Page 38 of Muskoka Miracle (Muskoka Shores #7)

“It’s also fun.” Oh, the things that she enjoyed now, now she wasn’t on the frantic mouse-wheel of life.

The Heartsong tour season was done. She realized that now. She could maybe write more music, or possibly join a couple of nearby North American city concerts, but the frantic pace of what she used to be able to do she didn’t want to anymore. Which made the album offer all the more interesting.

She’d replied, but all the baby drama had meant she hadn’t responded to their contract. She grasped her phone, opened up her email, and studied it. Then prayed, felt a yes, and signed.

“Whatcha doing?” Bek asked.

Sarah told her, swearing them to secrecy. “I know you want me to be open with Dan, but I’d like this to be a surprise.”

“I think he’ll get a real kick out of it.”

“Such a romantic gesture.” Mum sighed. “So, did I hear something about Dan thinking of retiring?”

Sarah explained a little more, which was why the campground and special needs facility could make a lot of sense. “This could be a good thing to do.”

“A good thing or a God thing?”

“We’ve been praying about it, and both of us think it’s a God thing.”

“It really sounds like you’ve been bonding well with these women.”

Sarah nodded. “It’s funny that although we live in the same apartment in the city, I only got to know Jackie more while in Muskoka.

” How ironic that it was here, and not there.

Except not so ironic, when she had only wanted to avoid her before.

“Jackie and Toni, who also lives in Toronto, both pop in occasionally. They’ve both been great in sharing a bit about what to expect when you’re expecting.

” She groaned. “There’s just so much, isn’t there? ”

Bek shot her a sympathetic smile. “It might be an answer to your prayers, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

That was for sure. “I really thought that by four months I’d be over vomiting by now.”

Just like last time her body had reacted strongly to the little creature it was growing, and instead of putting on weight, she’d been losing it.

Ginger helped, and the rest. Dr. Feldman was really happy with their progress, apart from slightly elevated blood pressure, which saw encouragement—not warnings—about the need to relax, to try and get her blood pressure down.

What a difference Dr. Feldman’s outlook had.

She might have similar suggestions to Dr. McKinnon, but she framed it in a way that Sarah wanted to try, rather than resist. When Sarah had first talked to Jackie about her desire for a different obstetrician, she’d put her in touch with the Christian woman who city friends had recommended to her.

And yes, she knew going behind Dan’s back about that hadn’t been good, but he’d agreed after their meeting that Dr. Feldman’s supportive nature was refreshing.

“From what I’ve seen with all your notes, it appears that there’s definite improvement in the heart.”

“Dr. McKinnon thought it was an error.”

“Well, my opinion is that it’s an improvement.”

Oh, thank You God. “But what about the amniocentesis that Dr. McKinnon recommended? Doesn’t that have a risk of miscarriage?”

“Mm.” Dr. Feldman had tilted her head. “I think I’d prefer to wait a few more weeks and use an ultrasound. But really, the best diagnosis happens at birth or shortly after. So in order to keep your mind at ease, I’d be recommending that.”

“Thank you.”

Dr. Feldman had smiled. “So, I’d advise for you to make the most of this time as much as possible, because this is the last time you’ll be able to put your feet up for a while. At least for eighteen years.” She’d winked. “So my prescription for the Mummy-to-be is to relax.”

Mummy . Her heart tickled with excitement.

She placed a hand over her abdomen, felt a flutter in response, and she got her mum and sister to feel the baby.

“Oh, he or she feels like a strong one.”

“You’re not going to find out the sex?”

“No. It doesn’t matter. The main thing is that’s it’s healthy.”

“What’s the doctor saying?”

She told them of Dr. Feldman’s opinions, then confessed some of what Dr. McKinnon had said, earning gasps in return. “Oh, Sarah. No wonder you were so stressed.”

“He kept going on about birth defects, thanks to our chromosome incompatibility.” She groaned. “I know I’m supposed to be a woman of faith, but it was like his words slid in and even though I’m feeling a lot better, sometimes I still can’t help but feel afraid.”

“Every child is a precious gift,” her mother said.

“That’s what we believe, but he wasn’t even confident that we’d make it to a point of viability.”

“Point of viability.” Bek made a face. “That’s an awful phrase when you consider we’re talking about a child.”

“I know.” Sarah winced. “And I know I should’ve told Dan about this new doctor, but I couldn’t face another round of Dr. McKinnon, especially by myself.”

“It sounds like God has led you to the better doctor, even if the way you went about it wasn’t perhaps as it should be.” Mum squeezed her hand. “Just keep talking to Dan, Sarah. You know that closing things off isn’t good for you.”

She touched her belly. Or good for the baby.

“Well, how about we pray?” Mum said.

She nodded, closed her eyes, and her sister and mother held her hands and prayed.

Prayed for wisdom for the doctors, wisdom for Sarah and Dan to go forward, blessing on their marriage, protection on Sarah’s health, and for the baby.

And their prayers of faith surrounded her, feeding faith, like a shield.

And she relaxed and remembered her God was able to do anything, He could be trusted, and she could trust Him with it all.

“In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.”

“Amen and Amen.” She sighed. “Thank you.”

“And thank you ,” Bek said. “I certainly didn’t expect my time here to mostly consist of lying around catching up on my fill of entertainment gossip and luxury living.”

“I’m sorry it’s been a trial.”

“I’m prepared to forgive you.”

“That’s my girls,” Mum said, which drew their laughter.

Peace settled across her soul, just like it did each time she visited Muskoka.

This break away, organized by Dan, had proved the perfect respite after several tumultuous months. And time with her family had filled her heart’s cup to the brim. So much that she almost felt like she could face Christmas with Dan’s family again.