Protecting Her Child (14 page)

T
he estate was aglow with tiny white lights, strung through the trees, and Japanese paper lanterns that danced in the breeze.

Pete stood on the patio and cradled baby Eve in his arms.

“It appears she likes you dressed up in a suit and tie.” Grandma Eve laughed, causing the baby to giggle.

“She's feisty, like her mother.” Pete cooed at the baby, then winked at Eve. “And her grandmother. How am I going to handle three women in my life?”

“Very nicely, I'm sure,” Eve said.

Meredith stepped onto the patio. Her chiffon gown flowed around her, causing Pete to pull in a lungful of air and wonder if he were dreaming. She looked so beautiful. Her raven hair gleamed in the twinkling lights and her eyes danced with joy.

“Sorry, I'm late. I was explaining everything to the babysitter.”

She grabbed Pete's hand. “Tell me you missed me.”

He stooped to kiss her upturned mouth. “More than anything. But my other two girlfriends were keeping me company.”

Meredith lingered over the kiss, then laughed as she playfully scooped baby Eve out of his hands, hugged the child tightly to her breast and then placed her in the babysitter's outstretched arms.

“Shall we go?” Eve asked. “The guests are waiting.”

She led the way into the large tent where crystal chandeliers hung from the rafters. Silver candela-bras and cloisonné vases filled with bouquets of fresh-cut flowers decorated the linen tablecloths, set with fine china and sterling flatware.

Over 150 guests, friends of Eve's and many of the most renowned names in the city, stood at their places as she and the guests of honor walked to the head of the table.

After a brief welcome, Eve asked Reverend Marks to offer the blessing.

“Heavenly Father, You have brought us to this joyous occasion to celebrate the goodness of Your abundant mercy. May we be strengthened by this
food and enlivened by this gathering, and may the fellowship we enjoy tonight help open the doors of medical science so that all life may be fully lived. In Your holy name, O Lord, we pray.”

“Amen.”

As the minister returned to his place, Eve gazed at her guests. “Thank you all for being here for this special night to benefit VHL research. As you know, Pete Worth, who is like a son to me, is working on an important project in conjunction with the VHL Institute, which my dear friend Sheila Hudson founded.”

Eve glanced at Sheila, who smiled and nodded to various people at the table.

“Working together with Magnolia Medical and the Institute can only bring further advances in VHL research as well as all cancers. Your donations tonight will make a lasting difference, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Smiling, Eve touched her hand to her heart. “Some of you know my most recent tests have shown improvement in my condition thanks to medical science and God's providence, which means I'll continue to serve as chair of the fundraising committee.”

Her eyes fell on Meredith. “My daughter, who we were thrilled to learn does not carry the disease, has joined me in our effort to raise even more money for research. Thank you, dear.”

Meredith smiled back at her mother.

“And now I'd like to make another very special announcement.”

Pete wrapped his arm around Meredith. He looked down the table to where Veronica sat next to his graduate advisor.

“It is my pleasure—no, my joy—to announce the engagement of my daughter, Meredith, to Mr. Peter Worth, a man of honor and integrity and courage. A man who loves the Lord and who has committed his life to making the world a better place. I call him son. I'll soon be able to officially call him my son-in-law.”

Eve raised her glass. “To Meredith and Pete. May the Lord bless them abundantly.”

“Hear, hear,” sounded around the table.

Pete wrapped Meredith in his arms and kissed her, thinking of the future they would share together.

Love, connection, family. What he had always wanted. What he had found with Meredith.

Dear Reader,

 

I first learned about Von Hippel-Lindau disease from my good friend Pat Rosenbach. She often talked about her friend Eva, who had VHL. Over the years, Eva underwent numerous surgeries to remove tumors that grew throughout her body. Eventually the tumors attacked her kidneys and became malignant.

Nine members of Eva's family have been diagnosed with VHL. Many of them participate in a study at the National Institutes of Health to aid scientists in developing treatments to combat this debilitating condition.

In hopes of helping others, Eva's sister Peggy Marshall started VHL Connections as a source of information and support for those who have the disease. To find out more about VHL, go to:

www.vhlconnections.org
or e-mail Peggy at:
[email protected]

As I wrote this story, I tried to create characters that exemplify the courage and determination of so many who suffer from VHL. Truly, they are heroes. If you or someone you know has VHL, please tell them about VHL Connections.

I love to hear from my readers. E-mail me at [email protected] or write to me c/o Steeple Hill, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279. To learn about my next Love Inspired Suspense, visit me online at www.DebbyGiusti.com.

 

Wishing you abundant blessings,

1. Eve's parents forced her to give up her baby for adoption. Considering she was a young, unmarried teen, do you think her parents made a wise decision? What would you have done in their place?
   
2. Eve never married. Explain the reasons that may have played into her decision to remain single. Do you think she ever regretted not having a family?
   
3. What steps did Eve take to help Pete after he and his father left the estate? Could she have done more?
   
4. Why did Pete go into medical research? Do you think he realized the positive influence Eve had on his life?
   
5. As a child, Pete turned to Eve for love and support, but when he and his father were banished from the estate, he turned his back on
   the woman who had been like a mother to him. How could their relationship have been saved?
   
6. When does Pete turn to God? How does the memory of finding his mother's cross help him seek the Lord?
   
7. When Pete learned the truth about his father, how did his relationship with Eve change?
   
8. In what way does the title,
   Protecting Her Child,
   refer to Meredith? Does it apply to Eve as well?
   
9. Eve told Sheila, “God can bring light into darkness.” Have you found that to be true in your own life? Explain.
   
10. Why is the quilt important to Meredith? What significance does it have for Eve? Do you have an important memento from your childhood that you never could give away? Explain.
    
11. Eve wants her daughter to be tested for VHL. Why does Meredith hesitate to have the test done? If you learned you might have inher
    ited a debilitating or fatal medical condition, would you choose to be tested? Why or why not?
    
12. If Pete or Sheila asked you why God allows suffering, what would your answer be?