“Ah, I seem to remember a challenge about a game. But then someone had to leave before making good on his challenge.” Jesse popped an onion ring into her mouth, relishing the taste of the batter that Joe used.
“I’ll play you a game of Trouble any place, any time,” Nick said, tossing down his napkin in a dramatic display.
Jesse’s gaze locked onto Nick’s. “Fine. I’ll come over after I go to Darcy’s this afternoon.” Beth always went to church and this would be a great opportunity to throw them together again. And just maybe Nick would see the power of the Lord at work. Maybe while playing a game of Trouble she could find a way to persuade Nick to accompany his daughter to church.
“You’re on,” he said, his gaze boring into her with an intensity that rocked her.
When Jesse glanced away, she caught her son and Cindy staring at them. For a few minutes she had forgotten the children were sitting at the table with them. And she suspected Nick had, too, if his ashened features were any indication when he looked toward Nate and Cindy.
* * *
“Every time I see this beautiful bookcase, I want one in my house. If Joshua ever decides to start a side business on his days off, I’ll be the first to order a built-in bookcase.” Jesse stood in front of the beautifully carved piece of furniture being discussed, running her hand along its oak surface.
“What days off? If he’s not investigating a fire, my dad has him at the farm, learning the business right alongside me.” Darcy went to answer the doorbell that rang.
“How do you feel about that?”
As her friend put her hand on the knob, she said, “I’m fine with it. Dad and I have come to terms with me feeling as if he only wanted a son. I want both Sean and Joshua to learn the business. Joshua and I plan on having a large family. I’ll need the backup.” She opened the door and greeted Beth and Tanya.
As the ladies came into the living room and sat, Jesse asked, “Any news, Darcy?”
“I’m not pregnant…yet.” She smiled. “But it’s fun trying.”
Beth blushed. Tanya laughed. And Jesse remembered.
“Does anyone want anything to drink while we wait for Zoey to arrive?”
Tanya and Beth shook their heads while Jesse said, “No.”
“Wasn’t she always late for everything?” Beth asked, smoothing her long jean skirt.
“You know, I think you’re right. I’m glad she’s come back home from Dallas but not under the circumstances.” Darcy sat in one of the chairs with matching ottoman.
“It must be awful not knowing if your husband is dead or alive.” Jesse took the other chair.
“I think the government has given up searching and has declared him dead.” Beth put her sensible beige purse on the floor next to the couch.
“But still she will always wonder,” Jesse murmured, realizing she didn’t have to wonder about that at least. Finding her husband outside in the backyard after the horrendous sound of the lightning strike was still permanently etched into her mind. For a year she’d had nightmares reliving that.
“I went to see Tom a few days ago in prison.” A frown marred Tanya’s beautiful dark features. She clasped her hand to her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry, Darcy. I shouldn’t talk about him with you.”
“It’s okay, Tanya. I’ve forgiven Tom long ago. Pain can drive a person to do a lot of bad things.”
That was one of the things she loved about Darcy, Jesse thought. Her friend had such a generous heart. Tom had almost accidentally killed Darcy when he had set fire to the barn she was in, and yet she could forgive the man. Darcy had embraced the true meaning of forgiveness when she had turned back to the Lord.
“We didn’t talk long. He didn’t have much to say. He looked thinner and pale. I can’t help him.”
“Who drove you to see him?” Jesse asked, remembering why Darcy had wanted to start this weekly group: to help Tanya who suffered from a manic depressive disorder and whose husband was in prison for arson. Jesse had to agree that Tanya needed a circle of friends and with Zoey’s return home she suspected she did, too.
“Reverend Collins. He’s been so good to me. I don’t want him to retire at the end of this year.”
Beth leaned forward. “I’ve tried to talk him out of it. In fact, I tried just this afternoon, but he feels it is his time.”
“How did your meeting go with the reverend? I wish you could have come to lunch with us.”
“My meeting with the reverend was fine. What I want to know, Jesse Bradshaw, is why are you constantly trying to throw me and Nick Blackburn together? Are you trying to matchmake?”
The silence in the house was deafening as everyone waited for Jesse to answer. She cleared her throat, aware all eyes were on her. “I simply asked you to lunch. Can’t a friend do that without having an ulterior motive?”
“You’re evading my question which means you are matchmaking. Jesse, I am not looking for a husband. After my youngest brother leaves for college next year, I’m traveling and seeing some of this world. I won’t have time to be married then.” Beth pinned her with her sharp gaze. “Nick seems like a nice man. Why don’t you fix yourself up with him?”
Now it was Jesse’s turn to squirm under the scrutiny of her friends. “Because I’m not looking for a husband, either. I had one.”
“I’m too old and set in my ways to have one now.”
Darcy chuckled. “Too old! Beth, you’re only a few years older than us.”
“But all of you have been married. I haven’t ever.”
“You can’t put an age on marriage,” Jesse said, rising, needing to move about.
Beth stood, too. “Right. You can’t. So why aren’t you looking for a husband? You were happily married for a long time. Why don’t you want that again?”
The doorbell chiming drew everyone’s attention toward Zoey’s arrival. Jesse hung back, fighting the pressure building in her chest as though a band were around it, squeezing tight. In her mind’s eye she could see Mark on the ground not moving, not breathing. When he had died, he had taken a part of her with him. She couldn’t ever risk losing any more of herself. If so, there would be nothing left.
CHAPTER SIX
Jesse started to ring Nick’s doorbell, but stopped before pressing it. She turned away, the question Beth had asked her still plaguing her.
What is it about your new neighbor that threatens your peace of mind? Frankly, after seeing you two together, I think you’re scared of the feeling he generates in you. Is that why you’re trying to match him up with every female in town?
She had denied Beth’s observation and hadn’t answered her friend. She didn’t have an answer. And that did frighten her.
Why was she trying to find him a wife? Yes, Cindy wanted a mother. What girl her age didn’t? But why had she taken the job on? She was sure a man like Nick was capable of finding his own wife—if he was looking for one, which he kept telling her he wasn’t. Like her. She wasn’t looking for a spouse, either. So she needed to quit trying to fix him up with any woman who was breathing and walking around. He wasn’t a threat to her peace of mind because neither one of them wanted a partner. She was safe.
With that thought she wheeled about and rang the bell. She would help Cindy as much as possible while she was in Sweetwater. That was the least she could do for the young girl. And if she could be a friend to Nick, that was fine, too.
Nick opened the door. When he saw her, he smiled and something inside her melted. Her resolve?
“Come in and save me from those two children.”
Save him? How about herself? She felt her resolve slipping and fought to shore it up. He did have the greatest smile with a dimple in the left cheek. It lit his face and shone deep in his eyes with creases at their corners. That was it. She’d always liked the way a person smiled. Her husband had had a great smile, too.
“You’re the adult. What could those two darlings possibly be doing?”
“Cheating. Ganging up on me to make sure none of my
game pieces ever sees the light of day.”
“Not Nate and Cindy. You must be imagining things.”
“It’s two against one. That’s not playing fair.”
“But that’s life and life isn’t always fair.”
“Humph. No wonder Boswell gladly gave up playing so he could fix dinner.” Nick gestured toward the den at the back of the house. “I think it’s your turn to be their victim.”
Jesse led the way, glancing back over her shoulder at Nick. “I thought you and I had a game to play.”
“How did your meeting go with the ladies?”
“It wasn’t exactly a meeting. It’s just a few friends getting together.”
“I’ve met Darcy and Beth. Who else was there?” Nick asked as they entered the den.
“Zoey and Tanya. If you go to church with us tomorrow, you can meet them. I’ll introduce you to them.”
“I haven’t agreed to go to church.”
“You will.”
“I will?” One brow arched.
“The Lord is on my side. I mean to get you to church.”
For a few seconds there was a panicked look in his eyes before he veiled it. “Are you trying to save my soul?”
“I’m trying to show you that you aren’t alone in this world.”
“It won’t work. I’ve been alone for most of my life,” he whispered close to her ear.
His breath tickled her neck. His words froze her heart for a beat. “That can always change if you want.”
“Maybe I like my life the way it is. I answer to no one and I control my own destiny.”
She turned slightly to face him. “That’s sad.”
Surprise flickered into his gaze. He took a step back, stunned for a moment. He started to say something when Cindy and Nate spotted them by the door.
“Daddy, ready for another game?”
“Mom, you can play, too.”
Nick fixed his gaze onto his daughter. “I think it’s Jesse’s turn to play you all.”
“But you can play, Daddy. There are four colors so there’s enough for everyone.”
“I need to help Boswell with dinner. Do you want to join us for dinner, Jesse and Nate?”
Jesse started to say no when her son piped in, “Yeah, what are you having?”
“Tacos.”
“Great. I love tacos.”
“Boswell knows how to make tacos?” Jesse asked, having a hard time picturing Boswell preparing anything less than English or French cuisine.
“He’s lived in this country for a long time. He’s picked up a few American habits. He loves Mexican food.”
Cindy hopped to her feet. “Nate and me can help him. He’s let me before. You and Jesse have a game to play. Remember, Daddy?”
Nick grinned with none of the warmth of earlier. “How can I forget? Fine. We’ll play our match while you two help Boswell.”
Cindy and Nate raced from the room, leaving Jesse with Nick by the door. Trouble was set up on the game table in front of the picture window that looked out over Sweetwater Lake. Ducks and geese swam on its surface, smooth as glass. Peace reigned outside while inside trouble was brewing.
Nick swept his arm across his body. “After you. I’ll even let you pick which color you want to be and go first.”
Jesse sat at the table, toying with a yellow and a red piece. “I can’t decide which of these colors I want. I like both of them.”
“Yellow suits you more. You’re always so upbeat.” Nick took the blue pieces and put them in the game board.
“Is there a reason you picked blue?”
“It’s my favorite color. I have no trouble picking what piece I will use.”
“Decisive. Sure.”
“Yep.”
“I don’t have a favorite color. The color I like will depend on my mood. Some days it is yellow. Others red or orange. Sometimes even green or blue.”
“Indecisive? Unsure?”
“Nope. I don’t like to lock myself down to only one favorite color. God made so many beautiful colors that I like them all. I don’t like to limit myself. I like to keep myself open for all the possibilities life has to offer.” Jesse selected the yellow pieces to use.
“How did we get into a philosophical discussion when all we were doing was picking our game pieces?”
She shrugged, tossing the die in her palm. “Just getting to know my neighbor.”
“I can get impatient when things are going too slow. Throw the die.”
“My, my. You are testy this evening.” She rolled the die and it came up a three.
Snatching it up, he smiled, this time the deep, warm, toe-curling one. “Just thought I would speed your getting to know me along faster.”
When the die came up four, he passed it to her. “That’s so sweet, Nick, but what I love about getting to know someone new is delving into what makes the person tick.”
“Did you make that last statement to rattle me?”
“Why, no. I would never resort to using tricks to win.” She grinned, enjoying the dismay that appeared on his face.
* * *
“What’s happening?” Cindy whispered to Nate.
“I think my mom just put one of your dad’s pieces back at the start.”
Cindy tried to peer around Nate who was at the door to the den, peeping into the room, most of him hidden so the two adults couldn’t see him. “Who’s winning?”
“My mom is, but your dad is catching up.”
Cindy stood on tiptoes and nearly toppled over. She clutched Nate to steady herself. “I hope your mom wins.”
“Why are you two standing here spying?”
Boswell’s whispered question caused Cindy to jump. She whirled around and put her finger to her mouth to quiet him. “We don’t want them to know we’re watching.”
Boswell nodded toward the two adults. “I think they know.”
Both Nate and Cindy glanced over their shoulders and saw Jesse and Nick watching them with amused looks on their faces.
“Come on in. I’m about to win. All I need is a three.” Nick rolled the die and a three came up. He moved his piece the necessary places, then leaped to his feet, highfiving both Cindy and Nate’s hands. “I won. I won.”
Frowning, Jesse stared at the board game as though that could change the outcome.
Nick paused in his celebration with the children, sighed and said, “What time do I have to be ready for church? That’s the least I can do since I trounced you at Trouble.”
Jesse’s frown transformed into a full-fledged smile. “Sunday school starts at nine-thirty and church at eleven.”
“Church only!” Nick said, a tinge of panic in his voice. He started putting up the game.
“But, Daddy, I want to go to Sunday school with Nate and meet some of his friends. Can’t you come to both?”
Jesse thought Cindy had the pout and big eyes routine down pat. She loved the child’s slightly bowed head as an added touch. How could Nick say no to that?
“Princess.” He looked at his daughter’s sad expression and shook his head. “Okay, just this one time.”
Cindy threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. His smile returned and Jesse felt its full effect. Maybe she should take lessons from the child. She certainly knew how to get to her father.
“Dinner is served, sir,” Boswell announced from the doorway.
“Just in time. I’ve worked up quite an appetite.” Jesse put the lid on the Trouble game. “I need my strength for our rematch.”
“What rematch? I’ve had all the Trouble I care to have for the day.”
“Do you mean the game or something else?”
“Both. They come in the form of two females.”
“Daddy, I’m no trouble.” Cindy took his hand and led him toward the kitchen.
“Sweetie, all females are trouble.”
“Yeah!” Nate chimed in as he followed them into the kitchen with Jesse next to him.
“I object. We are n
ot.” Jesse noticed that Boswell had the food lined up on the counter, buffet-style. The kitchen smelled of cooked ground beef. She loved that aroma. The table was set for five, everything color coordinated and matching. She suspected anything Boswell did was done that way. Even the flower arrangement of yellow roses went with the yellow place mats and napkins.
After everyone filled their plates and sat at the table, Jesse said the prayer, making sure she thanked God for getting Nick to agree to come to church, and then they dug into the food. It was a good five minutes before anyone said anything.
“Can I ride with you all tomorrow?” Cindy asked, finishing up her second taco.
“Sure, and your dad can, too. That is, if he wants.”
“I think I’d better drive my own car.”
He said it so quickly that Jesse couldn’t resist teasing him with, “Afraid you’ll get trapped at church?”
His hard gaze bore into her for a long moment. “No. Tell you what. I’ll drive everyone to church tomorrow. That way we all go together and I’ll get to drive my own car.”
Jesse started to protest, took a look at the challenge deep in his eyes and swallowed her words. “That’s fine with me. We’ll need to leave by eight-thirty.”
“I thought Sunday school started at nine-thirty. Isn’t it only about a ten-minute drive to the church?” Nick picked up his third taco.
“I have to make coffee for the adult class.”
“What are the kids gonna do while you’re making coffee? Is there an early service going on at that time?”
“Until a little after nine. But Nate can give you a grand tour of the place or you can always help me make coffee and get all the supplies out.”
Cindy downed the last of her chocolate milk and wiped her mouth with her hand. “Can Nate and me go play with Oreo now?”
“Sure, if it’s okay with Jesse.”
Jesse scanned the kitchen. “Where is Oreo?”
“He’s in my bedroom. We have to keep him in there when we’re eating. He likes to jump up on the table.”
After the children left the kitchen, Boswell began to clean up.
A Mother for Cindy Page 8