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Lisa held her gaze for a long moment, acceptance finally settling over her features. “When are you leaving then? The least we can do is help you finish packing up. Help you move.”
“Tomorrow. And thank you, but I’m pretty much finished. I’m leaving the furniture and things for later.” Katie squeezed her hand. “I’m so happy to have met you and your family. You and Jeff are the kind of parents I’ve always wished for.”
A tear streaked down Lisa’s face. She tenderly palmed Katie’s cheek. “Just remember you’re loved. Not only by us but by our heavenly Father. You’ll always have a special place in His family—and in ours.”
Katie let the warmth of Lisa’s words seep deeply into her heart. She breathed in that truth and exhaled the achy pain of rejection. The tightness in her chest loosened a bit. Sometimes she forgot she already had a Parent—one who’d chosen her from the very beginning. One who would never reject her.
Katie was leaving in the morning, but all she could think about were tonight’s election results. The polls would be closing soon. She hoped Cooper didn’t have to wait long—and that he would ultimately be declared the winner.
She’d heated up last night’s pizza, but the slices sat on a paperplate, oil congealing on the surface. She couldn’t eat a thing. So much had happened this week. And just now her mind spun with Lisa’s words.
The reason Katie had come to town to begin with remained unresolved. Her mother’s recent departure from her life stung. But being reminded she’d always have God had brought her a measure of comfort and solace. And a faith that one way or another... she wouldn’t be alone. She would be okay.
But in the hours since Lisa’s departure, an idea had come sharply into focus. A decision had been made. Katie had to face her fears. She couldn’t leave Riverbend without telling her birth mother who she was.
Beth might reject her. But Katie owed it to herself to lay it all on the line and find out for sure. If the woman didn’t want Katie in her life, that washerloss. No doubt it would sting. But Katie was stronger than she’d given herself credit for. God had gotten her through so many things; He would get her through this too. Cooper had helped her see that.
The thought was freeing. She got up from the table and tossed the cold pizza into the trash.Ready or not, Mom, here I come.
Beth Wallace lived in a pretty little Craftsman in a neighborhood just outside of town. The house squatted on a grassy knoll, which sported several big oak trees. Crispy leaves cluttered the green grass and scuttled across the walk as Katie approached the porch.
She’d been here only once to drop off flyers. Beth invited her inside for coffee, but Katie was due at work.
She took the porch steps on trembling legs. Twilight crept across the valley, making the interior lights obvious. Even if not for Beth’s Camry parked out front, the woman clearly was home.
Uncertainty sprang into Katie’s mind, stopping her a few feetshy of her goal. Her heart thrashed in her chest. Was she making a terrible mistake? If she knocked on that door, would she regret it ten minutes from now?
The thought gave her pause. She imagined driving away from town tomorrow morning with all of this left unresolved. She couldn’t let that happen. The thought of not knowing bothered her far more.
She approached the door and gave a firm knock. Fear sucked the moisture from her mouth. She wiped sweaty palms down the sides of her jeans.
The door swept open and Beth’s pretty face lit in a smile. “Katie! What a nice surprise. Come on in.”
The pleasant reception buoyed Katie’s spirits. After all that had happened she wasn’t sure how the woman would receive her. She brushed past Beth, taking in the warm colors and comfy feel of the space. The living room boasted a brick fireplace, and a thick area rug hugged the wood floor. The scent of something savory filled the house. As the kitchen came into view, Katie spied a plate of food, half eaten, on the island.
“I’m sorry. I’ve interrupted your supper. I should’ve called.”
“Don’t be silly. Have you eaten yet? There’s plenty enough for two.”
“No, I—maybe I should just come back later.”
“Please don’t leave.” Beth’s gaze sharpened on Katie. “You seem like you have something on your mind. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”
No going back now. Katie perched on the leather sofa. “No, thank you.”
“What can I do for you?” Beth sank into the armchair across the way, the concern on her features reminding Katie of the way she’d reentered Beth’s life—the AA meeting.
“I’m not an alcoholic,” Katie blurted.
Beth blinked at the sudden declaration. Then her lips softened into a smile. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.”
Katie waited for more but the woman remained silent. “Aren’t you upset with me for coming to those meetings? Aren’t you wondering why I was even there?”
“If you want me to know, you’ll tell me.”
Resolve swelled inside Katie. For better or worse she did want Beth to know. She opened her mouth and the words spilled out. “I’m your daughter.”
Beth blinked. Tension stretched between them like a long electric line. An interminable moment later Beth’s eyes grew glassy. The woman opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
