All Of Our Tomorrows

By Debrah Gish

Twenty-four-year-old Kathleen Harrison is known for her kind heart and helpful personality, but when she befriends Emily Lewis, a sick young widow, she has no idea how her life is about to change. At Emily's death, Katie is designated to be the guardian of her two small orphaned girls. In trying to grant Emily's last wish, Katie is now left with the monumental task of introducing the children to their mother's estranged family in faraway Wyoming. Traveling alone with two small girls on a seven-hundred-mile trip from South Dakota was hard enough, but that was nothing compared to what Katie faced at the end of her journey. Meeting the grandmother was easy, but Emily's brother was a force to be reckoned with. His suspicion that Katie was a greedy con artist using his small nieces as pawns was evident. The more Katie tried to convince him that her intentions were solely to acquaint the girls with their relatives, the more obstinate he became. Her desire to be a Christian witness to Emily's mother and brother seemed impossible. Would she ever be able to win the confidence of Kyle Eastin or would she be forced to return home to South Dakota without accomplishing her goal? Another fear troubled her greatly: Would the newfound relatives try to take the children from her? And would they win? As she faced many uncertainties, the only sure thing she knew to do was to turn to her Lord and His Word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781643490458

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tomorrow is the day, dear Emily, murmured Katie, tracing her slim finger over the name engraved on the newly set gravestone. Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into? I need Your help, I can’t do this alone.

Katie prayed silently while she pondered her plans for the following day. Traveling halfway across the country with two little orphaned girls, trying to decide their future, was overwhelming. Twenty-four-year-old Kathleen Harrison had gotten herself involved in many situations, but this was, by far, the biggest and most serious.

Aunt Katie, my head is burning up, complained Emily’s four-year-old daughter, Tori, bringing Katie out of her wandering mind and back to the present.

I’m sorry, sweetie. Katie gathered the child in her arms, giving her a quick squeeze, while squinting her eyes at the late September midafternoon sun. We’ll be leaving in just a few more minutes.

Aunt Katie, are we saying goodbye to Mommy?

Katie tried to speak past the lump in her throat and blinked rapidly to hide the tears that were shimmering in her lovely brown eyes.

Yes, darling, I guess we are. Tomorrow is the day we’ll be leaving to visit your grandmother, and I wanted us to come and see your mommy’s new monument and bring her some pretty flowers.

Is my mommy still sick, Aunt Katie?

Oh no, sweetie, she is not sick anymore, and she never will be again.

Aunt Katie, do you think my mommy has talked to Jesus yet?

Honey, I’m sure your mommy has talked to Jesus many times since she went to heaven to live. Katie smiled tenderly as she answered the concerned child.

I miss her, the child said sadly.

I know you do, honey. Katie stroked the little girl’s hair soothingly. And it’s okay to miss your mommy because you loved her very much.

Aunt Katie, will you tell me about my grandmother?

Katie took a deep breath before attempting to answer the question. Well, honey, I don’t really know much about your grandmother, except your mommy said she is very nice and we’ll love her.

I don’t want to go see her, Aunt Katie, I want to stay with you. I’m scared.

Katie’s heart skipped a beat as she looked down at the small blonde head that was leaning on her chest. She knew what Tori and her ten-month-old baby sister had been through was traumatic, and conversation such as this was a harsh reminder. The child’s small face crumpled in tears, and Katie held her even closer.

"Tori, please don’t cry, precious. We’ll be together just as long as God wants us to be. You do believe Jesus loves you and is going to take care of you, don’t you?’

Katie felt the blonde head bobbing up and down beneath her chin. Well, so do I. She spoke with assurance to the frightened child.

Let’s just trust all our tomorrows to Jesus and let Him sort them out. Does that sound all right with you? Katie questioned the worried little girl.

Tori sat up in Katie’s lap and stuck out her tiny hand to clasp Katie’s in an unladylike handshake. It’s a deal, Aunt Katie. I love you this much. She spread her small hands and arms into the biggest circle she could make.

Katie smiled lovingly at the small angelic face wet with tears. The bright blue eyes were fringed with long, wet lashes, sticking together like spikes. Feeling the familiar tug at her heart, Katie contemplated the child’s future as well as her own. She knew a young, single woman would not be an ideal substitute mother, but what else could she do? Emily had given her legal custody of her daughters just four days before her death. Their father had been killed in a car accident two months before the youngest child was born. Since Emily’s death, six weeks earlier, Katie, with her own mother’s help, had been caring for the parentless children. Even knowing that it would not be easy, Katie could provide for the girls financially. Her job as a practicing registered nurse for more than four years in a large hospital in her hometown of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was adequate and dependable.

It was in the same hospital that she had first met Emily Lewis almost eleven months ago when Emily had come to give birth to baby Kayla. Katie had gotten involved with Emily as she had with no other patient. Emily had been so desperate for help that Katie was instantly drawn to her, and they had become sincere friends. A smile appeared as Katie remembered the day Emily bowed her beautiful blonde head and asked Christ into her heart. With all her heart, Katie believed that God had brought Emily into her path for a purpose, and that purpose was Emily’s salvation.

The two young women, one single and one widowed, had no idea where their friendship would lead them. Neither had a thought that one of them would develop a terminal illness and depart this life in just a matter of months, leaving two small girls to be cared for by the other. Katie had followed Emily’s last wishes to the letter, and the next day would be one of the final requests to be fulfilled. She admitted to herself the apprehension she felt about the upcoming trip, as well as the prospect of coming face to face with a family that she knew almost nothing about.

She smiled ruefully, reminding herself to follow her own advice and let God sort out her tomorrows. Her family had always teased her about working herself into a stew and fighting imaginary wars, but the war she was in now was anything but imaginary.

Emily had confided to her that her family was nice and respectable but not churchgoers. Katie knew she had her work cut out for her in trying to tell them about Christ, as Emily had begged her to.

The small bundle of energy she held on her lap began to get restless, reminding her of the passing hour. Katie squared her small shoulders and resolved to face whatever came her way to help the little girls.

"Are you ready to go now, honey?’

Yes, Aunt Katie, I’m ready to go home now. We better go home and see if Kayla is up from her nap ’cause we don’t want her to be trouble to Granny Harrison.

Katie smiled at the little girl’s reference to her own widowed mother as Granny. Katie had two older married brothers with two sons each. Her four young nephews were in awe of the two little blonde girls who had moved into the home of their granny and aunt Katie. Anne Harrison had welcomed the two little ones into her home with open arms and heart. It was a standing joke with Katie’s brothers that Mom and Katie take in every stray they can find so they can nurse it and mother it.

Katie rose from her kneeling position in front of the monument and brushed the dirt from the bottom of her skirt. She hid her smile as the little girl mimicked her every move. The two arranged the fresh flowers on the grave and brushed away the loose dirt that had blown on the gravestone.

Hand in hand, they walked back to Katie’s three-year-old Honda parked nearby. I sure hope this car lasts a long time, because I sure can’t afford a new one anytime in the near future, thought Katie. She had dipped quite heavily into her savings to help Emily pay the rent on her small apartment and buy food. Anne Harrison had also helped, but most of the expenses Katie had borne alone.

Pulling away from the cemetery and into busy traffic, Katie welcomed the neverending chatter. It kept her from dwelling on what they would be facing in the coming days. With the child’s bubbly personality and string of constant questions, the short ten-minute drive to their home seemed even shorter.

When Katie pulled into the driveway behind her mother’s car, she recognized a third car that belonged to her brother. Tori became excited at the other car, thinking there might be some potential playmates inside.

Katie opened the door of her childhood home to be met by the happy sound of playing children. Her nephews, six-year-old Todd and four-year-old Brian, were on the floor entertaining the baby, who was showing her joy at being the center of attention. Dan, the oldest of the Harrison children, was relaxing on the sofa and keeping watch over the activity taking place in his mother’s livingroom. He greeted Katie with a broad smile and raised his voice to be heard over the loud baby squeals.

Hi, Katie! Hi, Tori! We’re minding the baby while Mom and Carol finish dinner. Come on in and join the fun. He rose from his position on the sofa to scoop Tori up in his long arms and swing her around in a wide sweeping circle, making her rival her sister with squeals and laughter.

Dan, you’d better be careful. Remember her tricky tummy or you may get more than you bargained for, Katie warned with a laugh.

Oh, I forgot about that, he responded quickly. I guess I’m so accustomed to roughhousing with the boys that I forget these are delicate little females.

Well, don’t carry your repentance too far. She does love to be included in the fun and frolics, too, Katie added.

Dan set Tori back on the floor and watched as she joined the other children in their play.

Katie, we have grown to love these little girls. How are we going to let you take them off to the middle of nowhere?

Katie watched as he began to build his argument.

Sis, why don’t you stay here and we’ll all help you with the girls. You know Carol and I will help, and so will Marc and Jan. It’s not like you would be tied down all the time with them. What do you say? He looked at her with eyes exactly like her own.

I know, Dan. I appreciate the offer and I know you mean it, but I must take the girls to at least meet their grandmother and uncle. I’m not taking them to Wyoming to get rid of them, you know that. I have legal custody of them, and that may never change. When I think of our mother and her grandsons, and the love they share, I must give the girls and their grandmother the same opportunity. It’s true, Katie admitted, that Mrs. Eastin doesn’t know the girls exist, as far as we know, but we still must let them meet. You know God has a purpose and a plan for all this, no matter what kind of mess it seems right now. I know in my heart that God will work it out according to His will.

Dan stepped forward, hugging her to him, his six-foot frame dwarfing her five-foot height.

Katie, I’m sorry. You make me ashamed sometimes, with your complete trust in God, while I’m trying to second-guess His next move. I admit, though, I’m worried about you, too, in all of this. You always did attach yourself to anything or anyone that needed you. What are you going to do if this newly discovered family, somehow, take these girls from you? Have you thought that far ahead? he questioned carefully.

Yes, I have considered it, she responded. I know it would be hard to give them up. They have been a big part of my life for almost a year now, but I still have to do this. I believe God will be with me whatever happens.

Dan gave a frustrated sigh. Well, we’re behind you one hundred percent, but I’m going to be praying selfishly, I guess you know. When you come back home to South Dakota, we want these two little darlings with you.

Katie grinned at her big brother before she tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. She left the children in his care and made her way to the kitchen to offer her help in preparing dinner.

Something smells delicious in here. Mom, what are you cooking for my send-off meal? Katie joked with her eyes sparkling. She turned to her lovely, red-haired sister-in-law.

Hi, Carol. I smell your wonderful yeast rolls, don’t I?

Yes, you do, Katie. I wanted you to remember all the good things of home, just in case you’re tempted to stay in Wyoming, she teased.

No chance of that, Carol. I’ll be back home in three weeks so I can get back to work.

Katie turned to look at her mother, who had been too quiet during the exchange of light teasing. She could tell by the slight frown on her mother’s face what she was about to say.

Katie, won’t you reconsider this trip and wait until it is convenient for someone to go with you? I don’t like the idea of you and the girls traveling seven hundred miles all alone. It’s too dangerous.

I know, Mom, but I’ll be very careful and take no chances, I promise. I really feel it’s time that we got some things laid to rest. We’ve been in limbo long enough. I have waited the length of time that Emily asked me to, and now I just want to get it behind us. Mrs. Eastin may not even see me once I get there, but I’ve got to do all I can to get that lady and her granddaughters acquainted. As for the trip, I’m not looking forward to that either, but I’ve had my car checked out and it seems road-ready. I’m going to take my time, because it will be much easier on the girls. We’ll be spending two nights on the road instead of one, and I’m traveling several miles extra so I can stay on the interstate until I reach Casper. From there I must depend on the directions Emily gave me in her letter.

I wish you would take my car, honey. It’s bigger and roomier than yours, her mother offered.

You can take our van, Katie. It would be much easier since they’re both still in car seats, Carol called from the dining room where she was setting the table.

Thanks to you both, but no thanks. I need to drive what I’m used to, especially on unfamiliar roads.

Anne Harrison wasn’t finished with her persuasion tactics yet.

Well, Katie, I think you should at least call the Eastins and let them know you’re comimg.

I know, Mom, but Emily said no. She emphasized not to let them know about the girls until we were at their door. She asked me to trust her, so I must. She also told me not to let her brother intimidate or bully me. I hope he has moved away or something. I’m not really wanting to meet him, she remarked candidly. I’m hoping the letters that Emily left them will help them cope with the grief I’m sure they’re feeling over her death. Maybe the letters will pave the way for the girls to have a relationship with them.

The three women worked side by side, emptying pans into serving bowls and carrying them into the dining room. The front door opened, and the added noise told everyone that the missing Harrison sibling and his family had arrived. Jan, Marc’s wife, entered the room with a cake in one hand and a pie in the other.

You girls are such wonderful cooks, but sometimes you need to let me pamper the two of you and cook everything myself, Anne Harrison said, repeating a familiar argument, while the younger women in the room exchanged quick glances at each other and struggled to hide their smiles.

Don’t talk like that, Mom, Marc Harrison teased his mother. These two beauties expect me and old Dan to pamper them too much now. Please don’t put any more ideas in their pretty heads with talk like that, he exclaimed as he kissed his mother’s cheek.

Hi, Carol. Hi, Kate. He greeted the other girls with his easy manner.

Don’t call her that, Marc, his wife scolded. "You make her sound like an old farm horse.

No offense intended, Kate, he teased before he turned to his wife. Besides, she’s too small to be a farm horse, more like a young filly.

The four women rolled their eyes at his nonsense but had become accustomed to him ribbing his sister about her small stature, which was nearly identical to that of their mother. The girls left him teasing his mother and went to get the six children ready for dinner. It was quite a task, because the children were enjoying their play much more than they did the hand and face washing they received from the adults. The children were placed strategically between the grown-ups around the table.

As they all joined hands, Dan led the family in prayer. Dinner was a lively affair, with the grown-ups tending the children, while they carried on pleasant conversation with each other. When Jan’s chocolate cake was served, the room grew much quieter while the delicious dessert was enjoyed.

Before the meal ended, talk resumed about Katie’s trip. Dan once again tried to persuade her to wait a few weeks until someone could travel with her. He stated he would be able to make the trip with her on his Christmas break from the high school where he taught. Marc added he was tied up in court now but should be loose in a few weeks and would be glad to make the trip with her. Katie gently but firmly refused, using the same argument that it was time to get things over with and behind them.

"Katie, my girl, I do believe you’re going to Wyoming to snare you a handsome