Still House Pond (35 page)

Lilly told only her mother about the boy named Tern. He was her secret, hers alone, and Copper respected her wishes. But she hoped and prayed that Lilly would never see any member of that strange family again.

Alice had sent boxes and boxes of books to Lilly—most of which had belonged to Simon and to Lilly's grandfather. They'd turned the sickroom into a bedroom for the twins, and John had built beautiful bookshelves in Lilly's room.

After many discussions with John, Copper agreed that it wasn't a good idea to bring her patients into the house. They would add a couple of rooms to the little house so Remy could live there. The walk from her cabin to the Pelfreys' was becoming more difficult for Remy. Plus, she relished the idea of being caretaker of the small clinic. Copper would be only a stone's throw away, but her home belonged to her family.

At John's request, Copper was training a couple of neighbor women to assist her in deliveries. They were bright and caring young women, quite capable of providing aftercare. Copper would not be away from home for such long spells, except, of course, for special cases like Emerald Morton and Cara Whitt, who was joyfully expecting a baby in early spring. Copper expected good outcomes for both women.

While Copper and her children were visiting Alice Upchurch in late August, Copper had paid a visit to the doctor who had delivered Lilly. No twins this time. Copper had laughed at John's obvious relief.

It had not been an easy thing taking her children on a train to visit Alice. But it had been necessary. If Copper had learned one thing this traumatic summer, it was that Lilly did not belong exclusively to her. She was God's child loaned to earth to accomplish whatever He wanted for her.

Copper suspected He had great plans for Lilly Gray. It was time for Copper to step aside.

About the Author

A retired registered nurse of twenty-five years, Jan Watson specialized in the care of newborns and their mothers. She attends Tates Creek Christian Church and lives in Lexington, Kentucky. Jan has three grown sons and a daughter-in-law.

Still House Pond
follows
Sweetwater Run
and the Troublesome Creek series, which includes
Troublesome Creek
,
Willow Springs
, and
Torrent Falls
. Her awards include the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the RWA.
Troublesome Creek
was also a nominee for the Kentucky Literary Awards in 2006.
Willow Springs
was selected for
Library Journa
l
's Best Genre Fiction category in 2007.

Jan's hobbies are reading, antiquing, and taking long walks with her Jack Russell terrier, Maggie.

Jan invites you to visit her Web site at www.janwatson.net. You can contact her through e-mail at [email protected].