Learning to Lean, Page 4

~*~*~*~

  ~Four~

  Heather stepped out of her office Tuesday morning, as the outer door opened and Ricky Sanders stuck his head in. “I’m going to stay here today.” He swaggered past as if he owned the place.

  The door opened again admitting the rest of the Sanders’ family. Heather glanced at the clock over the sign-in sheet. Seven o’clock on the dot.

  “Dad said I could stay and help.” Becka gave Heather a hopeful look.

  Heather smiled at Becka and Kristi. “I hoped you would. If you haven’t eaten breakfast, you’ll find some in the kitchen. Let Darlene know you’re here. And, Becka, after you eat, you might see if Darlene needs help handing out cereal. Things usually pick up right about now.”

  As if to prove her right, the door opened letting in a family of four kids. The mother waved at Heather then began writing her children’s names on the sign-in sheet. Heather turned her attention to the man waiting by the door.

  She smiled. “I see you made it.”

  “Yeah.” He handed her a roll of papers. “Sorry, they don’t lay flat now.”

  Heather accepted the enrollment papers for Ricky and tried to ignore the lopsided grin he sent her way. “Maybe because you rolled them up like a peashooter.”

  “Yeah, I did, didn’t I?” His smile stretched, bringing a sparkle to his eyes. “If it’s a problem, I’m sorry.”

  She laughed. “You aren’t a bit sorry.”

  Surely she hadn’t just flirted. She didn’t do that. With his laughter following her, she turned toward her office to hide the heat filling her cheeks.

  “How do you do it?”

  “Do what?” She glanced over her shoulder and recognized admiration in his eyes.

  “Well, the way I figure, you must wake up with the chickens and go to bed with the owls.” He chuckled. “Whoops, guess that wouldn’t work or you’d be going to sleep about the time you got up, wouldn’t you?”

  Heather laughed. What was it about Matt that made her feel attractive? “I can tell you right now that doesn’t happen.”

  “Yeah, I bet not, considering you’re here at seven in the morning and at six in the evening. You put in more hours than I do.”

  Laying the papers on her desk, Heather shrugged. “Actually, I usually open at six and I don’t always close. But, long hours go with owning your own business.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it.” Matt glanced toward the front door. “Did you know you’ve got a loose knob? I could change it in a couple of minutes.”

  “Yes, I know.” Was the man hard up for jobs? “In fact, I’ve been meaning to fix it myself.”

  Matt nodded and looked down when Kristi grabbed his knee. “Uppy, Dada.”

  “Whoops! I didn’t get away quick enough, did I?” He scooped his little one up.

  Heather watched Matt nuzzle his little daughter’s neck, bringing peals of laughter and “Do again, Dada.”

  Although Darrell had been a good father, she couldn’t remember him playing with the boys in public. Candace never knew her father. Was she missing something vital to her young life? A twinge of envy pricked Heather’s heart as she watched father and daughter.

  Matt squatted to set Kristi on the floor. Holding his hands against each of her tiny shoulders, he looked into her uplifted eyes. “Daddy’s got to go to work now, Kristi. I want you to be good for Mrs. Conway. Do you understand?”

  At the little girl’s solemn nod, he smiled. “Good girl. Becka will be here with you today. Okay?”

  Kristi turned and ran to Becka as she joined them. Matt stood.

  Becka motioned for her father to leave. “We’ll be fine, Daddy. Ricky’s already made a dozen friends.” The grin she turned on Heather resembled her father’s. “I found some neat books in the reading room. Would it be all right to read some stories to the little ones?”

  “That’s a wonderful idea.” Heather slipped her arm around Becka’s shoulders, turning the girls away from their father. “Let’s go into the reading room and pick some out. We have free time until nine, and I’m sure you’ll find a good audience.”

  Heather was aware of Matt slipping out the door when another family came in. She turned to welcome two of her regulars and then continued to the reading room with Becka.

  Throughout the morning, Heather checked on Becka often and always found her busy either reading or playing with the preschoolers. Outdoors Becka seemed to have as much fun as the small children she played with.

  “She’s good with the kids, isn’t she?” Toni stepped close to Heather as another child called for Becka to push his swing.

  “Yes, she seems to be.” Heather recalled what she knew about Becka. “Her mother died a couple of years ago, and she stepped in as much as an eleven-year-old girl could to help raise her little sister. I would think so much responsibility might turn a child bitter or cause her to be overbearing toward younger children.”

  “Becka?” Toni scoffed at the thought. “She isn’t either. She’s the most loving, caring teenager I’ve ever seen. Did you know she collects books written for Christian teens? She buys them used and has several series from different authors. On the flip side, she’s quite athletic. She’s hoping to sign up for sports at school.”

  “Really?” Heather watched another child pull Becka away from the swings to the slide. She wondered what had helped Becka through the tragedy of losing her mother. How had she taken on the adult responsibilities of caring for an infant with her youthful exuberance intact?

  “Hey, Mom.”

  Heather turned at the sound of her oldest son’s voice. Brad loped to her as Toni walked away. “Can I have ten bucks?”

  “Ten dollars?”

  “Yeah, I’m goin’ downtown.”

  “I don’t think so, Brad.”

  “Then I’ll take five.”

  “No.”

  He scowled. “What? I can’t have any money?”

  “Right, you can’t. But, I mean town, too. There’s no reason for you to hang around town this time of day.”

  “Fine, I’ll wait until after dark when the really cool guys show up.” His smirk held a challenge.

  Weight settled on Heather’s chest. “Oh, Brad, come on. You are barely fourteen years old. Why don’t you help here if you want spending money?”

  “I don’t want to take care of a bunch of little kids.”

  “It’s honest work, Brad. You don’t mind spending the money when I work.” Heather tried to keep her voice quiet so no one else could hear. Why couldn’t Brad be more like Becka? Both had lost a parent, yet Becka seemed to be taking her grief in stride while Brad pulled away from his family more each week.

  He folded his arms across his chest. “What do you want me to do?”

  For a second Heather didn’t realize she’d won. Her son was willing to work? She glanced at her watch. A quarter after ten. They would stay outside another half an hour.

  “Why don’t you help Becka with the little ones? They like helpers who are young enough to really play with them.” Heather pointed toward the slide where Becka sat at the top with a little girl between her legs just before they whooshed down.

  “Becka? Isn’t she from the store? You know, the near miss in the parking lot?” Brad brought his hands together in a smack, and Heather cringed.

  “Yes, and don’t remind me. Becka is really good with the kids. Go see what you can do to help.”

  Heather watched Brad amble across the yard to the slide. Becka noticed him and spoke with a smile. Although she couldn’t hear their conversation, Heather saw Brad turn away leaving a hurt look on Becka’s face. Heather started after him, but an older child chose that moment to trip on the edge of the walk and sprawl across the ground. By the time she brushed him off and checked for injury, Becka and Brad were busy in different areas of the playground.

  After a busy morning of play, the children seemed especially noisy when they gathered into the dining room at noon. Toni flipped the light switch as a signal to be quiet. Gradually, the sound s
ubsided.

  “Good job!” While Toni complimented them for listening, Heather moved to stand behind a couple of squirming preschool boys. She rested a hand on each of their shoulders to help them settled down.

  “Let’s be silent a while before we eat so those who want to, may thank God for their food.” After a few minutes, Toni flipped the lights again. “Great. Here comes lunch.”

  Brad carried a tray of plastic cups from the kitchen to distribute to each child. Becka followed with a gallon of milk. Heather went into the kitchen to finish buttering the bread. Becka returned for a bowl of macaroni and cheese to dish out while Toni added peas and peaches.

  When Brad didn’t come for the platter of bread, Heather carried it into the dining area. At first she didn’t see her son, but when Toni asked for a show of hands from those who wanted peas, his hand rose from the back corner of the room above the rest.

  Anger toward the son she loved beyond reason filled Heather’s heart. She marched to his corner and plopped the platter of bread on the table in front of him.

  “Take this around the room and give one slice to each child. When you are finished, come to the kitchen and see if there’s anything else you can do.” She started away, but his voice stopped her.

  “Why can’t I eat?”

  Speaking as quietly as possible, she tried to contain her anger. “Because, Brad, you agreed to work today. The workers here earn their lunch. Jan and Darlene eat in the kitchen because they will be taking the kids back outside for a few minutes after lunch. While the children play, the rest of us eat and then clean the kitchen and dining room or get cots ready for naptime. If you want to eat now, you’ll have playground duty next. Is that what you want?”

  Brad shrugged and grabbed two slices of bread from the platter. “Beats cleaning.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell Jan to make sure you carry your fair share of work outside.” When Brad stuffed the end of a rolled slice of bread in his mouth and turned away with a scowl, Heather picked up the platter and began distributing bread.

  Later, with the kids outdoors, the noise level inside dropped considerably. Heather scraped plates into the garbage before handing them to Toni to load in the dishwasher. She glanced up when Becka picked up a dishcloth and headed into the dining area.

  “Becka, I’m sorry.” Heather grabbed a bottle of bleach water and hurried after her. She smiled at the quizzical look on the young girl’s face. “It’s been so long since I trained anyone, so I forgot you may not know our way of doing things.”

  “Am I doing something wrong?” Becka’s large blue eyes stared back.

  “No, you’ve been doing a great job, which is probably why I neglected to tell you how to wash tables.” Heather held out the bottle. “We have to disinfect everything with bleach water to kill germs. Spray this on the tables after you wipe the spills off. Don’t spray too heavily and we can let them air dry.”

  “Okay.” Becka’s smile brightened her face, bringing Matt Sanders to Heather’s mind. The image of his smiling face and teasing eyes had been slipping into her thoughts off and on all morning. Probably because of Becka and her resemblance to him.

  “Thanks, hon.” Thrusting Matt from her mind, Heather turned back to her job in the kitchen.

  “Mrs. Conway?”

  Heather turned at Becka’s voice. “Yes?”

  Becka looked from the cloth in her hand to Heather. She seemed nervous. “I wanted to invite you and your family…” She smiled. “Maybe I’d better start at the first. Dad said we could have a barbecue at our house Sunday evening because it’s Labor Day weekend. I’d really like for you to come.”

  The invitation was as sweet as the girl who issued it. And just as hard to refuse. She’d hurt Becka’s feelings if she turned her down, and it might be fun for the kids.

  “That sounds wonderful, Becka, but are you sure your father wants four more people crashing into your family time?”

  Becka’s smile couldn’t have stretched any farther, as she nodded. “Sure, he said to go for it.” Her silvery giggle brought a smile to Heather’s lips. “That means he thinks it’s a great idea. You will come, won’t you?”

  Trying not to sigh aloud, Heather knew she’d been bested. What else could she do? She looked into Becka’s trusting eyes and gave her best smile. “All right. But only if your father can convince me it really is okay with him.”

  “Oh, Mrs. Conway, that’s wonderful.” Becka bounced and clapped her hands. “Anytime between six and six thirty should be perfect. You don’t need to bring anything. Dad is super on a grill and I’ll fix everything else.”

  Heather laughed. “Why don’t I bring dessert? You’ll have enough work to do. In case you haven’t counted, you’ll be fixing for eight people. And, Becka, why don’t you call me Heather? Everyone else around here does. Well, either that or teacher.”

  The smile she carried back into the kitchen stayed until naptime when she discovered Brad had disappeared. Jan told her he slipped out the gate when they brought the kids inside. She tried to call him, but he didn’t answer.

  “It’s all right, Jan.” Heather forced a smile. “I’m surprised he stayed as long as he did. At least he did a little work today.”

  Heather turned away to hide her disappointment and saw Becka sitting on the floor between two cots holding Kristi and Candace. Heather shook her head. How had Matthew Sanders gotten such a sweet, helpful daughter? Worry settled like a heavy weight in her chest as she thought of Brad. What could she do? He seemed to be drifting away from her more every day. Blinking away tears of self-pity, Heather went to her office to record the day’s lunch tally.

  ~*~

  Becka ran from one child to another in a line of four swings as she kept them all moving. Heather stood watching from the other side of the playground with Jan. “If only I had Becka’s energy. After the busy day she’s put in, I’m going to have to pay her something.”

  “Yeah, she’s worth it for sure.”

  Heather nodded. “She is. And, she’s so sweet. She invited my family to a barbecue this Sunday.”

  Jan laughed. “I’ll bet her mother appreciates that.”

  “Her father is widowed.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize.”

  “I’m not sure he knows about the invitation. I intend to find out for sure when he picks up the kids tonight.”

  Jan grinned. “Is he good looking? A Christian?”

  Heather shrugged, ready to change the subject. “Howard Manes called yesterday.”

  “Luke, we don’t throw rocks.” Jan yelled at a little boy before returning her attention to Heather with raised eyebrows. “The one and only Mr. Manes of Manes Realty? The ‘If we can’t find your dream home, no one can,’ Mr. Manes? The same agent who sold you the daycare? Are you implying he asked you out? You aren’t going, are you?”

  Heather laughed. “You don’t need to look so surprised. And, yes, I think I will go. He’s a nice man.”

  Jan gave an unladylike snort. “You think his money is nice. Heather, think before you leap. Money isn’t the most important thing in a relationship.”

  “Oh, really? What, pray tell, is important? An abundance of kids?” She should have bitten her tongue before implying Matthew Sanders had a place in her thoughts. Jan would think she was interested in him.

  But Jan only laughed. “I doubt Becka intended to set you up with her father. She looks like she’s having a ball. She probably just wants to repay you for letting her stay here.”

  One hour later, Matt stepped through the front gate looking ruggedly handsome after a day of physical labor. Heather stood back while his kids ran into his arms.

  “Daddy, I invited Mrs. Conway—Heather—to our barbecue Sunday. You have to tell her it’s all right or she won’t come.”

  Matt lifted his gaze over his daughter’s head. Heather’s breath caught at the intense look passing between them. A short laugh released her breathing. Jan and her ridiculous notions had set her up for this. “I reminded Becka tha
t with my family there would be eight people at your barbecue. I don’t think you really…”

  The light in his eyes dimmed for a moment before he smiled. “It’s just a meal, Heather. I think we can handle eight for one evening.”

  Glad for the distraction of two scuffling boys, Heather turned away while heat covered her cheeks. As she separated the boys, Matt’s words rang in her mind. It’s just a meal. She should turn the invitation down. The last thing she wanted was Matthew Sanders thinking she had romantic interest in him. He didn’t need to worry. She’d be better off single than with a poor father of three children.

  “How about it?” Matt spoke beside her. “Can we count on all four of you joining us Sunday?”

  “I don’t know.” Heather turned back to him. “I’ll let Becka know in a day or so. Will that be all right?”

  “Sure, no problem.” He started away.

  “Matt?”

  “Yeah?” He turned back.

  “Do you think you could replace the doorknob on Saturday? You can bring the kids.”

  He grinned. “How does nine Saturday morning sound?”

  “Perfect.” Her smile grew with his.

  “Sure, no problem.”

  ~*~

  On Wednesday evening Heather heard the phone ringing before she unlocked the door at home. She snatched up the receiver on the fourth ring.

  “Hello.” Evidence of Brad’s day littered the coffee table, and she wondered where he was.

  “Heather, this is Howard Manes.” The deep voice on the other end sounded soothing to her frayed nerves. “How are you tonight?”

  She perched on the arm of the sofa, letting her purse slide to the floor while Gary turned on the TV, and Candace ran for her box of toys in the corner of the room. “I’m fine, but I need to change phones if I’m going to hear you over the TV. Can you hold on a moment?”

  “Certainly.”

  Heather grabbed the cordless from the kitchen, hung the one up in the living room, then headed for her bedroom and relative quiet. “Okay, this should be better.”

  His quiet chuckle and calming voice reminded her of Darrell. Howard probably never broke a sweat either. Matt’s muscled biceps and sweat-stained T-shirt filled her mind.