Miracles in Disguise (The Trampled Rose Series) by Michelle Lynn Brown

mission, he’d poured out his plan to be used by God. None of it had happened. He was a music teacher, and a worship leader at the same church he had grown up in. He had long ago decided he wasn’t worthy of being a pastor, and marriage – well, it eluded him as well.
    “You know, I wrote one of these papers when I was a young girl in school. I was going to be a nurse, marry a doctor, and together we would be missionaries.” His mom laughed, “But then I met your father and that dream changed. Just think, had I been looking for a doctor, you would have never existed.”
    He thought about her words, and his earlier thoughts of Kristina.
    Just then David spied Sandra through the sliding glass door and began to bark excitedly. She didn’t hesitate to go see him. Outside, Nathan stood next to her as she threw the ball for David. His arms crossed, he was lost in thought until she spoke.
    “Nate, I can’t even remember what David used to be like when you brought him home your first year back from seminary.”
    Nathan laughed, “I can, and he was a frightened mess. He was too scared to even come out from under the bed and eat his food.”
    “But you brought him around. He was so scared, so frightened of everyone. But your love saved him.” She tossed the ball again and watched David bounce after it. “I think his love saved you a little too.”
    Nathan looked at his mom for a few moments, knowing she was preaching to him without a sermon. He thought about calling her out on it, but instead just said, “I thought you said you couldn’t remember."
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Kristina gave her appearance one last critical perusal, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle from her cream silk blouse and straightened her knee length floral skirt. She caught the sides of her long thick hair in a simple barrette and let the length of it tumble softly down her back. The soft click of her heels sounded on the hardwood floors as she headed for the door. Tucking her book and notes into her bag, she grabbed her keys and headed out the door to pick up Barbara.
    As she arrived at Barbara’s house, the vivacious young girl came bounding out her door, waving goodbye to her father as she was dashing toward the car. Sliding in, she said, “Hey, Ms. Talbot, you ready?"
    “Yes, are you?”
    “You bet.” Barely taking a breath she went on, “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. I stayed up late last night, trying to decide what I was going to say. I changed it over and over, and I still don’t know what I’m going to say.”
    Kristina smiled again and said, “I know you can do this, and I’m going to be right there if you need any help. It is always scary at first, but you will find once you get up and start talking, you will forget your fear, and your love for books will take over.”
    Nathan had quickly spread the word about the book club, and before she could even blink, the club was formed. Mrs. McKinley suggested they meet at her house, and Kristina talked Barbara into not only joining, but helping her lead the club. Tonight, they were just getting started and doing an overview of the book they would be reading.
    Once they arrived, Kristina scooped her bag out of the back seat and they headed for the door. Pressing a hand against her fluttering stomach, she headed for the front door with Barbara at her side.
    No one had arrived yet, and Mrs. McKinley welcomed them warmly into her home. Kristina was both relieved and disappointed to find Nathan absent. After their last conversation in the truck, she’d been avoiding him, uncomfortable with how vulnerable she had been. Yet at the same time, she couldn't erase the promise she’d seen in his eyes. To her storm-tossed heart, it was like a lighthouse, beckoning her toward safety. But she still feared the rocks she knew must be lying just beyond the light, ready to tear her heart and envelop it in darkness again. She was just beginning to enjoy happiness. There was no way she could