A flood of memories from her childhood surged through her mind. Dal pushing her on the tire swing in her backyard. Helping her move sprinkler pipes in her father’s cornfield. Sitting with his arm around her shoulders as they rode the school bus each morning. In her mind, she couldn’t think of him as anything but confident, whole and in control.
“You gonna be okay?” he asked.
“Yes, thanks for everything. I really appreciate it.”
He lifted one strong hand and rested it against the threshold, his brows crinkled with thought. “Maybe once your leg is feeling better, we could run together. In the mornings. To prepare for the race. It might be safer if you have a running partner.”
His face flushed and he stepped back. She realized that he was embarrassed by the offer. Maybe he even regretted it.
She hesitated, liking this idea. And why not? Dal Savatch was nice enough. She didn’t have any friends in town. Not yet. Maybe spending time with this man from her past might help alleviate the hollow loneliness that had taken up residence within her heart.
“I’d like that very much,” she said.
Then she thought better of it. Dal Savatch was too likable. Too easy to talk to. Renewing their relationship could backfire on her. And then what?
“I’ll see you later.” He hurried down the steps, as though he wanted to escape.
Before she could change her mind.
As he strode gracefully back to his truck, she stared at his wide shoulders. No second thoughts. Not now.
Without another word, she went inside and closed the door. An empty void settled inside her chest. As she hobbled down the hallway to her bedroom, she knew she’d be late getting in to work that morning. She also knew she’d see Dal Savatch again sometime soon. Perhaps tomorrow morning. Or the next. And somehow that was okay for now. It had taken years for her to process her grief. Her psychologist had taught her not to think about the past or worry about the future. And she wouldn’t. Because she and Dal Savatch could never be anything more than friends.
Copyright © 2014 by Lora Lee Bale
ISBN-13: 9781460326091
UNEXPECTED FATHER
Copyright © 2014 by Carolyne Aarsen
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