Tender Love Read online

  Mark drew her even closer in his arms and laughed in his low, chuckling way.

  “I couldn’t be happier. I want a daughter just like you.” And he’d gotten what he wanted.

  A trumpet blast rolled from the organ, and Alice turned her attention from Melissa. This was Kristin’s day, and she was sorry that Clarice wasn’t here to see the child she’d borne, and that Gran, who’d died, peaceful and happy in their home three years ago, couldn’t have lived to see this day. Except for Mark, Melissa and Eddie, Kristin had no blood relatives with her today, but strangely, it didn’t seem to matter to the girl. Not only had Alice adopted Mark’s children; they had adopted her and her relatives as well, and all of Alice’s family had come today, as well as Ethel Pennington, now happily married, who’d remained like an aunt to Eddie and Kristin.

  While the wedding guests enjoyed a full meal at the long tables set up by the caterers on the front lawn, Alice posed for pictures with her family. She surveyed the magnificent antebellum home she’d provided for them. They’d been happy here, and she prayed that they might have many more years to enjoy it.

  Although all eyes were on Kristin, Mark put his arm around Alice. “She’s a beautiful bride,” he whispered, “but not the most beautiful woman here today. You know who that is.”

  “You’ve always been a bit prejudiced, but I like it that way.”

  “I wonder what the future holds for us?” Mark said speculatively.

  “It doesn’t matter as long as we’re together, does it?”

  Mark answered with a soft kiss on her lips.

  Dear Reader,

  Although my characters are often affluent, I don’t want to come across as a person who believes that riches ultimately bring happiness, for in many cases, wealth can have a detrimental effect on a relationship. While I try to create characters who overcome their conflicts by means of personal attributes and spiritual beliefs, I also like to portray rich people who are good stewards of their money, using it to improve the lives of others.

  I believe the Bible teaches that Christians are expected to share their money with those less fortunate than themselves. I’ve been a tither since I had my first job when I was fifteen, and it’s always a pleasure for my husband and me to contribute at least ten percent of our income to spread the Gospel. We’ve been blessed financially and spiritually because we keep the Lord’s command: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)

  Wealth can be a blessing or a curse, but my characters have made riches a blessing because they portray the Scriptural words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

  I will be happy to hear from my readers at the following address: P.O. Box 2770, Southside, WV 25187.

  ISBN: 978-1-4592-2918-1

  TENDER LOVE

  Copyright © 2000 by Irene Brand

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  Visit us at www.steeplehill.com