Free A Family Reunited by Jennifer Johnson

think Emma is ready to see me without you?”
    The question tasted bitter coming from his lips. It hurt, but the words were true. Emma wasn’t ready to spend time with him without her mother.
    Pamela wrinkled her nose. “You’re right. But it doesn’t always have to be me. It could be Mom or Dad or Kirk.” She crossed her arms. “And you already know they’re all ready and willing to welcome you back into our lives.”
    Jack grinned. He couldn’t help it. It thrilled him that her family wanted to give him a second chance. “I’m going to win you back, Pammer.”
    “This isn’t a game to win, Jack. The finish line doesn’t happen until you’re dead. Family life is the journey, and you have to be present to participate.”
    “You’re right, and I want to take every next step with you. Please forgive me.”
    Pamela didn’t respond, simply twirled her spoon in the sundae. “When do you want to see them again?”
    “Tomorrow.”
    She shook her head. “No.”
    “When?”
    Pamela sighed as she jabbed the spoon into the sundae. “Sunday. After church.”
    Two days! He’d expected her to say a week or more. Figured he’d have to argue for a sooner date, but two days was perfect.
    “Okay.” Jack reached into his pocket and handed her a check. “To help with bills and such.”
    She nodded as she placed the money in her purse. “I think I’ll go check on Emmy.”
    Jack watched her walk away. She’d agreed to let him see the girls again and she’d taken the money without a fight. They were making progress.

Chapter 9
    P amela placed two cans of green beans in the grocery cart, then waited while her mom stocked up on canned vegetables and set them in her own cart.
    Callie rested her hand against her belly. “I’m finally feeling less nauseated, but my stomach still cramps something fierce.”
    “Just your uterus expanding,” Tammie said.
    Callie nodded. “That’s what the doctor said, but it’s kinda scary.” She grabbed a can of sauerkraut and placed it in the cart, then shrugged. “Been craving cabbage.”
    Pamela marked off green beans from the grocery list. “I remember that and feeling like there had to be something wrong.”
    Callie pointed to her chest. “But I’m a nurse. I knew cramps were to be expected. Just never dreamed they would hurt so much.”
    Mom patted Callie’s shoulder. “You’ll likely feel even more discomfort with two babies.”
    “Yep. She told me that, too.” Callie clasped her hands together. “But I’m okay with the cramping, as long as everything is all right.” She lifted her shoulders. “I still can’t believe Kirk and I got pregnant so easily. I just figured...”
    Mom cupped Callie’s chin. “God is so good.”
    Pamela didn’t wait for her sister-in-law and mother. She pushed her cart ahead to the next aisle. Grabbing a couple of boxes of cereal and oatmeal from the shelf, she tried to flush the morning sermon and her mom’s words from her mind.
    Everyone wanted to talk about God’s goodness. Sure, He got the Israelites across the river on dry land. Yes, He’d shut the lions’ mouth and kept the Hebrew boys from burning in Nebuchadnezzar’s fire. And he’d brought Callie back to Bloom Hollow, allowed her and Kirk to fall in love again, healed her from cancer and even let her get pregnant.
    But He seemed to pick and choose the people to show His goodness to. And some got the shaft. Like Moses. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, got mad at them, rightfully so, and hit a rock, and then God told him he couldn’t see the Promised Land. Or Stephen, a man who’d pledged his life to Jesus, helped the Greek widows, stood up for his belief in Christ and was stoned to death. And look at me. I thought I was following You, Lord. I wanted to be a good wife and mother. It was all I wanted. Then Jack...
    “We’d better hurry.” Her mom’s words broke into her reverie. “It’s almost time to close the activity center and petting zoo, and I want to say