скачать книгу бесплатно
More than anything, he wanted to be a good dad. To keep her safe—physically and emotionally. Maybe this was one little thing he could bend on, though. “Can you promise me no boys?”
“I didn’t invite him today.” Her gaze darted away. “Well, not directly.”
“Is Parker your boyfriend?” He waited for her answer, holding his breath, wishing this day hadn’t come.
She shrugged. “No. We’re just talking.”
This boy-girl stuff was something Tina would have handled so much better. He sat down beside Chelsea on the bed and rubbed her back. “When a boy has his arm around you like that, then it looks like he considers you his girlfriend. Do you want to be his girlfriend?”
“Sort of. Maybe.” The sparkle in her eye, though, told him it was a definite yes.
“You need to make up your own mind and not be pushed into anything. Boys, well, they…sometimes they’re…pushy.” His face must’ve been as red as hers. He knew they needed a birds-and-bees talk at some point, but—
“I’ve had health class, Dad, if that’s what you’re trying to get around to.”
He vaguely remembered signing a permission form. “Okay. Good.” But he still might need Faith to talk to her.
“Everything is fine with Parker. I like him.”
Tina had always prayed for Chelsea. That God would be working in the life of the man she would marry someday. That God would protect Chelsea and prepare her to meet her future husband. But Gabe had failed to take over the duty, and now something—guilt—nudged him to at least consider praying for his child. But would God even listen to him anymore? It had been so long…” Chels, I don’t like this boyfriend-girlfriend stuff at your age. I want you to wait until you’re older.”
“How old?” Fire lit in her eyes as she challenged him.
Twenty-five? “We’ll figure it out later.”
He’d been spoiled. He realized that now. He had been Chelsea’s whole world the last few years. But now she wanted to broaden her horizons, to include others.
He wasn’t ready yet to let her grow up. And though he couldn’t stop her, he was determined not to let her rush it.
That evening, when they had a rare moment without a customer at the cafe, Faith sat at a table with Natalie—hard-working, honest, dependable and fun. The best employee she’d ever hired. She thanked God for her every day.
“Since I’ll be on vacation for two weeks, you’ll need to order supplies.” Faith handed Natalie a file folder. “Here’s the checklist I use. On Sunday evening after you close, you’ll need to do inventory. Then Monday morning, place the orders.”
Once they looked over the list together, Natalie seemed confident. “I’ve got it. No problem.” She closed the folder, handed it back to Faith, then slapped her hand flat on the table.
She was acting so strangely. “What—” Faith caught a glimpse of…a ring? Natalie had a sparkling diamond ring on her left ring finger. “What on earth?”
The young woman’s grin widened. Her eyes radiated joy as she trilled out a happy laugh. “I didn’t think you’d ever notice!”
“You and Vince got engaged?”
“Yep. Last night.” She wiggled her fingers out in front of her, the diamond flashing in the light.
Faith examined the ring closely. “It’s beautiful. Have you set a date?”
“Not yet. Now, back to earth. I’ve gotta go make the last batch of cookie dough.”
Faith resisted the twinge of envy. She’d never experienced the thrill of an engagement or a traditional wedding. Her marriage to Walt had been a quick, hushed trip to the courthouse accompanied by grim-faced parents. And she’d long ago given up on ever finding Mr. Right. Besides, Natalie had snatched up the best man around, even if he was ten years too young for Faith.
There’s also Gabe. The thought popped into Faith’s mind as she headed to her office to catch up on some paperwork. Yeah, he was a good man, too.
But everyone knew he would never be able to care for another woman like he had Tina. Though Faith had never met Gabe’s deceased wife, she’d heard over and over from friends at church what a paragon of womanhood she’d been. The perfect wife, perfect mother.
And perfect was not something Faith could ever do.
As she plunked into her chair, the phone rang. Gabe.
“I feel like I’m imposing on our friendship,” he said, “but I’m in a jam. Babysitter canceled last minute and Chelsea suggested I call you.”
She closed her eyes. She’d done her neighborly duty—had kept her promise to Chelsea. Had even agreed to help Gabe by having Chelsea come to the cafe that day. But babysit? “I’m here until closing tonight, Gabe. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. I’ll keep trying to find someone. Thanks, Faith.” He hung up.
She tried not to fret about letting him down, but she did feel a pinch of guilt. Monday nights weren’t very busy. And Natalie could probably handle it by herself. Faith could even come back after watching Chelsea and close up.
She smoothed her fingers over the desktop. Everything was in its place—as usual. But she straightened the pencils in the pencil holder anyway, trying to force them to stay evenly spaced around the container.
No. She would not get involved. Gabe could find someone trustworthy to take care of his child. Scads of women from church would love to watch Chelsea.
Gabe fought disappointment after he hung up the phone with Faith. He sensed there was more to her refusal than simple busyness. “Come on, Chels. How about you ride with me for a while? If I get any calls or don’t find someone to watch you before your bedtime, I’ll call Fred.”
“Faith couldn’t do it?”
“No. And everyone I tried is tied up at the moment.”
Her eyes lit up. “Cool. I’ll be ready in a sec.”
“You’re not going on any calls with me. So don’t get your hopes up.”
She hurried to her room, then reappeared about ten seconds later wearing pink flip-flops. “Ready!”
The child was entirely too excited about going to work with him. Other than the occasional speeder or fender bender, he didn’t have many calls on weeknights. Corinthia was a peaceful little town and he intended to keep it that way.
They climbed in the car and patrolled downtown. The recent renovation of Main Street had given it a much-needed face-lift. New paint, new awnings, pots overflowing with flowers, all made it fresh and inviting.
Most businesses had shut down around five. But a few remained open—the pizza place and Faith’s coffee shop among them. Even at seven o’clock, the summer sun and the muggy heat zapped everyone out on the streets. Life seemed to move like molasses in July and August.
Gabe waved to everyone he drove by. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Chelsea did the same.
It reminded him of when she was a toddler and used to sit perched in her car seat in the back of his cruiser and wave every time they passed someone—flapping her little fingers toward herself.
Those were the days. Back when he thought he and Tina would have a lifetime together. When he thought nothing bad could touch him again.
Chelsea pointed across the street. “Look, Coffee Time’s still open. I’d love some hot chocolate.”
“You’re kidding. It’s ninety-two degrees out.”
“Let’s stop and see Faith. Please?”
Why did his daughter have a sudden interest in their next-door neighbor and her coffee shop? “I guess. Nothing much going on around town right now.”
When they walked into the café, Faith hopped up from a table where she sat with Natalie. When she saw it was them, her smile wilted. She was obviously still mad at him.
He nodded their direction. “Ladies.”
Faith met them behind the counter. “Didn’t you find anyone to watch Chelsea?” She appeared distressed at the notion.
“No. But we’re having a nice time patrolling.”
Chelsea grinned up at him. “I’m a good deputy.”
Faith brushed some coffee grounds off the counter, then grabbed a towel to wipe up a spot he couldn’t see. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t help. Natalie and I—”
Gabe’s radio squawked. “Excuse me a minute,” he said, then he headed outside to take the call.
“Whatya got, Wanda?”
“Possible prowler at the Emersons’,” the dispatcher said before rattling off the address. “Empty house. They’re on vacation.”
“Thanks. I’ll head there now.” He hustled back inside.
Before he could say anything, Faith held up her hand to silence him. “Go. I’ll take her home and watch her and will come back to close up after your shift.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She gave him a crooked smile, then waved him away. “Now, go. Go protect your town.”
The warmth on her sweet face and in her aqua-colored eyes—and the fact that she was saving his hide at the moment—pierced through his protective gear and right to his heart. A part of his heart that had been cold and dead for a long time.
He locked away the feeling. No time to analyze it, anyway. He had a prowler to catch.
Chapter Three
At nine o’clock that night, Faith sent Chelsea to get ready for bed. But by nine-thirty, she decided to go check on her. She just couldn’t imagine the girl having to put herself to bed, even at age twelve.
Chelsea sat on her bed with wet hair, wearing her pj’s, with a book in her lap. The stuffed animals and dolls that had most likely graced her bed sometime in the past sat abandoned on a rocking chair in the corner. Somehow, the pink-dotted swiss bedspread and curtains didn’t seem to fit, not with the posters of the latest teen heartthrob on the walls.
“Wow, look at you. You’re all ready.”
“Just call me Miss Responsible. And be sure to tell Dad.” She gave Faith a silly wink, then laughed at herself.
“Believe me, I will.” She folded the bedspread back to the foot of the bed. “Do you need anything before I tuck you in?”
Chelsea shrugged and looked down at her book as she twirled hair around her finger. “I don’t think so.” Her hesitation was just long enough that Faith knew she actually did want something.
“What is it, Chelsea?”
“Well, it’s been a long time since anyone dried my hair. Dad’s too spastic—gets it all tangled. And I never ask my regular babysitter, because she’s usually studying or cleaning the house. And, well…” She continued to twirl strands of wet hair in a circle.
Faith gestured toward the hallway. “Come on. I’ve never gotten to do the girl-hair thing.”
Chelsea’s face lit up and she clapped her hands like a young child. She hopped off the bed and raced to the bathroom.
As Faith scrunched Chelsea’s curls and blew hot air over them, Chelsea chattered over the loud whir of the motor. “I called Valerie tonight. She invited me to a party at her house—a boy-girl party.”
Faith snapped off the hair dryer. “So is this a first, having boys at a party?”
She grinned and nodded. “I hope I can go. Gotta ask Dad.”
Faith could only imagine how Gabe would react to this. “Just be sure to find out all the details first. Like, making sure her parents will be home.”
“I don’t know everything for sure yet. Except that Parker will be there.” The last was said in a joyful, singsong voice.
Chelsea could count on the fact her dad wouldn’t be happy about that. Faith bit back a smile as she turned the dryer on. Once the hair was dry, she pulled a brush through the silky waves. “There. All done.”
Chelsea fluffed her curls. “Nice job. Thanks, Faith.” But her interest in her hair was short-lived. She turned away from the mirror and looked up at Faith. “Will you tell my dad about the party for me? It seems like anytime I try to talk to him about anything but studying or church, he goes into cop mode.”
Dodging further involvement as mediator, she said, “Like any dad, he loves you and wants you to be safe. To be happy.”
“Well, I won’t be happy unless he lightens up a little.” She walked back to her room and climbed into bed. “I really, really want to do this. And maybe I could even spend the night at Valerie’s afterward.”
Faith had loved slumber parties. And regular parties—especially the boy-girl variety. In high school, she’d loved to dress up and go to dances, to hang out with friends, to go out on dates.
But then she got pregnant. So she knew all about wanting to socialize yet being unable.
Still, Gabe would understandably be concerned. She sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ll mention it to him. But be prepared for a no.”
“I’m used to hearing no. We’ll just have to change his mind.” She hugged Faith. “Thank you. I’m so glad you came tonight.”
Before Faith realized what she was doing, she kissed the top of Chelsea’s head. A motherly gesture she hadn’t had the opportunity to do for so long. The sweetness of it pierced her, making her ache in regret for mistakes she’d made. For all she’d lost.
Because of her teen pregnancy and the divorce, she’d tried to protect Ben from making mistakes, which had ultimately driven him away from her. And now it seemed their relationship hung by a thread.
She stood and pulled the covers over Chelsea. “Sleep tight. Don’t forget your prayers.”
Once Chelsea was tucked in, Faith went to clean the kitchen. But Chelsea and Gabe had done an excellent job already. She couldn’t even find a trace of what they’d eaten for dinner. So she busied herself cleaning the toaster.
About the time she finished brushing crumbs out of the little trapdoor and buffing the chrome exterior to a perfect shine, the back door opened, and Gabe walked in. “Hi. She in bed?”
Her heart stuttered. Having him nearby made the room feel two sizes smaller. “Yes. Just a little while ago.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate you stepping in.”
His grateful smile made her want to turn away, to find something to keep her busy rather than have to look into his penetrating dark eyes. But with the spotless kitchen, she didn’t have any option other than facing him head-on—and dealing with this sudden nervousness around him. “So…did you catch your crook?”
“No. I imagine my car ran him off.”
Unable to maintain eye contact, she refolded a dish towel and laid it beside the sink. “I have to brag on your daughter. She had showered and was in bed reading when I went back to check on her at bedtime.”
