Family for Keeps & Sadie's Hero by Margaret Daley

Boys?”
    “I know those books are old. They were mine when I was growing up. We can get you some books that you like to read. Amy and I go to the library once a week. I hope you’ll join us.”
    Johnny didn’t say anything. He just stared at the Hardy Boys mysteries on the shelf next to him, running his finger along the spines of several to them.
    “I think it would be a good idea if you rested for a while,” Tess said, noting the dark circles under Johnny’s eyes and the ashen cast to his skin.
    Tess knew he was feeling tired when he didn’t protest but lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. Everyone backed out of the room, and Mac quietly closed the door.
    “Do you want to see my room?” Amy asked, taking Tess’s hand and guiding her toward the door next to Johnny’s.
    “I’d be honored.”
    “While Amy shows you her room, I’m gonna help Nina get dinner ready. Come into the kitchen when you’re through with the tour.”
    As Tess crossed the threshold into the little girl’s bedroom, she glanced at Mac disappearing down the hall. He stopped at the end and peered back. The smile that lit his face melted her insides, and she knew she was in big trouble. He was even more appealing on his home turf.

Chapter Seven

    T ess held Amy and Johnny’s hands as they left the sanctuary. She sensed Mac behind her with members of his family flanking him. Alice grasped Amy’s other hand. The mass of people leaving the church slowed as they approached the pastor and stopped to say a few words to him.
    Pastor Winthrop’s message still rang through Tess’s mind. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” The Bible verse from Matthew described the power of the Lord’s forgiveness. Then why couldn’t she forgive herself for surviving and continuing to live after so many of the people she’d cared about had died?
    When she laughed, she thought of Jorge, who would never be able to tell her one of his silly jokes again. When she helped a patient, she thought of Kevin, who had devoted his life to the Lord and medicine, feeling the power of both could do anything…except save his life.
    The family ahead of them moved on, and Tess came face to face with Pastor Winthrop. Her hand trembled as she reached out to shake his and say, “Your sermon was thought-provoking.”
    “Good. That’s what I want to do. Get my congregation thinking about the Lord.”
    “I’m Tess Morgan, a friend of Mac’s. I’m just visiting for the day.”
    “I hope you’ll come back. We always love to have new faces around here. Alice is a great one for recruiting people to help with various tasks that need to be done at the church. Don’t be surprised if she calls you up. Before long, you might become a regular.”
    Mac’s mother laughed. “Now, Pastor Winthrop, I’m not that bad. But I do run a tight ship where the Lord is concerned. His house must be kept tidy.”
    “And I for one appreciate all your efforts.”
    Mac leaned forward. “You ought to see what she has planned for the spring festival.”
    “Speaking of which, I need to talk to you about some of the plans.” Alice stood to the side to allow her large family to file by while she remained to speak with the pastor.
    “Tess, let’s get everyone into the car. We have about an hour’s drive to Colt’s farm.” Mac touched the small of her back.
    “Who is this Colt?”
    “He was a teammate of mine, a few years behind me. When he retired a year after I did, he bought himself a farm and takes in stray animals.”
    “I thought you were going to get a puppy.”
    “He has several puppies, but he also has other dogs that need a home.”
    “Be careful. You might come home with more than one.” Casey came up behind them, clasping her brother on the shoulder. “You were always a sucker for a stray animal.”
    “I’m not the one who adopted a baby squirrel, a