Romance: New Beginnings (Young Adult and Adult Romance, Christian Christmas Fiction book as a Love Story) (Second Chances Trilogy 3) Read Online Free Page A

rest.”
    “Momma, I don’t want one puppy now,” Daniella informed her as she drew closer.
    “You don’t?” Grace asked in surprise.
    “She wants to keep them all. She said you wouldn’t let her have a puppy because it would get lonely all by itself.”
    Michael laughed as he whispered, “Now I can’t wait to see how you get out of this one!”
    “Oh, shush! You’re no help! Daniella, whatever you and Emily have cooked up, it isn’t going to happen.”
    “But momma!”
    “Don’t go there, Dani.”
    “But Miss Grace, she only wants to keep three puppies! Not all of them!”
    “Emily, thank you for clarifying that.” Not! “Have you checked on your momma yet?”
    Emily nodded, “She’s sleeping really sound and I didn’t want to wake her up. I checked to make sure she’s still breathing and everything…”
    Michael was horrified upon hearing the little girl’s words, and turned and headed for the open patio door. When Grace immediately followed him, he waited for a space of a heartbeat before he demanded, “Explain. Please.”
    Grace saw the concern on his face and hurried to fill him in. “Emily’s mom, Victoria, is just finishing up chemo for breast cancer. She had her last chemo session yesterday and it made her really sick.”
    “Why isn’t the woman in the hospital?” he asked, trying to keep his voice down.
    “Because she has no one else to look after Emily. She’s in full remission, and she told me she usually does well enough to handle things, but this last dose looks like it really did a number on her.”
    “Where is she?” Michael asked, switching into doctor mode that fast.
    “Michael, she’s in the back bedroom, but I should warn you – she’s a registered nurse who worked on the oncology floor prior to getting sick. She’s not being careless or neglectful, okay?”
    Michael closed his eyes and then nodded his head. “Sorry. Have I told you how much I detest cancer?”
    “The fact that you’ve dedicated your life to treating that very disease was kind of a big hint,” she told him, hugging him close. Stepping away from him a moment later, she headed down the hallway, “I need to check on her for myself.”
    Michael followed her to the door and then whispered, “Why don’t you go in and see if she’s awake? I don’t want to make her uncomfortable, but if she’s still sick, please let her know I’m here and would be happy to see if I can make her more comfortable.”
    Grace leaned up and kissed his cheek, “Thank you. I’ll just be a minute.”
    Grace entered the room, noticing that the walker had been folded back up and placed against the wall. Shaking her head at the stubbornness of the woman in the bed, she quietly whispered her name, “Victoria?”
    The woman’s eyes fluttered and then opened, “Grace? Where’s Emily?” she asked as she looked around the room for her daughter.
    “She and Dani are in the backyard playing with the puppies. Shelby is sleeping inside the kiddie pool.”
    Victoria smiled, “That poor dog. The only time she really gets to sleep is when the puppies can’t get to her. Normally, we let her inside for a few hours during the day, otherwise the puppies want to nurse all day long.”
    “That’s what Emily was telling me. She also said that they’re ready to start weaning.”
    Victoria sighed and then shakily tried to push herself up on the pillows. Grace saw her struggle and hurried to help her. “Thanks,” she offered once she was settled.
    “The puppies do need to start weaning, but I guess it will have to wait for a few more days. I’m just not up to it right now.”
    “A few more days won’t hurt anything. Are you feeling any better?”
    “I was, but my headache is back again.” Victoria swallowed and closed her eyes wearily.
    “Why don’t I get you another pain pill?” Grace offered.
    “No. I…”
    “Look, I know you’re hurting. My boyfriend helped me bring some groceries over and is right outside the door.