Read Love Inspired May 2015 #2 for Free Online Page B

With her bobbed white hair, she walked up the aisle toward Jake. Smiling, she held out her arms to take the infant. He handed her over along with a pacifier.
    As Grace walked away, bouncing Abigail, the crying stopped. Jake heaved a sigh and relaxed against the back of the pew.
    Violet had missed her chance. Yet maybe this woman would be the perfect helper for Jake. After the service Violet would suggest Jake ask her for pointers, and maybe Grace could—
    Violet’s phone vibrated in her pocket. A message from the hospital reporting a five-year-old patient in the ER with dehydration.
    On autopilot, she grabbed her purse and slipped into the side aisle, heading toward the exit. Grace stood in the back swaying, holding the pacifier in Abigail’s mouth. She smiled and nodded at Violet as she passed. Violet returned the smile, yet couldn’t help checking out the baby.
    Looking happy and healthy, Abigail sucked on the pacifier while she observed the kind woman holding her.
    A wave of disappointment washed over Violet, quickly replaced by irritation. She should not be disappointed that Jake didn’t need her help. She should be pleased this woman had offered assistance. Hadn’t that been one of Violet’s goals for coming today?
    Jake had a friend who could teach him to care for the baby. It was time for Violet to return to work mode, to make sure her interest in Jake and Abigail remained strictly professional.

Chapter Three
    â€œY ou sure are calling early,” Aunt Edith said on the other end of the phone line. “It’s barely 6:00 a.m.”
    Jake stood in his kitchen bouncing Abigail in the crook of his arm. She’d been fussy since she woke at five o’clock.
    All morning, he’d tried every trick he knew to soothe her, including walking around the yard before dawn and swinging on his childhood swing set while holding Abigail. She would settle for a few minutes but then start fretting again.
    Unlike during her nighttime crying jags, at least she was finally taking her bottle this morning.
    â€œWhat’s that noise?” Edith asked. “It sounds like a baby.”
    â€œThat’s because it
is
a baby.”
    â€œIs there something you need to tell us?” she said with a laugh.
    If only the whole thing were a joke and he could laugh along with her. “Actually, there is. Why don’t you put Uncle Paul on the other phone?”
    Edith called for her husband to pick up the other extension, telling him Jake had something important to tell them.
    â€œWhat is it, son?” Paul asked.
    â€œRemy came by a couple of days ago.”
    Edith gasped. “How is she?”
    â€œShe’s okay. Looks pretty good, actually. And she’s had a baby.”
    Silence.
    â€œSorry,” Jake said. “Wish I could have prepared you better for that bombshell. But she showed up Friday evening, claiming she’s been clean for a year now but saying she’s not good mother material. She left the two-week-old baby with me and took off.”
    â€œWhat?” Edith nearly shrieked, probably trying to imagine him taking care of her infant grandchild.
    â€œI don’t know what to say.” Paul sounded worn-out, as if he’d taken one too many emotional beatings.
    Jake’s aunt and uncle had been through a great deal of pain and disappointment with their daughter, who’d lied to them, stolen from them and nearly depleted their savings in rehab programs. They’d had to practice tough love for their own sanity.
    Once they’d refused to enable her any longer, Remy’s rare visits ceased. Because of financial difficulties, the couple had decided to sell their practice and retire early. They moved south to heal.
    Jake hated to be the one to reopen the wound. “I’m sorry to call. I tried waiting, hoping she’d come back in a day or two. But she hasn’t. I have no contact information. No license plate number. Nothing with an