Breaking Matthew Read Online Free

told him how much his mother loved him already, how much he was going to love being in her arms, and how much I was going to love him too. And I told him he’d have to turn around to come out and see us.
    Then I prayed. I prayed so he could hear me, and I asked God to help him turn around the right way. And I promise as soon as I finished that prayer, that little baby practically did a flip inside her. He came on out without any trouble, and he announced himself to the world with the most joyful noise I’d ever heard. I cleaned him up and laid him on Emma Rae’s chest, and he got quiet pretty quick.
    Now most folks wouldn’t know it ’cause they weren’t in that room, and they didn’t talk to that sweet baby, but I knew it was a miracle. ’Course, by that time, I’d seen my fair share of miracles, so I knew what they looked like. Not everyone gets to see the things I did, so I knew what a privilege it was.
    Well, every Saturday I’d drive over to see Emma Rae and Abner. James was usually already over at the main farm. I’d help with a few chores or chase Abner around while Emma Rae got some work done. Then we’d talk for a spell. She was about ready to deliver her second baby, so I’d ask her how things were going just to make sure she was progressing like she should. It was always a happy time for me, and that Saturday in late October was no different.
    James was still at the house, so he gave me a hug as I came through the door. “On your own today?”
    “Sure am.” I pushed my chin up and dared him to start another argument with me about the merits of my driving.
    He peered down his crooked nose at me, sending a warm shot through my chest, ’cause that was just how Daddy used to look at me when he thought I was up to something. “I reckon you’re determined to go flying around this town in that car of the good doctor’s till you kill yourself or somebody else. He ain’t got no business letting you go out there on the roads by yourself.”
    “I didn’t give him much of a choice. Besides, you worry too much. I can drive just as good as any man. You beat all I ever seen. Just ’cause I’m a girl don’t mean I can’t do the same things as you.”
    “Well, all right then, let’s see you go out there and hook up the mules to the plow and get them fields taken care of. You go on out there and boss them field hands around and see what happens.”
    I put my hands on my hips and readied myself for a full on fight, but Emma Rae came out of the bedroom with Abner, and he tore across the living room toward me.
    “Udee!”
    I scooped him up and threw him into the air as he squealed. “Oh, look who I’ve got here!”
    Emma Rae smiled as she waddled toward us, her belly looking like it was about to explode. She wasn’t quite as together as she normally was, but who could blame her? With only a couple of weeks left in her pregnancy, she had to be exhausted.
    “Sounds like we came out just in time,” she said, raising an eyebrow at James.
    James huffed, but he grabbed Abner from my arms and swung him around for another peal of laughter. There’s nothing in this world like the laugh of a toddler to clear a room of all darkness, and Abner seemed to have a special gift for bringing light into any place. He squirmed in his daddy’s arms till his shirt nearly came clean over his head. I reached over and tickled his chubby belly, relishing more of that sweet laugh.
    James set him down, and Abner took off running. He hid behind a kitchen chair and peeked through the slats. James stomped his foot and pretended like he was going to give chase. Abner squealed again and took off for the back door. Emma Rae sighed, smiled at us, and then hurried after him.
    “I’m heading for the fields,” James called. “See you for dinner!”
    “I’ll be seeing you for dinner today too,” I said.
    He dropped his hand from the doorknob and turned back to me. “How’s that?”
    “Dinner. I’m coming with Emma Rae up to the