A Baby by Easter. Lois Richer
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would, even though I hardly know you.”
“I know you,” Darla insisted. “You’re Sleeping Beauty.”
“I’m not really.” Susannah caressed Darla’s cheek. She glanced at him, then Connie. “I’m just an idiot who’s made another huge mistake.”
“Davy says everybody makes mistakes. He said that’s how we learn.” Darla faced Connie. “I made a mistake and broke your lamp. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay, honey. You and I will go shopping for a new one.” Connie smiled her forgiveness, then turned back to Susannah. “Can you tell me what’s wrong, Suze? Because you’re very pale and I still think you need to see a doctor.”
“I’ve already seen one.” The blond head dipped. “I know what’s wrong with me.”
“Tell me and we’ll do whatever it takes to get you well,” Connie promised.
“If only it were that easy,” Susannah whispered.
“There’s me and Davy and Connie and Wade and Silver. That’s lots of people to help.” Darla twisted, trying to peer into Susannah’s face. “We can all help you. That’s what friends do.”
David had to smile at the certainty in his sister’s voice. But his smile quickly died.
“I’m pregnant.” The words burst out of Susannah in a rush. Then she lifted her head and looked him straight in the eye, as if awaiting his condemnation.
But it wasn’t condemnation David felt. It was hurt. He’d prayed so long, so hard, for a family, a wife, a child. And he’d lost all chance of that—not once, but twice.
How could God deny him the longing of his heart, yet give this homeless, ill woman a child she was in no way prepared to care for?
“Come on, Darla,” he said. “We’re going home now. Connie and Susannah need to talk. Alone.”
Darla must have heard intransigence in his voice because she didn’t argue. She leaned over and kissed both women on the cheek, whispered something to Susannah, then placidly followed him from the room. She walked home beside him in silence, peeking at him from time to time. It was only when they’d stepped through the front door that Darla finally spoke.
“I know what it means, Davy. Susannah’s going to have a baby.”
“Yes.” He felt horrible about his attitude, but he just didn’t want to get involved with Connie’s friend. He had enough responsibility with Darla. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—take on any more.
“Is it hard to have a baby?” she asked.
“Yes. I guess so.”
“Then we have to help Susannah, don’t we? That’s what the Bible says.” Darla took his hand and held it between hers. “She’s my friend, and I want to help her.”
“I don’t think there’s much that we can do, sis.” Brain injury or not, Darla had always tried to fix the world. David loved that. Loved her. “It’s not our problem.”
“Yes, it is our problem. We have to show love.” Darla let go of his hand and stepped back. Her face was set in stern lines, her dark eyes glowing with the unyielding resolve he’d run into before. “I’m going to help Susannah. I’m going to ask God to show me how.”
Then she turned and walked to her room, determination in every step.
David went into his study but he didn’t turn on the lights. Instead he stood in the dark, thinking. Finally he could contain his hurt no longer.
“I don’t want to take on anyone else’s problems, God,” he whispered. “I was Silver’s guardian for four years while Wade worked in South America. When Dad died, I took over his law firm, and then managed Mom’s care until she passed away. Then Darla had her accident and it was up to me again. I can’t take on any more.”
“I’ll be good, Davy,” Darla whispered.
He whirled around, saw her standing in the doorway with tears coursing down her cheeks and cursed his stupidity.
“Oh, Darla, honey, I didn’t mean—”
“I promise I won’t be bad anymore. I won’t yell or break things or be nasty, if we could have Susannah look after me. Please?” She stood in her white cotton nightgown, a penitent child where a woman should have been. She’d lost so much.
His heart ached to make her world better. But not this way.
“Sweetie, I don’t think Susannah is going to be able to work. I think she’ll have to rest and get well.”
“For a little while, till she’s not sick. But then Susannah will want to work. She told me she came to see if Connie could help her get a job.” Darla dragged on his arm. “Ms. Evans said she isn’t ever coming back here to stay with me again, so we have a job, Davy. Please, could we get Susannah?”
David had never been able to deny his sister her heart’s desire. Not since the day she’d been born. Certainly not since her accident. But David couldn’t promise this. Darla took every spare moment he had and then some. He had to be her buffer, protect her and make sure her world was safe and secure. He couldn’t take on the responsibility for a pregnant woman, too. He just couldn’t take on another obligation for anything or anyone else.
Can’t or won’t? his conscience probed.
“Please, Davy?”
“I’m not saying yes,” he warned. “I’m saying I’ll think about it. But don’t get your hopes up, Darla, because I don’t believe Susannah will want to do it.”
And I don’t want her here. I don’t want to be responsible if she works too hard or you cause her problems and that child is jeopardized. I don’t want more responsibility.
“Thank you, Davy.” Darla flung her arms around him and hugged him as hard as she could.
“I haven’t said Susannah can come, remember.”
“I know.” She tipped her head back and grinned like the old Darla would have. “But I’m going to pray God will change your mind.” She kissed him, then raced toward the kitchen. “I didn’t have dinner. I’m hungry.”
Darla’s faith.
David wished his own was as strong.
Chapter Two
“So you thought you were married to this man?” Connie said.
“Nick. Yes.” Susannah nodded.
“But—”
“I know it sounds stupid and gullible,” Susannah muttered and hung her head. “He said he didn’t want a fuss, that he wanted our wedding to be just us, private and intimate.”
“But to lie about marriage—I am so sorry.” Connie touched her hand in wordless sympathy.
“So am I—sorry that I was so dumb. Nick arranged everything that I asked for—the minister, the church, everything. But it wasn’t real. None of it was.” Susannah pushed away the rest of the soup David had brought. She shook her head. “I thought Nick loved me. I guess I should have known better.”
“Why? When you’re in love, you do trust the one you love.” Connie’s fingers smoothed hers. “That’s natural, exactly how God meant love to be.”
“Only God didn’t mean love for me.” Guilt settled on Susannah for ruining her friend’s party. “Shouldn’t you go back to your guests?”
“I told them an emergency had arisen.”
“I’m an emergency? Yuk.” Susannah made a face.
“Just like the old days, huh?” Connie teased. She shook her head. “Don’t worry.