"Compassion's Charm" - Chapter 1 Excerpt
January
Brenham, Texas

Rachel Morton had already waited thirty minutes to see the court-appointed attorney, and now she would have to wait another hour. Hunger clawed at her stomach. Thirst left her throat dry and scratchy, but if she left Adam Raeburn's office, she might ruin her chances to obtain custody of her three children.

"I don't want to cancel my appointment," Rachel said to Mr. Raeburn's secretary. "I can look at these magazines until he arrives."

The secretary swung her chair around to face Rachel. The tall, thin woman sighed. "Mrs. Morton, my name is Anna Carlson. I heard your stomach growling from over here. It's nearly lunchtime. Let me get you a sandwich and something to drink from the deli across the street."

Touched by the woman's offer, Rachel considered accepting. She'd skipped breakfast, or rather she didn't have anything in her efficiency apartment to eat. Last night she'd eaten a bowl of vegetable soup and a roll at the restaurant where she worked.

"Won't you let me order something for you?" Ms. Carlson asked. Sincerity emitted from her kind eyes while the scent of strawberry from a burning candle filled the spacious office.

Rachel's hunger was not the secretary's problem. "No thank you, Ma'am. I'll manage until after my appointment with Mr. Raeburn."

"Honey, you're going to wither up and blow away at this rate."

Rachel smiled. Not many folks cared about her these days, and she appreciated every kind word and gesture from those who did. "I'll be fine."

Ms. Carlson clamped her hands on her knees as though undecided about whether to rise from the chair or stay seated. "Well, I'm ordering us both something, and I will be expecting you to eat."

"Oh, I can pay. I'm not really hungry."

"Fine. You can pay the next time." Anna Carlson swung back around to her desk and picked up the phone. She punched in a few numbers. "This is Anna. What's the special today?" She nodded. "Good, bring me two of those."

With a satisfied grin, Ms. Carlson replaced the phone on the cradle. "You will eat, Mrs. Morton. The special today is roast beef on marble rye with lettuce and tomato. Also you will have a side order of mustard potato salad, chips, a pickle, and raspberry iced tea—sweetened of course."

Rachel laughed. "Sounds good to me."

Ms. Carlson wiggled her shoulders and returned to the files on her desk. "Well, I'm not having any skinny girl pass out in my office."

Rachel moistened her lips. "Ms. Carlson, is Mr. Raeburn as friendly as you are?"

The woman glanced up and glowered. "The name is Anna. Now that we've established the formalities, I'll tell you the truth. I have a much nicer disposition, make better coffee, and treat the clients like royalty. Mr. Raeburn, on the other hand, is so dedicated to his work that he sometimes forgets his manners. You might say he's intense."

"I heard he was Christian."

Anna shook a finger at her. "I knew I'd seen you somewhere before. Must have been at church—Brenham's Community?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Pastor Johnston recommended this office."

"Ah, now I understand. Don't you worry a bit about Mr. Raeburn. He loves the Lord, and he'll do a fine job for you. He never does anything halfway."
What if you've spent time in prison? "I'm a little nervous."

"Of course you are. He'll be here before you know it. Just think, you'll have a full tummy when you meet with him, and he won't be serenaded by your rumbling insides."

Rachel eased back in the soft chair. If only her problems could be solved by eating lunch. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back to stretch achy neck muscles. So many mistakes. So many consequences. Would it ever end?

Anna knew why she was here, and she'd been kind enough not to say a word. I see you lost your kids. Oh my, and you've spent six months in prison. Your husband was killed in a bad drug deal? And you think you can get your children back?

Rachel pulled at her ear; it had once held seven earrings. At one time, body piercing had appealed to her. Her hair had been spiked orange and fuchsia, and she'd worn clothes so tight and short that it shocked her to remember them. Two years ago, all that changed. Twenty-eight years old, and she'd finally decided to grow up. Odd, when she made a rededication to the Lord, she thought life would be easier. Instead the problems grew worse. God did help her through the trial, sentencing, and the six months in prison. He'd taken all those months to mold her into the beginnings of the woman He wanted her to be. God had a purpose for her life, and she intended to stick to Him like glue so He could work it out.

She simply hoped His plans included the return of her children. But the consequences of her past behavior might not warrant the joys of motherhood.

She glanced down at her skirt and gave it a tug, hoping the length was appropriate. She'd purchased it from Goodwill when she needed something to wear for job interviews. Mom had her clothes at the farm where the children lived, but Rachel hated to ask her parents if she could climb into the attic and retrieve them. At one time they would have done it. They would have done anything to help her rehabilitation. This time, however, Rachel needed to do all the work on her own.

The outside door to Adam Raeburn's office opened, and a young man entered carrying two small white bags. The smell of roast beef and delicious rye bread wafted across the room—a most pleasant aroma. Her stomach cried out.

"I heard that," Anna said. "Come on, Honey, and get yourself something to eat."

Shortly after they finished, Attorney Adam Raeburn entered his office.