Apprentice Father (19 page)

And best of all, it was only the beginning.

Clay eased back at last, but he kept her in the circle of his arms as his tender gaze traced every nuance of her face. “I've never
asked a woman to marry me before. Is there some sort of protocol I should follow? Do guys still ask fathers for their daughter's hand?”

Cate smiled up at him, and her heart overflowed with joy. “You don't need to talk to Dad. But why don't we ask the children?”

 

“Is this Saturday?” Josh rubbed his eyes as he and Emily wandered into the kitchen the next morning, brightening at the cinnamon rolls on the counter.

“No. It's Friday,” Clay replied.

“Then how come you didn't go to work today?”

“It's a special occasion.”

Emily tilted her head. “Is it a holiday? Like the Fourth of July?”

“In a way.”

“Will there be fireworks?” Josh was growing more interested by the second.

“Yes. But only in my heart.” Before they could ask any more questions, Clay changed the subject. “Did you have fun with Pop last night?”

“Yeah. He read us two stories and we sang songs and went outside and caught lightning bugs. He said we were having a…a…”

“…a slumber party,” Emily finished. “Is Cate coming over today?”

The doorbell rang, and Clay grinned. “That's her now. Wash your hands and we'll have breakfast in a few minutes.”

Stifling a yawn, Clay strode toward the front door. He hoped Cate didn't want a long engagement. Too wired to sleep after the life-changing step they'd taken last night, he'd ended up reading an old engineering book until boredom lulled him into a restless slumber. He doubted he was going to get a decent night's sleep until they were married.

Pulling open the front door, he drank in the sight of the woman he loved. Backlit by the morning sun, Cate's hair resembled a halo and her eyes were luminous.

She tilted her head and smiled at him as she stepped over the threshold. “You seem happy.”

“That's because I'm thinking about this.” He leaned over and claimed her lips in a lingering kiss, leaving one hand on the doorknob while the other played with her silky hair.

The kiss went on longer than he'd planned…until childish giggles interrupted them. Releasing Cate's lips with reluctance, he checked out the kids over his shoulder.

Emily and Josh stood a few feet away in the living room, watching the scene with avid interest—and obvious approval.

“You guys kiss like the people on TV,” Emily said, alerting Clay he'd have to do a better job monitoring their television viewing.

“You kiss good,” Josh added, not about to be left out of the discussion.

Clay chuckled. “Listen, why don't you two come into the living room for a minute? We have something to tell you.” Closing the door, he linked his hand with Cate's and led her to the couch. As they sat, the children clambered up beside them, one on each side.

As Clay opened his mouth, planning to lead up to the news slowly, Emily spoke. “Are you guys going to get married?”

Clay closed his mouth.

“We'd like to,” Cate stepped in. “What do you two think about that?”

Josh considered it. “Would we all get to live together, like a real family?”

“Yes.”

“Would you be our new mommy and daddy? Like that girl you knew, who was adopted?” Emily asked.

When Cate hesitated, Clay took over. “Would you like that?”

“I'd like you to be our daddy. But…” Emily wrinkled her brow. “We have a mommy already, in heaven.”

“She'll always be your mommy, sweetheart.” Cate took the little girl's hand, brushing a wisp of hair back from her forehead. “And she'll always love you. I would just take her place here on earth, since she can't be with you again until you go to heaven.”

“I think that's a real good idea,” Josh said.

“Me, too,” Emily concurred. “I think Mommy would want someone to help Uncle Clay. And I don't think he could find anyone better than you.”

“I agree,” Clay responded in a husky, tender tone designed to communicate to Cate just how much he loved and cherished her.

Josh tipped his head and looked at Cate. “Do you have fireworks in your heart, too?”

When it took Cate a moment to disengage from his gaze, he figured his message had gotten through loud and clear. “What do you mean, sweetie?”

“Before you came this morning, Uncle Clay said today was a holiday, like the Fourth of July. Except he said the fireworks were in his heart. You kind of look like you have fireworks in your heart, too.”

Cate once more turned to Clay, her face aglow with joy. “I do.”

“Do you remember the time you were reading us a book, and I asked if happily-ever-after really happened, or if it was just in stories?” Emily asked.

“I remember,” Cate said.

“I guess it does. Because I think this is a happily-ever-after, don't you?”

Clay smiled at Cate. The love shining in her eyes told him her
answer to Emily's question. And it matched his. Both of them had made a long journey. In God's time, their paths had intersected. And with His grace, they'd found the courage to join hands and continue the journey together. Taking two very special children along.

“Yes, Emily.” The love in his heart overflowed, filling him with a sustaining warmth as gentle and life-giving as spring sunshine. “I would say this is definitely a happily-ever-after.”

Eighteen Months Later

“Y
ou know, two big events in the same month wasn't our best idea.” Cate tossed the comment over her shoulder to Clay as she dug through one of the boxes piled around the bedroom in their new home.

“Who knew the perfect house would come on the market at exactly the wrong time? You aren't sorry we bought it, are you?”

“No. But I'm a little amused by God's timing.”

“I'm glad you've kept your sense of humor through all of this. That's one of the things I love about you.”

He touched her cheek, and the warmth and contentment in his eyes sent Cate's heart soaring.

“When are we going?” Emily burst into the room with Josh in tow.

“So much for privacy,” Clay murmured to Cate with a wink.

But neither of them would have it any other way, she knew. While she'd never planned on inheriting a ready-made family,
and Clay hadn't planned on any family at all, Josh and Emily filled their days with so much joy it was impossible to imagine their life without the children.

“As soon as Uncle Clay finds the blanket,” Cate told them. Grinning, she gestured to the boxes. “You're on your own, dear husband. I have other things to attend to.”

When she reappeared a few minutes later, Clay held up the white satin, hand-embroidered coverlet in triumph. “Ta da!”

“Thank goodness! Mom would have been devastated if we hadn't found it.”

She eased herself onto the bed, lowering the bundle in her arms to give the children a better view. Clay was right behind them, and Cate's throat tightened at his tender expression as he gave the newest member of their family his full attention.

Benjamin Clayton Adams stared back at the four faces above him with solemn brown eyes as dark as his father's, taking all the attention in stride. He looked—and acted—regal, in the heirloom christening gown that had been in the Shepard family for three generations.

“Hang in there, big fella.” Clay stroked the baby's porcelain skin with one finger. “You'll get your moment in the spotlight soon.”

Benjamin emitted a soft coo and smiled, waving his fists in the air.

“He certainly knows the sound of his father's voice,” Cate said.

“Yeah. I guess he does.” Clay cleared his throat. “Okay, gang, let's get this show on the road. We don't want to be late.”

Everyone was waiting when they arrived at the church. Reverend Richards greeted them, then led the way to the baptismal font as the assembled guests gathered around.

As the minister began the brief service, Cate did a quick survey of the group of family and friends who had come together
to celebrate the joyous occasion. Her mom and dad were front and center as the proud grandparents. Beside them, Pop gave her a wink and a thumbs-up. Godparents Mark and Michelle, who were expecting again, kept an eye on their firstborn; Timmy was already adept at getting into anything and everything. Rob, who was going on duty later in the afternoon, looked handsome and very official in his uniform as he corralled the toddler. A few close family friends had been invited as well.

And off to one side, but near enough to be part of the group, stood Clayton Adams. He and Clay had reached a tentative peace, and the older man attended any family gatherings to which he was invited. Cate knew it would take a long while for father and son to get past the years of hurt between them. But she prayed for them every day, confident that in time God's healing grace would fill their hearts.

Josh and Emily, who stood close beside her, had changed the most—at least in appearance. They'd both grown several inches since she'd met them two years ago outside this very church. Gone were the anxious, traumatized looks they'd worn in those early days. Thanks to Clay's willingness to fight for their happiness, they were now cheerful, well-adjusted children.

Finally, her gaze came to rest on Clay as he smiled at his new son. With selflessness, courage and love, he'd accepted the challenge God had set before him and given two lost little children new hope and new life. Just as he had done for her.

Sensing her scrutiny, Clay smiled at Cate. She was beautiful every day, he thought, but today she looked radiant. And angelic.

In truth, he didn't think that description was a stretch. In many ways, she was a gift from God. Until she'd come along, he'd been drifting like a ship without a rudder—or an anchor. He'd been moving through life, not living it. It had taken Cate,
with her courage and strength and tremendous capacity to love, to show him that commitments and relationships and love didn't hold you back. They gave you a reason to go forward.

As the minister spoke the beautiful words of the baptismal rite, reminding them of the transforming power of God's miraculous love, Clay knew he, too, had been transformed by that same love. For nothing short of a miracle would have brought him home to the Lord. Or forged a reconciliation with his father. Or given him the courage to open his heart to love.

And so, as he reached for Cate's hand and entwined his fingers with hers, he gave thanks.

For one more chance.

And for happily-ever-afters.

Dear Reader,

This book started life as a romantic suspense novel. But it became clear to me early on that the suspense element distracted from the gripping story of Clay's emotional journey toward faith, family and love. So after some revisions, APPRENTICE FATHER was born. The final product touched my heart, and I hope it touches yours.

To learn more about my books, I invite you to visit my Web site at www.irenehannon.com. And please watch for my new Nantucket-based Steeple Hill series, Lighthouse Lane, beginning this May with TIDES OF HOPE.

In the meantime, I wish all of you a spring filled with hope and promise. Like Clay, may you always be open to the “one more chance” the Lord offers each of us with the dawn of every new day.

1. In
   Apprentice Father,
   Clay decides to put the interests of the children above his own—a choice that radically alters his life. Have you ever been faced with a decision that required sacrifice on your part? What did you decide? Why?
   
2. When Josh and Emily first enter Clay's life, he doesn't think he's qualified to care for them. Yet early on, he displays behavior that suggests otherwise. Describe some of the things he does in the first fifty pages of the book that show his caring nature.
   
3. When Clay's sister dies he blames his father, who pressured her to stay in an abusive marriage. Yet, there are many reasons women remain in bad relationships. Do you know of anyone in an abusive relationship? Why is the person staying? What can you do to help in a situation like that?
   
4. Cate is jilted by the man she loves because of her disabilities. In a society that idealizes physical perfection, it can be difficult to look past appearances. Have you ever been rejected—or judged—because of your appearance? How did you handle it? How can we do a better job valuing people for what is inside rather than outside? What does the Bible teach in this regard?
   
5. When the book begins, Josh and Emily are traumatized. How does their behavior reflect their ordeal and the home
   environment in which they lived? What are the most important things Clay and Cate do to help them recover? Do you think their experiences will affect them long-term? If so, how?
   
6. Clay and his father have been alienated for many years. Was the estrangement justified? What could each of them have done to heal the rift sooner? Are you estranged from anyone in your life? Can you think of some ways to bridge the gap? What keeps you from making an overture to that person?
   
7. Cate's quiet faith and Clay's experience at the church he attends alter his view of Christianity. What did he discover that helped him find his way back to the Lord?
   
8. Cate comes from a large and loving family that welcomes Clay and the children into its fold. Yet belonging—whether to a church or a family—makes Clay nervous. Why? What does he learn that helps him overcome his aversion to commitments?
   
9. Despite the loss of her dreams, Cate goes on to find a new life. Yet she admits that her faith faltered in the face of adversity. Have you ever had a setback that shook your faith? In what way? How did you find your way back to the Lord?
   
10. Why is Clay so touched by the children's Father's Day gifts? Talk about the best gift you ever received and why it was special. What does the gift of salvation teach us about the attributes of a good gift?
    
11. According to Pop, roots are anchors that allow a plant to grow strong enough to withstand any storm. In the beginning of the book, Clay thinks of roots as chains. How do you view roots? Why? How have your roots played a role in making you the person you are?