North Country Family. Lois Richer

you’re in the right place, Cassie, because that’s what we do at Lives Under Construction, right, boys?” Laurel said, kindly drawing the attention away from her.

      “Thank you all for sharing,” Rick added. “I’ll pray God will help each of you fulfill the desires of your hearts.”

      In the clamor of the next hour of games, Cassie often felt Rick’s eyes on her. She studiously avoided looking at him, forcing herself to join the fun, suppressing all that she was feeling. But when her eyes accidentally met his, she knew she wasn’t fooling him.

      When the boys could no longer hide their yawns, Laurel said it was time for bed. She convinced Rick to sleep in the family room because of the storm, and then Cassie persuaded Laurel to leave the cleaning-up to her.

      She’d just snapped off the kitchen light and was about to go to her room when Rick’s touch on her arm stopped her. She shifted so his hand dropped away. “Yes, Rick?”

      “I wanted to wish you the very best with your resolution, Cassie.” His green eyes swirled with something she couldn’t define, something that made her knees weak against her will. “I hope God will bless you and Noah as you start a new life here. I’ll pray you find what you need in Churchill and at Lives.”

      “Thank you. Happy New Year to you, too, Rick,” she said quietly. “Thanks for coming to our rescue.”