Free Once Upon a Family by Margaret Daley Page B

now.”
    Peter’s gaze fastened onto Chad. “Who?”
    “Rob Somers.”
    “The pitcher for the baseball team?” Sean’s scowl dissolved into a puzzled expression. “He’s so popular.”
    Chad glanced toward her son. “I shouldn’t have said anything,” he mumbled, swinging his attention to Mr. Stone. “Forget what I said. I’d better get back inside. My lamb has been nursing a lot.”
    “Mine isn’t. I came out here to tell you that.”
    “I’ll be in there in a minute. The vet warned me this might happen. I’ll have to rig something up to make sure it gets what it needs.”
    As the boys left, Sean asked Chad where Rob lived. Chad didn’t answer him right away, and Laura prepared herself for her son to lash out at Chad for ignoring his question. But Sean didn’t. He waited patiently until the other teen answered him with the address.
    “Rob’s pretty open about his situation, but I try notto say too much about it with him.” Chad opened the gate to the pen.
    Sean stepped inside first. “Why not?”
    “Just because.”
    As Laura leaned against the wooden slats, Sean knelt next to his lamb, stroking it. “I’d never thought that of Rob. He’s always so upbeat at school. I have him in one of my classes.”
    “That’s Rob. He doesn’t let things get him down.” Chad led the sheep over to Sean’s lamb and helped her son try to coax the small lamb to nurse.
    The pensive expression on her son’s face piqued Laura’s curiosity. Was Sean comparing his situation to Rob’s? Her son thought his life was bad right now. Getting him involved with kids with even greater needs might be what would help him come to terms with his father’s death. And she had Peter to thank for that.

Chapter Five
    L aura glanced up from her computer while composing an e-mail to Cara about the next day’s barbecue and the prediction of rain in the forecast. She stared at the beige coverlet on her bed. It wouldn’t hurt to pray. Maybe it would do some good.
    She bowed her head. “Lord, please keep the rain away until tomorrow night. And while I’m talking to You, please have people get excited about Peter’s project. It means so much to him.”
    In her heart she sensed the party would be a success. For a long moment she let a tranquil feeling encase her before she focused again on her e-mail to her friend.
     
    The best part about the party is Sean is excited and helping with the plans. Yesterday he asked Peter if he could drive the wagon and Peter said yes. My son floated around the rest of the day. I’ve had to take Sean out to the ranch every day after work to check on “his lamb.” Thankfully it is thriving. I don’tknow what I would have done if Peter hadn’t managed to help it eat. I think at that moment Sean’s opinion of Peter began to change, especially when he let my son stay with him in the barn all night to make sure the lamb lived.
    I’d better go. It’s late and tomorrow will be a long day. I hope this specialist can figure out what’s wrong with your husband. You would think after all the tests Mason has gone through they would have an idea what’s going on. You and your family are in my thoughts as always. Love, Laura.
     
    She stared at the computer screen, went back in and changed the wording to “in my prayers,” instead of “in my thoughts,” then sent the e-mail.
    Lord, I’m back with another request. Please help the doctors come up with what’s going on with Mason. He’s in so much pain. If You don’t want to do it for me, please do it for Cara.
     
    As Sean drove the wagon toward the stream, he sat tall and straight on the bench. Alexa and her friend Mindy were next to him. Content, Laura sighed, scanning the faces of the others in the back on top of the mound of loose hay. When a piece stuck her in her left shoulder, she shifted closer to Peter to try and get more comfortable. He looked at her, his features shadowed by his Stetson. But she saw the smile that reached deep into his