when she was around him, wouldn’t everyone spot it? She hadn’t known him long enough to notice a change in his behavior. Her heart pressed against her chest as if it were paper and could tear through. One thing she couldn’t do was offer Doug empty hope. She bit the edge of her lip unable to face her own emptiness.
Kimmy dashed around the yard collecting leaves from shrubs and plants, even two blades of crabgrass that Nina needed to attend to. She watched the girl, caught up in her excitement and energy. Though she was only thirty-four, her energy had dropped a couple of notches each year. She’d be bedridden by fifty if she didn’t perk up and find enjoyment in life.
A sound drew her attention, and she felt her pocket. She dug into it and pulled out her cell phone. This time she recognized the phone number. “Hi, Doug.”
“How’s it going? Did you pick up Kimmy?”
“Sure did.” Her pulse kicked into a high gear. “We had healthy snacks, and now we’re doing her homework.”
Doug chuckled. “What is it this time?”
“Here, you can ask Kimmy.” She beckoned to her, and she bounced forward, a smile brimming on her face.
“Hello.”
Whatever Doug asked or said, Kimmy rattled on about the snacks and homework, along with a list of what she’d found.
Nina’s cheeks warmed again, seeing joy in the child’s face. She amazed her, rolling with catastrophes better than most adults. While her mother was miles away, badly injured, Kimmy had dealt with the situation like a professional, making the best of her time with Doug without complaint. Even without fear.
She longed to cope with upheaval as well as Kimmy. If she’d done so, today she would be ready to make changes in her life, to move on and find happiness once again. Instead, she’d clung to her pitiful past and feelings of abandonment in the way someone would cherish old pictures.
Kimmy returned the phone to her, and she lifted it to her ear. “We’re doing fine, Doug.”
“Good. I hope to get out of here by seven-thirty. Eight at the latest.”
She pictured his face, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he talked, the lock of hair that sometimes dipped to his forehead, the five o’clock shadow she found so appealing. “We’re fine, Doug. Really.”
“I owe you one, Nina. Ask and it’s yours. Anything.”
His offer sent prickles up her arms. “You might be sorry you said that.”
“Never. I’ll see you later.”
They disconnected, and she approached Kimmy with Doug’s offer ringing in her ears.
Angie’s insistence that she have an escort for the wedding had bugged her, and naturally Angie thought of Doug. But Doug had already been embedded in her mind since they’d spent so much time together. Everything had been innocent and mainly involving Kimmy. The wedding didn’t involve Kimmy. In fact he’d have to hire a babysitter. She couldn’t ask him.
I owe you one, Nina. Ask and it’s yours. Anything. Anything. But escorting her to a wedding certainly wasn’t what he had in mind. But...what had he meant? He said anything.
Her mind spun, and she closed her eyes. Truth was, the more she thought of it, she disliked attending the reception alone. A wedding service, maybe, but the celebration? A party? Alone would be a downer. Still asking Doug...that would take gumption on her part and even a bit of faith.
The idea settled in her mind. She’d already talked to God once today. Maybe, just maybe, another little chat might give her unexpected courage.
The whole idea spread through her like puzzle pieces. She’d always been good with them except the puzzles of her life. That was one she hadn’t conquered yet. But maybe, just maybe...
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