Page 129 - The Last Gift

of the car and led her carefully up the walk,
assisted by John on the other side. Emily kept
calling for them to hurry, and after everyone was
gathered on the doorstep, Rachel told her she
could ring the bell.

Emily, in her excitement and impatience,
pushed it four times. A scurry of feet could be
heard in the hallway, and then the door opened
slightly. Behind the glass of the screen door
there stood a boy about Emily’s age. He was
blond with beautiful blue eyes. Emily squealed
with delight to find a potential playmate. Then
the door behind him was pulled open wide by a
woman who spoke in a loud, happy voice.
“Well, James, don’t just stand there, invite them
in.”

Rachel stood in shock, as the woman pushed

124