And Samantha’s birth was an ordeal, too. Aimee was in the delivery room for over twelve hours, and the birth resulted in a small tear that an incompetent doctor didn’t take care of properly. She was so miserable that she didn’t share Steve’s bed when she came home, and when he died suddenly, she was devastated that she’d concentrated on her own needs rather than his.

Her remorse over how she’d failed Steve only added to the sorrow she felt after his death. Aimee had never admitted her guilty feelings to anyone, but they had certainly kept her from considering a relationship with any other man. Now, more than a decade of regret seemed like enough. Remembering how easy it was for her to talk with Jacob tonight, she wondered if it was time to put the past behind her and start a new life.

Aimee yawned widely and went back to her bedroom. She got into bed, turned out the light and snuggled under the blankets. Her body was weary, but her mind was wide awake. Where could she go for the guidance she so desperately needed—for Samantha and for herself?

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to him.

Aimee bolted upright in bed, wondering why those words had come to her now. Why had she remembered that particular phrase? Convinced that the words were in the Bible, Aimee turned on the light again. It had been a few years since she had seriously considered her relationship with God, although there had been a time when the church was an important part of her life.

She went to the walk-in closet in the hallway and stepped up on a stool. A Bible was at the bottom of a large stack of Samantha’s schoolbooks. Being careful not to topple the whole heap, Aimee pulled the Bible free. It was Steve’s Bible, and she was sure she could find what she wanted in it.

Carrying the Bible, she returned to bed. After a half hour of searching, she found the verse she’d remembered in the Book of James.

As she turned the pages of the Bible, she felt Steve’s presence more keenly than she had for years. To her surprise, she also sensed the presence of God. Tears slid down Aimee’s cheeks as she remembered when the Word of God had been an important part of her life—when she never started a day without reading the Word. She had gradually drifted away from her faith.

God, it’s been so long since I’ve talked to You, I hardly know what to say. For starters, I suppose I should ask forgiveness for the way I’ve neglected You for years. I understand now that serving You should have been primary in my life. I should have encouraged Samantha to follow You, instead of putting school and activities before everything else. Starting tomorrow, with Your help, I’m going to change that.

When she laid the Bible on the nightstand, Aimee was relaxed enough to go to sleep. As she again settled into bed and turned off the light, she knew it wouldn’t be easy to live up to her new resolve in the light of day. But she was going to try.

By the time Aimee woke up, she had settled on her plan of action. Knowing that her relationship with Samantha hadn’t deteriorated overnight and that it would take time to heal, she would go slow, but she also needed to be firm. The stakes were too high to make more mistakes.

As she dressed for the day, she remembered Jacob Mallory. Would he be a complication in the new beginning she contemplated?

Aimee turned off the vacuum when she heard the door slam. Samantha plodded into the family room through the front door, dragging the bag that held her stuff. She was still in pajamas. Some of her hair was in the ponytail holder, the other half hung loose around her shoulders. Her half-closed eyes were a pretty good indication that the girls stayed up all night.

“Hi, honey,” Aimee said. “How was the sleepover?”

As she slouched toward the steps that went to her downstairs room, Samantha mumbled something Aimee didn’t understand. Aimee let it go and moved the vacuum into her bedroom, when Samantha yelled from downstairs, “Mom!”

Aimee went to the head of the open stairway, “Yes?”

“I’m trying to sleep,” Samantha said. “Pu-leeze! Vacuum some other time.”

“I always vacuum on Saturday morning,” Aimee replied. “I’ll be through in a half hour.”

Aimee finished vacuuming and started dusting. Usually, she crept around the house so she wouldn’t wake Samantha, but she made no effort to keep quiet today.

The telephone rang and Samantha didn’t pick up her extension, so Aimee answered.

“Hi,” Erica said, “just checking to see how you’re doing this morning.”

“Okay, I guess. Samantha is still in bed. I don’t suppose she slept at all last night. It’s time to have a talk with her, and I want her wide awake when that happens so I’m letting her sleep in. But I’m glad you called. What time is worship at your church tomorrow?”

“There’s an eight-thirty service and one at ten-thirty. I go to the later one. Do you want to come with me?” Erica said quickly, obviously pleased. She had asked Aimee to go to church so often that she’d given up.

“I am going tomorrow, but I’ll drive. I intend to give Samantha the option of coming with me, but I’m not expecting her to. Would you mind waiting for me at the church door, so I won’t have to sit alone?”

“I’ll watch for you in the foyer,” Erica said. “Good luck with your mother-daughter talk.”