Nanny Witness. Hope WhiteЧитать онлайн книгу.
aside their guilt and open their hearts to forgiveness. These two wounded souls are able to help each other grow and embrace the serenity that is on the other side of forgiveness.
My goal in writing this story was to share with you my belief that it’s never too late to forgive, and to illustrate how the power of forgiveness can heal emotional pain and guide us to the beauty of grace.
Peace be with you,
Hope White
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
—Joshua 1:9
This book is dedicated to my walking buddy, Lynn Peterson, for her generous friendship.
Contents
Note to Readers
Carly Winslow leaned over the white crib and stroked baby Mia’s forehead.
“Such a good girl.” Carly hummed a soft tune. As Mia’s eyes drifted shut, the sound of a door slamming downstairs echoed through the baby monitor.
A moment later Mia’s mom, Susan Bremerton, announced herself. “Hi, Carly, I’m home.”
Carly grabbed the two-way device and said softly, “Hi, Mrs. B. Mia is taking a morning nap.”
“Okay, thanks,” Susan responded in a tone matching Carly’s so as not to wake the baby.
Mia had drifted off and was sound asleep. She’d been fighting a cold and Mrs. B. had directed Carly to give Mia medicine to keep her comfortable.
Carly smiled as she watched the seven-month-old enjoy a peaceful, deep sleep, her little eyelids fluttering as she probably dreamed about the colorful animals on the mobile above her crib.
Crossing the room to a rocking chair, Carly picked up her notebook to study for her nurse’s National Council licensure exam. She could go downstairs and make a cup of tea but decided against it. Carly had sensed tension lately in the home and she didn’t want to intrude in Mrs. B.’s personal space.
She tucked her legs beneath her and thanked God for this wonderful job caring for the sweet baby girl an hour outside Denver in Miner, Colorado. Carly thought it would be good experience, and the salary would help her pay off school loans.
Ever since Carly started as Mia’s nanny six months ago, she’d developed an attachment to the blond baby girl with the bright blue eyes. Even at a month old, Mia had a smile that lit up a room and warmed Carly’s heart.
A smile that also triggered regret. The child was so vulnerable, which reminded Carly of her own utter failure—she should have done more to protect her little sister.
“Practice self-forgiveness.” She whispered her aunt’s advice and grabbed her notebook with review questions for the exam. Yet even now, at twenty-seven, Carly was plagued by a decision she’d made at the tender age of thirteen.
The sound of a door slamming echoed up the stairs. A few seconds of silence passed.
“Susan!” Mr. B.’s voice echoed through the monitor.
What was he doing home this time of day?
“What were you thinking?” Mr. B. said.
“I thought you’d be proud of me.”
“Proud? About you destroying our lives?”
Uncomfortable that she was eavesdropping, Carly got up to turn down the monitor.
“What are you talking about?” Mrs. B. said. “It’s a worthy project.”
Loud pops cracked through the transmission.
Carly froze. It almost sounded like a car backfiring.
She stared at the white monitor for a second, wondering if the device was picking up sounds from another frequency. It had happened before.
“Harry!” Mrs. B. cried.
“Get down!”