Reflection Point: An Eternity Springs Novel (42 page)

“Excellent advice,” Sage Rafferty said. “On that note, I say we get down to business.” With a flourish, she gestured toward a table piled high with gifts. “Presents!”

Sarah’s eyes went misty. “There’s a mountain of them. You guys went crazy.”

“A little,” Celeste admitted. “But it’s so much fun to buy for babies.”

“At the rate we’re reproducing, someone should open a children’s store in town,” Nic observed.

“Is that an announcement?” Gabi asked.

“Bite your tongue,” Nic responded as Ali handed Sarah the first gift to open.

Hope enjoyed the afternoon. She liked these women, and she appreciated the way they welcomed newcomers into their circle of friendship with such genuine pleasure. She didn’t know if it was a small-town thing or particular to Eternity Springs, but either way, she felt as if she had found the people who were meant to be in her life and the home she was meant to have.

She’d found a new life—a good life—to replace the one that had been stolen from her.

And when she watched Sarah Murphy ooh and ahh over three-month-sized overalls and took her turn cuddling little Johnny Davenport, she reminded herself to be thankful for what she had. Positive thinking took work, but Hope knew that it was work worth doing. Negative thoughts could be dangerous and destructive and lead a person to consider dangerous, destructive acts.

She remembered that bleak afternoon when she’d thought about taking her own life. She’d wanted to die. She’d felt like she deserved to die. But after giving the idea serious consideration, she’d realized that she couldn’t do it. Because somewhere deep
inside herself and against all odds, Hope still harbored hope.

Sometimes dreams came true.

Sometimes an infertile couple gets their little Johnny, she thought as she gazed down into the precious face of the cooing baby in her arms. When Sarah opened a hand-knitted baby blanket and burst into tears, it proved that sometimes long-lost lovers return to create the family that was meant to be.

So why couldn’t it happen to her? She couldn’t live her life in a constant state of waiting. That way lay misery, depression, and wicked thoughts. But if she kept her thoughts positive, continued to put one foot in front of the other and move forward on this road of life, well, then, who was to say she couldn’t have her own miracle someday?

Jack and Cat Davenport had their new son. Cam and Sarah Murphy were married and awaiting their second child. Maybe someday she would get her miracle, too. Maybe someday, Holly would come home to her.

Sometimes kidnapped children were found. Sometimes miracles did happen.

BY EMILY MARCH

Angel’s Rest
Hummingbird Lake
Heartache Falls
Mistletoe Mine
Lover’s Leap
Nightingale Way
Reflection Point