The Calling by Deborah A Hodge Page A

Sarah, who was sleeping soundly. She decided to make coffee and have her quiet time. She had settled into her Bible reading and prayer, when she heard the door open, and David entered. He and his bags were wet from the rain that was falling.
    “Hi. We didn’t expect you home today,” Cate said, cheerfully.
    “I didn’t expect to be home today.” David set down his bags and reached for a towel to wipe his face and his hair.
    “I’ve made some coffee. Would you like some?”
    “Yes, but I’ll get it. Looks like I’ve interrupted your quiet time.”
    “You’re tired from your drive. Please, sit, I’ll get your coffee.”
    “Thank you, that’s very thoughtful. I am a little tired.”
    David sat in his favorite chair and Cate poured him a cup of coffee. “How long has it been raining?”
    “For about four hours,” David held the cup in both hands, welcoming the warmth, “it’s rained on me all the way home.”
    “So, it’s probably an all day thing.”
    “Probably,” David sipped his coffee, “how’s Sarah?”
    “She’s fine. I can’t believe that she’s still sleeping, but we did stay up a little later than usual last night. We were reading.”
    “She does enjoy reading. Thanks for reading to her.”
    “I am glad she enjoys it so much. I hope it continues.”
    “I do too.”
    The entrance of the young reader interrupted their conversation.
    “Daddy!” Sarah yelled, as she rubbed sleep from her eyes. He sat down his cup of coffee as she ran and jumped into his lap.
    “Hey, Lady Bug,” David hugged her.
    “Are you home to stay?”
    “Yes, for now. Daddy won’t have to leave again for another week or two.”
    “Yea!” Sarah said, as she looked at Cate. “I’m hungry. Can we have breakfast now?”
    “Sure, we can.” Cate rose to make breakfast.
    “How ‘bout,” David tickled Sarah, “I fix your breakfast while Cate finishes her quiet time.”
    “Nonsense,” Cate said. “I was through with my quiet time. You’re tired from your trip. You just rest and I’ll fix breakfast.”
    “Okay, it’s a deal.” David said, as he yawned and stretched.
    Realizing how very tired he was, Cate suggested, “Sarah, why don’t you help me?
    “We’ll make a special breakfast to celebrate Daddy coming home,” Sarah agreed and they departed to the kitchen.
    David fell asleep while breakfast was being prepared. Cate put a plate back for him for later, and she and Sarah ate quietly.
    Once they finished breakfast, she and Sarah retired to Sarah’s room to read her favorite story.
    Finally, David awoke; he’d slept for almost three hours. He heard Cate and Sarah as they were reading and went to investigate. “Why didn’t you wake me when you finished cooking breakfast?”
    “I knew you were tired and figured the rest would do you good.”
    “Thanks. I do feel better.”
    “We’ve been having a good time daddy.”
    “You have,” David said, as he swept her up in his arms.
    “Uh-huh, we’ve been reading Cinderella .”
    “Your favorite book.”
    “It’s my very, very favorite book. Will you read it to me again?”
    “May I have some breakfast first?”
    “Yes,” Sarah said. “We left you some breakfast in the kitchen.”
    “Did you now? I’ll bet you’re ready for lunch.”
    “I am hungry,” Sarah giggled.
    “Come on,” Cate said. “Daddy can have breakfast while I make lunch.”
    As David was eating breakfast and Cate was making lunch, Sarah decided to strike up a conversation. “Daddy, can I ask you something?”
    “Sure, Lady Bug,”
    “Daddy, can Cate be my new mother? She said it was your choice.”
    David stopped chewing, swallowed hard and searched for an answer.
    Cate paused in the middle of stirring macaroni, held her breath, and remained turned away from David. When Cate heard him take a big breath and release a sigh, Cate turned toward him.
    “Sarah, Cate and Daddy are friends, good friends.”
    “I know Daddy, but I love Cate, and Cate loves me. Maybe, she