by Nancy Naigle
“Mister Paul!”
Hailey and Jesse danced around him. “What do you have?” Jesse tugged on his hand. “Is it for me?”
“Jesse! Manners, please.” She gave him her serious look.
“Please?” Jesse uttered.
“Still not buying it, but I’m working on it,” she said to Paul.
“I should’ve called first, but this was kind of a last-minute idea. I was in Kitty Hawk for something yesterday and found this kite. It made me think of Hailey and Jesse.”
“Us?” Hailey pressed her hands together and her face brightened.
“I knew it!” Jesse smacked Paul’s hand in a very low high five.
“It’s a surprise for both of you.” He dropped to his knees. “Want to know why?”
“Yes.”
“Because there are two monkeys on it. Like you two.”
“We’re not monkeys.” Jesse pursed his lips. “Nope.”
“You seem like silly monkeys to me.”
“No, I’m a boy.” Jesse cocked his hip out, propping his hand on it. “And she’s a sister.”
“Hmm. Do you like to climb?” Paul began the inquisition.
“Yep.”
“And laugh?”
“Uh-huh.”
“And most importantly, do you like bananas?”
“Mmm.” They both licked their lips. “We love bananas.”
“Well, there you go. And lucky, too, because I brought you frozen bananas for a snack, along with this super-special acrobatic surprise.”
“Frozen?”
“They are so yummy!” Paul doled out the frozen bananas. “First, one for Mommy. Then Hailey, because ladies first.”
“And Jesse!”
“And Jesse. There you go.” Paul crumpled the bag and tossed it into the bigger bag, then pulled out a long something or other.
“What on earth is that?” Amanda asked.
“This bright-green—”
“Green’s my favorite color!” Hailey screamed. “If it’s not pink.”
“…kite has two monkeys eating bananas on it, and look, their tails hang super long from each side of it. We are going to fly this in the air.”
The kids’ eyes widened, but they looked to Amanda for confirmation.
“When your dad and I were young, we used to fly kites on the beach.”
“How do you make a kite fly?” Hailey asked.
“I’ll show you.”
They gnawed on the frozen bananas while Paul wound up the kite string. He had a fancy plastic contraption way nicer than the stick Amanda had used when she was a kid in the neighborhood park trying to fly a diamond-shaped paper kite.
By the time Paul had rigged up the huge kite, the kids had devoured the bananas and run down to the water to rinse away the stickiness. This wasn’t your average dollar-store kite. It was as wide as Amanda was long.
As Hailey and Jesse ran up, Paul turned to her. “I hope you’re ready to be impressed.”
She rolled her eyes. He and Jack had always been in a race to one-up each other, only now Paul seemed to be mastering it alone. He took off his shirt and dropped it to the sheet, then lifted the kite into the air and started running. “Come on, kids. You have to run with me or it won’t take off!”
The very air around him seemed electrified. She found herself fixated on his bare chest. The enthusiasm with which he lived pulled at her senses. Would she ever feel that way again?
The kids ran at breakneck speed to catch up with him, although he was just taking long, languid strides. It took him no time to get the kite in the air, and as it lifted higher and higher, the squeals coming from Hailey and Jesse did too.
She jumped to her feet, clapping. The kite with the playful monkeys soared above them.
“I’m impressed!” Amanda shouted.
Paul and the kids made their way back and forth along their little stretch of beach. Occasionally, he’d tug on the strings and make the kite swing through the air, even accomplishing a pretty artful loop the loop at one point, which she had a feeling was complete and utter luck. Not that he’d admit it.
“You must have been pretty sure you’d get that kite up in the air to bring along that much string.”
“I did spring for the premier line reel. Go big or go home.”
No surprise there. “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” Amanda said, but there were the intangible things about a Marine that had always impressed her the most: their uprightness of character and sound moral compass.
“Yeah, worse things to be.” He winked and handed the kite line to Hailey. “Your turn, Hailey.”
She clutched with a white-knuckled grip. “Here we go.” She skittered off-balance for a moment, the kite dipping lower.
Paul uttered a few encouraging words and reeled in the line to urge the kite back in the air.
“You got it,” he said.
Hailey stood there with pride. “I’m doing it, Mommy!”
Amanda loved how gentle Paul was with Hailey and Jesse.
Jesse jumped in the air, then squatted with his hands on his knees and his head tilted straight back, watching the kite hang in the sky.
Paul stepped over next to Amanda. “I thought it would be fun. Jack and I spent most of our childhood on the beach. There’s so much to do.”
“I know. He’d have enjoyed this so much.”
“Yeah, he would’ve. Of course, we’d have had two kites.”
“And it would be a competition.” They both said it at the exact same time, which made them laugh.
“Because everything always was,” she said, searching his expression. There seemed to be something he wasn’t saying.
“Yeah.” A lazy grin spread to his lips. His gaze touched her a second too long.
It was so quick that she almost wasn’t sure it happened.
“Except over you,” he said. “We never competed over you.” His brow arched.
Is he flirting? The realization sent her mind reeling.
“This is hard work,” Hailey called out, breaking the moment.
Paul jogged over to help Hailey. “Your arms are getting tired. Let’s give Jesse a turn to fly it for a little while.” He grabbed the line and did a few tricks with the kite.
Hailey let go and dropped her arms to her sides. “Exhausting.”
“Come over here, you.” Amanda held her arms out. “Was it fun?”
“Yes. So much fun.”
Amanda rubbed Hailey’s arms.
“Very hard work, though,” her daughter added.
“You got it, Jesse. There you go.” Paul sat in the sand with Jesse standing in front of him. “You’re rocking it.” Paul reached up and tugged the string, making the kite dip in the sky, then pop up even higher. They shouted hooray so loud that Hailey raced over to be part of the excitement.
While Amanda unpacked lunch, she watched Paul pull in the kite and fold it down.
He and the kids walked over still all abuzz about the kite antics.
“That was so much fun!” Amanda said to Paul. “An amazing time. Thank you.”
“I’m glad I happened to see it in the store window. It was cooler than I remembered.”
“It’s hard to come up with new and different things to do with the kids every day. This is great.”
“I’d like to do it again one afternoon.”
“Sure. They really enjoyed it. They’d love that,” she said.
“What about you?” He sat down next to her on the sheet. “Would you love it?”
The way his eyes were fixed on her made her heart pick up its pace. Joking, she said, “I’d probably like it more if you’d just come fix the toilet that won’t quit running.”
He laughed, then with a straight face asked, “You’re not serious ab
out the toilet?”
“Oh yeah. It runs and runs and runs. But not continually. No, it happens on its own merry timeline so that it wakes me up. Scares me every time.” She picked up some sand and swirled it in her palm. “No big deal. If that’s my biggest problem, I can deal with it.”
“I can fix the toilet.”
“I wasn’t really asking you to fix it.” She shrugged. “I was kidding around.”
“I know that, but it’s usually an easy fix. It could be the twist of a screw or a twenty-dollar part and save you more than that on your water bill. At least let me look at it. If it’s a bigger problem, then you’ll know what you’re facing.”
She hesitated. Why am I making this a big deal? Just say thank you and let him do it. “Fine. Take a look, but don’t do anything.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” she said. “I appreciate it. Really.”
“No problem. I’m just that kind of guy, or have you forgotten?”
It was true. Between him and Jack, he’d been the handier one. Whenever there was something to fix, Jack waited until Paul could come over and help with it. “I guess I had kind of forgotten that. Well, then at least let me fix you dinner.”
“I’d love that. You always were a great cook.”
“You remember?”
“How could I forget? Your meat loaf and mashed potatoes are still in my dreams.”
“Comfort food.”
“Yeah. And what was the thing you did with chicken nuggets and sesame seeds? Do you still remember how to make that?”
“Yep. It’s the kids’ favorite, but I don’t make it that often, even though it’s easy.”
“And stuffed wontons. You’d make that dipping sauce for them.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “Okay, now I’m starving.”
She reached in her cooler and handed him a PB&J.
“No.” He pushed it back toward her. “I’m fine. Besides, the kids will be hungry.”
“Eat it. We can walk over the hill for more provisions. You look fit enough to make it.”
He snagged the sandwich and took a bite, then handed her the other half.
“Thanks.” They ate in silence and watched Hailey and Jesse play. They’d come over and inhaled a sandwich between them so they could hurry back to what they were doing.
It was nice to have company and not feel like she had to fill every second with conversation. It was even nicer that it was with Paul. She’d missed him, but in an odd way like he had to be gone, too, because Jack was. It was strange having half the duo. She snuck a glance his direction. He and Jack looked less similar than she’d remembered. Paul’s face was less angular than Jack’s.
Paul pushed his sunglasses on top of his head and lay back, propped on his elbows. “It’s peaceful out here.”
“It is. I feel like I can breathe easier.” She turned and looked at him as he rested there with his eyes closed, enjoying the sun. “You’re welcome to join us anytime. Or don’t join us. Just come out here.”
“Be careful what you ask for. I might be here every day.”
Strangely flattered, she peeked at him again, watching him relax. “I can think of worse problems.”
His eyes opened and he sat up. Something passed between them, and then—thank goodness—he made a joke. “Like that running toilet.”
“Even that.” She drank in the comfort of his familiarness.
“Mom!” Hailey skidded to a stop in front of her, holding her hand as if she were in agony.
“It was an accident,” Jesse insisted. “I didn’t mean to step on her hand.”
“Let me see,” Amanda said, taking her daughter’s hand into her own. And like that the moment was gone. “You’re fine, sweetie. It was an accident.”
She turned to Paul. “I think someone’s tuckered out,” she whispered as she stood and started gathering things to leave.
Tired and sweaty, they all walked back over the dune with not much to say. The kids hosed off outside, and then Jesse announced he was sleepy.
“I know how you feel, little man,” Amanda sympathized. “The sun really saps it out of you, doesn’t it?”
“Why don’t y’all take naps,” Paul suggested. “I’m going to look at that toilet and see if we need any parts.”
“You promised to just evaluate. Don’t you be spending money I don’t have.”
“I know, I know.” He walked toward the back door. “Do you have a screwdriver?”
“I do. Drawer next to the fridge.”
She heard the back door slam against the frame. After brushing the sand from their things, she joined them inside.
Paul was already walking back into the kitchen. “It’s better than it was, but we can fix it right for less than twenty bucks.”
“I’ve got twenty bucks,” she said. “Let me get my purse.”
“No, I’ve got it. I have a couple errands to run anyway. I’ll stop by the hardware store and come back for dinner. A home-cooked meal has got to be worth twenty bucks.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m not broke.”
“It’s a fair trade,” Paul said. “I’ll see you in a little while. Text me if you think of anything you need while I’m gone.”
“Okay.” Her heart hitched as he walked out. “Come on,” she whispered to the kids. “We can all take a catnap on the bunk beds. Go grab my pillow, Hailey.”
They piled onto the lower bunk in a heap. She programmed her alarm on her phone, then set it to vibrate. With any luck the kids would nap longer and she could start dinner without them underfoot.
20
Amanda lay there unable to nap. Instead, all she could think about was Paul. She slid out from under Hailey’s leg and Jesse’s arm, wincing with every tiny movement and hoping she wouldn’t wake them. When her foot finally reached the floor, she let out the breath she’d been holding and tiptoed to the door. The loud hum of the AC helped cover the sounds from the creaking floor.
She closed the door behind her, then gave an enthusiastic fist pump. The quite time had refreshed her, and now she had a few minutes to herself.
In the kitchen, she gathered everything to get dinner started. Chopping, slicing, and mixing, she found that she was smiling for no reason at all.
She made the meat loaf extra large to ensure there was plenty for Paul and some leftover for sandwiches. The best part, in her opinion.
With a bowl of washed potatoes, she stepped out into the backyard and sat at the picnic table to peel them. Nothing like homemade mashed potatoes. They were always worth the extra effort.
Peeling and dicing them, she hadn’t even heard Paul until he was right next to her, at which time she screamed like a girl. The kids are probably awake now.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t. Just caught me off guard. I guess I was in my potato-peeling zone.”
He raised his hand. “Don’t let me interrupt that.”
“Kids are still asleep, unless I just woke them up with my girlie scream.”
“I’ll be quiet.” He carried his bag inside.
She watched after him for a minute. It was nice of him to take care of the toilet, but surely he had better things to do. She cut up the last of the potatoes and then went back inside to boil them.
She heard Jesse and Hailey talking to Paul in the bathroom. Clearly, her scream had done the trick. Too bad for Paul. It made her think of the sign at the service station that had different rates, like “Fifty bucks extra if you stick around to chat.” Daddy would have said they were being an “awful help.” It hadn’t occurred to her that it wasn’t a compliment until she was in her midtwenties. It was funnier now.
The kitchen smelled of meat loaf, barbecue sauce, and fresh herbs. She poured glasses of sweet tea and set the table while the meat loaf cooled o
n the counter.
Paul, Hailey, and Jesse walked back into the kitchen. “Toilet’s good as new.”
“Thank you.” She drained the water from the potatoes and began whipping them. “That’s great news.”
“We helped.” Jesse propped his hands on his hips.
She offered Paul a sheepish grin. “I bet you did.” She booped Jesse’s nose. “My favorite helpers.”
“They were better help than Jack would’ve been.” Paul looked like he wanted to swallow the words. “I’m sorry,” he mouthed from across the counter.
The words stabbed, threatening to take her voice. “No.” She tried to act like she’d barely noticed. “It’s fine. Probably true.” She set the meat loaf and the bowl of mashed potatoes on the table next to the gravy boat and broccoli. “Umm, yeah, you were always handier. But let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
She grabbed for the spoon in the mashed potatoes at the same time he did.
They stopped, a hot second hanging between them until he pulled his hand back. “Let me serve this up while it’s still warm. You can slice the meat loaf.” Her heart hammered as she portioned the food for the kids, then let Paul make his own plate.
They sat down at the dining room table. The kids sang the blessing, which always filled her heart with happiness. Their pure voices lifting praise and trusting in the Lord was a good footing, and that was important especially after what they’d been through. Life had a way of shaking you off your footing when you least expected, and that foundation was the only way to survive it. She peeked across the table and noticed Paul watching Hailey and Jesse with a grin on his face.
“Amen,” they all said.
“They are too much,” he said to Amanda. “Man, I’ve missed y’all.”
“I’m sorry about everything.” She placed her napkin in her lap. “My anger was misplaced. I was—”
“Don’t.” He raised his hand. “You were right. I let you down. I promised you I’d protect Jack. I shouldn’t have been so arrogant to have made that promise. If you give me another chance, I will never let you down again. I can promise you that.”
All those awful things she’d said—he’d been living with them while she’d mentally whisked him aside. Maeve had articulated it best: Her misplaced anger had been a release. The only way she could cope. It was easy to see that now, although the emotions had seemed real at the time.