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feel of his touch a comfort beyond words. “You’re different in some ways, hon. But you’re the same in other ways.”
    She peered at him, holding back a snort. “Such as?”
    “Well, you both love holding hands when we pray at mealtimes, singing silly songs, and parties and holidays.” Heweaved his fingers through hers. “I swear I’ve never seen two girls who love celebrating as much as Faith and you do.”
    Anne smiled at that. “I got that from my mother. She used to do such special things. It always made her so happy to surprise me …”
    When she fell silent, Jared studied her. “What?”
    Anne almost couldn’t contain the sudden excitement that scurried through her. “Jared, that’s it!”
    He blinked. “What’s it?”
    It was perfect. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? “It happened when I was about Faith’s age.”
    “
What
did?”
    Anne jumped up and threw her arms around her husband. “Oh, honey! You’re a genius!”
    With that, she gathered up her tea and started for her room to plan.
    “Annie? Hon?”
    She stopped and turned back to Jared.
    “Will you let me know one of these days what I did that was so wonderful?”
    The look on his face was so comical, Anne giggled. “I’m sorry, Jared. I got so excited.”
    “Yeah, I could tell.”
    She couldn’t hold back a grin. “It’ll be perfect.”
    “What will?”
    “She’ll love it.”
    Jared’s brow furrowed. “Love … what?” He pushed back his chair and put a gentle hand on her arm. “Hon, before you get all excited, remember Faith doesn’t always like the things you do.”
    “Yes, but—”
    “She hated the frilly dress and hat you bought for her last Easter—”
    “I know—”
    “And the ballet class for tots was clearly a mistake.”
    Anne crossed her arms. “That instructor overreacted. Threatening to get a restraining order if we ever brought Faith back.” She sniffed her disdain. “Faith’s a creative child. Justbecause she thought it was more fun to pretend she was Bruce Lee than a flower …”
    “She
did
knock down three of her fellow ‘daisies,’ hon.”
    “Yes, well—”
    “And stomped on their little construction-paper petals.”
    Anne lifted her shoulders, conceding defeat. “Okay. So Faith wasn’t ready for ballet. But I’m sure Faith will love this!”
    “It’s just … I don’t want you to be disappointed, Annie.”
    Disappointed? No chance. She patted Jared’s arm. “Not to worry. Not this time. I know she’ll love it. What little girl wouldn’t?”
    “Maybe
our
little girl?”
    Anne understood his need to say it, but she waved off his concern. “It’ll be wonderful.” She went up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “And you get to take all the credit!”
    She turned and all but floated out the door. Nothing he said would discourage her. Not even the dubious reply he tossed after her.
    “Or the blame.”

five
    “In a dark time, the eye begins to see.”
    T HEODORE R OETHKE
    EVERYTHING WAS READY. ANNE HAD BEEN WORKING on it for weeks, scanning magazines for the perfect setup. She’d finally found an article showing the first lady, Betty Ford herself, holding an event almost identical to what Anne wanted to do. If that wasn’t proof it was a good idea, Anne would be a monkey’s uncle. Er, aunt. Whatever.
    It was the perfect time of year, too. Few places were as beautiful as Southern Oregon in the late spring. Flowers were bursting to life, filling the yard with color and the air with sweet fragrances. Anne had even called the time and weather number to check the forecast. Sunshine. Highs in the seventies. A light breeze. Perfect for sitting out on the patio, looking out at the mountains surrounding the valley where they lived.
    It was as though everything, nature included, was falling in line to make this day as special as possible for Anne and her little girl.
    The night before the big event, she had been like a kid on Christmas Eve. Instead of falling asleep the moment