“You look great, Rae,” he said, gazing steadily at her.

      “You have that glow people talk about.”

      “I do?” Her cheeks grew warm. Was she still attractive to David after all?

      “You look the same way you did when you were expecting Brian. Remember? I used to tease you about it. I said, ‘If we could bottle that kind of beauty, we’d make a million dollars.’”

      “Yes, I do remember,” she said softly. “I always thought you were just trying to make me feel better.”

      “No, I was dead serious.” Slowly, tentatively, David moved from his recliner to the sofa. He took her hand in his, his very nearness making her weak, turning her heart to gelatin. “Rachel, sweetheart, I’ve been so worried about you. It’s Christmas and I hate this animosity between us. Isn’t there something we can do to resolve this?”

      Tears gathered behind Rachel’s eyes. She yearned to feel herself enfolded in his embrace and to pretend that these bitter weeks apart had never happened, that this was like every Christmas they had spent together and would spend together, for the rest of their lives.

      “Oh, David.” She sighed. No other words would come.

      Then he moved toward her and gathered her into his arms…

       CAROLE GIFT PAGE

      writes from the heart about contemporary issues facing adults. Considered one of America’s best-loved Christian fiction writers, Carole was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan. She is the recipient of two Pacesetter Awards and the C.S. Lewis Honor Book Award. Over eight hundred of Carole’s stories, articles and poems have been published in more than one hundred Christian periodicals.

      A frequent speaker at conferences, schools, churches and women’s ministries around the country, Carole finds fulfillment in being able to share her testimony about the faithfulness of God in her life and the abundance He offers those who come to Him. Carole and her husband, Bill, have three children and live in Moreno Valley, California.

      Rachel’s Hope

      Carole Gift Page

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

      —Psalm 16:9

      With all my love, To my mother and father, Aldon and Millie Gift, who have loved each other through over 56 years of marriage.

       Chapter One

      Rachel Webber stared at the sign over the physician’s door, her heart jackhammering and a sour taste at the back of her throat. This moment wasn’t real. It had to be a dream. A nightmare.

      “This must be it,” said Marlene, her throaty, nononsense voice sounding distant, disconnected. “It says Dr. Bernard Oberg.”

      Rachel looked around. She had nearly forgotten Marlene. For one desperate moment she wished their roles were reversed, that Marlene Benson was the expectant mother and Rachel the comforting friend.

      “We

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