A Mother at Heart Read Online Free Page B

in front of him, her face shiny from washing, her hair still damp. She twirled around in her new, frilly nightgown, the ruffle on the bottom dragging on the floor.
    â€œYou look beautiful,” Jake said, pulling her on his lap, tucking her under his chin.
    â€œNot as beautiful as her—” Taryn pointed to Miriam with a giggle. Jake couldn’t help but look at Miriam, who was now gazing wistfully at Taryn. He didn’t acknowledge Taryn’s comment—at least not out loud. And as he watched the play of emotions on Miriam’s face, he wondered if she had any regrets. If the fame and fortune she had acquired satisfied her.
    He turned back to his daughter, his heart full of gratitude, thankful that in spite of how things had turned out, he had this precious child.
    â€œSo, Pip, it’s bedtime,” he said quietly. “Kiss Grandpa and Grandma good-night, and I’ll tuck you in.”
    â€œOkay,” she said, lifting her shoulders in an exaggerated sigh. She slipped off his lap and walked around the table to kiss Tilly and then Fred.
    For a moment Jake was afraid she was going to give Miriam a kiss, but shyness won out. Instead, Taryn just waggled her fingers at Miriam.
    â€œGood night, Taryn. Sweet dreams,” Miriam said softly, waving back.
    â€œOkay,” Taryn said with a smile. Then she turned and flounced off through the hallways, toward the stairs, Jake right behind.
    When Paula and Jake had first married, they had lived in a mobile home on the property. However, after Paula had died, Jake had brought Taryn here so often that she’d ended up getting her own room. Eventually Jake had started eating supper here, and soon the mobile home had been sold.
    Now they all lived here in a house that was getting too big for Tilly to clean. But she refused to moveto a smaller house in town, and Jake had to admit that it worked better for him, as well.
    At the bottom of the stairs, Taryn stopped, holding up her arms for the first step in their bedtime routine.
    He loved this house, he mused as he walked slowly up the broad stairs holding his little girl. As a foster child, he’d been blessed to end up here, and he knew it.
    Though his mother had given Simon and Jake up, he was always thankful that they had been adopted by a single man, Tom Steele. He had given them a safe and secure home for seven years. His death had been a severe blow, and Jake knew that the loss of Tom tended to make him overprotective of Fred. He didn’t want to lose another father.
    â€œStop, Daddy. I want to see the pictures.”
    Jake smiled and did as his daughter commanded. The Prins had a veritable gallery on the wall, and Taryn always had to stop. Jake didn’t mind. He was so thankful for the legacy his daughter received through Fred and Tilly that it was doubly important to him that she knew where she came from. His vague memories of his mother didn’t include a father, let alone grandparents. At times he still resented that, but realized that in Tom Steele, and later in Fred and Tilly, God had made up the lack.
    â€œThere’s my mommy.” Taryn leaned forward, pointing out their wedding picture. Taryn always lingered the longest here, even though she barely remembered Paula. Taryn had been only two when Paula died, and unaware of the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death. Paula had been an inattentive mother at best, and hadn’t spent a lot oftime at home. Jake often regretted his marriage, but he had never, ever regretted Taryn.
    â€œAnd this is Uncle Simon and Aunty Caitlin—” Taryn pointed with a pudgy finger to a smiling couple, their arms around each other. The picture had been taken outside against a backdrop of trees. The filtered sun highlighted their features and only seemed to enhance the love that radiated from them.
    â€œWhen I get bigger—” Taryn stopped as her mouth stretched open in a big yawn “—I want to be a