by JoAnn Durgin
Running a quick hand over his furrowed brow, he backed away. Best not to be caught prying into her business if she returned and found him staring at the calendar. Kevin felt a light tug on his arm. Startled, he looked down into the face of a young boy. Must be one of Rebekah’s students, or else this kid was his conscience in human form. He did look a little like him at the same age.
“Are you my teacher’s boyfriend?” Wide brown eyes stared up at him.
“I am, if Miss Grant’s your teacher.”
The boy nodded and gave him a half-grin. “Jacob,” he said, thrusting out one hand.
“Kevin.” They shook hands, man-to-man.
Jacob tilted his head. “I thought your name was Adam, and you don’t talk funny like Tristan said you would.”
Kevin swallowed hard and shook his head. “Nope. Afraid it’s Kevin.” He forced a smile and willed his heart to slow.
“Are you going to eat with us in the cafeteria?”
“I’m not sure,” he said, glancing toward the doorway. “Maybe.” This whole idea of surprising her at the school didn’t seem like such a great plan anymore.
“We’re having macaroni and cheese. It’s really good.” The boy’s eyes lit with excitement.
“I’ll ask Miss Grant. Tell you what, if she wants mac and cheese then it sounds like we’ll be eating in the cafeteria, too.”
Jacob hurried to a desk near the middle of the classroom. “I forgot my free lunch ticket. Miss Grant gives everybody one for their birthday.” Waving a piece of paper, he headed for the door. “See ya later.”
“See you. Happy birthday, Jacob, and enjoy your lunch.” Crossing his arms, Kevin walked to stand by the long row of windows, lost in thought.
Rebekah breezed back in the classroom not long after, bringing with her that familiar scent. “Good news. Because of today’s schedule, I have almost a full hour for lunch. You picked a great day to come.” She smiled. “Not to mention Principal Betty is a big fan of yours after meeting you at the picnic.”
He couldn’t quite muster a smile. He needed to get himself together and drag his negative thoughts off the floor. Snap out of it. Time to concentrate on enjoying this unexpected opportunity for lunch with her. “I met one of your students—Jacob. Nice kid. He came back to get his free lunch ticket and said they’re having mac and cheese in the cafeteria today. Interested?”
“No.” She shook her head and raised a brow. “Are you?”
“Call me selfish, but I want you all to myself.” He wasn’t only talking about today and lunch but no way could she know that.
“Sounds good to me.”
~~**~~
In his customary work uniform—jeans and a work shirt with cuffs rolled on his muscled forearms to his elbows—Kevin looked great. She’d grown accustomed to the smell of sawdust and liked it, especially combined with Kevin’s scent—clean, musky and completely male. Her mind wandered to the time she’d surprised him at the San Antonio TeamWork work site. He’d been hammering something into place on one of the houses they’d built that summer. Dripping sweat with his dark, thick hair plastered to his head and shirtless. She’d nearly gasped aloud when he looked her way. Who knew all those muscles lived under his shirt?
Considering the manual, physical labor Kevin did at his family’s lumberyard and store, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. When he’d caught her staring at him—ogling was more like it—he’d whipped his T-shirt back down over his head, but it was too late. The image was already seared in her mind as was his look of embarrassment and small smile. She hated it when people judged her on looks, yet she couldn’t shake that image of Kevin. How vain was she? The man was as close to physical perfection as she’d ever seen up close and personal.
As they walked to his truck parked in the school’s front lot, Rebekah grew heated at the memory. Conversation would be good or she’d dwell on things she shouldn’t. As Kevin opened the passenger door and helped her climb into the truck, she wished he’d kiss her. It surprised and disappointed her when he didn’t try to steal one.
“I thought we’d head over to Hanson’s since it’s not far,” he said. “Is that okay?”
She nodded, but her pulse skipped a beat. Adam had taken her to Hanson’s not two weeks before. “That’s fine.”
As they talked on the way to the restaurant, Kevin seemed quieter than usual. She told him about Josh’s reunion with Sam and he seemed as thrilled with the news as she was. He’d been praying—like all the TeamWork volunteers—for a reconciliation between their TeamWork leader and her twin. Although she wanted to mention Josh’s meeting with Winnie, something stopped her. She’d best hug that one to herself for now. Not that it was a secret, but why mention it unless there was something to tell? It was Josh’s private business, especially since he hadn’t even told her what it was all about yet. She hoped that would change soon, but her brother would tell her when he was good and ready.
Arriving at the restaurant, Kevin pulled up to the front door and, always the gentleman, assisted her from the truck. His mom taught all her boys the value of please and thank you and how to treat a woman like a lady. It was a lost art, but the Moore boys had it mastered. Waiting outside the entrance as he parked the truck, Rebekah loved how he carried himself without a hint of bravado or swagger. Kevin was comfortable in his own skin, secure in God’s will for his life. He wrapped his hand around hers as they walked inside together.
Kevin thanked the hostess as she seated them at a table overlooking a small, man-made lake. When he pulled out her chair, Rebekah spied three long-stemmed red roses, tied together with a red satin ribbon, resting on the seat.
“Look! How beautiful. I wonder if someone left them here.” Catching the look on his face, she smiled. “Good thing I didn’t sit on the thorns, huh? Thank you. The second most wonderful surprise of the day. Are you trying to take my breath away?”
He didn’t smile, but he waited until she was seated before taking the chair across the table. “I want to make you happy, Rebekah. Hopefully, they’ll last until you can get them in some water back at the school.”
She nodded. “They’ll be fine. Thank you. You’re doing a great job making me happy.”
They ordered and enjoyed casual conversation until her clam chowder and his scallops were delivered to the table. After praying for their meal, Kevin finally gave her a small smile. “Want to share?”
She’d started to worry something was wrong, and when he winked, her heart soared. “Sure.” She watched as he moved to the chair beside her. “You have a thing about sharing your food, you know.”
“The view and vantage point from here is much improved.”
“Flirt.” She adored the look of genuine surprise on his face. “You know,” she said, sampling his scallops as he took a spoonful of her clam chowder, “when we were out in Montana, if anyone told me we’d be sitting here like this—practically feeding each other—I’d never have believed it.”
Kevin seemed to relax even more as they ate. He asked about her current projects at school and laughed when she told him some of the kids’ latest antics. Her eyes strayed to the roses on the table beside her several times. He always remembered red roses were her favorite. “This was really fun,” she said as they finished, “but I shouldn’t have eaten so much. I wish we had time to walk around the lake. Even if it’s not made by God, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Sure is.” From the way he looked at her, she suspected he wasn’t talking about the lake.
As Kevin left the tip on the table, one of the waiters passed by. He looked familiar. He was the server when Adam brought me here. She avoided his gaze when he stopped directly behind her. “Say hi to Adam for me,” the young man said. “After talking with him the last time you were here, I decided I’m definitely taking a trip to London next year. Thank him for me, will you?”
Rebekah nodded, her heart sliding down to her toes when she glimpsed the stricken look on Kevin’s face and his flushed cheeks. The waiter’s voic
e had been low, but apparently not quiet enough. Why would he say something like that when she was here with another man? Anyone with eyes could see Kevin was her date. She bristled although she couldn’t blame this one on the waiter.
Not much slipped past Kevin, but he chose to either ignore the comment or push it aside. Like Josh, he’d bring it up when he was good and ready. The short ride back to the school was even quieter than the trip to Hanson’s. She stole a glance his way every now and then. Even if he sensed her eyes on him, he kept his focus on the road. Her heart smiled when, a few minutes out from the school, he captured her hand and caressed her fingers. They weren’t numb, but she sensed this time he needed her touch.
“What’s new with Moore Lumber these days? Anything exciting?” she asked.
“Maybe,” Kevin said, pulling into the school’s front entrance. He turned to face her but left the engine running. “Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to say anything yet, even to you.” His voice sounded apologetic. “But exciting things are on the horizon.”
“Really? That’s great!” Glancing at her watch, she frowned. “I need to get back inside.” She leaned close and kissed his cheek, pulling back when he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity. “Thanks for coming to the school. It’s the best surprise I’ve had in a long time.” The look that crossed his face was intriguing but intuition told her it wasn’t all good.
He pinned her with those gorgeous blue eyes. “I hope you know how important you are to me, Rebekah.”
She nodded, holding his gaze steady. “I know.”
“There’s no one else.”
“You mean the world to me, too.” Somehow, she knew that wasn’t what he expected, what he needed to hear from her.
He stared out the front window. Something was on his mind other than kissing her.
“Thanks again for lunch, the roses, everything. I had a great time today, Kevin. Feel free to surprise me here at the school anytime.” She gathered the flowers in one hand, her sweater in the other. She waited as he walked around and opened the passenger door. Once he saw both her feet were firmly on the ground, he released her hand. When he smiled, it wasn’t the same, and seemed the best he could offer.
“Bye.” She forced a bright smile. “Call me later?”
Kevin nodded but said nothing. His expression was guarded, the emotional distance between them more than uncomfortable. She shifted from one foot to the other, uncommonly antsy as an unspoken fear wormed its way into her subconscious. Feeling a sudden chill, she shivered and waited until his eyes met hers. With one last glance, she turned to go.
A few steps closer to the entrance, Rebekah paused, turning to look behind her. Kevin stood on the sidewalk, hands on his hips, watching her. Pivoting, she walked toward him—wanting to run—forcing slow, steady steps even though her feet were weighted with an invisible burden. He met her halfway, drawing her into his arms. She moved her hands around his powerful shoulders, felt the hard muscles beneath his shirt. His kiss was gentle, tentative almost. Probably wasn’t the best idea to kiss him in full view of any impressionable students, but common sense couldn’t dictate her response. Not now. She was surprised Kevin didn’t seem to mind. Something passed between them. What it was, she couldn’t know, but it was there nonetheless, strong and real.
“Please don’t go, Rebekah.” It was barely more than a whisper against her cheek. Resting one hand on the side of her face, his features drawn, his eyes held a pervasive sadness she couldn’t understand. Kevin dropped his hand and walked back toward his truck. Climbing inside the cab, he pulled away without waving as he usually did.
Rebekah shook her head, one hand moving to her lips. “Go where?”
Chapter 11
Wednesday, Early Evening
“You look beautiful, Mommy.”
Winnie cherished the look in Chloe’s eyes—the same as when she stared at the angel or a star atop a Christmas tree. Full of wonder. Breathtaking innocence. How she wished she could preserve it for the future when the world with all its sorrow and heartbreak would one day spoil her daughter’s childlike wistfulness. It was inevitable, but she hoped she’d be spared as long as possible.
With one finger, Chloe traced an exquisite, embroidered pink blossom on the hem of her light green shantung silk skirt. Winnie’s breath caught as eyes which glistened like beautiful, pale emeralds traveled to her face, drinking in her features. “You look like a princess.” That comment made her swallow the sudden urge to burst into tears. Chloe motioned with her hand. “Twirl, please.”
Winnie obeyed, repeating the same ritual as when Chloe modeled a pretty new dress for church. Twisting back and forth so the skirt swirled around her knees and then turning full circle, she kissed the top of her child’s head, thankful her daughter was blessed with the natural curls she’d always coveted. “You make me feel pretty, sweetie. Thank you.”
Buying this designer outfit made more sense now than it did a few months ago. It was priced obscenely low at a sample shop she’d visited with Amy Jacobsen. Always fashionable, it was amazing Amy knew where to shop in Houston since she lived in Manhattan and flew in for the occasional long weekend. The moment Winnie slipped on the outfit, Amy grinned like a satisfied cat. “That’s the one you must have. Sleek. Sophisticated. Understated elegance. It’s perfect!” When Winnie questioned why and when she’d ever need something so fine, Amy’s smile was sly, as though privy to a delicious secret. “For when your prince comes to claim you.”
She hadn’t encouraged that train of thought. Lexa and Amy were the only ones present at Chloe’s birth, and Amy was the only person with whom she’d openly discussed her daughter’s paternity. Earlier in the day, she’d called her friend at her office in the New York publishing house to tell her about the dinner with Josh.
“So, he’s finally come back,” Amy said. “This is great, and we knew it was only a matter of time. Have you told him yet?” Her enthusiasm came through loud and clear. She’d always adored Josh and stuck by him even when the rumors were flying fast and furious in the San Antonio camp, especially after Sam threw him out.
“I’m working my way up to it,” Winnie assured her. “It’s not like I can say, ‘Hi, Josh, nice to see you again. Thanks for the best night of my life back in San Antonio—the biggest error in judgment of my life—but, um, guess what?’” During their conversation, she’d gone into the bathroom and turned on the faucet. No way could Chloe hear any part of this discussion. “I’ll tell him before he goes back to Louisiana. Promise.”
“Make sure you do. He sounded really good, by the way.”
Winnie balanced herself on the edge of the tub, trying not to chew on a fingernail. “What do you mean?” That comment was nothing if not calculated. “Spill it.”
“Okay, I have a confession, and I hope you’re not mad. Josh called me a few days ago and asked for your cell phone number. Beck hadn’t returned his call and he hadn’t been to see Sam yet. I had to practically sit on my hands to stifle myself not to mention I was dying to burst into a rendition of ‘Someday My Prince Will Come,’ and you know my singing voice isn’t one of my better attributes.”
Winnie shook her head but couldn’t stop her slow smile. “I couldn’t be mad at you, sweetie, but I think our TeamWork crew is a bunch of hopeless romantics. Just blame it on Sam and Lexa. That’s what I do since they started it all. I just figured either they or Beck gave Josh my private number. Didn’t you think it was strange when he called you out of the blue after all this time?”
“Of course not.”
Winnie’s brows raised. “Not at all?”
She could hear the amusement in Amy’s voice. How she missed her and wished she was there now to give her one of her encouraging hugs. “It’s all in God’s hands. He’s brought the two of you together again, and it’s time to let Him work, okay? Promise me that.”
“All right. I promise.” Winnie never entertained the fantasy Josh would someday return, sweep her onto his white horse and carry her off
into the sunset for the fairy tale happily-ever-after—not that she hadn’t ever thought about it, especially when reading a princess bedtime story with Chloe. Too much of her life was full of broken dreams and promises. Besides, it wasn’t as if she and Josh shared any kind of relationship other than their special TeamWork friendship and one night in San Antonio almost five years ago. Albeit one passionate and incredibly tender night. She wasn’t proud of it but it wasn’t like she could snap her fingers and make it go away. Not that she’d even want to, God help her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have Chloe. She’d confessed her lapse of judgment to the Lord and she was forgiven. The Lord also knew her struggles.
Smoothing her hand over the matching, sleeveless top, Winnie drew in a deep breath and rested one hand over her stomach. A sudden case of nerves might prove her undoing tonight. Or was it excitement at seeing Josh again? The man was too handsome for his own good, and he’d changed in subtle yet noticeable ways. His smile was incredible, as always, the planes of his face more defined and mature. More than his physical looks, he struck her as being more serious and grounded. The years had been kind, but she knew the Lord had also blessed his work and rededication to following His will. It could also have something to do with repentance, hard work and a lot of soul-searching thrown into the mix. They were growing up, the TeamWork crew. That thought made her smile.
“Mommy, are you going to a birthday party?”
Winnie hesitated, biting her lower lip before thinking better of it. Since she’d bothered to put on lipstick, she didn’t want to bite it off or smear it all over her teeth. Chloe had rarely seen her wear anything other than lip gloss and never witnessed her with a man, much less a date.
“I have an appointment with a very nice man tonight, Buttercup.” Although Josh made it sound like a date, she wasn’t altogether sure. The events that transpired in the next few hours would tell but it also had her twisted in tight little knots. Her normal, ordered life had suddenly become much more complicated.