Melissa stood by the curb waving as Jessica turned the key. “Jacob, wave goodbye.”
“Why can’t Melissa come?” Jacob leaned toward the door and moved his hand back and forth.
“Because she has a special guest coming for Easter dinner tomorrow.” Jessica grinned.
No one should be alone on a holiday, including Uncle George. It had been at least two years since the last time they’d been together, and she hadn’t been with him much before that either, although they’d always stayed in touch. His ministry to the people in the Philippines had spanned decades. She knew he’d hoped to live out his days there, but his high fever and toe infection brought him back home to the States. No amount of antibiotics could cure the gangrene that set in or the hearing loss in his right ear. His left leg was amputated below the knee, and he was fitted for a hearing aid. And now, according to the nurses, he was becoming more and more withdrawn as the days wore on. Jessica could hear it in his voice every time she called. The last thing she wanted to do was add to his troubles by telling him about her problems. But still, he’d always been there for her in the past.
After weaving through town to load her car with gas, she turned onto CA-180W toward CA-99 and drove her Honda Civic with the air conditioner on full blast. She flipped on the radio and sang along.
“Mommy.” Jessica looked into her rearview mirror. “Yes?” “I need to go potty.” He bit his lower lip. Jessica let out a sigh and stared back at the road. “Didn’t I tell you to go before we left?”
“I forgot.”
“I’ll look for a rest stop. You may need to wait until we get to Madera.”
“How long is that?”
“Twenty miles.” Jessica glanced at him once more. Her son’s brows were furrowed, his lips pinched, and his arms were tightly wrapped around his stuffed animal. The life of a six-year-old was hard. She stifled a grin. If worse came to worst, she’d pull over to the side of the road.
“When we gonna get there?” Jacob whined.
This was going to be a long trip.
The Heart Stone is available in print or Kindle.
Other novels by Sherry Kyle
Delivered with Love
The Heart Stone
Watercolor Dreams
Road to Harmony
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Preview: PRAISE FOR THE HEART STONE
CHAPTER 1: FRESNO, CALIFORNIA