Raining In My Heart (Book One of the McKay's) by Rita Hestand

and soon .
    Still, her life had changed in one day, s o d rastically.
    How could one be awakened to so much truth in so little time?
    And worst of all, how could one deal with it?
    But the instinct to protect her child no matter what sprang forward. In her wildest dreams she never thought Cade would find out, but he was right, there was just too much of Cade Weston in Kellie to deny. She should have recognized it a long time ago.
    In truth, Ke llie longed to be here , and if Julie could face it, she'd admit it. Kellie belonged here, she knew that by the quick transformation her daughter had made. Kellie had a father that loved her. He knew her one day and he loved his daughter , for that reason alone Julie had begun to look at Cade much differently . For that even Julie marveled at how sensit ive and caring a man Cade was, a nd a small part of her loved Cade for that.
    She'd misjudged him and she realized that way too late.
    Tears ran down Julie 's cheeks now as the preacher prayed and the choir began to sing. This was her last goodbye to her father, and something inside Julie curled up and cried. She missed him. She wasn't alone ; all her sisters had tears , silent tears running down their cheeks.
    She glanced at her sisters and realized they were all very upset and emotional too. She grabbed her sister's hand , wh ile Letty grimaced with a pained expression on her face , as though holding in the tears was more painful than letting them out . Letty looked at her, and then the tears ran down her cheeks for she knew their suffering and regrets were mutual .
    Julie held on to her hand through the rest of the service and Letty didn't seem to mind , they both drew strength from it .
    Later that afternoon , as people filed in and out of the old ranch house, Julie and Letty congregated away from the others. "I should have come home more often , " Letty was saying.
    Julie nodded . "You too, huh? I know exactly how you feel. Guilty as charged. "
    "He knows we loved him , Julie …" Letty bit her lip and glanced at Julie . "I just know he did."
    "Did he? He 'd never even seen Kellie … How could he forgive me that? "
    "Well , granted that had to have been hard for him . He certainly wouldn't have left us all h is money if he thought ill of us . He'd have left us out , I certainly expected him to. " Letty reasoned. "And as for Kellie …I'm sure you had your reasons."
    "You know, yesterday, when I heard them say I was his real daughter too, I was shocked. I can't imagine why he never told me. Especially when I left and didn't come back. Then again when I heard his stipulation. But now I feel I owed him that much, you know?"
    Letty nodded . "I know…"
    Julie glanced away . "It's good being home, Letty. I know I ’ m going to have some problems about it, but it's good to be home…" Julie sighed heavily. "I only wish I'd come home sooner."
    "Don't worry…I'll help you as much as I can , " Letty promised.
    "Thanks, I don't deserve that, but thanks."
    "Hey … " Letty winked. "What are sisters for?"
    Julie stared into her eyes . "I got a feelin' we're going to be up a lot of nights in the next year."
    Letty grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
    Wendy came over and glanced at the two of them . "What have you two got your heads together about?"
    Julie thought about that a minute and replied, "Looks like we are gonna be a family again."
    Wendy smiled and grabbed them both for a hug. "Dad would have liked that. I can't think of anything he'd have liked more. And I guess he's finally getting his wish for us to all be together again. "
    ***
    "You've got to be kidding me, you're moving back h ome? Possibly losing the most fantastic job, not to mention a fiancé e that is very concerned?" Jim frowned, his understanding not showing. He ran his finger around the back of his collar as though vetting steam. One of the secretary's passed and gave him the eye. Julie noticed. She also noticed how Jim winked at her too. Had he always flirted with the