Chapter 1: Expanding the Family and Planning at the Lake

The lake house had quickly become their sanctuary.

Two months had passed since the pregnancy scare turned into quiet acceptance. Mariah’s belly now showed a soft, noticeable curve beneath her clothes, and the group had settled into a rhythm that felt dangerously natural. Weekends were spent at the secluded property on Lake of the Woods — long nights of shared pleasure, lazy mornings tangled together, and whispered conversations about how they would raise the baby as “Jacob’s” while protecting their secret.

On this particular Sunday evening, the four women — Mary Ann, Pam, Mariah, and the men — had gathered on the wide wooden dock after another intense night inside. The water lapped gently against the pilings while stars glittered overhead.

Mary Ann’s phone buzzed. Then Pam’s. Then Mariah’s.

All three read the identical group text from their husbands.

Jim (to Mary Ann): “Leadership meeting ran late but great news — we’ve hired a new Family Care Pastor. His name is Pastor Jay Thompson, 32. His wife Sarah is 27. They accepted the offer today and will be moving here soon. You ladies have done such a wonderful job with Mariah — we’d love for you to invite Sarah to your Tuesday morning coffee tradition and take her under your wings. Help her feel at home in Champaign and at Grace Evangelical.”

Malcolm and Jacob had sent nearly the same message to Pam and Mariah. The women looked up from their screens at the same time.

A slow, knowing smile spread across Mary Ann’s face first. Pam followed, then Mariah — her hand resting gently on her growing bump.

“If our husbands only knew...” Pam murmured, voice laced with dark amusement. Mary Ann leaned back against Dale’s broad chest, letting him wrap an arm around her. “They think they’re asking us to mentor another sweet pastor’s wife in faith and community. Instead, we’re about to welcome Sarah Thompson into the family.”