up there. That’s why Dream Corps contacted me.”
“I didn’t know that. They kept the whole ordeal hidden from me beyond the note and phone call. Celia knew you guys were surprising Bradley and me, so she and the other staff put together the production to welcome you.”
“It was awesome. My guys still talk about it. Celia, she’s the Hispanic-looking teacher, right?”
“Yeah, the firecracker.”
He laughed. “I wasn’t gonna say it. She married?”
“Why, you interested?” Traitorous disappointment pinged her stomach again.
Another laugh. “No, but my buddy Manny might be.”
“Celia is dead set against getting involved with men in dangerous jobs. She lost her husband in the line of duty as a cop. Her goal is to steer clear of guys packing heat, and go for ones packing calculators instead. She also wants to date a Christian.”
“Then I won’t encourage it. Manny is a backslider and running on the wild side right now.”
If Joel was using Christian lingo, could he be a believer? She’d gotten the feeling at school that he was. Then again, so was Bart, and he still bashed her heart to pieces.
“What about you? What are your life goals, Amber?”
To have a baby. “Something that will never happen.”
“Come on. Tell me. I told you mine.”
“Maybe in time.”
“Well, whatever you dream for, I hope it comes true.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey, I need sleep, and you need to escape the clutches of that rabid teacher-eating coon sneaking up behind you.”
“Very funny.”
His chuckle eased her tensions. “Did you look?”
She still was. “I’ll never tell.” Her eyes slipped away from her rearview mirror.
“Fair enough. I’ll be in touch. Later, tater.”
She smiled, touched that he’d remember her and Bradley’s special exchange. “Later, gator.”
The only thing Amber could think about as she drove the remaining miles was how pleasant Joel’s voice sounded, and how Bart had never once called and e-mailed her on the same day.
It’s just for Bradley, she told herself.
On her mom’s patio five hours later, Amber eyed her watch. “I should go soon. Psychoticat is out of tuna and on a hunger strike. The market closes in two hours.”
“Dad will be home in a few minutes. Can’t you stay a bit?”
“Is he getting off early?”
“Yes.” Lela’s face flushed. “We’re going out tonight.”
Amber stared at her. “Like, on a date?”
“Yes. You should never stop dating your spouse.” She tugged Amber close for a hug. “Thank you for sharing the day with me, and what that nice young man did for our little Bradley, giving him that beret and all.”
“Mom, he’s not our little Bradley. Things might not go through. If they do, it may be too l—”
Lela placed a gentle finger to Amber’s lips. “It’s never too late when God is in the equation. So does this soldier happen to be attractive?”
“You sound like Celia.” Amber fanned herself with a stack of napkins and stood. “Yes. He’s what I would consider attractive.”
“Is he a Christian?” Lela motioned Amber down.
Amber sat. “His faith seems genuine.”
“Are you interested?” Lela refilled Amber’s tea.
Glass to her mouth, Amber let the sweet liquid linger on her tongue. No one made sun tea better than her mom. “In friendship.”
“That’s a good foundation.” Lela smiled behind her glass.
“Don’t count on it going anywhere.” Amber swirled the ice in her glass. “Is this sugar?”
“Sweetener. Why just friendship if you were the only one at the school that day with whom he flirted?” Lela’s eyes twinkled with wisdom and motherly mischief.
The glass in Amber’s hand clunked down a smidgen too hard. “I’m going to throttle Celia.”
“Oh, spare her life another day. She only told me a little. Plus, we have a Cupid conspiracy.” Lela winked.
“Is nothing in my life private from you two?”
“Of course not, dear. What’s the fun in that?”
Off the stool now, Amber placed her glass on the tray. “On that note, I’m out of here. Give Daddy hugs for me.”
Lela stood, peering at her watch. “Why don’t you wait five minutes and he’ll be home? I’m sure he’d love his hugs directly from you.”
“I used to be the family peacemaker. Now it’s you.”
“I prefer the term moderator. Your dad regrets not being there for you all those years. If life provided second chances, his choices would be different. So would mine. We were young and kids don’t come with instructions in the box.”
Amber laughed.
“I regret putting you in the middle. You should have had a carefree childhood, not being a full-time ambassador working peace negotiations between the two people supposed to be taking care of you instead of arguing.”
Amber shrugged. “You were like a single mom with Dad gone all the time. Which is precisely why I want my future adoptive children to have a dad with a stationary job.”
She expected her mother to comment, but Lela stood silent. The kind of silent which usually meant she didn’t agree with Amber, but wanted to let her figure it out on her own.
Her father pulled up. She met him ascending the porch steps.
“You leaving already?” He set his briefcase down.
“I have to get to the market before it closes. Psych’s out of tuna and freaking out.”
He laughed. After visiting several moments, he walked Amber to her car and opened the door for her. He leaned in for a hug. Amber hated that she patted him awkwardly.
“Be careful. Deer are moving. Hunting weekend has them spooked,” he said as she got in her car. He pushed her door closed. Then he rested his hand on the glass a moment, as though cupping her chin through the transparent barrier the way he used to when she was little
