d promised her father, Jessie recounted the past few hours. She told her father everything. Almost everything. She didn’t tell him how tightly David had held her beneath the overpass. How she’d gathered her strength from his every breath. She didn’t tell him how cold her hand had felt when she’d been forced to let go of David’s at the hospital. And glancing down the hallway toward his curtained cubicle, she didn’t tell her father how desperately she wanted to hear good news.

When Jessie shifted Isabel’s weight to her opposite hip and shoulder, she noticed the toddler had dozed off. Lightly patting her back, Jessie realized how exhausted Isabel must be.

“Let me take her for a little bit,” her father offered again.

Jessie shook her head. “She doesn’t know you, and I wouldn’t want her to wake up and be frightened. She’s been through enough trauma for one night.”

And Jessie had a feeling this little girl had already experienced more upheaval in her short life than most children ever did.

“I’m fine,” she assured her father. Though, if she were to tell the truth, she longed to crawl into her soft bed at home and sleep for hours. Her body ached from head to toe—though the discomfort wasn’t from holding Isabel. Her exhaustion was mental. It’d been a long night, and the longer they kept David the more worried she became. If she didn’t hear news about David soon…

Finally, she sought out her own answers. While Isabel had been awake, Jessie hadn’t ventured back to where David was being treated because she didn’t think Isabel should see him surrounded by doctors and medical equipment.

Now, because he’d been moved to a different area, it took Jessie a few minutes to locate him. When she did, she saw that he was hooked up to what she thought was a cardiac monitor, and a doctor and a nurse were talking to him.

With David’s head turned away from Jessie, he didn’t realize she watched through a narrow opening in the divider. She started to back away, not wanting to interrupt, but then inched forward. It wasn’t her intention to eavesdrop; she just wanted to get a better look at the man who’d protected her during the storm. Until now, she’d been running on adrenaline, seeing what was before her, yet not really seeing anything at all. If she’d had to describe David, she would have omitted the intensity of his eyes and the serious curve of his lips. But if anyone had quizzed her on the strength of his embrace or his determination to beat the raging winds, she could have talked at length about his stamina and bravery.

She wasn’t sure what gave her away, but David turned toward her. For just an instant their eyes met, and Jessie read the questioning stare as if she’d known him all her life. Turning until she could show him Isabel’s sleepy face, she made the okay sign with her thumb and first finger. David smiled and then returned his attention to the doctor.

In the waiting room, Jessie settled into a chair, while her father talked to a woman at the admittance desk.

“I was asking if they’d been able to contact David’s parents. Even if they’re out for the evening, I’m sure they must have a cellular telephone with them,” he said as he sat down beside her.

“What did she say?” Jessie asked, stroking the back of Isabel’s head.

“David instructed them not to call his family, nor his late wife’s family who lives in Ohio.”

“Really? That’s odd.” The news not only surprised Jessie, but concerned her. However, it really wasn’t her place to judge David’s decisions.

“I’m sure Liz and Bart would want to know,” her father continued. “And I’m sure David could use their help when he gets out of here. Someone’s got to look after this sweet one.”

“True. But this is David’s call.” However, until now, Jessie hadn’t thought beyond the present. What if David wasn’t released from the hospital tonight? Or even if he was, would he be able to take care of his daughter? Jessie pressed her lips against Isabel’s forehead. If it were up to her, she’d just take this little girl home and keep her forever. But she had an Internet business to run, and Isabel wasn’t her responsibility.

Sensing her father was becoming restless due to his inability to help, she suggested he check in with her mother and Maria.

Don jumped up as if he were pleased to be doing something. Borrowing Jessie’s cellular phone, he walked a few steps away to make the call.

As she sat alone in the cushy chair in the corner of the busy hospital waiting room, Jessie hummed under her breath. When Isabel stirred, lifting her head to look at her, Jessie thought her heart would melt. And then it did.

“Mama, mama, mama,” Isabel said.

Jessie’s father was still talking on the telephone when the nurse told Jessie that David had asked for her. Expecting him to be dressed and waiting to be discharged, she was disappointed he still wore a hospital gown. However, it was good to see him sitting up.

Isabel instantly jumped with excitement and leaned toward her daddy’s arms. When David didn’t raise his hands, Jessie sensed his injuries prevented him from holding his daughter, so she moved closer, allowing father and child to kiss.

“It looks like they’re going to keep me overnight. And depending on the test results, I might be here a day or two.” She could tell by the way he kept looking at his daughter that he’d never spent a night apart from her and that just the thought of being separated devastated him. “I was really hoping they’d let me go home tonight.”

His eyes said what his heart couldn’t put into words. He was going to have to find someone to watch Isabel overnight.

“What can I do to help? Can I call your parents?” she asked, as if she didn’t know he’d told the admittance nurse not to.

David bit down on his lip.

“Is there a neighbor or another family member, then?”

Before David could respond, she heard a deep voice say, “David Akers? Well, what are you doing here?”

“I’ll be,” David said, with obvious gladness. “And I could ask the same question, Reverend Peters.”

“I’m visiting family and friends,” the distinguished-looking man said. “You know you can’t pastor a church here for twenty years and not know half the city. One of my dear friends was brought in with kidney stones, and I wanted to check on him.” Still focused on David, the reverend had yet to notice Jessie. “Are you okay?” he asked David.

David sighed. “I might have a slight concussion, as well as some internal injuries. They’re going to keep me overnight for observation. We had a little run-in with a tornado tonight.”

“My goodness, thank God you’re okay. And little Isabel, was she hurt?”

At the sound of her name, Isabel started jabbering, and Reverend Peters turned toward Jessie. His shoulders relaxed instantly, and he said, “Well, I’ll be, if it isn’t Jessica Claybrook.” His glance bouncing between David and Jessie, a knowing smile lit his face. “Well, well…I’ll be.”

Realizing the reverend’s thoughts were headed in the wrong direction, Jessie rushed in to explain. “By God’s grace, we happened to seek shelter in the same place tonight.”

Reverend Peters’s smile merely deepened. Patting Isabel on the back, he looked at David as he spoke. “Your little girl couldn’t be in better hands than Jessica’s.”

“Jessie’s been an angel tonight,” David agreed.

The white curtain parted, and a nurse told Reverend Peters that his friend had been released. “Though I’m sorry for the circumstances, it was good to see you both. God bless you,” he said, hugging Jessie and Isabel, then shaking David’s hand.

As soon as the reverend disappeared, David said, “I haven’t seen him since I was a boy, though my parents have kept in touch through the years.”

“What a small world,” Jessie marveled. “He married both my sisters.”

“We may have more in common than a highway overpass.”

Though David grinned, Jessie could tell he was tired, achy and needed his rest. And so did Isabel.

“I hate to impose on you…” David began.

“Just tell me what you need. I want to help.” Jessie leaned forward for emphasis.

“Normally, I’d call my parents. But they just left on an extended vacation in their RV, and I don’t want them rushing home for me. However, I’m sure one of my sisters will watch Isabel for the night.”

“I’d be happy to call them. I don’t want you to worry about her. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of until I reach them. You need to concentrate on getting well.”

“No arguments there,” David said, lying back on the bed. Jessie wrote down the numbers he quickly rattled off.

Surprised by the telephone prefixes, Jessie hesitated at the curtain opening. “Your sisters live near St. Louis? Won’t it take them at least a couple of hours to get here?” Taking a deep breath, she made a quick decision. “Look, since it’s so late, why don’t I spend the night with Isabel? It’s the most practical and the easiest solution for both you and her.”

David shook his head. “I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve already gone to too much trouble. You’ve been here for hours. I’m indebted to your kindness.”

It occurred to Jessie that he might not trust her with his daughter. Isabel was all he had, and, after all, Jessie was a virtual stranger. “I understand you’ll be more comfortable if she stays with one of your sisters—”

“No, it isn’t that,” David claimed, and the light in his eyes told her he trusted her. “You don’t owe me this. Really, I’ve got family that will help.”

Jessie pressed her lips against Isabel’s forehead, then held the child close enough for David to hug and kiss her good-night. With Isabel’s arms anchored tightly around her neck, Jessie couldn’t help but say, “Please, let me stay with her tonight. We’ve all been through enough. She’s comfortable with me. It might be best for her.” And for me, Jessie thought.

David stroked his chin between his thumb and fingers. “I really don’t want to impose.”

“I want to do this for you. And if the situation were reversed, I know you’d do the same for me.” Somehow she sensed that about him. That he was the kind of man who’d help someone in need.

David opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say no, she said, “Then, it’s settled. I’ll stay with Isabel for the night.”

The orderly arrived to take David to a higher floor for more tests. As he wheeled him away, David said, “I’ll call you later.”

“Don’t worry about us. We’ll be just fine.”

How could she not be? She was holding in her arms the one thing she wanted most in the world.

Chapter Three

“I t looks like we are a family. At least for tonight,” Jessie said as she stored the personal items she’d picked up at her home in her father’s car and headed to David’s house. Her father, who’d taken a cab home, had arranged for her car and David’s to be towed to the garage, and a nurse had loaned her a car seat for Isabel.

“We’re doing great,” she said to the sleeping toddler. “We’re doing just fine. This is going to be a piece of cake.”

Then she hit a pothole she hadn’t seen in the dark, and the unexpected jolt woke Isabel, whose pout quickly escalated into a full-blown cry.

Jessie tried to soothe the child with songs and soft-spoken promises, but nothing quieted her. And then Jessie made the big mistake—she told Isabel that before she knew it, her Daddy would be home from the hospital. The mention of David’s name upped Isabel’s cries by yet another decibel and started her begging for her “Dada.”

Unnerved by the desperate sobs, Jessie made two wrong turns before she pulled into David’s driveway. As she parked the car in the garage, she momentarily rested her forehead against the steering wheel and wondered if she’d agreed to more than she could handle.

Her prayer was quick and to the point. Lord, please help me comfort this child. If I can survive a tornado, surely I can survive Isabel’s bedtime.

As soon as Jessie carried Isabel through the doorway, the child stopped crying. It was almost as if she knew she was home, and just for a second, Jessie felt the same peaceful familiarity.

But that was silly, she thought. She’d never been in David’s home before. She had her own home, less than a half-mile away, that she loved.

Having no time to waste on trivial thoughts, Jessie went straight to the kitchen, where she prepared a small bottle of milk for Isabel, just as she’d seen her sister Maria fix on many nights for her nephew. In the nursery, the milk quieted Isabel, and the child slipped off to sleep as Jessie gently rocked her.

When she was certain Isabel slept soundly, she placed the child in the crib. Please, Lord, keep Isabel safe through the night.

Leaving the nursery door slightly ajar, Jessie shuffled down the hallway. With everything under control, she took a quick shower. After changing into a nightshirt, she collapsed on the living room sofa and, too tired to find a bed, instantly fell asleep.

Less than a half-hour later, Isabel’s cries woke her. Too softhearted to let the toddler cry herself to sleep, Jessie took her from the crib and cradled her in her arms. Entering the nearest bedroom, which she assumed was David’s, she and Isabel crawled into the king-size bed and cuddled beneath the comforter.

As Isabel slowly calmed down, Jessie loosened her embrace and allowed her own thoughts to roam. Inching down the bed, she rolled onto her side so she could study Isabel in the moonlight. She pressed the toddler’s tiny hand against her own, marveling at the beauty of her delicate fingers. As she listened to the child’s peaceful inhale and exhale, she decided she’d never heard anything so magical.

Swallowing hard, Jessie prevented the old dream from surfacing. She would never give birth to a child of her own. She would never know a moment like this. So in the silent house, she decided to accept this special gift.

When the telephone rang, she almost didn’t answer it. But then it occurred to her that her parents or David might need to contact her.

“Hello,” David said. “I know it’s late—”

Though the telephone had awakened Isabel, she didn’t cry. “I’m glad you called. Isabel and I are lying in bed,” she said. Then, thinking he might prefer his daughter to be in her own bed, she quickly added, “But if you would like, I’ll put her back in the crib.”

“If she’s happy where she’s at, leave her. I hate to admit it but I’ve spoiled my girl. She loves napping in my bed.”

Jessie felt the heat of her blush and was thankful David couldn’t see her. Lying in his bed while talking to him on the telephone suddenly seemed intimate. She shook the thoughts from her head and instead asked him how he was doing.

He sighed. “I hope to come home tomorrow. I tried to tell the doctors there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just a little sore.”

Sensing he’d told her all he wanted to, Jessie didn’t press him for more specific answers. Having just met, he didn’t owe her a detailed diagnosis.

Isabel reached for the telephone with both hands, and Jessie said, “I think your daughter would like to speak to you.”

“Please, put her on.”

His loving tone warmed Jessie. Placing the telephone against Isabel’s ear, she smiled, as Isabel jabbered and slobbered over the mouthpiece. Lowering her head, Jessie shared the telephone with Isabel, listening as David sang a familiar lullaby to his daughter.

“She’s sound asleep,” Jessie whispered, as he started a new verse.

“That’s a relief,” David said.

Jessie silently agreed, unwilling to let David know she found temporary motherhood a little more taxing than she’d anticipated. Taking care of her eighteen-month-old nephew for a few hours at a time while he napped or played was a totally different experience from being in charge of a child’s needs around the clock. The magnitude of the responsibility she’d taken on had begun to sink in.

“If you feel up to it, maybe you could tell me about Isabel’s morning routine,” Jessie suggested.

“She generally wakes up around seven, and she’ll need to be fed and changed. And you’ll want to give her a bath and brush her teeth. You’ll find her play clothes in the third drawer of the dresser, diapers in the closet, and she likes hot cereal with bananas and milk for breakfast. But I should warn you, she wears as much oatmeal as she eats.”

Feeling overwhelmed, yet determined to conquer the morning routine, Jessie switched on the bedside lamp, grabbed a pen and paper and began scribbling notes.

“Just give her a sponge bath in the morning. There’s a small plastic tub and sponge on the bottom shelf of the changing table.”

“I can give her a bath,” Jessie insisted, lest David think he’d made a mistake trusting his daughter’s care to her. Besides, how difficult could it be to give a toddler a bath?

“Elaine will be there at nine, so as soon as she arrives—”

“Elaine?”

“Elaine Marshall. Isabel’s nanny. I’m sorry, in all the confusion I didn’t realize I never mentioned her. She’s been out of town visiting her sister. She lives in an apartment over the garage.”

Of course, Isabel had a nanny. Jessie had seen the stairway in the attached garage earlier in the evening, but she hadn’t given it any thought. It also explained why David hadn’t been eager to ask either his sisters or his parents for help.

“Well, that’s great. As soon as Elaine gets here, I’ll leave for the hospital.”

David paused. “Listen, Jessie, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but there’s no reason for you to come to the hospital. You’ve already gone beyond the call of duty. And believe me, you can’t know how much I appreciate your help. You give the words Good Samaritan a whole new meaning.”

Though she thought the comparison was exaggerated, Jessie appreciated David’s sentiment. “I have to come to the hospital, anyway,” she said. Then she explained about the borrowed car seat and that her father had arranged to have both of their cars towed to a local garage.

“I’m so amazed at how a disaster can bring out the best in people.”

“Yeah,” Jessie echoed. “If a person didn’t believe God watched out for them, a night like tonight certainly would change their mind.”

When David lapsed into silence, Jessie swallowed hard. For some reason, in those few seconds, she felt his pain and confusion. Instinctively, she knew losing his wife had challenged his faith in ways she’d never experienced. She wanted to say something meaningful, to assure him that even in the most difficult times, God would never desert him. And she should know.

But before she could come up with an encouraging response, David said, “The nurse just came in. Do you have any more questions about tomorrow morning?”

“No,” Jessie said. “Don’t worry about your daughter. Get a good night’s rest and concentrate on getting well.”

“Thanks to you, I feel like I can do that.”

“Good night,” Jessie said. As she held the receiver tightly, she realized she didn’t want the conversation to end. She wanted to know more about this man who’d risked his life to save his daughter’s.

“Good night,” David said. Then, with a surge of energy, he added, “Jessie’s blue bunny was in the car…”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure my father will collect your belongings from the car.”

“And Jessie,” David added, “tonight was a miracle.” And he hung up.

Reluctant to break the connection, Jessie listened to the silence until the telephone company’s automatic recording came on the line.

She closed her eyes, but sleep eluded her. Now that she was certain David and Isabel were both settled, she could let herself think about the tornado. Over and over, she relived the minutes she’d spent huddled beneath the overpass with David’s arms anchoring her in the tremendous wind. She recalled the deafening chug, the sting of gravel on her skin and the way she’d gasped for breath in the damp, swirling air.

And while time would eventually polish the rough edges off these memories, she knew one instant would always remain sharp and clear—the moment David had let go. She would never forget his piercing scream, nor the way she’d instinctively reached for Isabel. Her body trembled with fear at what could have been.

Snuggling next to Isabel, she believed without a doubt she’d been in the right place at the right time. God had dropped this child into her arms.

Thank you, Lord, for this miracle, Jessie prayed, and then closed her eyes and slept.

An early riser, Jessie eased from the bed at 6:00 a.m. Isabel had slept without waking, and she showed no sign of stirring soon.

Uncertain whether she should leave Isabel in the bed alone, Jessie retrieved her laptop from the living room and settled into an overstuffed chair in the corner of the master bedroom. Angling the screen so the glare wouldn’t disturb Isabel, Jessie maintained a clear view of the child. She placed a pillow over the computer to muffle the initial modem sounds. Once online, she went immediately to giftsoflove.com.

This was her baby.

Three years ago, she’d started the Internet bridal gift registry with a modest inheritance left to her by Grandmother Angie. Though her parents had urged her to buy mutual funds, Jessie had decided to risk it all on a business of her own. She’d had no doubts her grandmother, an adventurous woman herself, would have approved.

In the beginning, Gifts of Love had been an uphill struggle. Instead of staying in the larger metropolitan area of Dallas-Ft. Worth where she’d lived after graduating from college, she’d decided to move back to her hometown of Springfield, Missouri. But after working around the clock, six days a week, she could finally declare giftsoflove.com a success.

As the homepage loaded, Jessie felt a familiar surge of adrenaline. Impressed by the new pages that the evening shift had designed and uploaded, she noted only a few areas that needed fine-tuning.

When she finally glanced up at the clock, over an hour had passed. Shutting down her laptop, she hurried to get dressed before Isabel awoke. She even considered calling David to tell him the night had gone smoothly. Chances were, he was awake. Everyone knew no one ever got quality sleep in a hospital.

She picked up the receiver, then, feeling foolish, set it back down. After staring at the telephone for another minute, she quickly punched in the hospital number before she could change her mind.

“Hello,” David answered, sounding wide awake, much to Jessie’s relief.

“I thought you might like to know your baby slept through the night.”

“That’s good. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to settle down.”

“And how did you sleep?” Jessie asked as she fingered the telephone cord. Not until she spoke did she realize how eager she’d been to hear his voice and to know he’d improved.

“Fairly well. However, I feel like…” In the background, she heard the shuffle of sheets as David shifted his weight on the bed, his discomfort great enough to interrupt his words. “…a dump truck ran over me.”

Though Jessie didn’t say anything, she assumed David would be out of commission for longer than he might be willing to admit.

“Oh,” she said, “Isabel’s waking up.” Moving to the bed, she held the receiver next to the sleepy child’s ear. As soon as Isabel heard her father’s voice, she smiled and stretched. Jessie shared the little girl’s satisfaction and decided to treasure these special moments God had given her.

Jessie was prepared for the look of surprise when she walked into David’s hospital room later that morning with Isabel balanced on her hip.

“Hi, Pumpkin,” David called out to his smiling daughter, while his eyes asked why Isabel wasn’t at home with Elaine.

When David inched to one side and patted the bed, Jessie securely positioned Isabel between her father’s chest and arm. However, she remained close to the bed, just in case the toddler started to squirm.

“Elaine’s been delayed, hasn’t she?”

As Jessie explained that Elaine’s sister had fallen that morning and Elaine was taking care of her sibling’s twins, empathy shone from David’s brown eyes. “You made the right decision in telling her to stay,” he assured her. “I would have told her to stay in Kansas, too.”

He kept shaking his head. “I can’t believe this is happening to Elaine’s sister. She’s had a rough time lately.” Looking directly at Jessie, he added, “Sometimes, I really have to wonder what God is thinking.”

Jessie merely shrugged and offered a tight smile. This wasn’t the moment to volunteer her personal insights about God’s timing.

Shifting his gaze to Isabel, David relaxed a little. “The bright side is that I get to see my little girl. I wasn’t certain you could bring her to my room.”

Jessie’s smile widened and she touched her fingertips to her lips. “I’m not certain whether it’s allowed, either. We just walked in like we belonged here.”

“With you in charge, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Briefly, she met his gaze, surprised by how much his respect meant to her. However, she wasn’t about to spoil her image and confess that his neat brick home looked like a disaster zone. By the time Jessie had cleaned up the dining room and kitchen floors, Isabel had dumped the box of toys in the living room, plus she’d knocked over a potted fern and rubbed dirt into the carpet. And while she’d talked to Elaine on the cordless telephone, Isabel had followed her curiosity into the nursery, grabbing at anything within reach. Jessie had stayed one step behind the crawling toddler, but it still amazed her how much chaos Isabel had created before she scooped her up.

“The doctor is going to make me stay another night.”

David grasped her hand, forcing her to meet his gaze again. This time she knew what he was going to say before he even opened his mouth.

“You’ve done so much already. Don’t even think about offering to watch Isabel today.”

“I don’t have to think about it,” Jessie assured him. “In fact, I insist on staying with Isabel. We’re a team now. You can’t separate us. Besides, it’s only for one more night.”

Chapter Four

W as he letting stubborn pride dictate what was best for his daughter? David wondered the next morning as he hung up after talking to his married sisters.

No, he knew he was right.

In the past year, his parents had devoted a significant amount of their time and energy to helping him and Isabel settle in Springfield. While they had done so out of love, and while he’d admitted to his family that he couldn’t have made it without their support, he’d also made it clear that it was time for him to stand on his own two feet. Though it would be so easy to cave in, he knew in his heart it was best for everyone if he took full responsibility for his daughter.

Next, he called the main offices of Hot & Fresh and made sure the business day was off to a smooth start. As the owner of five Springfield deli and coffee shops, which specialized in thick sandwiches, the best bagels in town and the freshest coffee in the state, he lived a fast-paced life. He was used to solving problems, to anticipating market trends and to outsmarting his competition. He rarely came home until he was too tired to think about anything except his little girl.

But here in the hospital, he hadn’t been as successful in fighting off unwanted memories. Though it’d been a little over a year since his wife, Kate, had died after a Florida freeway accident, it sometimes seemed like yesterday. Surprisingly, it wasn’t what he saw in the corridors, but what he heard and smelled when he closed his eyes—the pungent medicinal odors mixed with the sweet fragrance of stargazer lilies, the soft shuffle of footsteps punctuated by the constant ding of elevator bells, and the hissing, beeping sounds of medical monitors—that summoned the vivid images of the last days of his wife’s life.

Now, restless and confined by the square room, David sought a change of scenery. Putting both feet on the floor, he tested his balance and was pleased with the progress he’d made in such a short time. After getting dressed, he slowly headed down the carpeted hallway to the waiting room near the elevators. Despite some interior decorator’s fine effort, the scenic mountain mural, the ficus trees and the upholstered furniture didn’t fool anyone—it was still a hospital waiting room.

Standing in the bright sunshine, he cautiously stretched his arms over his head. He didn’t care what the doctors said, the only thing wrong with him was a few sore muscles. There was no need for him to spend another night here.

He continued to stretch, leaning forward at the waist, then to the side, the back, and the opposite side. When the nearby elevator dinged and the door opened, he looked up and saw Jessie and Isabel.

“You must be feeling better,” Jessie said, her smile conveying relief and enthusiasm as she allowed Isabel to kiss her father’s cheek.

“Much better. In fact, I’m ready to check out.”

“Is that your diagnosis or the doctor’s, Mr. Akers?” she asked with a smile that told him not to bother answering.

Determined to prove his point, he opened his arms to Isabel, who immediately leaned into his embrace. And even though his chest muscles tightened uncomfortably with her extra weight, he beamed with pride. It would only be a day or two at the most before he was back to normal.

“Now what do you think?” he asked. But before Jessie could answer, the elevator stopped on the floor and her parents stepped off.

“Mom, Dad.” Jessie greeted her parents with a quick kiss on the cheek. “I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.”

“We were running errands and decided to check on David. If there’s anything we can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

With Isabel anchored on his left hip, David extended his right hand in greeting as he said thank you to Don and Helene.

“Mom and Dad speak often of you,” he said.

“We think the world of them.” Helene smiled as she spoke and playfully squeezed Isabel’s hand. “And the way your mother’s always talking about Isabel, I feel like I know this little one.” Seeking David’s gaze, Helene added, “We’re serious about our offer. With your parents out of town, please don’t think twice about asking us for help. That’s what friends are for.”

David nodded with sincere appreciation.

Helene pulled a terry-cloth stuffed rattle from her purse and waved the bright-colored toy in front of Isabel. Instantly, the toddler reached for it, and when she did, Helene took the child into her arms, just as David imagined she did with her own grandchildren.

David was surprised when the Claybrooks made themselves comfortable on the institutional sofa. They obviously intended to stay for a while. But one glance at Jessie and his astonishment dissolved. The Claybrooks bequeathed kindness and compassion in the same way most families passed on blue eyes and curly red hair. And because they were friends of his parents, they were willing to lend him a hand.

Drawn to the healing warmth of the sunshine, David shuffled closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Holding his body erect, he watched children on swings in the playground below. “I thought I’d have heard something from the doctor by now.”

“Hospitals operate on their own timetables. Try to relax,” Helene said. Then, turning toward Jessie, she added with a teasing lilt, “I’m guessing that as in your case, patience isn’t one of David’s virtues.”

“Really?” Jessie said, though her smile gave her away. “I would never have guessed that.”

“Hey,” David said, “I’m the injured party here. How about a little sympathy?”

Again Helene addressed Jessie. “Like he doesn’t think we know he’s heading straight to the office as soon as he’s released from here.” She turned back to David, softening her voice. “Your mother tells me you push yourself too hard. I know she’d want you to take a few days off. I promise you, the business won’t collapse if you take a short vacation.”

David smiled, just as he did when his own mother launched into this too-familiar argument. Before he could respond, Helene added, “I’ve been saying the same thing to Jessie for the past three years. A little time off doesn’t hurt anyone. It helps you put your priorities in perspective.”

Curious as to Jessie’s reaction, David met her gaze. Where he’d expected to see a stroke of irritation or a touch of defensiveness, he saw shades of pain. He didn’t know what had happened in her past that compelled her to work long hours, but whatever it was, the spidery roots of disappointment and heartache ran deep into her heart.

David swallowed hard, suddenly realizing how little he knew about Jessie. What did she do for a living? Did she work until she was too exhausted to do anything at night but fall into bed? And if she prayed to God, what did she ask for?

When she turned her head, as if she were uncomfortable with David’s scrutiny, he continued to study her profile. He had learned a few things about her in the short time they’d known each other. She had courage and heart, a smile that cheered him and the instincts of a mother. And looking at her strong cheekbones, feathery blond hair and expressive green eyes, he couldn’t deny her beauty.

But despite all this, he couldn’t let her continue to watch Isabel. His daughter was his responsibility, and he’d imposed on Jessie’s kindness far too long. He didn’t care what she insisted.

Signaling to Jessie and the Claybrooks that he’d be right back, David walked back to his room. He silently sighed when no one seemed intent on following him, but were more interested in entertaining Isabel. And when Helene distracted his daughter with a “horsey ride” on her knees, the childish giggles following him down the hallway, he knew it would be quite a while before Isabel missed him.

Though Jessie couldn’t decipher all the emotions she’d seen cross David’s face, she believed his abrupt departure had to do with her. When he glanced at his daughter, his intent became clear.

She wasn’t sure why—whether it was pride, distrust, or that David simply found it difficult to ask for help—but she knew he was determined to hire a baby-sitter.

Jessie stood in the doorway and listened as David punched out several telephone numbers in a row, with the same result. Each person he talked to was either on their way out of town, already had plans or had a cold.

David shoved the telephone receiver into its cradle, then stared out the window.

“No luck?” Jessie said, making her presence known. He obviously had a pool of backup baby-sitters he frequently called upon.

Startled by her voice, David jumped. “No,” he admitted, though he kept on staring out the window as if the answer to his dilemma were merely a puzzle he had to solve.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me for one more day,” she said.

“I really appreciate your offer, but as I’ve explained, you’ve already done too much.” Immediately, David punched out another number, but when no one answered he continued to hold the receiver, pushing the disconnect button with his thumb. He wasn’t going to give up easily.

“I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn.” The truth was, she didn’t know why she was being so insistent or why it suddenly seemed so important to her. Rationally, she could think of a dozen reasons why she should be helping David locate a sitter. But her heart kept reminding her of how perfectly Isabel fit in her arms, how satisfying it was to feel chubby hands grasp her neck and how invigorating she found the child’s fresh powdery scent. “I guess you just have a hard time accepting help.”

“Yeah, I guess I do.” David sounded grumpier by the moment.

“If you can’t find anyone else, I assume you’ll have to call your parents or sisters.” Though he hadn’t elaborated, she assumed he would go to great lengths not to call upon his family. And she understood that. After she’d moved back to Springfield, her parents had tried to take her under their protective wing. It was only natural. And there’d been times when it would have been so easy to call them for help—when the washing machine had flooded the house or when she’d sprained her wrist or when her car had broken down in a busy intersection. However, she’d been determined to take care of herself, and in the long run she’d been right. With every situation she’d tackled, independence had grown a little easier.

“Calling my parents isn’t an option.” He spoke sharply, and then apologized. “Of course, they’d take Isabel in a heartbeat. And that’s the problem. I won’t ask them to do that. In the past year, I’ve relied on them far too much. When I first moved back to town, I couldn’t have made it without them. But it’s time I started standing on my own two feet.”

“Then, I guess that leaves me. It’s just one night.” Which was exactly what she’d said when he’d been admitted to the emergency room the previous day.

Though his frown irritated her, she respected his determination to take care of his daughter without his family’s assistance.

David replaced the receiver. “I suggest you catch your breath, then, because as you know, a few hours with Isabel can wear out the fittest woman.”

When Jessie laughed, David did, too. They relaxed in the conspiratorial moment.

“Are you going to take a few vacation days?”

Turning the tables on her, David said, “What would you do?”

Before she could respond, her cellular telephone rang. Raising her eyebrows, she conceded his point, and answered the call from her office.

“Let me get back to you,” she said, quickly ending the call and turning her cellular phone off. Meeting David’s gaze, she said, “Do you mind if I use your phone? I forgot I wasn’t supposed to have my cell phone on in the hospital.”

David nodded, and she dialed her office.

She efficiently defused the problem at work, then went over telephone and fax messages, as well as the mail she’d received that day. Positive nothing urgent needed to be handled, she told her assistant she’d check in with her later in the afternoon.

The bemused light in David’s eyes provoked her into a smart remark. “You made your point earlier. Like you, my family thinks I spend way too much time at the office.”

“But what do you think?” David asked, as if he genuinely cared.

“I think I’m lucky to have a company and a work environment I love, and I don’t take it for granted.”

But what she wouldn’t admit was that as much as she thrived at Gifts of Love, her company didn’t begin to fill the emptiness inside her heart. Gifts of Love couldn’t give her the love and companionship she longed for. And most importantly, it couldn’t give her the one thing she wanted most in the world—a child of her own.

“You must have a pretty flexible schedule or an understanding employer, to be able to take off work in order to watch my child,” David said. “Please, don’t tell me you’re using vacation time to do this.”

“I have a great boss. The best, if I do say so.”

His puzzled look said he believed this was a clue he should have understood.

“I own the company,” she explained.

“Really?”

He’d weighted the word with curiosity and admiration, instead of the disbelief she so often heard.

“Gifts of Love. We’re an Internet bridal registry company.”

“Then, that explains why I haven’t heard of it,” David quickly added.

Though the message was subtle, Jessie received it loud and clear. David Akers wasn’t looking for a bride. And that suited Jessie just fine. She’d had her heart broken one too many times, and marriage definitely wasn’t in her near future, either. However, her reluctance to fall in love did complicate her desire to have children. For the time being, she’d resigned herself to believing God might not make all her dreams come true.

As if he felt the same awkwardness she did, he pushed the conversation forward. “What exactly do you do?”

Thankful to have the subject shifted to safer territory, Jessie launched into a description of Gifts of Love. Though she spoke with pride, she wasn’t egotistical. Hard work, a few lucky breaks and a lot of prayer had held her company together during its tenuous beginning.

“So basically, we build a personalized Web page for each engaged couple. From the site, family and friends can review the gifts the couple have registered for and place online orders, as well as send e-mails, post photographs, and even set up a family chat room.”

David folded his arms over his chest, his dark eyes intrigued by the business scenario. “But how do you make money?”

Jessie understood he wasn’t being nosy or prying into her personal finances. He was genuinely interested in the concept of her business.

“Through advertising. Plus, we negotiate incentives and percentages with the department and specialty stores we’re linked to, based on the sales we generate.”

Nodding his head, he added, “In other words, you can link your customers to any business that ships. Amazing.”

“Exactly,” Jessie said, feeling the same excitement she’d felt the day she incorporated. “I originally thought we’d appeal most to people who have a significant number of out-of-town wedding guests, but people who live across town from the wedding couple use our service just as much.”

“Wow,” David said. “I’d like to hear more about what you do, but I’m afraid if we don’t rejoin your family, they’re going to come looking for us.”

“I’d like to hear more about what you do, too.” While she spoke the truth, what she’d really like to hear more about was the man.

“I still owe you that free cup of coffee next time you’re in the deli.”

She started to say, That’s a date, but stopped herself just short of embarrassment. “I’m going to take you up on that.”

As soon as Isabel saw David, she started to whine and reach for him. When he didn’t move fast enough to satisfy her, little tears fell down her cheeks and she wiped them away with pudgy fingers. Once David settled on the sofa, Helene gently set Isabel on his lap, and all was right with the little girl’s world again.

“Your daughter thought you’d gotten lost,” Helene said as she glanced from David to Jessie.

Jessie blushed, eager to explain their absence. “I needed to ask David a question, and then I got a call from the office. I shouldn’t have had my cellular on in the first place.” The faster she spoke, the guiltier she felt. But she couldn’t help it. Her parents gazed at her with that familiar he’s-an-eligible-bachelor look.

She was thankful when a delivery boy stepped off the elevator and attentions turned elsewhere. “I’ve got an order for Don Claybrook.”

“What a thoughtful idea,” David exclaimed, as he tore open a bag with the Hot & Fresh deli logo and began passing out sandwiches and bags of chips to everyone.

Jessie’s dad winked. “We thought some good food might make the wait more bearable.”

Though she was hungry, Jessie suddenly felt compelled to escape the cozy atmosphere. The last thing she needed was for her family to get serious matchmaking ideas.

Picking up Isabel, she said, “I think this little girl needs to go home, eat her lunch and take a nice long nap.”

As Jessie reached for the diaper bag, Isabel’s blue bunny and the keys to the rental car her father had secured for her, Helene said, “Won’t you at least eat something first?”

“I think I’d better get Isabel home.” How could anyone argue with that?

“Well, at least take a sandwich with you,” her mother insisted. “Can Daddy and I help you? Do you want us to stop by later?”

Within seconds, Jessie had more offers of help than she needed. “Thank you all. I’m going to settle Isabel in, and call the office. I’ve got my laptop with me, so while she naps, I can get some work done.”

“That’s exactly my point.”

Jessie didn’t miss the message in her mother’s fretful eyes. Her mother was certain Jessie was taking on too much, stretching herself too thin.

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