“Nah, I’m going downtown.”
“Why? There’s nothing open on Sunday morning.”
Brad shrugged and opened the front door. “I’ll be back. I want to see what my buddies are doing.”
Before Heather could protest, he stepped outside and closed the door. She ran to the window, knowing she couldn’t stop him. Already striding down the sidewalk, his long legs covered the ground. A heavy weight settled on her heart as she watched him go.
Every day he seemed to pull farther from her, and she didn’t know what to do. Maybe helping Matt on the daycare would occupy his time. As she continued to stare down the empty street, Matt’s SUV pulled in and stopped against the curb in front.
A quick glance at the clock on her living room wall told her noon had passed. The morning had gone quickly. She opened the door and stepped onto the porch to watch Gary run toward the house with Ricky close behind.
Matt stepped out of his Bronco and leaned against it with his arms crossed. He grinned and waved. Becka climbed out and followed the boys at a slower pace. Were they all coming in?
Heather made little sense of the boys’ excited chatter, except to understand Gary had a grand time at church and wanted to go back.
Becka waved some coupons. “Would you go with us for pizza? Dad said he’d like to use these coupons, and they’re for more than we can eat. Please say you’ll all come.”
Heather looked from Becka’s hopeful expression to the coupons in her hand. She shouldn’t go. She cared too much for Matt and his kids. She couldn’t let her feelings deter her from what was important. She must provide a living for her children even if that meant marriage to Howard.
“I’m sorry, Becka. I’d love to go with you, and I know Gary and Candace would, too. But, Brad isn’t here. I’m not sure when he’ll get home, so I think I’d better wait for him.”
Hope faded in Becka’s eyes, and her smile drooped.
Heather started to reach toward the young teen, then let her hand drop to her side. She was becoming entirely too involved with the Sanders family. “Maybe another time. Okay?”
“Okay. Come on, Ricky, we’d better go.” Becka turned and walked back to her dad’s SUV with slumped shoulders.
Matt waved as they drove away. Heather stood watching them until Gary shoved a paper in her hands.
“Here, Mom, and before you say no, just take a look. The church is having a really neat school night and I want to go. Please.”
Heather read the flyer announcing the annual School Night Festival as memories washed over her. She’d once been a part of this yearly event. Running the cakewalk had been fun. Darrell always helped with the basketball free throw and archery range. Gary didn’t remember, but Brad should. Longing for something she’d once had filled her heart.
“We’ll see, Gary. Maybe we can all go.” She smiled, as he ran whooping into the house.
Three hours later, Brad showed up. He slammed the door and stomped through the living room.
“Brad, what’s going on?” Heather stood from the sofa. The TV she’d been watching with the younger children became background noise.
“Nothing.” Brad stopped, but didn’t turn to face her.
“Where have you been? You’ve been gone for several hours.” Heather held her breath, watching her son, not knowing what to say or do. How could she help this child she loved so much?
“Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’m fine.” Brad disappeared into the hallway leading to the bedrooms. The door to his room closed with a decisive click leaving Heather trembling inside.
He said he was fine, but he wasn’t. Lord, what’s going on here? What did I do to deserve this? What can I do to make things right again? Tears filled her eyes, and she brushed them away with more force than she should have. No longer fit company for the family, she headed toward the kitchen to begin supper and be alone.
~*~
Matt stopped in front of Heather’s house and walked to the door. How much help would Brad be? Would he even be up this early? Just because Heather said he agreed to help didn’t mean he’d do so willingly. The boy was going through a rough time. Matt had added him to his prayer list, and he knew God was able to bring peace to any troubled soul. He breathed a prayer for Brad and that their workday would go well.
Brad opened the door at his knock and stepped out. He held up a ring of keys with a grin. “Got the key to Mom’s daycare in case we need inside.”
The muscles around Matt’s shoulders relaxed. Brad seemed to be in a good mood. Maybe they’d get some work done after all.
“Great. Let’s go.”
At the daycare Matt put Brad to work tearing off the old wood siding while he brought the tools they needed from his Bronco.
Brad tossed a piece of siding on the pile he’d started. “How’d you learn to do this?”
Matt grinned. “My dad owned a construction company. I started working for him when I was still in high school. Construction is about all I know.”
Brad ripped another board off and tossed it aside. “My dad sold insurance. He made a lot of money, but I don’t want to work in an office.”
“Oh, really? What would you like to do?”
Brad shrugged with a grin. “This is sort of fun. Course I gotta finish school first, and Mom thinks that includes college.”
Matt chuckled. “Yeah, college isn’t a bad idea. How many years down the road is that?”
“I’m a freshman.”
“Ah. Well, you’ve got time to figure things out then.”
“Yeah.”
Matt told some stories about his years in high school and the time passed quickly. By noon they had the trench dug for the foundation. Their conversation moved to fishing and hunting, then came back to school sports and finally the church carnival being held later that night.
“Did Gary tell you about the festival tonight at church?” Matt asked.
“Yeah.” Brad didn’t appear interested. “They have those every year. That’s where we used to go to church before my dad died.”
“I’ve scarcely spoken to your mom all week. Do you know if she’s letting Gary go tonight? Sure would be nice if you’d all come.”
Brad shrugged. “Mom told Gary he could go. She didn’t say anything about going, though.”
Matt leaned on his shovel. “You know, this has gone a lot faster than I expected. I’ll make a deal with you.”
Brad looked up with distrust on his face. A rush of pity took Matt by surprise. Heather and Brad had both suffered emotional damage from Darrell’s death. Heather seemed to think she needed a cushion of protection with her savings account while Brad blindly groped for his way in a world that had let him down.
Matt smiled. “It’s no big deal, but I thought since we’ve done so much, we might break off early. That is, if you will go with us to the carnival tonight.”
“Me?” Brad stared at Matt as if he’d sprouted two heads.
“Yeah, I’d really like for you to come. Hey, it’s worth an early day, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Brad’s face relaxed into a grin. “I’m ready to quit anytime. Don’t reckon it’ll hurt me to go to a stupid kid’s carnival just once.”
“Great.” Matt grinned. “Let’s secure our work area so the little kids can’t get hurt and then we’ll go. I’ll have the cement truck come Monday morning while most of the children are in school.”
They carried the tools to the Bronco and put up a mesh fence to keep kids out of the work area on Monday.
“I’ll be back Monday afternoon to work on this. Think you can help again right after school?”
Brad shrugged as if he didn’t care. “Sure. I’ll be here.”
Matt nodded and handed Brad some cash. “Great. Here’s your pay for today. I’ll give you a ride home.”
“It isn’t far. I can walk.” Brad took off then turned with a grin, as he held up the money. “Hey, thanks.”
“No problem. You earned it.” Matt tossed his tool belt into t
he back seat and watched Brad lope down the road toward home.
Heather worried about Brad and probably with good reason. He’d worked hard today and been pleasant. Even agreed to go to the carnival. Maybe with both boys going Heather would go along. Matt hoped so. Not that he cared. Except attending a church function of any kind might be the first step toward Heather’s return to church.
No, he really didn’t care anymore than any other Christian cared for a sister who had been hurt. He only wanted to see Heather back to a right relationship with the Lord. He’d be crazy to look twice at a woman with three kids.
~*~*~*~
~Nine~
Heather hadn’t asked Matt to give Gary a ride to the carnival, so that probably meant she’d be bringing both boys. Maybe she’d even stay. He found a place to park in the almost full lot beside the church.
Ricky unbuckled and leaned forward. “Can I go find Gary, Dad?”
Matt glanced through the rows of vehicles and didn’t find Heather’s minivan. He nodded. “Yeah, you might as well. Don’t get lost.”
“How can I in the churchyard?” Ricky slammed the door and ran off.
Becka waited while Matt took Kristi from her car seat. She started to reach for her little sister when some girls walking by called to her. “Hey, Becka, come on. Randy’s on the dunking stand.”
“Daddy, can I?” Becka looked at Matt.
“Sure, go on.” Matt grinned as she ran to catch her friends almost before the words left his mouth. He gave his youngest a quick kiss and hug. “Looks like it’s just you and me, baby, unless you’ve got some friends I don’t know about.”
Kristi jumped in his arms and squealed. “Ooh! Puppy. Daddy, get puppy.”
Matt saw a woman walking toward them with a small puppy in her arms. She smiled at Kristi and stopped to let her pet the wiggling ball of fur. “We’re setting up a petting zoo.” She laughed. “All tame, of course. Kittens and puppies and, I think, rabbits and lambs, too. You’ll have to come by and see the other animals.”
Matt laughed as Kristi squealed when the puppy licked her fingers. “We’ll be there. You can count on it.”
Candace would like the animals, too. He searched the parking lot again. Where was Heather? She should be here by now. He unloaded the umbrella stroller, settled Kristi in, and headed toward the activities while he kept a lookout for Heather.
They passed tables with citronella candles burning to keep bugs away. The aroma of barbecue beef drifted past, teasing his appetite. Two grills stood nearby, putting out hot dogs and hamburgers as fast as the two men manning them slapped them on. Several tables in front of the grills held a smorgasbord that drew Matt’s attention. He looked at the long line leading to the food and promised himself a plate as soon as he satisfied his curiosity that Heather had brought her boys and stayed.
“Dad, I can’t find Gary.” Ricky ran up behind Matt. “Oh, boy, can we eat now?”
Before Matt could respond, Becka appeared by his side. “Dad, I’ve got to meet with the puppet crew. We’re supposed to go over the program before the show starts. Mrs. Brady said for us to go ahead and eat first so our stomachs don’t growl and the audience thinks it’s the puppets.”
He laughed with her and added his two flavors of potato chips to the bulging table. "Sure, we might as well eat now. Better get in line.”
Heather walked past with a bowl of potato salad and a container of finger gelatin cut in animal shapes. Brad stepped in line behind Matt with Candace, and Gary squeezed in with Ricky.
“Hey, I see you made it.” Matt turned to speak to Brad.
“Yeah.” Brad didn’t smile, but he didn’t scowl, either.
Heather took Candace’s hand as she stepped in behind Brad. Matt leaned past Brad to grin at her. “I’m glad you decided to come. I think the kids will have a lot of fun tonight.”
“No doubt. This has always been a big event. It’s open to the public and, as you can see, everyone takes advantage of that.”
“Hey, Brad.” Becka spoke around her dad. “How would you like to help me with a puppet show tonight?”
“Why would I want to?”
“Because it’s fun. Besides, Amber couldn’t show and I got stuck with two puppets.”
Matt stepped back and let Brad in front of him. “No sense in everyone talking around someone else.”
When Brad moved forward, Matt motioned for Heather to step ahead, too. “My mama always taught me women should go first. I’d feel real uncomfortable with you standing behind me when two of your kids are in front.”
Heather laughed as she stepped forward. “All right, but only for your comfort.”
From his position behind Heather, Matt listened to Becka argue with Brad about taking the puppeteer slot. Heather seemed interested in what they had to say, too. She watched the two teenagers in front of her pretty close, anyway. Finally Brad agreed but only if he could try out a puppet first.
“No problem.” Becka used one of Matt’s favorite sayings. “Soon as we eat we can go over, and I’ll give you some quick pointers.”
Matt filled a plate for himself and one for Kristi as they moved through the line. By the time he and Heather finished getting their food and drinks, the older kids had disappeared.
He grinned. “Looks like our kids ran off. Would you and Candace care to join Kristi and me?”
“I’d love to.”
A feeling he didn’t want to analyze surrounded his heart so he concentrated on finding a table. Thankfully, an older couple stood and left an opening close by.
Matt nodded toward the empty chairs. “If we hurry, we might grab that spot. Kristi can eat from her stroller. Do you need a chair for Candace?”
“I don’t think so.” Heather set her two plates on the table and sat down. She picked Candace up and held her. “I think we’ll be fine this way.”
“You sure?” Matt lifted his eyebrows. Eating with a child perched on his knee didn’t sound like much fun.
Heather laughed. “Trust me, this won’t be the first time I’ve eaten with a baby or a toddler on my lap.”
As they ate, several from the church stopped by to tell Heather how glad they were to see her. When they finished eating, Matt lifted Kristi, who started fussing, from the stroller. “Hey, pumpkin, you ready for a rest?”
He stood, settling the little one in his arms. “If Candace would like to ride, you’re welcome to use the stroller.”
Candace picked up on the idea quicker than her mother did. “Can me pwease, Mama?”
“How can you resist?” Matt asked. “She said please.”
Heather laughed. “We’ve been working on please and thank you. All right, Candace, you can ride. Can you tell Mr. Sanders thank you?”
“Tank you, Matt.”
Before Heather could correct her, Matt laughed. “Good girl, Candace. I don’t like Mr. Sanders, either.”
As Heather buckled Candace into the stroller, Matt suggested they watch Gary and Ricky at the basketball stand. “They’re near the front of the line, so it shouldn’t take long.”
After the boys each made baskets, Matt and Heather let the little girls toss the big ball. On their third try, Matt lifted each of the girls over the basket and let them drop the ball through.
The man attending the booth laughed. “If you get a ball through the hoop, you win a prize. What would you two girls like?”
Both girls chose sunglasses, which they insisted on wearing even though the sun had already touched the horizon with a beautiful display of orange and red several minutes ago.
“Look, the cake walk.” Heather pointed toward a group a few feet away. “I used to run— Oh, well, that was a long time ago.”
Matt followed her, as she pushed the stroller toward the event. They played but didn’t win, so they moved on to the apple bite, the ring toss, and even a quick game of bingo.
~*~
When they left the bingo table with a prize for each of them, Heather realized she was having more fun than she
could remember in several years. Not sure how she ended up with Matt, she wasn’t sorry. She’d spoken to several people she hadn’t seen since she stopped attending church. Her friend, Julie, seemed surprised to see her and with a pointed look toward Matt said, “Hey, we’ll talk later. Right now you have fun.”
Before Heather could stop her, Julie walked away with a saucy grin and wave.
“Heather Conway.” She recognized the voice of her former pastor and turned to see him hurrying toward her. “I’ve been trying to catch up with you all evening. Hello, Matt. Good to see you here, too.”
The pastor shook hands with Matt and Heather. “Seeing Gary here Sunday was such a blessing. My, that boy’s grown.”
Heather resisted the urge to rub the tension from her temples. Instead, she forced a smile. “Yes, he was quite excited about attending.”
“Well, I trust he will become a regular and bring his family.” The pastor’s expression held concern. “We’ve missed the Conway family, but still consider you part of our church. You are on our hearts and in our prayers.”
Heather wished she could turn from the well-meaning minister, but felt rooted to the spot. She managed to smile and thank him. Then she made a promise she knew she would never keep. “Thank you. I’ll try to visit sometime. I appreciate all the church did for us when Darren died.”
They spoke for a few minutes more before the pastor moved on. Matt didn’t comment or second the pastor’s invitation to church, and disappointment she didn’t understand weighed Heather’s heart.
She walked with him to the duck pond, which was really a tub of water with plastic ducks floating on top. They let the little girls each pick a duck. Their prizes this time were bracelets. Heather slipped the pink and purple circles of plastic on Kristi’s arm and laughed with Matt when it slid all the way to her elbow.
“We’ll be doing well if we get home with this prize.” Kristi had quickly tired of her sunglasses, so Matt carried them in his shirt pocket. He patted them adding, “Might as well stick it in here in the first place.”
Kristi held her arm up, letting the bracelet slide to her shoulder as she giggled. Heather frowned at Matt. “You wouldn’t take her bracelet before she has a chance to play with it.”
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