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. (He also has no male who could possibly be a "father figure": Paige's father died unexpectedly her last year of high school, and her brother has been in and out of jail, forcing her to cut off ties with him.)

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. When Hayden learns of Glenn's actions, he secretly contacts his company's security firm, hoping that somehow he can recover all or some of the stolen funds. Sensing that Rylan needs friends, he invites him and Paige to swim at his apartment's indoor heated pool, mainly to meet his nieces (Rachel and Isla). Paige also meets the other siblings: Hunter (and his wife Carissa) and Heather (along with her fiancee Ash). Paige and Rylan are invited to continue the traditions of the past two years: the company children's Christmas party, the children's Christmas program at church (with Rachel and Isla as featured soloists), Christmas Eve dinner and service, and the "Christmas pajama sleepover", which they accept.

During this time, Hayden has a recurring nightmare, reliving the last words of his father (he asks Hayden to tell his mother, Hunter and Heather he loved them, but never told Hayden he loved him as he was interrupted by another car hitting them, killing him and leaving Hayden in a coma). Hayden opens up to Paige, sharing with her another long-held secret of the accident: Hayden had never taken his role in the company that seriously and his father was disappointed in his work, and were on their way to dinner to further discuss things; they were in the midst of an argument when the accident took place.