Читать книгу Desperate Wish - Sioux Dallas - Страница 8

Prologue

Sugar Land, Texas, 2007

Daniel Cortland heaved a sigh of happiness, and relief, as he gave a final hug to his numerous grandchildren before they rushed away to their individual business; some to play and some to chores. The older ones to help with the important dinner planned for a very special occasion.

He breathed a prayer of thanks for all the blessings he’d enjoyed over the years. His happiness slightly dulled when he thinks of the loss of his precious Amanda two years before. They had celebrated sixty-four years of unbelievable joy. “As for me and my house, we serve the Lord” had truly been practiced faithfully, and each of their five children had also followed this.

Daniel and Amanda were both strong, independent people but they always talked everything over and came to an agreement. Amanda, two years older than Daniel, went to join their Lord with a smile of contentment on her face. She had loved Daniel with her whole heart and had loved their children, but she was ready to go to her rest. The dreadful cancer had robbed her of her normal easy-going nature and of her enjoyment of her precious family. They had first been blessed with triplet boys, Bradford, Broderick, Bickford, and then two girls, Hannah Ellen and Bonnie Victoria. All five of his children were at the ranch today to celebrate his ninetieth birthday.

Bradford, the oldest triplet, had married a sweet, auburn-haired girl, Margaret Ann Perkins, who gave him three beautiful children, two boys and a girl. Broderick, the second triplet, had married a lovely blond-haired girl, Valeria Stallard, who loved ranch life and had given him seven children, four boys and three girls. Bickford, the third triplet, had married a cute, perky strawberry blonde, Verta Lynn Rutherford, and they had two sets of twins, two boys and two girls. Bonnie had married an attorney, Raymond Bolling, and they had five children, two boys and three girls. Hannah had married a doctor, Jason Cooley, and they had five children, a set of boy and girl twins, two single boys and a girl.

The twenty-five grandchildren had been the heart of Daniel and Amanda. Now Broderick’s oldest son was married and they were expecting a child in two months. Daniel was pleased to think of welcoming a great-grandchild. He smiled knowing that Amanda would have loved the idea. They had never actively interfered in their grown children’s lives, but the children loved and respected the parents so much that they did include the parents in their plans.

Daniel settled comfortably against the pillows on the porch swing and began to reminisce about his wish that was fulfilled when he met his precious Amanda and the dangers they had experienced before they got married. He had been shot and his life threatened simply because he had been trying to find the person who was sabotaging the flying business of Amanda’s father. He smiled thinking about the years with Amanda. Most of them were a real joy, some were a little difficult because of both of their strong personalities, but all of them were so satisfying. I’d do it all over again, he mused. Being with Amanda made it all worthwhile. My precious Amanda will never again have any heartache, sorrow or pain. She suffered too much with the cancer and finally gave in with the grace she had always shown. Then seven months later my good friend, just like a brother, Frasier, went to our Lord. I can imagine that he and Amanda are hashing over old times and waiting for me. How blessed I’ve been over one desperate wish in an earnest prayer.