Child of Hope (book)

Child of Hope is a 2021 novel written by Canadian Christian author Kimberly Rae Jordan.

The novel is the third and final of three novels, under the series title We Three Kings, featuring the Minneapolis-based King triplets (Hunter, Hayden, and Heather), heirs of their father's multi-million dollar company and their Christmastime interactions with struggling families far below their social and financial status. Child of Hope centers around Hayden, the middle triplet (and identical twin to Hunter), who (nominally) works in the Digital Marketing department of their company, but has become a recluse in recent years, as he was seriously injured in the accident which clamed his father's life. All three novels were released in the fourth quarter of 2021; Child of Hope was released in December.

Plot

The novel is set six years after the triplets' father, Greg, died in a multi-fatality car accident (the accident also left Hayden with severe physical injuries and emotional ones, as he witnessed his father's death), two years after the events in Child of Joy, and one year after the events in Child of Love.

What was supposed to have been the final surgery for Hayden -- one that would finally relieve him of most of the pain from the accident -- resulted in complications; ultimately he would have his left leg amputated below the knee. His already reclusive nature only worsened afterwards: he has made no attempt at getting a prothesis and has stopped going to therapy for the emotional trauma he faced. Although he has shared some details of his father's last moments before death with his siblings, he has not shared all of them, mainly how he blames himself for what happened.

Hunter has paid for Hayden to have a housekeeper in the ensuing years. His first housekeeper, Leta, unexpectedly retired when her daughter (Paige) and grandson (Rylan) moved in with her after Paige's divorce. Rylan has permanent disabilities resulting from his birth (and must use a wheelchair) and the family received a large settlement; his father (Glenn) did not want to raise a disabled son; he surrendered his parental rights, but then absconded with the settlement funds, forcing Paige and Rylan to move in with Leta. Leta recommended Paige as her replacement, mainly so Paige could have medical insurance for Rylan. Because of Rylan's special needs, and Paige not being able to afford special schooling, Leta and Paige are homeschooling Rylan, though it leaves him without any friends.

One day Paige was forced to bring Rylan to work as Leta could not babysit him that day. Hayden unexpectedly saw Rylan at the dinner table; instead of being upset he actually started bonding with him, and over the next couple of days the two watched movies together.