Her shoulders sagged, and she looked everywhere but at him. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, but thanks for asking. I better get going.”
Jerry opened the door and she climbed into the driver’s seat. “All right, but I hope you know you can talk to me about anything.”
“Bye, Jerry,” Stormy said in a sing-song voice, waving.
“See you later, Ladybug. Be good for mommy.”
“Okay,” she said.
Jerry positioned his body between the car door and Rayne, one arm resting on the door frame, the other on the roof of the car. “I’ll check on you later, all right?”
“Jerry, that’s not nec—”
“Just say okay.”
That beautiful smile that he didn’t see often enough spread across her mouth. “Geesh. Pushy much?”
He grinned. “Maybe a little, but I think you like that about me.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, but was still smiling.
“By the way, you look real nice today.”
Another blush tinted her cheeks and Jerry winked at her before closing the door. He stepped back, but when Rayne tried to start the car, the engine didn’t turn over. She tried again and it still didn’t start. Through the window, he didn’t miss her frustration, especially when she laid her forehead on the steering wheel.
He knocked on the window, and she lifted her head.
“Popped the hood,” he said after she opened the door.
For the next twenty minutes, Jerry tinkered under the hood of the vehicle and had even pulled his truck alongside of hers to give the car a jump, but nothing. He had hoped it was the battery, but he suspected it was either the starter or the alternator, which meant a bigger expense.
“Is our car broke?” Stormy asked. She and Rayne had been standing close by watching his every move.
“I’m afraid so.” Jerry closed the hood. “I’ll call my mechanic and see if he can pick the car up this afternoon. In the meantime—”
“I…” Rayne shook her head, looking on the verge of tears. “I can’t handle another repair expense right now. I’m going to have to—”
“You need a car. A working car. Let’s at least see what the problem is and go from there.”
He already knew Rayne wouldn’t want to accept his help, and he admired her independence. But he was going to help whether she liked it or not. Besides, his mechanic owed him a favor.
Instead of telling her all of that, and dealing with a possible argument, he said, “As for your trip to the library and anywhere else you have to go today, I’ll take you. And if we can’t get the car fixed before you go to work later, I’ll drop you off and pick you up.”
Again, she shook her head. “No. I can’t ask you to do that. We’ve imposed on you enough for today. The running around I had planned to do can wait, and I’ll figure something out for work.”
“We’re not going to the library?” Stormy asked on a whine.
“Rayne, it’s not a problem. I’m off today. If you don’t mind me making a couple of quick stops first, then I’m yours for the rest of the day. Come on. It’ll be fun for all of us to hang out.”
After a long hesitation, she finally agreed. Jerry felt like doing a fist pump in the air. She’d been trying so hard to keep distance between them, despite the obvious attraction. When all he wanted to do was get to know her better.
“Okay,” she finally said. “But if you want to do your running around and then come back and—”
“Nope. We can all leave together. Just let me check my mail, which was why I had originally come out here, and then we can head out.”
Stormy jumped up and down. “I’m so excited,” she squealed as if he’d told her that he was taking her to Disney World.
Now, if I could just get her mother to be as excited.
Chapter Four
Rayne couldn’t remember the last time she had smiled so much. Throughout the morning, they’d bounced from one store to another, taking care of her errands as well as Jerry’s. Now they were finally at the library in the children’s section.
She looked on as Stormy read Candice Ransom’s Snow Day to Jerry. Throughout the day, Rayne found herself stealing glances at him. The three of them had spent time together before, mostly at one of their homes, but today felt different. They had moved around the city like a family and it felt so natural. Anyone looking on would’ve just assumed they were much more than they really were.
Rayne wasn’t delusional in thinking that their time together was more than it was—just neighbors…or maybe even friends hanging out. But she couldn’t deny that the lightness she currently felt had a lot to do with Jerry. He might be known as a lady’s man, but whenever they were together, she saw a man who was patient, funny and laid back. There was also a calmness about him. A calmness that brought out a level of peace within her. Rayne couldn’t quite explain it, but she liked the feeling.
“The end,” Stormy said, closing the book. “Did you enjoy the story?” she asked, sounding much like the librarian who had just read a book to her and a small group of children.
“I loved it. I knew you were smart, Ladybug, but I didn’t know you could read like that,” he said and glanced at Rayne.
“Yeah, she’s getting better and better. Snow Day is a little easy for her, though, but one of her favorite books. I’ve been working with her on stories that are a little more challenging, but she’s a really good reader.”
“I can see that,” he said, reaching into his pocket for his cell phone that was vibrating in his hand. Glancing at the screen, he stood. “I need to take this. It’s Nick and this might have something to do with the paperwork I dropped off,” he said of his cousin who oversaw Jenkins & Sons Construction. “I’ll be back in a few.”
“Can I go?” Stormy asked.
“No,” Rayne said as Jerry headed for the exit. “But you can go and pick out three more books before we leave.”
“Oh, there’s Marlee. Can I go say hi?” Stormy pointed to one of her classmates standing near a rack of books a few feet away.
“Yes, but make sure you stay where I can see you.”
Rayne looked down at the stack of books she had already picked out for herself. She had just flipped one open when she felt someone behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted a familiar face.
“Hey, Rayne. I thought that was you. It’s been a while.”
“Hi…Calvin,” she said, temporarily forgetting the man’s name before it popped into her head. Without waiting for an invitation, he sat in the chair that Jerry had vacated.
Rayne had first met Calvin and his young son a few months ago at the library. Last month, they had also run into each other at the grocery store, which was when he had asked her on a date. With each run-in at the library, it had been refreshing to talk to someone who understood how hard it was to juggle work, cooking, shopping and kids’ activities as a single parent.
But despite their easy conversations, Rayne wasn’t interested in anything more with him. She felt nothing. No real attraction that would make her want to get to know him better. No romantic connection. Besides that, she wasn’t ready to start dating. At least not until she got a better handle on her personal life and not until Stormy was older.
“It’s good seeing you.” Calvin’s deep voice was a cross between Barry White and James Earl Jones. Handsome in that smart, nerdy kind of way, including glasses, he looked to be in his mid-thirties with smooth brown skin, expressive eyes beneath bushy brows and a friendly smile that made a person feel immediately at ease. “So how have you been?”
“I’ve been well, and you?”
“Not bad. Had a little scare with Jr. last week.” He nodded toward the little eight-year-old who was near a children’s comic book rack. He was a carbon copy of his father, including the glasses.
“What happened last week?”
“He decided it would be a good idea to climb up on the porch railing and then jump off. His foot slipped, and he ended up
falling, landing on his arm. Hence the cast he’s wearing.”
“Oh, no. That had to be scary for you.”
“For a while there, yes. Now he’s walking around like wearing a cast is the coolest thing ever, especially with all the attention he’s been getting from everyone he meets.”
Rayne shook her head smiling. “Kids. They freak us out with their stunts, then move on before our heart rates get back to normal.”
“Tell me about it.” He crossed one leg over the other and nodded toward her opened book. “What are you reading?”
Rayne lifted the book, showing him the cover. “Becoming, by Michelle Obama. I just got it a few minutes ago. The library had a long waiting list for it, but I guess they purchased additional copies. So it came in sooner than I expected.”
“Yeah, it’s on my TBR list. You’ll have to tell me what you thought about it once you’re done.”
“Did you ever finish Zig Ziglar’s, Embrace the Struggle?”
Ziglar had been one of Rayne’s favorite motivational speakers and she’d read most of his work, especially during some of her most trying years after Kirk’s death.
“I did. I’m glad you recommended it. It was a good read. Inspiring. I even picked up some of his older work.”
She kept an eye on Stormy while her and Calvin’s conversation bounced from books to weather and even to the NBA finals. Most guys were surprised by her knowledge of basketball, most she picked up as a kid. While married, Rayne had watched the sport in an effort to bond with Kirk. Lotta good that did, though. It still hadn’t been enough to make him want to spend more time at home or with her.
On the other hand, being a fan of the game had its benefits. Watching basketball was a great source of entertainment during the winter, and it was also one of many things she and Jerry had in common. There had been a few times after Stormy was put to bed that they’d watch a game or two together. Knowing how much she enjoyed the sport, he had often invited her to watch him and some of his cousins play. They played every other Sunday morning, but she usually found an excuse of why she couldn’t attend, even when she’d been tempted to go.
That thought made her think about how often he invited her places. Normally, her response was always no, but lately it was getting harder to say no to him. She enjoyed his company and wondered…
Rayne glanced down at the book in her hand as Calvin gave her a play by play of last night’s Lakers game. How crazy was it that she was sitting there with a nice, good-looking guy, but thinking about Jerry? She knew it wasn’t just because he was at the library. With the few encounters she’d had with other men since the move, she tended to compare them to Jerry.
Stormy came running down the aisle, slamming into Rayne and wrapping her arm around her waist. With Rayne sitting down, that almost brought them face to face.
“Mommy, is Jerry playing basketball before he cooks?
Rayne stared at her daughter. Sometimes this kid scared her. Jerry hadn’t said anything about playing basketball. So she wasn’t sure where Stormy got that idea. What was spookier, Rayne had just been thinking about him…and basketball.
There were moments, like right now, it felt as if Stormy could somehow sense whatever Rayne was feeling or thinking. This happened too often to be a coincident. Yes, they had a special connection as mother and daughter, but could it be that strong?
“Who’s Jerry?” Calvin asked.
“My friend,” Stormy volunteered. “He’s going to cook dinner for us.”
Calvin’s eyes met Rayne’s. “I see.”
“Actually, it’s probably time we got going. Stormy, where are the books you picked out?” Rayne stacked her own books while her daughter took off, probably to quickly pick out books that she should’ve had already. “Calvin, it was good talking to you. I’m sure we’ll see you here again sometime.”
“Or, you can finally accept my invitation to go out to dinner one evening.”
“That’s not going to happen. She’s not available.”
Rayne whirled around at the sound of Jerry’s voice. Shocked at the coldness in his tone, as well as his words. The icy glare in his eyes kept her from saying anything, though. He moved closer to her side and Rayne could feel the tension bouncing off of him.
“Jerry!” Stormy ran toward them with books under her arm.
“Shush, you’re in the library,” Rayne whispered.
“Sorry,” Stormy mumbled then lifted her arms to Jerry, who automatically picked her up, books and all.
“You must be the cook,” Calvin said, a smirk on his face when he looked at Jerry. “Stormy was just saying th—”
“He’s not a cook,” Stormy interrupted defensively, to Rayne’s surprise. “He’s an electrician. I’m going to be one too when I get big.”
Okay, what is happening here?
“Actually, Calvin, this is Jerry Jenkins,” Rayne jumped in, afraid of what else Stormy might share. “And Jerry, this is Calvin…” His last name slipped her mind.
“Butler. Calvin Butler,” Calvin said. He extended his hand, and Jerry was slow to accept it, but eventually did, holding on a little longer than Rayne thought necessary. And she was pretty sure there was some silent communication going on between the men considering the way they glared at each other.
“Well, I’d better go and check on my son,” Calvin said when they dropped hands. “It was good seeing you again, Rayne.” He nodded at Jerry and left them standing there.
“What was that all about?” Rayne asked.
“You two ready to go?” he asked instead of answering her question, and he glanced at Stormy who was looking between them. The tension Rayne felt from him moments ago was still present.
She sighed, thinking a library probably wasn’t the best place to have the conversation they clearly needed to have, especially with Stormy right there.
“Yeah, I’m ready to go,” she finally said.
A short while later they were leaving the library’s parking lot, and Jerry still hadn’t spoken.
“What was that all about back there?” Rayne asked only loud enough for him to hear. Stormy wasn’t paying them any attention since Jerry had let her use his cell phone to play a game.
“Not now, Rayne.”
Part of her wanted to snap at him, not missing the edge in his voice as he maneuvered the truck through the streets of Cincinnati. But the smart part of her, the part that didn’t want to argue in front of her daughter, kept quiet.
“Can we get some ice cream now?” Stormy asked.
Crap. Rayne had forgotten about getting ice cream before going home. But considering Jerry’s funky attitude, maybe today wasn’t a good…
“Sounds good to me.” Jerry glanced at Rayne as if to ask if she was okay with that. “I’m thinking it shouldn’t ruin her appetite for dinner since we won’t be eating for another few hours.”
“So dinner is still on?”
Jerry, splitting his attention between her and the road, frowned at her. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Rayne shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve been acting funny since we left the library. What was—”
“Mommy, what did Jerry say funny?” Stormy asked from the back seat.
So much for talking quietly.
Rayne shook her head, and Jerry’s lips twitched, trying to keep from laughing. If nothing else, the question got him to loosen up.
“He didn’t say anything funny, honey.”
“But you said—”
“Ladybug, what type of ice cream are you getting when we get to Graeter’s?” Jerry asked.
“Strawberry. And I’m going to get some chocolate on it and some…”
Rayne glanced at Jerry as Stormy went on and on about ice cream, changing her mind every few seconds about what she planned to get.
“Thank you,” Rayne mouthed to Jerry. She’d been raising Stormy on her own for years, but she had to admit that it was nice having someone to tag team with, even if only for the day.
*
Jerry and Rayne strolled across the ice cream parlor to a table in the corner. He pulled out a chair for her and glanced to his left. Moments after they walked in, Stormy had made a couple of friends. Now the three of them claimed a small table nearby and it sounded like they were discussing what type of ice cream they should’ve gotten.
Jerry sat next to Rayne. He swiped his tongue over the ice cream, lapping up a nice amount of rocky road from his cone.
“When did you start volunteering at the women’s shelter?” he asked. One of their stops earlier had been to Cincinnati Refuge for Women so Rayne could drop off a box of donations.
“A little more than a month ago. One of my co-workers set up a box in the women’s locker room at work for donations, mainly toiletries for homeless women and children. Anyway, she had to take a temporary leave of absence and asked for volunteers to drop off the items whenever the box got full. I offered to make the delivery. When I went to the facility and talked with the director, I was moved by all that they were doing. Then I decided to volunteer a couple of hours on Sundays and help tutor women who are trying to get their GED.”
Jerry nodded, even more impressed with her. It took a special person to give up what little free time they had to help someone else. “That’s cool. Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
She gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know. I guess the topic never came up.”
“Did you do volunteer work in San Antonio?”
Even though Rayne rarely talked about herself, occasionally she’d say something that gave him a little insight into her past.
“In my senior year of high school, I volunteered at a food pantry. After I got married, though, I stopped. But when I was homeless a while back…”
Whoa. Wait. What?
She kept talking, but Jerry wanted to stop her right there. Instead, he kept quiet, hoping she’d explain.
“I had vowed to start back volunteering once I was able,” she continued as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb. “I know how easy it is to hit rock bottom and not know where your next meal is coming from. So now I try to give back anyway I can.”
When she didn’t give details about being homeless, he asked, “How’d you end up homeless?”
A Lesson on Love Page 3