"Evidence suggests that, contrary to suspicions, the animal rights group had nothing at all to do with the fire at the disadvantaged children's camp," the newscaster announced. "Instead, authorities are pursuing evidence that the Communist Party of the U.S.A. may actually be the culprits. Stand by for more information."
"I don't believe it!" gasped Lissa, who was cuddling on the sofa with Christian while they watched the news together.
"I heard the same thing at work today," Christian told her. "I didn't mention it because I thought it was just a rumor, but apparently it's a substantive one."
"Why don't you ask Dimitri Belikov about it? Doesn't he know all about what they're up to?"
"Of course not! Why should he? He's never been affiliated with them. When he lost his position with the KGB, he pretty much abandoned politics." Christian rolled his eyes. "I'll bet I know who is behind it, though."
"Who?"
"Marion Andrews."
Lissa gasped. "Devin's ex-wife?"
"Exactly."
"But why?"
Christian shrugged. "With Marion, who knows?"
"But he's my brother!" Caleb protested.
"He ceased to be your brother and my son the moment he reclaimed the Milford surname." Marion's voice was cold. "When he did that, it was just as if he'd spit in our faces."
"He's hurt, Mom. Don't you even care about that at all?"
"The United Sates army is an Imperialist organization dedicated to forcing its political agenda on all the other nations of the world. Is it any wonder they fight back?"
"This is Billy, Mom. He's all alone, and he needs us. We should go to him."
"As far as I'm concerned, the subject is closed," Marion snapped.
"Wow!" Melody's eyes grew as big as saucers as she gazed around at the inside of the Ozera home. "Is this really my new home?"
"For now, yes," Lissa told her. It had turned out that the little girl had no close relatives who were interested in taking responsibility for her, and Christian and Lissa had been granted temporary custody while their application to adopt her was pending.
"Would you like to see your new bedroom?" asked Lissa.
"Oh, yes!"
She'd spared no expense in decorating the nicest unoccupied bedroom in the house. A white four-poster canopied bed dominated the room, and its mattress was covered with a fluffy white quilt and pink pillows with ruffles. Lacy white curtains hung at the window, and a white chest of drawers covered with princess decor stood in one corner. There was also a dresser with a mirror above it, and even a hanging white wicker chair with white and pink quilting inside. Melody ran to it and flung herself into its seat, grinning at Christian and Lissa. Her wounds had healed, fading to faint white scars.
"Do you like it?" asked Christian. He knew it was far nicer than any bedroom she'd ever occupied in her biological parents' house.
"I love it!"
"I'm so glad you do." Christian and Lissa exchanged glances before joining hands and leaving the little girl to explore her new treasures.
"I told you she'd love it!" Lissa said to her husband.
"I never doubted that. I only questioned whether it would be prudent to get her hopes up. The adoption won't be final for awhile, you know."
"But why wouldn't they let us adopt her?"
"You know we've only been remarried for a few months. They're going to want a stable home for her."
"But our home is stable! I know we had some problems in the past, but they're all resolved now. She needs us, Christian. Few other families in this area could provide for her like we can."
Looking into his wife's eyes, Christian could see how important this was to her. He remembered her devastation following the miscarriage, the close bond she'd formed with the little girl. He recalled how the scene in the hospital, with Melody lying there looking so frightened and small, had tugged at his own heart strings.
He realized the outcome of the application to adopt her mattered just about as much to him as it did to Lissa.