Child Wanted

by Renee Andrews

  “But you had to answer my question about the wasting-daylight phrase. If you hadn’t, that would’ve just been rude.” She lifted a shoulder and smiled at him again. And it affected him as solidly as it had before.

  Her cork went under, and she pulled up the line to show a fish on the end. “I’m ahead of you now. That’s four for me.”

  Her grin was contagious. Glad she wasn’t pressing the issue of foster parents, he returned the smile. “I’ll catch up.”

  “That might be tough,” she said as she removed her fish from the line and tossed it back in the pond.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because a hungry fish stole your bait while we were talking.” She winked. “You didn’t notice your cork go under? Disappeared completely.”

  He pulled up his line, and his hook was bare. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Another lift of the shoulder. “Because you were talking, and I wanted to hear what you had to say.”

  He laughed, an honest-to-goodness laugh, and realized he hadn’t enjoyed an afternoon this much in quite some time. “You’re really something, Lindy Burnett. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t be a bit afraid of you.”

  She turned her attention toward the minnow he’d placed on the end of her line. “Maybe,” she said. “Maybe you should be.”

  Chapter Eight

  Ethan knocked on the door of the store at the fishing hole at seven thirty Monday morning and called Lindy’s name upon entering. The last thing he wanted to do was startle her again, but he needn’t worry; the place was empty. He’d seen her car parked outside, though, so he knew she was here somewhere. “Lindy?” he called, moving toward the back, where the tempting scent of fresh coffee filled the air. He’d already had one cup at the B and B, but he could stand to have another. He’d wait though. First things first. He wanted—needed—to see her.

  Extra quilts were stacked at one side of the back entrance that led to the deck, and an old-fashioned galvanized tub filled with ice and water bottles held fort on the opposite side. Ethan felt a twinge of guilt for not showing up earlier like he’d intended. He could’ve helped her carry in the quilts or ice down the water.

  Then again, she was doing all of those things on her own each morning. It wasn’t like she needed any help with her job.

  But Ethan wanted to help her in any way, even with something as trivial as icing down water bottles. Based on the few things he’d learned about Lindy Burnett, it seemed she hadn’t received a lot of help in life. And he felt the impulse to show her that someone, somewhere, cared.

  Because he did.

  Thinking he’d probably find her outside, he stepped onto the deck, scanned the pond and noticed a thin coating of fog hovering above the surface.

  Then he saw her, walking along the water’s edge.

  For a moment, all he could do was stare. The morning sky was overcast, except for one small circular break in the clouds, and yellow rays of sunlight streamed through, illuminating the woman by the pond. Her beauty had his breath catching in his throat.

  Long strawberry curls tumbled freely and moved slightly as she walked. One hand rested against her throat, the way it often did when she was thinking, or when she was troubled. Odd, that he’d spent so little time with her yet already knew her mannerisms well enough to know when she was anxious. Or worried.

  Was there anything he could do to calm her fears?

  He shook his head, perturbed that he was heading down that path again, the one that had caused him to fall for Jenny—and the one that had pretty much shattered his heart in the process.

  Wearing a long, pale yellow dress that made her appear even more feminine, even more vulnerable, she took her time as she eased along the mossy bank. Occasionally, she would pause and bow her head slightly.

  Was she praying? She’d been at church yesterday, and he’d visited with her for a few moments afterward when he was seeing Jerry off to the bus. She’d talked to the two of them and asked his future son if she could give him a hug. Jerry had obliged, even smiled as he told her goodbye. And Ethan had felt a tug deep inside at how she obviously cared about the little boy—probably because Ethan had shared more of Jerry’s story with her on Saturday—and also how much Jerry cared about her.

  But after the Willow’s Haven bus had left the church parking lot, Ethan had turned to find that she’d gone. Driven away without even saying goodbye.

  He’d felt certain they’d shared a special moment, or a few of them, on Saturday. Yet she’d driven away without looking back.

  And Ethan hadn’t stopped thinking about her ever since.

  Who was he kidding? He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since they’d first met that day at the fountain.

  A fish jumped in the water, and she looked toward the ripple in the surface, which caused her to pivot...and see Ethan.

  Smile, Lindy.

  He wanted to see some acknowledgment that they had shared something special two days ago. He lifted a hand and, after a brief hesitation, she responded, the hand at her throat moving ever so slightly.

  Ethan hadn’t imagined the connection they’d experienced Saturday beneath that willow tree. He replayed that entrancing moment when she’d touched his scar, tenderly run her fingers across the jagged lines and looked at him as though she wished she could take the pain of the past away.

  She might as well have placed those compassionate fingers on his heart, because that was where she’d touched him the most.

  He found himself counting the seconds until she reached the back deck. He wanted to see her, talk to her, simply be around her. “I thought I’d come early and help you set up,” he said as she finally drew near.

  Her eyes lifted, then her cheeks followed suit and a subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth. “A little late for that, aren’t you?” Her tone was close to teasing, definitely near flirtatious.

  Was she flirting?

  And shouldn’t that sound warning bells within him, instead of firing off some sort of inexplicable excitement?

  “I’d planned to come earlier, but I had promised Mrs. Tingle I would try her new apple puff pastry. She wants to put it on the B and B menu as a regular item, but needed a guinea pig for the tasting.”

  “And you were the chosen guinea pig?” That flicker of a smile was still there.

  “I’m the only one staying at the bed-and-breakfast long-term, so yeah, I’m the current resident guinea pig.” He held up the bag holding the to-go box he’d carried from the B and B. “But when it involves trying things like this, I’ll be a guinea pig any day of the week.”

  “You brought some with you?” Her hand moved to her throat, and he saw that she touched a tiny gold cross suspended from a thin chain. “You must have really liked it.”

  “Not for me.” He extended the box toward her. “It’s amazing, and I thought you might like to try it.”

  Her eyes softened but she looked more confused than surprised. Then she visibly swallowed and asked, “You brought me some?”

  Her question was filled with emotion, and oddly enough, Ethan detected more sadness than pleasure. She was genuinely touched by the simple gift of an apple puff pastry. Ethan wasn’t sure how to respond. Had no one ever done anything like that for her before? And if not, why?

  He attempted to lighten the mood and laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re allergic to apples.”

  She shook her head. Blinked. Swallowed. Blinked again. “You’re...going to make this difficult,” she whispered.

  Ethan had no idea what she meant. “Make what difficult?”

  Her hand tugged at the tiny cross, and she gave him a forced smile. “Not eating sweets this early,” she answered.

  Ethan had no doubt that wasn’t what she was really referring to, but he wasn’t going to press the issue. “So you
don’t want to try it?” He waved it near her nose.

  “I can smell the cinnamon and the apples, and I think the butter, too.” She inhaled deeply. “If it tastes as good as it smells...”

  “Trust me, it does.” He opened the bag and withdrew the box, the clear lid displaying the puff pastry surrounding the warm apple filling. “You know you want to try it.”

  “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had anything that smelled that good—and yes, I do want to try it.”

  He was glad to see that she’d let her guard down a little, her blue eyes lighting up the way they had Saturday when they’d been catching those fish.

  Her stomach growled loudly, and she moved her hand from her throat to her waist. “I—didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast. I’d planned on getting some fruit or a granola bar from the store once I checked in all the kids and mentors this morning.”

  Ethan glanced at his watch. “We still have fifteen minutes before they get here. You might as well give this a try while it’s still warm instead of waiting until after they check in.”

  “It’s still warm?” Her stomach growled again.

  Ethan grinned. “Absolutely, and it sounds like you need it.” He moved toward a small wrought iron table and chairs and placed the box in front of one of the chairs, along with the utensils Mrs. Tingle had packed. “I didn’t think to bring you anything to drink. But I saw the coffee inside. I’ll get you a cup.”

  “I can get it,” she said, starting toward the door.

  Ethan caught her hand as she started to pass. “Because I ran later than I intended, you don’t have a lot of time to enjoy this. So you sit here and get started, and I’ll fix your coffee. What do you take in it?”

  Her skin was so fair that he easily noticed her blush. “You don’t need to do that, Ethan,” she said, attempting to ease her arm from his hand.

  Instead of releasing her, he placed his hand at the small of her back and gently guided her to the table. “I know I don’t need to. I want to.”

  She complied and sat in the chair, then picked up the utensils. “You’re used to getting your way, aren’t you?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, not really. I’m just determined to make sure you enjoy your breakfast. So what do you take in your coffee?”

  She let out a resigned sigh. “Cream and two sugars, please.”

  “Consider it done. And don’t wait for the coffee to try the pastry.”

  She’d already pushed the fork into the warm apple center. “I couldn’t wait if I tried.”

  Before Ethan entered the store, he saw her take the first bite. She looked like a child who’d discovered ice cream, her eyes closing as she chewed, mouth curving into a smile and throat emitting a contented hum as she swallowed. “Wow,” she exclaimed softly.

  Ethan would’ve brought a whole box of pastries if he’d have known he’d get that kind of response. Pleased with himself, he went inside and headed for the coffee counter. There, he selected a turquoise coffee mug with yellow daisies hand-painted around the edge, filled it with coffee, then added cream and sugar, before grabbing a second mug, this one plain brown, and filling it with black coffee for himself.

  By the time he returned to the deck, she’d eaten three-fourths of the pastry.

  “I must have taken too long fixing the coffee,” he said, placing the steaming blue mug on the table near what remained of her breakfast.

  A soft laugh escaped. “You didn’t take too long,” she said. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been inhaling this thing. It’s just so good.” She took another small bite, placed her fork on the plate and reached for the mug. Wrapping her hands around it, she blew a steady stream of air across the top of the liquid and then took a sip. “Mmm.”

  Even the way she drank her coffee showed appreciation and gratitude. It sure didn’t take much to impress her.

  “That good, huh?” he asked.

  She glanced up, and he noticed the confusion still in her eyes, which were glistening with what appeared to be unshed tears. “Ethan?”

  He really liked the way she said his name. “Yeah?”

  “I...can’t remember the last time anyone has ever done anything like this for me. And I, well, I want you to know how much I appreciate it.” She moistened her lips, and Ethan’s attention moved there, his mind acknowledging that he really wanted to kiss this beautiful lady.

  Reeling it in, he reminded himself of the mistakes of his past. Trusting too soon, getting hurt too fast. He took a sip of his coffee, letting the strong, hot liquid jolt him back to his senses. He didn’t need to get too close. “That’s just what guys do,” he said.

  She took another sip. “Not all guys.” Her words were spoken so softly that he almost didn’t hear. But he did. And with them, he got another small glimpse into the pain of her past. He didn’t know who had hurt her, whether it was a family member or a friend or a guy. But now he knew. And he had a very sudden impulse to hurt the man who’d hurt Lindy Burnett.

  She exhaled thickly. “I ate way too much.”

  He knew better than to bring the subject back to her past. It would undoubtedly start a lengthy conversation, and the kids would be here soon. Plus, he wasn’t certain he could handle hearing about her past without wanting to fix things. So he tapped a finger against the table near the pastry box. “You don’t have that much left,” he said. “You can do it.”

  She pushed the box toward him and held up her palms in surrender. “No, I can’t. I’m done. Spent. I’ll probably need a nap when this sugar wears off.”

  “All right then.” He laughed and took her remnants to the trash can nearby.

  “You didn’t need to clean up for me,” she said. “It’s enough that you brought me breakfast and fixed my coffee.”

  “Like I said, this is just what I do.” He intentionally changed up the phrasing a bit, since she’d already hinted that not all guys treated a lady with respect. Even though they should.

  “Lindy?” Mrs. Bowers stood at the bottom step at the opposite end of the deck.

  Ethan wondered how long she’d been there, and whether she’d heard any of their conversation.

  “Mrs. Bowers.” Lindy got up from the table and nervously ran her palms along the sides of her dress as she stood. “I’ve got everything ready for the Willow’s Haven group.”

  The woman climbed the steps, and Ethan noticed her eyes soften toward Lindy, and then slowly move from Lindy to Ethan and back again. “I know you have everything ready,” she said. “You’re doing a great job out here, Lindy. I’ve had several people say so already, and it doesn’t surprise me. God sent you here, I’m sure of it.”

  Lindy’s features visibly relaxed. Ethan assumed she had been fearful of a reprimand for sitting down on the job, but surely visiting with guests was part of what Mrs. Bowers expected, and from the look on her face, she was anything but disappointed in her newest employee. Besides, this guest had technically arrived before the workday had officially begun.

  Sure enough, Mrs. Bowers said, “You’ve been doing such a good job, Lindy, that James and I want to give you a paid vacation day.”

  Lindy’s eyes widened. “A paid vacation day? I’ve only been working here a week.”

  “So we’ll consider it your one-week reward.” Mrs. Bowers clapped her hands together and grinned broadly. “Doesn’t that sound great?”

  Lindy blinked and nodded. “Yes, ma’am, it does.”

  Mrs. Bowers beamed. “Wonderful,” she said, then held a finger in the air. “Oh, but there’s one little catch.”

  “What’s that?” Lindy asked.

  “You have to take it this Friday.”

  Ethan had never heard of anything this bizarre, giving a paid vacation day after a week of work—and then requiring it to be taken on a certain day—but the enthusiasm in the tiny woman’s tone an
d the way she was practically bouncing on her heels with excitement had him grinning. It was good to see someone going out of their way to be nice to Lindy, particularly since she apparently hadn’t had a lot of people be kind to her in the past. “Sounds like a good deal to me,” he said.

  “This Friday,” Lindy repeated, clearly baffled.

  “That’s right,” Mrs. Bowers said. She pivoted from one foot to the other then placed her finger against her cheek. “Oh, and come to think of it, I have the perfect idea for what you should do on your day off.”

  “What I should do?” Lindy asked as the low rumble of the school bus echoed in the distance.

  “Savvy told me that the kids from the children’s home were going to the zoo in Stockville on Friday. I’ve seen how much you enjoy interacting with the kids and thought you might like to go along and help her with the chaperoning, if you don’t mind.”

  Lindy’s mouth opened, her eyes sparkled and she immediately started nodding. “Oh, yes, Mrs. Bowers, yes. I’d like that very much.”

  The woman clapped her hands together again. “Perfect! I’ll let Savvy know she can count on you as another chaperone.” Then she turned to Ethan. “And Savvy said that you’ll be going, too? With Jerry?”

  “I will,” Ethan said, even more excited for the day now that Lindy would be there, too.

  “Well, isn’t that wonderful,” Mrs. Bowers said, as the bus’s brakes squeaked loudly from the parking lot.

  “I’m going inside to get ready to check the kids in,” Lindy said. “Thank you for the paid day off, Mrs. Bowers. I really appreciate it, and I know I’ll enjoy spending the day with the kids.” She darted through the back door, and Ethan heard her call out to some of the older teens who had already hurried inside, anxious to get their gear.

  Ethan started to follow after her, but a tap on his biceps caused him to turn toward Mrs. Bowers. She had one eyebrow lifted.

  “There’s something you don’t know about me,” she said.