When she’d put Anna in bed with her last night, the child had cried herself to sleep. Cleon had apparently followed through on his intention to spend the night in their unfinished house, because he’d never returned to her folks’ home.“Anna, wake up. It’s time to get dressed and ready for church.” Grace leaned over the bed and gently shook the child’s shoulders.Anna moaned but didn’t open her eyes.“You need to get up and have some breakfast.”Anna finally opened her eyes, which looked red and swollen. “Poppy. I want Poppy,” she murmured.“I know you do, but your poppy had to go home. He’s sick and can’t take care of you now, so he brought you to me.”Before putting the child to bed, Grace had tried to explain to Anna about her father dying and Grace agreeing to let his parents raise her baby girl because she was young and confused. The look of bewilderment on Anna’s face told Grace that the child didn’t fully understand, but with time and patience, she hoped to gain her daughter’s approval.Grace opened Anna’s suitcase.
