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down on his knees the minute she left and ask God to make her decide in his favor. Asit was, he simply sent a silent entreaty, a single eloquent word, to whoever in the cosmos might happen to be listening.
    Please!
    Â 
    â€œNow tell us about that nice-looking man with the two adorable children I saw you talking to at church this morning.” Cate’s mother passed the basket of fresh-baked rolls to her daughter.
    Cate had wondered how long it would take for someone in her family to grill her about that conversation. That was the one bad thing about being part of a close-knit clan. Everybody assumed they had a right to know everything about your life. On the plus side, however, her family had often proven to be a good sounding board.
    â€œA man by the name of Clay Adams.” She quickly filled them in on the situation.
    â€œPoor man,” her mother murmured.
    â€œIt might be better to go for a more permanent position,” Mark offered as he helped himself to a second serving of roast chicken.
    Her older brother had always been the most security-conscious sibling, and Cate wasn’t surprised by his response. In light of his legal training, she also expected him to give her the third degree about Clay—unless Rob beat him to it.
    â€œSounds like this man could really use your help, though,” her grandfather chimed in.
    â€œThe timing is perfect, too, since you’re free now, anyway,” her father added.
    â€œIt’s odd how it worked out.” Cate’s face grew pensive. “I mean, he could have gone to any church, but he picked ours. And if he hadn’t spoken to Pastor Bob, I would never have gotten involved. It’s funny how a chance meeting can have such an impact.”
    â€œI’m not convinced it was chance,” her mother declared. “I think it’s all part of God’s plan.”
    â€œDoes this guy’s story seem on the up-and-up to you?” Rob interjected.
    â€œSpoken like a true police officer,” Cate teased her younger brother.
    â€œHey, you can’t be too careful these days.”
    â€œTrue. But he offered to put me in touch with the police department in his sister’s hometown and her pastor.”
    â€œThat’s a good sign,” Rob conceded. “If you ask me, I think you ought to help the guy out. He’s new in town, has no family around and is trying to juggle what sounds like a demanding job with the needs of two kids. Speaking from the perspective of a single male, I imagine he’s in way over his head and sinking fast.”
    â€œI think that’s a fair assessment.” Cate propped her chin in her hand and toyed with her mashed potatoes. “And the children are wonderful. But they need a lot of love and attention.”
    â€œDo you think it might be too much for you?” Her mother gave her a worried look.
    â€œA challenge, maybe. But not too much.”
    â€œYou’d be perfect for them,” Michelle declared. “And I could help in a pinch, if things get crazy. It would be good practice.” She patted her swelling tummy.
    At her sister-in-law’s comment, Cate smiled. “I think you’re going to have other things on your mind for the next few months. But I appreciate the offer.” She surveyed the table. “It sounds like the family consensus is that I should take the job.”
    â€œIt would be the Christian thing to do,” her mother said.
    â€œWhat do you think, Cate?” her grandfather asked.
    She sent him a grateful smile. Her opinionated family could be rather overwhelming, but Pop always managed to inject a subtle reminder that her decisions were, in the end, hers. They’d always been close, and the spry older man had been her staunchest ally when she’d decided to buy a condo despite the protests of her parents and her overly protective brothers.
    â€œI’m going to pray on it a bit, but I think I’m going to do it. I