Mother Of Prevention
Moving to San Francisco offers Kate Madison a fresh start–just what Kate and her two daughters need after her firefighter husband's tragic death. A move out of Oklahoma City's tornado zone and snakes and…wait. Earthquakes? San Francisco has earthquakes!Kate arrives to find not earthquakes but friends ready to help, from fun-loving neighbor Mazi to Lee, the advice-giving mailman. Maybe Lee's tips can help Kate with her mother-in-law, whose agenda seems to be less to support Kate than to take over. Then Kate discovers Mazi has a painful secret and forgets her own troubles as she takes on her friend's. An ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure, but Kate learns that friendship, family and faith are worth much, much more.
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Praise for CBA Bestselling Author
Lori Copeland
“[In A Case of Crooked Letters] Copeland produces a wacky jumble of humorous characters beset by serious circumstances. Joy wins in the end.”
—Romantic Times
“[A Case of Bad Tasteis] a riveting adventure in page-turning mystery and laugh-out-loud humor. Lori Copeland at her best!”
—Karen Kingsbury, bestselling author of the Redemption series
“The characters in A Case of Bad Tasteare both fun and frustrating, mischievous and maddening. As Maude says, ‘Life’s a hoot!’”
—Brandilyn Collins, author of Stain of Guilt
“Filled with emotion, danger and humor, [Ruth] is sure to warm your heart.”
—Romantic Times
First and foremost, I dedicate this book to the lonely and grieving. God has not forgotten you.
To Bob and Jo Martin: for your continuing ministry in Christ and for your watchful eye on this manuscript.
To Barbara Warren, whose love and commitment to God shows brightly through her work as my assistant and chief troubleshooter.
To Harlequin Enterprises, Joan Marlow Golan and Krista Stroever: for allowing me to be part of the Steeple Hill family.
To the new breed of Christian readers and buyers who encourage authors to write books of faith by buying them!
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 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Chapter 1
“Where was the shoe the last time you saw it?”
Kelli, my youngest daughter, is like her father: charming, practical and witty, with enough savoir faire to carry her through two lifetimes. She’d misplaced a sneaker. “Not lost, misplaced,” she wheezed. She uncapped her inhaler, took a deep breath, then released it.
“In Sailor’s mouth.”
Sailor. Our family pooch that carried off anything that wasn’t nailed down. I’d warned Neil the animal was going to be nothing but trouble when he brought this…odd-looking creature into our home—rusty black, short legs, very fast, extremely agile. The dog had a domed skull, V-shaped dropped ears, a nose with a straight bridge and large dark brown eyes.
“What is that?” I’d asked.
“A puli. Isn’t he cute?”
Cute? That long coat looked to me like forty-five minutes a week of professional grooming to prevent matting and felting—and the thing was only a pup!
When I protested, my husband had dropped a noncommittal kiss on my forehead and predicted I’d be in love with Kelli’s fifth birthday present before the week was out. I’d proved him wrong. Two hours later I was on the floor, wrestling with the heart stealer, falling head over heels in love with the furry troll. Sailor, unfortunately, captured my daughter’s heart, too, but the pet couldn’t be around long because Kelli’s asthma turned out to be a problem. As long as she submitted to an allergy shot once a week, the doctor agreed Sailor could stay until my daughter decided between breathing and having a dog in the house.
I was still uncertain about the outcome. Sailor had been here two months, and the bond between animal and child had only grown stronger.
“Why did you let Sailor carry off your sneaker?” School started in twenty minutes and I still had to pack two lunches and slap on makeup before we left the house.
She lifted thin shoulders. “It’ll be all wet with dog slobbers.”
I swiped a lock of long hair out of my face before I turned and dumped coffee into the sink. “Run upstairs and put something on.”
My seven-year-old appeared, dragging her backpack across the tile floor. Kris wasn’t a morning person. “Have you seen my math book?”
“Not since last night.”
“I can’t find my math book.” She dumped Fruitee Pops into a bowl, grumbling. “Sailor must have carried it off.”
The puli skidded around the corner, his nails clicking against the entry’s hardwood floor. I gave the canine a warning look, glanced at the clock and thought, Great—now I’m really running behind.
I’d forgotten to put new batteries in the alarm. It had stormed last night, and the power had gone off. Neil and I had dragged the kids out of bed and traipsed over to the neighbors and spent an hour in their basement until the all-clear siren sounded. Never had Oklahoma experienced so many off-season tornadoes, but the weather was freaky everywhere this year. With dead batteries in the alarm, I’d overslept. When I’d awakened and seen the time, I’d thrown the covers back and sprung out of bed. Neil had rolled out on his side, complaining, blaming me for the late start—like he didn’t know how to replace batteries?
Ten minutes later the love of my life came through the kitchen door muttering under his breath, “Six minutes to shave, eat and get to the station. Fighting fires is easier than getting out of this house on time.”
I handed him a piece of buttered toast and a cup of coffee on his way to the detached garage. He was always cranky during Sooner season. Sooner fever, I called it. The college football team consumed Neil and his friends, and this year the team had an 8–0 record, primed to go for its third league title in four years. Four more wins and the popular Oklahoma Sooners would be one of the teams to play in the Sugar Bowl, the national title game in January.
