Special Mission

by Debby Mayne

  Can’t wait to read your next e-mail. While you’re back in the States having fun, have a little extra fun for me.

  Love you, babe!

  David

  Kim read David’s message over several times before she finally clicked out of it and sank back in her chair. It was wonderful to hear from him. So what was up with the hollow feeling?

  She instinctively reached for the phone to call Brian, but she quickly pulled back. Yeah, he’d understand and sympathize, but she needed to stop leaning on him so much.

  The sudden ringing of the phone startled her. When she picked it up and heard Brian’s voice, she laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “I was just thinking about calling you. What’s up?”

  “When I got home, there was a message on the phone from Matthew about the whitewater rafting trip on the New River Saturday, and I wondered if you wanted to go.”

  Kim started to say no, but she thought about David’s e-mail and how he’d encouraged her to help keep Brian’s mind off Leila. Besides, it would be fun, and it would give her something else to write David about. It was harmless, and they’d be so active she wouldn’t have time to think about how Brian was starting to make her feel. “Sure, I’d like that.”

  “You don’t sound all that enthusiastic.”

  “Sorry. I just got home and read an e-mail from David.”

  She heard a quick intake of air on the other end of the line before Brian cleared his throat. “So what’s he up to?”

  “I wish I knew. He just said something about how dangerous it was there—”

  Brian interrupted. “Enough to worry you, right?”

  “Yeah. He also said to thank you for watching out for me.”

  Brian chuckled. “You watching out for me is more like it.”

  “Right. So if I go rafting, what all do I need to bring?”

  “Food,” he replied. “Lots of it.”

  “With you along, that goes without saying. Anything else?”

  “Nah, I think we’re good.”

  ❧

  Matthew assigned people to rafts then gestured toward the park employee who took the cue to give explicit instructions on safety. “We haven’t lost anyone before, and we don’t want to start now. Keep your eye on your buddy and don’t take off your life jacket, no matter how good of a swimmer you are.”

  Matthew nodded toward the water. “Let’s go have us some fun!”

  Groups of four positioned themselves in the rafts. Brian held Kim’s hand as she got in; then he followed. Minutes later their raft had been taken over by the swiftly moving water.

  “Take it easy, Brian,” Kim said as they bounced along the rapids. “I don’t want to lose my breakfast.”

  Brian laughed. “You think I can do anything about this?”

  “Stop leaning. I don’t want to get dumped into this crazy river.”

  “But you look so cute wet.” He grinned and made a gesture around his head. “I especially like it when your hair is all tangled and plastered.” The other two people, Shawn and Ashley, laughed.

  “I’m serious. Stop trying to tip the raft.”

  The very thought of anything happening to Kim made him shudder. “I won’t lean anymore. But if you do fall overboard, I’ll go in after you.”

  She scowled then broke into a grin. “Yeah, and we’ll both drown.” She paused then gave him one of her warning looks.

  Brian felt like he already was drowning. And rafting on the New River had nothing to do with it.

  Shawn and Ashley had a loud conversation going with the people in the raft just ahead of them. Kim glared at Brian and whispered, “Just stop trying to tip the raft, Brian. I mean it. If you don’t cut it out, I’ll tell everyone about the bodysurfing incident.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Don’t test me.”

  ❧

  Kim had more fun on Saturday than she could remember having in a long time. Brian brought her home, helped her carry her bag and cooler inside, then left to get cleaned up. As soon as she was alone, she showered and slipped into a jogging suit before sitting down in front of her computer. To her disappointment, there were no e-mails from David. She started a new letter to tell him about her day.

  To: DJenner

  From: KShaw

  Subject: River fun

  Dear David,

  I just got back from having more fun than I can remember.

  No, that didn’t come across right. Kim thought for a moment before deleting it.

  Dear David,

  I just got back from a whitewater rafting trip on the New River. We had a lot of fun, but it would have been more fun with you there.

  Matthew arranged the groups and made sure we knew the rules about the buddy system and life jackets. I hope he has kids someday, because he’d make a wonderful father. Matthew put us on the same raft with a new couple, Shawn and Ashley. The river was normal, but Brian made sure we had plenty of excitement. Every chance he got, he tried to tip the raft, until I told him to knock it off, or I’d tell everyone about the time he wiped out bodysurfing. Remember that? I’ll never forget our church trip to the coast when you and I finally got together.

  Anyway, after a few hair-raising experiences with Brian trying to tip the raft, we finally made it to the end, where our food was waiting. After we ate, Brian took the rest of the food home with him. I don’t think he’ll starve anytime soon.

  Everyone says to tell you hi. Please stay safe. I want you to come home soon.

  Miss you!

  Love,

  Kimberly

  She sat back and read the letter again before clicking Send. Then she grabbed the bridal magazine Jasmine had given her and headed straight for bed. Brian had asked her to go to the early service the next morning, and she said she’d meet him there.

  ❧

  Brian dabbed more lotion on the spot he’d missed with the sunscreen before the rafting trip. He compared himself to David, who never burned but only got darker in the sun. Brian couldn’t help the fact that he was blond.

  He slipped into his polo shirt, combed his hair, and took one last look in the mirror. He couldn’t do anything about the red splotch on the side of his face but wait for the sunburn to go away. Kim had teased him and offered some concealer. He’d quipped back that he’d have to rub it all over his face for it to do any good, so no thanks. Then he changed the subject and talked about church.

  Kim agreed to go to the early service, in spite of the fact that she preferred sleeping an extra hour on Sundays. She’d given Brian a hard time about his antics during the rafting trip, but she came through for him in the end. And she’d packed enough food to feed everyone on their raft and still have leftovers, which she’d sent home with him.

  He pulled into the parking lot, picked his Bible up off the seat, then walked around the church toward the front steps. When he glanced up, his mouth instantly went dry. On the top step, standing next to Kim by the double doors, was Leila.

  Four

  Kim saw the look of shock on Brian’s face, and she instantly wanted to comfort him. However, she felt stymied by the fact that Leila was right there beside her.

  “Hey, Kim,” Brian said before turning to face his former fiancée. “Leila, you look nice. How are you today?”

  Leila cleared her throat and shifted from one foot to the other. “I’m fine, Brian. Maybe we can talk later?”

  Brian shrugged. “Sure, whatever.” He looked back at Kim. “Are we still sitting together, or have you made other plans?”

  “We’re still sitting together.” Kim turned to Leila, who’d just stopped to ask if she’d seen Brian. “It was nice talking to you, Leila. Maybe we can get together sometime?” She had to force softness in her voice, because there was no point in showing her animosity—especially not on the church steps.

  Leila glanced down as she took a small step back. “Maybe.”

  “Have a good day,” Kim said before turning and linking
arms with Brian. “C’mon, let’s go sit down.”

  After they sat and picked up their hymnals, Brian elbowed Kim. “Well? Are you gonna fill me in on the powwow?”

  “There’s nothing to say other than the fact that she wanted to know if I’d seen you.”

  Brian tilted his head and quirked a brow. “What did you tell her?”

  Kim studied him for a moment before answering. “Why are you so concerned?”

  “I just wondered, that’s all. Don’t forget, she and I were engaged to be married, and if things had gone as planned, I’d be sitting here with her.”

  “Well, too bad you’re not,” Kim quipped. “You’re stuck with me instead.”

  “Yeah, too bad, huh?” he said with a lopsided grin. “I think I came out the winner here.”

  Kim’s heart warmed. “Thanks, Brian. That was sweet.”

  “Don’t get used to it.”

  “Oh, trust me, I know better than that.”

  The pastor approached the pulpit, so they focused their attention on the service. After the last hymn was sung, the pastor announced that the nursery was shorthanded, and they were in dire need of people to volunteer to watch the children during adult Bible study between the early and late services.

  Brian lifted an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Wanna go watch some kids with me?”

  She angled her head forward and looked at him from beneath hooded eyes. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, I’m not kidding. They need help, and we’re able to do it.”

  “You know I’ve never been around children that much.”

  “They’re just little people,” he said.

  “Yeah,” she agreed. “With high-pitched voices and constant motion.”

  “Oh, come on, Kimberly. It’ll be fun.” He gave her a challenging glare. “Or are you scared? Maybe you’re right. Some people can’t handle the pint-size set.”

  Not one to back down to a challenge, she rolled her eyes. “Oh, all right. I’ll do it.”

  Brian’s mouth spread in a wide grin. “I thought you might.” He patted her hand. “You’ll do fine. Just watch me and do what I do.”

  “All righty,” she said as they headed toward the church nursery. Secretly, Kim hoped others would be waiting to help out in the nursery and her services wouldn’t be needed. However, just the opposite was the case. The sound of children’s voices with their harried parents standing nearby, hoping to be relieved so they could attend Bible class, let her know she was a welcome sight.

  “I’m so glad y’all are here,” Carmen said from the split door. “Please come in and wash your hands. I need to change this one’s diaper; then we can decide who does what.”

  After she put a clean diaper on the child she was holding, Carmen turned toward Kim. “Any questions before I leave?”

  “You’re leaving?” Kim asked, her throat tight from panic.

  Carmen smiled and let out a little chuckle. “I’m in charge of several age groups, so I’ll be making the rounds while you’re here. If you need me, I won’t be far.” She pointed to the door. “Just leave the top half of the door open and stick your head out. You’ll probably see me rushing around.”

  “Okay,” Brian said as he assessed the situation. “We’ll be fine.”

  Kim immediately found herself surrounded by toddlers, all of them wanting her attention. To her surprise, Brian seemed completely at ease, making her wonder if something might be wrong with her.

  “How do you do it?” she asked. “I’ve known you for—like—ever, and I had no idea you were a kid person.”

  “I have a baby brother, remember?” he reminded her. “And I used to have to entertain the younger cousins at family reunions.”

  Kim did remember him mentioning the family reunion thing. However, it hadn’t really made an impact on her until now. Brian turned toward a little boy who tugged at his pants leg. Then as he leaned over, the child extended his arms to be picked up.

  Carmen was by the door, watching. “Y’all will do just fine.”

  “Want me to read a story?” Brian asked Carmen.

  “Sure, most of them really like to be read to,” she replied. “Pick any book that looks good.”

  Brian nodded toward Kim. “Wanna pick me out a book? Make sure it’s one with lots of colorful pictures.”

  She quickly chose one off the shelf then carried it over to where Brian had sat down, the little boy still in his arms. The other children took their places on the multicolored mat in front of Brian.

  “Want Miss Kimberly to hold you while I read this story?” Brian asked the child still in his arms.

  The little boy snuggled closer to Brian, making Kim feel terrible. “I don’t think he likes me,” she whispered.

  “Oh, sure he does.” Brian whispered something in the child’s ear, and the little boy reached for Kim.

  She took him as she gave Brian a questioning look. “What did you say?”

  “It’s our secret, right, buddy?”

  The child offered a shy grin and nodded. Kim found a comfortable position on the mat, and a little girl climbed up beside the boy. She felt an unfamiliar emotional tug.

  Brian warmed her heart as he read the book and showed the colorful pictures on each page. The children scooted even closer so they could see. When he finished the story, a couple of them hugged him. The sight of this still-in-shape, former high school football player and soldier being so gentle with all these toddlers touched Kim. It also made her realize there were some things she didn’t know about him—mysterious things that attracted her in a way she never dreamed.

  With each passing minute, Kim felt her emotions swirling in a whirlwind toward Brian, who captivated her not only with his love of sharing his faith but with his ability to relate to the children. She’d been thinking her feelings for Brian were displaced affection for David. But that wasn’t the case anymore. As he patiently answered the children’s questions, her heart felt like it would explode with love for him.

  After Brian finished the last story, he tilted his head and gave her a questioning look. “Are you okay, Kim? You look like you don’t feel well.”

  She licked her dry lips and nodded. “I’m fine.”

  The rest of the hour seemed to crawl, but eventually the adult Bible studies let out, and parents who’d been to the first service came by to pick up their children. One of them entered the room and informed Kim and Brian that they could leave because she and her husband were taking over.

  “Are you sure?” Brian asked. “We can stick around awhile if you need us.”

  Kim wanted to kick him, but she faked a smile instead.

  The woman shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I know how exhausting it can be, and now it’s my turn.”

  Carmen stopped by as she made the rounds between nursery rooms. “Thanks, you two. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  After they were out of hearing distance, Brian laughed. “That wasn’t so bad, now was it?”

  “Bad?” Kim thought for a moment before shaking her head. “Not really bad but maybe a little scary at first.”

  “They’re just little people.”

  “Little people who can reduce adults to bumbling idiots.”

  “Oh, come on, Kim. Admit it. You had fun.”

  She bobbed her head a little then smiled back at Brian. “It was okay. But you owe me.”

  “I owe you?” He tilted his head and looked at her. “For what?”

  “For volunteering me to do something without giving me a chance to think about it or say anything.”

  “Oh, okay, I see how it is,” he teased. “So what do I owe you?”

  “I’ll think of something good.”

  “How about I buy you lunch?”

  She glanced at her watch. She needed to get away from Brian and try to sort out her thoughts. “Nah, that’s okay. I need to get back and see if David responded to my e-mail.”

  Brian squinted his eyes and shook his head. “You hav
e to eat. Let’s go have some lunch, and then I’ll take you home.”

  Kim felt her muscles tighten. She couldn’t explain her need to put some distance between herself and Brian to recover from whatever was happening between them. He obviously wasn’t going to let her get away with that.

  “Okay, lunch,” she finally agreed. “But my car is here.” She’d have to work hard to keep an emotional distance—at least until she understood what was happening.

  “Fine. I’ll follow you home, and we’ll go from there.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Kim’s car was in her driveway, and she was about to get into Brian’s car. He held the door for her then went around to the driver’s side. Before Brian put the key into the ignition, he turned to Kim. “What’re you in the mood for?”

  “A huge stack of pancakes,” she replied without looking at him. “Dripping with blueberry syrup.”

  “I know just the place.” He drove straight to her favorite pancake restaurant where they served breakfast all day. “How’s this?”

  “Perfect.” She hopped out of the car and met him around front, still avoiding his gaze. “Watching little kids really does something to the appetite.”

  “Wasn’t Mackenzie cute?” he asked.

  “They’re all cute.” Kim chuckled. “But you’re right. I love that little curl on Mackenzie’s forehead.”

  After the server took their orders, Brian studied her for a few uncomfortable seconds. Kim tried looking away, but when she turned back to him, he was still staring at her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I was just thinking about how cute your kids will be. Have you and David talked about a family?”

  She wanted to crawl under the table. How would she get through a conversation like this without breaking down and saying what she’d been thinking? “Not really,” she replied softly. “We haven’t even discussed the wedding, and that has to come first.”

  “Do you think you might want kids?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it,” Kim said. “But I probably will. . .eventually.”

  Brian frowned. “You really need to bring all that out in the open before you settle on a wedding date. What if David doesn’t want kids?”