Free A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

faint beginnings of a beard, Jacob had Lilly’s striking green eyes and dark brown hair. Jacob wasn’t quite as tall and thickly muscled as Lukas, either. However, he was just as fit-looking. He was also clearly as devoted to his family as Lukas was.
    And because of that, Rebecca knew she was intrigued by him. How many men would pick up their whole lives and make a go of it for a niece? Not many, she decided. While some men might even agree to raise their niece, they would have asked for the girl to join them, not the other way around.
    What he was doing was really a wonderful thing.
    Closing her eyes, she said a brief prayer for both of those men. For them both to find the strength they needed to help those who needed them to be strong.
    And then, because she knew the Lord was always with her, she asked Him to give her a little bit of strength, too. She was going to need His help if she was going to tackle the mess that Mercy had no doubt left her.
    Feeling better already, she opened the main door at last, felt the cool burst of air conditioning on her skin, and strode inside.
    She was now ready to get to work and do her part for her family. At least she knew she was good at this job.

Chapter 8
    Wednesday, August 26
    E ven if Rachel’s head wasn’t exactly coming to terms with her pregnancy, her body surely was! She’d woken up nauseated for the last three days. She’d also been nauseated after dinner, after supper, and before she went to sleep. Her skin felt extra sensitive and she was tired, too.
    That evening, after she’d gotten home from school, she’d chopped carrots, celery, and onions, put them in a pot with some chicken bouillon and water, and set it on the stove to boil. Now all she had to do was take out the dish of fresh chicken, cut it up, and add it to the broth so she could make chicken and dumplings for Marcus.
    Unfortunately, even thinking about that raw chicken made her stomach turn to knots.
    She took a seat on her favorite kitchen chair and tried to summon some of her mother’s strength. She had carried five kinner . Surely Rachel could handle this first pregnancy!
    She would handle it, too. In another minute or so. First, though, she needed to put her feet up and take a rest. Her students had been especially rambunctious today.
    â€œRachel?” Marcus called out. “Rachel, what in the world?”
    She opened bleary eyes. Then, as reality set in, she scrambled to her feet guiltily. “Oh, Marcus. I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”
    â€œWith a pot on the stove, too.”
    Racing to the stove, she looked at the pot of vegetables. They didn’t look too overcooked. Relief coursed through her. She must have been asleep for only a few minutes. “I’ll get the chicken on.”
    â€œI’ll take care of the chicken. You go sit back down.”
    Because she really, really didn’t want to handle that icky wet chicken, she did as he bid. And sure enough, the moment he started cutting it up, her stomach rolled. With a groan and a cough, she rushed to the bathroom.
    Two minutes later, Marcus found her sitting on the floor, her head resting against the cool tile wall. Before she knew what he was about, he slid down beside her, a warm washcloth in his hand. “Rachel, you are mighty sick.”
    â€œIt’s simply morning sickness.”
    â€œAt five in the evening?” he asked as he handed her the washcloth.
    After pressing the warm cloth against her mouth and cheeks, she tried to joke. “Mamm said bopplis don’t know the difference between morning and evening.”
    â€œI guess not.” After helping her to her feet, he walked her to their bed. “Come lie down.”
    â€œI don’t have time for that. I need to make you supper.”
    â€œThe chicken is cooking. I’m thinking it might be best if you stay out of the kitchen for a bit.”
    â€œYou might be right.” She did still feel a