Tender Love

by Irene Brand

  “You can set your own hours, but I must pay you the accepted wage for a nanny. The situation would be impossible otherwise.”

  “I’ll ask Betty what it is.” He needed the money more than she did, but now wasn’t the time to mention her financial status. She’d use what money he paid her for his family—perhaps start a college fund for Eddie and Kristin.

  “Since we have that settled, I want to discuss something else with you. If you approve, I want to take Gran and the children to our family farm for a week. For some reason, Eddie is interested in horses, and there’s a pony at the farm he can ride. If his interest persists, there are probably riding stables near Richmond where he can ride occasionally.”

  “I’m sure there are. You say it’s your family’s farm?”

  “My grandfather bought it, and it passed along to my father.” She withheld the information that the farm belonged to her now, for John had bought the property to enable her parents to have enough money to move into the retirement community.

  “Gran isn’t your responsibility. You don’t have to plan for her—she can stay here, especially when I’m home at night.”

  “She might like a change. The house is a rambling frame structure with four rooms upstairs, and a bedroom downstairs. As I mentioned before my aunt and uncle, Margaret and Landon Wilcox, are the tenants, and they sleep downstairs, but they won’t mind turning their bed over to Gran.”

  “It’ll be awfully quiet around here with all of you gone,” he said with a slight smile.

  “You’re welcome to come, too.”

  “Maybe over the weekend. When do you plan to go?”

  “Week after next, if everybody agrees. I’ll have to telephone Aunt Margaret to see if our visit is convenient for her, but perhaps you’d better clear it with the kids first. I’ll talk to Gran about it.”

  “I’ll discuss the trip with Kristin and Eddie tomorrow night, but I’m sure they’ll be enthusiastic. Kristin had such a good time at camp, and if I mention horses, Eddie will want to go.”

  Alice eased out of the chair. “Perhaps you’d better say ‘pony,’ since there aren’t any horses on the farm. My sister’s children learned to ride on the pony, and he’ll be safe enough for Eddie.”

  Mark moved close to her—too close for her comfort. “I can’t believe the change you’ve made in our home in a month’s time. Maybe you’re a guardian angel sent to help us,” he said lightly, with an amused look in his eyes. “With that blond hair tumbling over your shoulders, you’re so beautiful that you even look like a proverbial angel. My life is still messed up, but it’s more bearable now that you’re here.”

  He gently drew her into a tight embrace, and with his lips close to hers, he whispered, “I couldn’t answer the question you asked me earlier about why I wanted you to stay here.” He covered her lips with his, stifling Alice’s soft gasp.

  We can’t let this happen, she thought, but it was her mind speaking, not her heart. It would be easier to stop the ocean’s tides than to prevent the love they shared.

  “Now you know,” Mark said, as she trembled in his embrace. “Just this once. Tomorrow morning, you’ll be the nanny in the house, and I’ll be your employer.”

  Her arms lingered around his neck, and she brushed her lips softly across the dimple on his cheek. “It won’t be that simple, but I’ll do my best to make it work.”

  Alice was still in the kitchen the following night preparing for the next day’s breakfast when she heard Kristin and Eddie running down the hallway.

  “We want to go, Alice,” Kristin said excitedly, and Eddie latched on to Alice’s legs. Mark followed the children into the kitchen.

  “I assume you’ve told them,” she said, and her eyes sparkled.

  “Plenty of enthusiasm about visiting the farm, so make your plans. One of our friends lives on a farm, and they’ve visited there a few times.”

  “It’s getting hot here in the city now,” Alice said, “so it’ll be a welcome relief for all of us to be in a rural area, and when we return, we can go to the pool some afternoons.”

  “I learned to swim at camp, but Eddie can’t.”

  “He’ll be able to swim by the end of summer,” Alice promised.

  Mark protested, “Well, I don’t know….”

  “It will be all right, Mark. I’ll watch him carefully. I’ll telephone tomorrow and make the arrangements. If it’s all right with Margaret and Landon, we’ll go next Monday.”

  Although the children were enthusiastic, Gran absolutely refused to go with them.

  “I appreciate the invitation, Alice, but going to a farm is no treat for me. I grew up in the country when times were hard, and I don’t have any fond memories of my childhood.”

  “But I don’t like to leave you here alone.”

  “I can manage quite well, and Mark might be lonely coming home to an empty house. I’ll be able to prepare some food to help him.”

  “He may join us over the weekend.”

  “That’s fine, and I’m happy you’re taking the children, but a farm is no place for me. I can’t walk well enough to travel over uneven ground, and I’m better off where I am. Believe me, you’ll all have a better time if I stay in Richmond.”

  When Ethel heard about their trip to the farm, she volunteered at once. “I’ll come in and help you prepare dinner each night, Gran Watson. We don’t want Mark to be lonely.”

  Ethel cast a malicious glance in Alice’s direction, which didn’t even ruffle her feathers. She knew now that Mark didn’t have any romantic interest in his helpful neighbor, but it did bother Alice that Ethel was apparently suspicious of her feelings for Mark. They had to be sure that everything in their relationship was circumspect, for she was praying for Mark’s return to the ministry; therefore, no hint of scandal should taint his reputation.

  Before they left, Alice invited Gran to help her supervise sorting out the children’s clothing. She’d observed that their closets were packed with clothing on hangers and stored in boxes, and much of it should be discarded, but she hesitated to do it by herself. She’d gotten Mark’s permission to clear out items that the children no longer could wear and figure out what they’d need before school started.

  Gran was obviously pleased to be included in the project, which took most of the day. They tackled Kristin’s closet and dresser drawers first, and that took the whole morning, for Kristin was reluctant to part with some garments that were much too small for her to wear anymore. Eddie was more pliable—as long as they didn’t bother his car collection, he didn’t care what they threw away.

  It was late afternoon by the time the discarded clothing was stuffed into garbage bags, and Alice put the bags into her van to take to the used clothing center operated by a downtown church. As she and the children drove into town on Chippenham Parkway, Kristin pointed to a three-story brick structure and said, “That’s the bank where Daddy works.”

  Alice hadn’t known the location of the bank, but when she noticed how close it was to the distribution center where they were going, she said, “I’m too tired to cook dinner tonight. Let’s telephone your father and see if he’ll take us out to eat.”

  “Hamburgers and French fries?” Eddie said.

  “I suppose that would be all right, since all we had for lunch was fruit and yogurt. But your father might need more food than that.”

  “Then he can have two hamburgers,” Eddie said, giggling.

  “I’ll telephone from the distribution center and see if he can join us.”

  After they carried the bags into the church basement and received a receipt for the items, should Mark want to deduct the amount from his income tax, Alice asked permission to use the telephone. She carried his phone number in her purse in case of emergencies, although she hadn’t had reason to call him before. She waited breathlessly for him to answer, feeling downright giddy and flustered.

  “Hi, Mark,” she said when he answered. “This is Alice, and nothing is wrong,” she hastened to assure
him.

  “This is an unexpected pleasure—the first time I’ve heard your voice on the phone.”

  Oh, please, Mark!

  “We’ve spent the day cleaning closets, and we brought the discarded items to the church close to your office. We’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to prepare any dinner, and we’re wondering if we can find someone to take three hungry people out for dinner.”

  She could envision a smile spreading across his face, for since they’d acknowledged their growing feelings, he smiled often.

  “I volunteer. Where do you want to go?”

  “I heard hamburgers and French fries mentioned.”

  “Oh, we can do better than that. I’ll take you to a nice restaurant.”

  “That wouldn’t be a good idea. All three of us look scruffy. We’d better take a rain check on the nice restaurant.”

  “We’ll compromise. I know a place that serves hamburgers and French fries, but also dinners. And there’s an adjacent playground that the kids will like. I’ll meet you at the church parking lot in a half hour.” Alice was pleased that she’d thought of this—she mustn’t damage Mark’s self-esteem by always giving and not taking. And the evening meal shouldn’t be too expensive.

  “Okay. I’ll telephone Gran to tell her our plans and that we’ll bring her dinner.”

  To pass the time while they waited for Mark, Alice encouraged the two children to walk with her around the quiet neighborhood where the church was located. Mark was punctual, arriving soon after they returned from their walk. Kristin rushed to sit with Mark in the front seat, and with an apologetic shrug, Mark met Alice’s eyes. With a nod she indicated that she understood.

  “Why does Kristin always get to ride in the front seat?”

  “Wait until you’re a little larger, Son, and then you can take your turn.” He stepped out of the car and removed his tie and coat.

  “I might as well be comfortable like the rest of you,” he said, observing their shorts and sleeveless shirts with envy.

  A ten-minute drive on Midlothian Turnpike brought them to a restaurant that pleased all of them. The children’s favorite foods were available; Mark ordered a shrimp dinner, and Alice chose roast beef.

  It seemed strange that Eddie sat with Alice, while Kristin wanted to be beside her father. Eddie talked more than he had at first, but he was still quieter than Kristin, who chatted to her father about their day’s experience. As they waited for their food, Alice observed her adopted family. All three of them had gained weight since she’d come to them, and certainly the improvement in Eddie was almost miraculous. Since Alice had kept him outside much of the time, his pasty white complexion had given way to a slight tan, tinged by rosy cheeks.

  “Did you give all of your clothes away or do you still have some left?” Mark asked with a grin after listening to Kristin’s account of the big sacks they’d brought to the church.

  “I’ll need some school clothes,” Kristin said.

  “She’s outgrown most of her things,” Alice said, “but Eddie can still wear a lot of his. We’ll need to go shopping, but not for another couple of months.” She tried to forestall any worries he might have about financing their school clothes. Alice had never seen him so relaxed, and she wanted him to stay that way.

  As she ate the succulent roast beef, Alice said, “This does taste good. I must be tired of my own cooking.”

  “You’ll have to forgive me, Alice,” Mark apologized. “I’ve not been thinking straight lately. We’ll start eating out at least once a week.”

  “I wasn’t complaining, but this is a nice experience.”

  The children asked permission to go out and play on the swings before Alice and Mark finished their meal, and Mark excused them.

  “What kind of work do you do at the bank?”

  “I’m in charge of personnel. It was fortunate for me that when I needed employment, the head of the Personnel Department retired.”

  “Do you like the work?”

  “Yes, I do. I enjoy working with people, and I have the opportunity to do some counseling, which I’ve been trained to do. I supervise the employees in the main bank, as well as their branch facilities. I have more than a hundred employees to deal with—it’s time-consuming, but when I’m at work, I don’t fret about my other problems.”

  “I know it isn’t any of my business, but when do you intend to return to the ministry?”

  He covered her hand with his, and his feelings for her were evident by the intensity of his expression. “Anything you want to know about me is your business, but I don’t know the answer.” He squeezed her fingers and she returned the clasp. “It’s a question that’s in my mind all the time. I took a vow to serve the Lord with my whole life, and although I feel that the work I’m doing is worthwhile, it’s not what God called me to do. I’ve lost enthusiasm for His work, Alice, and until that returns, I can’t go back to the pulpit.”

  Their conversation was interrupted when Kristin came back to their table, with Eddie walking behind, his head down, and Alice quickly disengaged their hands. Eddie slid into the seat and snuggled over to Alice—she put her arm around him and held him close.

  “Eddie’s afraid,” Kristin said in a haughty voice. “He won’t get on the swings and the slide. He’s no fun to play with.”

  “You wouldn’t remember, Kristin, but the first time you went to a playground, you were afraid, too. We’re finished now, and we’ll come out and play with you.”

  When they got outside, Mark said, “Let’s try the swings first, Son. You get on the seat, and I’ll push the swing, but not too high.”

  Kristin jumped in one of the swings and propelled herself up and down. Her achievements intimidated Eddie.

  “Let Alice hold me,” he begged.

  “I’m too heavy to sit in a swing. Just hold on to the chain, and you won’t fall.”

  Eddie shook his head, and Mark said, “These are heavy-duty swings, and you shouldn’t overload them, Alice, if you want to swing with him.”

  “I’m heavier than you think,” Alice said with a laugh. “We may have to pay for a damaged swing, but I’ll try it. Come on, Eddie.”

  She sat down and lifted Eddie to her lap. Slowly, Mark pushed the swing, and Alice helped their progress with her feet. She sensed Eddie relaxing.

  “I like it. Go higher, Daddy.”

  Alice looked over her shoulder and Mark grinned at her. “You’re right—you are heavier than you look.” She made a face at him.

  After about ten minutes, Eddie agreed he could manage without Alice’s help, so she went to watch Kristin enjoy herself on the slide. When Mark and Eddie joined them, Eddie whined, “I can’t do that— I’m afraid.”

  “You don’t have to play on the slide,” Mark said, “if you don’t want to.”

  “I want to play, but I’m afraid.”

  Mark checked out the small slide. “There are only six steps to the top, Eddie. If Alice stands behind you, and I catch you when you come down the slide—do you think you can do it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Let’s try,” Alice said, “I’ll climb up the steps behind you, but I’m not trying the slide,” she stated in response to Mark’s amused expression and his uplifted eyebrows.

  Eddie trembled by the time he climbed the six rungs on the ladder, and even when he got situated at the top, he wouldn’t budge from his perch. Alice climbed until she could peer over the slide at Mark.

  “I’ll give him a little push. Be ready to catch him.” She gently unlocked Eddie’s hands from the sides of the slide and gave him a nudge, holding on to him as long as she could. He screamed, and though he made it into Mark’s arms safely, Eddie’s face was white and his lips trembled.

  “I don’t want to slide anymore, Daddy. I’d rather swing.”

  Alice sat on a nearby bench while Mark took Eddie to the swings, and Kristin played alone on the slide. When Eddie learned how to swing alone, Mark joined her on the bench, their shoulders touching
lightly.

  An elderly couple came out of the restaurant and stood watching the two children for a few minutes. The woman turned and spoke to Mark. “You have a lovely family. We’ve been watching you while you played with them. You must be proud of your children.”

  Alice gasped slightly and lowered her head, but Mark replied steadily, “Why, yes, we are proud of them, thank you. They’re fine children.”

  Alice got up and wandered to where Eddie was swinging, and after the couple moved on, Mark joined her.

  “What else could I say? We are proud of them, aren’t we?” he said with a shrug. “I didn’t think explanations were necessary.”

  Knowing that the farm activities might not be enough entertainment for Kristin and Eddie, Alice packed the softball and bat, and a badminton set she’d found among the cartons in her bedroom. She took her portable television along in case the children wanted to watch a program in their rooms. She knew they wouldn’t lack for food at the farm, but she bought some pudding cups, potato chips and a few two-liter bottles of cola as special treats.

  Mark helped her pack the van the night before they left.

  “I’m going to miss you—all of you,” he added meaningly.

  “I do feel guilty taking your kids away from you for a week. I was thinking of the good it would do them, not considering how it would affect you.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself. I want them to have this experience, but I’ll be lonely.”

  Without looking directly at him, Alice said, “Look on the bright side—Ethel will be here to keep you company.”

  He grinned at her, his dimple deepening—it was obvious that she had nothing to fear from Ethel.

  “You’ll come to the farm for the weekend, won’t you?”

  “If I don’t get involved in something at the bank that keeps me late, I’ll come Friday evening. I’ll call and let you know.”

  Chapter Five

  As they traveled, Eddie importantly taught his sister the game he and Alice had played when they’d gone to the church camp. That kept them occupied for a while, and when they started fussing, Alice produced some puzzle books and pencils. To break the ride, she stopped at a roadside park that had a few playthings for children, and to eat the picnic lunch that she had packed. They arrived at the farm in midafternoon.