A Family for Thanksgiving

A Family for Thanksgiving
Patricia Davids

After a devastating tornado ripped through High Plains, a two-year-old was found wandering all alone. Foster mother Nicki Appleton took in the little girl, her heart bursting with love and prayers. Now the storm's aftermath has brought home the man Nicki once expected to marry, and Clay Logan claims to be a changed cowboy.But with her energy focused on a child she may not be able to keep, is there room for another kind of love in Nicki's heart this Thanksgiving?

“What will you do if you have to give up Kasey?”

A chill settled around Nicki’s heart. “I don’t know. I hope that I’ll rejoice because it means she’ll be reunited with her family.”

“But the truth is?” Clay prompted.

Nicki smiled sadly. “The truth is—it will break my heart into a million pieces.”

Glancing at Clay through suddenly tear-filled eyes, Nicki knew he’d heard the catch in her voice. She hoped he hadn’t seen her eyes mist over at the thought of losing Kasey.

He said softly, “You love her. You want what’s best for her—even if that isn’t a life with you.”

Meeting his gaze, Nicki realized the brash, reckless boy she’d known had changed in more ways than she’d given him credit for. He’d become an insightful man capable of understanding the feelings of others.

After the Storm:

A Kansas community unites to rebuild

Healing the Boss’s Heart—Valerie Hansen

July 2009

Marrying Minister Right—Annie Jones

August 2009

Rekindled Hearts—Brenda Minton

September 2009

The Matchmaking Pact—Carolyne Aarsen

October 2009

A Family for Thanksgiving—Patricia Davids

November 2009

Jingle Bell Babies—Kathryn Springer

December 2009

PATRICIA DAVIDS

Patricia Davids continues to work as a part-time nurse in the NICU while writing full-time. She enjoys researching new stories, traveling to new locations and meeting fans along the way. She and her husband of thirty-two years live in Wichita, Kansas, along with the newest addition to the household, a stray cat named Spooky. Pat always enjoys hearing from her readers. You can contact her by mail at P.O. Box 16714, Wichita, Kansas 67216, or visit her on the Web at www.patriciadavids.com.

A Family for Thanksgiving

Patricia Davids

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Patricia Davids for her contribution to the After the Storm miniseries.

Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

—Psalms 55:22

This book is dedicated with respect and deep

admiration to the people of Chapman, Kansas.

Go Irish!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen