A Vow to Cherish Read Online Free

questioning in her eyes. “With the kids? Oh, I’m so proud of them I could just pop sometimes. We did have some help though, John,” she teased. “I think the Lord should probably get a little credit.”
    He responded to her teasing rebuke with a frown. “You’re right, of course.” He shook his head. “Every year I look at the families enrolling their kids in kindergarten, and I don’t envy them a bit. In some ways, they have some of the best years of their lives ahead, but I have to say, I’m thankful we’ve done our job and can heave a sigh of relief.”
    “John!” Ellen stopped dead in the street, her hands-on-hip stance matching the exasperation in her tone. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I can quit worrying. I still fret over Jana, even though she has her wonderful Mark, a job she loves, a nice apartment. But there’s still just so much that can happen.” Her eyes sparked. “And about the time we think we can quit worrying about Mark and Jana, we’ll have grandchildren to lose sleep over! I’m not holding my breath for that, though. I’m afraid those two are both far too wrapped up in their careers and—”
    “Hey…You worry too much, Mama.” John tousled her hair playfully, loving the soft feel of her curls between his fingers. “There’s plenty of time for that.”
    She leaned into his shoulder. “I know. And I know Mark and Jana are happy together. I have to let them live their own lives. Kyle, too. I’m sure he’ll be better off if we let him make a few mistakes. I just feel like worrying is part of my job description.”
    “Well, don’t look now, but our job description just changed rather drastically.”
    She sighed. “I can handle that, I guess. But it’s going to feel strange. It might take some getting used to.”
    He started back up the street, picking up the pace. She followed, lengthening her stride to keep up with him, and breathing hard. They circled the neighborhood and ended up back in their driveway.
    “Hey.” He put a hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “Let’s celebrate our freedom. How does breakfast at Perkins sound?”
    “Mmm. Sounds great.” She shot him a mischievous grin and took off running. “Beat you to the shower!”
    John easily overtook her, and they pushed and shoved their way up to their attic room, Ellen squealing like a schoolgirl.
    They ended up sharing the shower, laughing, suddenly carefree and young again.
    Half an hour later they climbed into the car and headed toward the restaurant. John felt Ellen’s eyes on him as he navigated the heavy morning traffic.
    He glanced over to find her gazing at him with misted eyes. “What’s wrong?”
    She shook her head and cleared her throat. “I’m just thinking…how much I’m looking forward to the rest of my life with you.”
    Concentrating on the busy street, he reached for her hand and squeezed it.
    Suddenly, the empty nest felt wonderfully full.

Chapter Three
    E xactly six weeks later Ellen wound up in the shower at one o’clock in the morning. She and John had laughed about it at the time, and had gone back to bed and slept soundly. She didn’t give it much thought beyond that morning.
    Until it happened again a few weeks later.
    Only that time, she was dressed for work and almost out the door before John stopped her and sent her back to bed. And now it had happened again last night. Alarm bells went off in her head. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something wasn’t right.
    She’d felt tired and run-down for a couple of months, but she’d never had trouble sleeping before. “I don’t know why I don’t check the clock before I get out of bed,” she told John.
    She didn’t know why, except that her usual morning routine involved slamming the alarm off, heading blindly for the shower and not opening her eyes until the hot spray hit her face.
    She was a few months overdue for her annual physical exam, so she scheduled an appointment. She intended to mention the incidents to