“It’s beautiful. Y’all did a wonderful job.”
“It needs painting. Can we buy some paint this afternoon?”
Jake laid a hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “If you don’t mind the color blue, I have an unused gallon in my garage you can have.”
“Cool. I saw brushes and stuff in the garage.”
The twins raced off, Sam on their heels, leaving him alone with Annie. She smiled at him, making his heart do a funny skip in his chest.
“Thank you. You’ve made them very happy.”
“I should be thanking you. I enjoy spending time with them. I always hoped to have sons someday, but so far that’s not in the Lord’s plan for me, I guess.”
“I hope it is someday. You’d make a great father. Thank you for filling that gap for my boys.”
“Thank you for asking me to help. I have to admit I was surprised when you called.”
“You were the first one I thought of.”
His pulse raced. “Good. I hope you think of me first more often.”
Suddenly, his cell beeped and he pulled it out, before looking up at her. “I just got a text from the athletic director at that high school I applied for. I have an interview.”
“That’s wonderful. I hope it goes well.”
“Thanks. I do too.”
“Will you let me know what you find out?”
“I will.”
He picked up his toolbox and walked off, thankful that the weight of it kept his feet on the ground. Her first thought had been of him. Maybe that meant that her opinion of him was changing and that she could someday come to see him as a man who could care about her instead of the kid who had caused her family pain.
It was a pipe dream perhaps, but then he hadn’t held a dream in a long while. Maybe it was time to start again.
* * *
Annie hummed a tune as she cleaned up the kitchen after supper. For the first time in years, her life was going smoothly. She loved her job at the school, her students were eager to learn, and Tyler and Ryan were happy and enjoying school and the soccer team. She’d made progress in decluttering the house, and it was finally beginning to feel like their home. Sam had turned out to be a good companion for the boys and she was slowly adjusting to the fact that she was free of financial worries and able to give the boys the life they deserved.
She still found it hard to loosen the purse strings. The boys had asked for the latest video game system and her initial response had been a firm no. Then she remembered Aunt Margaret’s bequest insured her future. She’d taken them to the electronics store and let them purchase the exact system they wanted even as her mind balked at the price. She’d also purchased two bicycles, something they’d never owned before.
Life was good but not perfect. There was still Jake Langford to deal with. Her feelings toward him were conflicted and murky. She was grateful that her widow’s therapy session was this evening. The women always helped her see through the emotional smoke and find a path to follow.
Rena arrived at the meeting the same time she did and they took seats on the couch. Nina came in a few moments later, a dreamy smile on her face.
Paula wagged a finger at her. “Something tells me you were across the hall, stealing a few moments with your handsome husband.”
Nina had married the owner of one of the businesses in the building. Annie didn’t know the whole story, but Nina had mentioned several times they had several obstacles to overcome in their relationship before they had wed.
The other members of the group arrived and the session began. Annie listened and offered what advice she could, hoping to be helpful. Then it was her turn to talk. She rubbed her thumb as she tried to decide where to start.
“I don’t know what to do about him. He just keeps getting more and more involved in my life. He’s tutoring my son, and now the boys have joined his soccer team. The other night he fixed my leaky faucet and let the boys help. They were thrilled. Then he helped them build a doghouse. It doesn’t seem right somehow to have him around all the time, but there’s not much I can do about it.”
“Why does it bother you so much?”
Annie glanced at Brenda. “Because he’s acting like a dad and he’s not, and because he’s responsible for my cousin’s death. He was driving drunk.”
Jill Mancini faced her. “So, is he a bad guy? Do you feel threatened?”
“No.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. She wasn’t about to admit that she was powerfully attracted to him. “He’s very nice. He’s great with the boys, he’s an exceptional teacher, everyone at the school respects him. I just can’t get past what he did.”
“Could it be that you’re afraid that if you do, it’ll be a form of betrayal to your family?”
Annie stared at Trudy. That’s exactly how she felt. How did one so young have such insight. “Is that wrong?”
Rena nudged her shoulder. “I have a question. Is he hot?”
Annie lowered her eyes, hoping no one would notice the sudden blush. “He’s attractive in an athletic kind of way.”
Paula chuckled. “He’s hot.”
They all laughed. Annie gave up. “Okay, he’s very handsome. That doesn’t change what he did. How can I forgive that? I can’t just let it go as if it didn’t matter.”
Nina leaned forward. “Forgiveness isn’t for them, Annie—it’s for you. I had a lot to forgive before I was able to love again. I can tell you that carrying around a grudge, withholding forgiveness, is like carrying a huge chain around your neck that keeps growing.”
“Like Marley’s chain,” Charlotte suggested, referencing Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
“Exactly. Forgiving sets you free from that and allows you to see things more clearly. Nothing can change what happened, and withholding forgiveness doesn’t serve any purpose.”
Jen, who was usually very quiet, nodded. “Life isn’t fair or perfect, and we have to let go, let God and move on.”
They made it sound so easy. Her circumstances were unique. “What if you’ve made a commitment and backing out would mean losing something valuable and important?”
Nina met her gaze. “Only you can decide which is more important. What’s the greater good?”
Annie leaned back in her seat. There was no easy answer. Jake deserved his freedom, but her boys deserved a home. How could she possibly decide which was more important?
By the time she arrived back home, the answer was clear. It always had been. Her family came first. No matter how much she was starting to sympathize with Jake.
Chapter Eight
Athletic Director Arnold Benoit came out from behind his desk with a smile and an outstretched hand. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Jake. I think you’re just what we’re looking for in a coach. Your experience is impressive and your philosophy is in line with what we want to encourage here at Heritage High.”
Jake stood and shook the athletic director’s hand, unable to keep the smile from his face. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
They moved toward the door. “Of course we have several other candidates to interview. We’re hoping to have it narrowed down to two by next week. I’m confident that one of them will be you.”
Jake’s spirits soared along with his confidence as he exited the man’s office. The interview had gone better than he’d expected. It was clear from the start that he and Benoit held the same coaching philosophies on how to get the best results from their teams.
He strode toward the door, halting when someone called his name. He glanced over and saw Clark Tullos sitting in one of the reception area chairs. The smile on his face was overly friendly.
“How did the interview go? Well, I hope.”
Jake tried to mask his irritation. “What are you doing here?”
“Same as you. They’re looking for a good coach. Someone who c
an take the team all the way to the championships. I’m their man.”
Jake swallowed the harsh words on the tip of his tongue. “May the best man win.”
Clark shrugged. “He will. It’s all about finding a man with character.”
What had Clark meant by that last crack? Was it a direct reference to the accident or just Clark’s usual sly innuendo? Either way, encounters with his old classmate left a bad taste in his mouth.
Jake arrived back at the school just as the lunch break was ending. He spotted Annie across the room and his heart fluttered in his chest. Amid all the noise and chaos, she stood like a beacon of calm. Today her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, which draped across one shoulder. She wore her usual outfit of simple slacks and a pastel top, which made him think about summer at the beach.
She must have sensed him staring because she suddenly searched the room. When she saw him, she smiled. Was she glad to see him? He hoped so. Weaving his way through the animated crowd of students, he made it to her side.
“How did it go?”
He was pleased that she cared. “Good. Mr. Benoit seemed impressed. He said I’d probably be one of the top candidates.”
She squeezed his arm gently. “That’s wonderful, Jake. I’ll be praying you’re selected.”
He liked the idea of her praying for him too. “Thanks.” An image of Clark’s smug smile came to mind.
“What’s wrong. Is there something else?”
He wasn’t sure he liked Annie reading his moods so easily. Harley was the only one who knew him that well, but then having her attuned to his emotions might mean she cared, even if a little bit. “Clark Tullos was waiting to be interviewed when I left.”
Annie frowned. “You mean that man we met at the park?”
Jake nodded. “He coached at a school in Alabama and took them to the State Championships three years in a row.”
“Oh. Well I don’t know much about that, but I do know you’re the perfect man for the job.”
“How do you know that?” He looked into her eyes, surprised at the sincerity he saw.
“I’ve watched you coach the soccer team. You’re firm but patient. You teach without yelling. Besides that, you care about people, not just winning. That has to count for a lot.”
He held her gaze a moment. Did she realize how much he cared for her?
The bell rang and the cafeteria erupted in sounds of shouts and scurrying feet. Annie turned and hurried off and he made his way to his classroom. He was making progress with Annie. She no longer looked at him with shadowed eyes, or hugged the car door when they were soliciting ads for the carnival.
Seated at his desk, he blocked out the chatter as the students took their seats. What about Clark? He’d been the instigator of all the questionable activities in high school. What was he up to now?
All he could do was wait and keep a watchful eye.
* * *
Annie yanked the string on the bare light bulb, casting a feeble light around the dusty attic. This was the first chance she’d had to come up and see what was stored here. She’d been worried that the space would be packed to the rafters with more of her aunt’s hoarded items. Instead she found only the usual collection of old furniture, picture frames, boxes and trunks.
Gingerly she picked her way around the dust-covered clutter, wiping dampness from her forehead. The weather had cooled a tad and she hoped the attic would be tolerable, but it wasn’t. She couldn’t stay up here long. Her gaze caught sight of a rocking chair under an old quilt. It looked sturdy and comfortable. There was another one sitting a few feet away. They’d be perfect for the front porch.
In another dimly lit corner, she found an old trunk filled with linens and silverware. Nothing she could use. The large cartons beside it however excited her. They were marked in red with the words Christmas Decorations written on the side. She opened the first one and found a large wreath and garlands of artificial pine cones and berries. The next box held outdoor lights and still another was jammed full of twinkle tree lights. The last box, which was more sturdy than the others, held the sparkling glass tree ornaments.
Annie sat back on her heels, wiping her forehead again. She really needed to get out of here. It was so hot and humid, her clothes were starting to stick to her skin. She found three other boxes of ornaments stacked upon a box containing an artificial nine-foot tree, which sent a bubble of excitement into her throat. She preferred a live tree, but with all these decorations she’d be able to celebrate the holiday season the way she’d always dreamed. Lots of lights, a huge tree dripping with ornaments and a mound of presents for her twins.
She stood, unable to endure the heat any longer. As she made her way back to the stairs, she spotted two wicker plant stands that would look great on either side of the front door.
“Annie.”
She stepped to the stairs and glanced down. Jake stood at the bottom, looking up at her. Her heart leaped into her throat. It was starting to happen every time she saw him and she had no idea how to stop it.
“Hi, Jake. What are you doing here?”
“The boys told me I’d find you up here. May I come up?”
“Of course. But I’ll warn you, it’s hot up here.”
Jake topped the steps, his tall frame making the space feel noticeably smaller. He smiled, setting his hands on his hips. “You weren’t joking. It’s like a sauna up here.”
“I wanted to see if there was anything useful and I found these rockers for the porch, and boxes full of Christmas decorations. The twins will be so excited. We’ve never been able to go all out for the holiday.”
“I felt that way the first Christmas in my house. I’d be happy to help you hang lights if you want to.”
He was always there to help, to step up and be her hero. It was one of the things that she liked best about him. But how quickly would he come to her aid if he learned she was sacrificing his freedom to maintain her security? She swallowed her discomfort. “Did you need to see me about something?”
“Oh. Right. I wanted to show you this.” He pulled out a paper from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. “Tyler’s latest math test.”
She took it, smiling at the big red letter A at the top. “Oh Jake, this is wonderful. I knew he was feeling more confident, but he didn’t really say much.”
“I knew you’d be happy. I think we can stop the tutoring too. He’s doing consistently better and grasping the new problems quickly.”
An unexpected rush of disappointment surged through her. She’d gotten used to Jake coming over to work with Tyler. The sound of his voice had added a sense of completeness to the house. “Thank you for all you’ve done for Tyler. I really appreciate it.”
He grinned. “Even though it was me helping him instead of his mother?”
“Yes. All that matters is that he’s on track with his math.” She dared a look into his eyes but couldn’t read any reaction. Was he disappointed too? Or was he glad to be free? “I’d like to repay you for all your help. Do you like cake?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
Not a resounding response. “How about Mississippi Mudd?”
His eyes brightened. “Now you’re talking.” He glanced around the stuffy attic. “You want any of this stuff carried downstairs?”
Grateful for the change in topic, she pointed toward the plant stands. “Just the plant stands for now. I’ll get the rockers later.” Jake bent down and pulled the two stands from under the eaves. Annie opened her mouth to remind him about the low beam. But she was too late.
“Ow.” Jake dropped the stands and put a hand to his forehead.
Annie hurried toward him. “Jake, are you all right?” He moved his hand and she gasped at the amount of blood on his palm and forehead. Her veins iced. “I’m so sorry.” She looked around for something to stop the blood but nothing was suitable. S
he raced downstairs and retrieved a towel and bandages, and then hurried back upstairs. Jake had taken a seat on the top step and was holding an old rag to his head.
She tugged it away and dabbed at the flow with the clean towel. “I’m so sorry. You moved before I could remind you about the beam. Does it hurt much?”
He looked at her, his brown eyes warm and tender. “Not now.”
She ignored the implication in his tone and finished wiping the cut clean. The bleeding had stopped and the wound didn’t look too deep. “I don’t think you’ll need stitches.”
He didn’t say anything, only continued to stare at her, making her uncomfortable and delighted at the same time. Her hand shook as she applied the bandage. He took her wrist in his hand and lowered it, holding it close to his chest, directly over his heart.
“You have wonderful nursing skills.”
“I have to. I have boys. It comes with the territory.” Her voice sounded breathless.
“I’ll know where to come when I need attention.”
He wasn’t talking about her skills, and she didn’t know what to say. She started to move away, but he held her in place with his hand and the look in his eyes. “Annie. Do you know how amazing you are? I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Her breathing came quick. “I’m just an ordinary woman.”
“No. There’s nothing ordinary about you. You’re strong, beautiful, smart and loving. That’s a powerful combination.”
Her heart raced. Her gaze landed on his lips. The stuffy attic was the cause of her temperature rising, wasn’t it? Or was it being held captive by the power of Jake’s gaze. He leaned toward her and her eyelids grew heavy, unable to resist him.
“Mom! Where are you?”
Like a cold blast of winter air, the mood was shattered. Jake released her hand and she quickly gathered up the remnants of her nursing task.
Ryan came up the first few attic steps, stopping when he saw the large bandage on Jake’s forehead. “What happened?”
“I hit my head on a rafter.”
“Oh. Mom, can we order pizza for lunch?”
Their Family Legacy Page 10