Read It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long for Free Online

the side table.
    “I scolded my sick son for behaving badly when all the time he acted up only because he didn’t feel well. I’m a rotten mother.” A salty tear rolled into her mouth.
    “I’m sure that’s not true. He’s going to be fine. You’ll even be able to attend rehearsal Monday night.”
    She’d forgotten all about the read-through. “How did you know I was in the play?”
    “I recognized your name from the cast list Danny Riley gave me. I’m playing George Bailey. I couldn’t make auditions, but Danny knows what I can do. So I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other over the next few weeks.”
    “Can I see my son?”
    “I’ll take you. He’ll be groggy. But don’t worry. That’s normal. Do you want to stay with him tonight?”
    Dorie nodded.
    “I’ll have an orderly bring in a cot for you.”
    “I don’t think I’ll sleep, but thank you.”
    “I make my rounds first thing in the morning. Josh should be able to go home by the afternoon.” With that, her angel in scrubs left.
    Dorie called her mother, arranged for Emma’s care, then settled into a chair.
    ***
     
    She’d spent the long night in vigil, watching her son sleep, afraid to close her eyes. The dark morning did nothing to assuage her helplessness. Josh stirred as Dr. Wellington came into the room. Dressed in slacks, shirt, and a white coat, he looked a little older and more the part.
    “How’s my patient this morning?”
    Dr. Wellington placed the ball of the stethoscope on Joshua’s head.
    Josh’s giggles buoyed Dorie’s spirits. “It doesn’t go there, Dr. Wellington.” Josh moved the stethoscope to his chest. “It goes here.”
    Dr. Wellington smiled, a hint of a jokester in his crystal blue eyes as he examined Josh. “Ah … that’s better. Thank you, Josh.” Dr. Wellington strapped the stethoscopearound his neck, re-opened the curtain, and offered Dorie a wink. “Looks like you’ll be back to riding your bike in no time.”
    “Mommy, did I have to have an operation because I was bad?”
    Her throat closed. How should she answer him? Maybe she was the one God punished because she’d shown interest in a man other than Devon.
    Dr. Wellington answered the question she couldn’t. “Getting sick isn’t a punishment. I suppose once in a while God lets bad things happen to get our attention. Most of the time, though, the body just gets sick. God cares about us when we don’t feel well and wants to help make us better. Do you want me to pray with you?”
    Dorie nodded permission in sync with Josh.
    “I thank you, Jesus, that you’ve helped me to help Josh. Please comfort and reassure him. Help him heal quickly. Amen.”
    “Amen.” Josh’s body relaxed and he drifted toward sleep.
    “Thank you for praying with him.”
    “I pray for all my patients, but Josh is special. He’s a great kid with a beautiful mother.”
    Dorie was grateful the dim light covered her blush.
    “I’d say he can go home this afternoon. I’ll write the discharge.” Dr. Wellington leaned against the wall, his posture much less professional than a minute ago. “Listen, I was wondering if I could take you and the kids to dinner—when Josh feels better.”
    “Do you take all your patients to dinner, Dr. Wellington?”
    “I’d like to make an exception. Danny told me you’ll be doing the publicity. Since you’re new in town, I thought I could help. Maybe give you a few tidbits on the cast.”
    His smile hinted a deeper agenda than a mere dinner to take notes on Midville’s thespians.
    In the space of two days, two very different had been men and expressed interest in dating her. At this moment, her heart belonged solely to a six-year-old. “I think Josh would like that very much.”
    “I’ll call you then.” With that he left.
    She pulled a chair next to Josh’s bed, resisting the urge to pick him up and cradle him on her lap. Her own eyelids fluttered as she listened to his rhythmic snores.
    ***
     
    Jamey hesitated