Learning to Lean, Page 6

  Matt grinned in welcome. “I’m sure glad you came. You know cooking on a grill is man’s work. Did you ever help your dad do this?”

  Brad sent a sharp look toward Matt. When he didn’t answer, Matt wondered if he’d overstepped a boundary. Finally Brad shrugged as if he didn’t much care. “Sure, lots of times.”

  “Great, because I need to go inside for a minute. I forgot my special barbecue sauce. Would you mind taking over for me? You know, flip the steaks and hamburgers so they won’t burn and kind of keep an eye on things.” Matt clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Like I said, it’s good to have someone trustworthy to fill in. Thanks.”

  By the time Matt slipped past Becka to peek at Heather’s chocolate cake and steaming corn on the cob, grabbed his barbecue sauce, and headed outside again, Brad no longer wore a sullen look. He wasn’t smiling, but he didn’t look like a gallows awaited him either.

  Matt added the sauce and let Brad take up the cooked meat while he turned to the younger boys. “Ricky, Gary, swing down from the tree and help. It’s time to eat.”

  “Food.” Ricky yelled as he scrambled down the ladder with Gary behind him.

  “Go inside.” Matt told them. “Heather and Becka will tell you what to do.”

  Almost an hour later, Matt tossed his paper plate in the trash then leaned back in his lawn chair with a satisfied feeling. He patted his stomach. “You ladies are good cooks.”

  Heather and Becka shared a smile, and both spoke at the same time. “Thank you.”

  They laughed, and Brad straightened in his chair. “Hey, don’t forget who cooked the meat.”

  “Yes,” Heather smiled. “I saw you. I’ll have to remember how good a cook you are. It might come in handy sometime.”

  “Don’t get any ideas.” Brad’s exaggerated frown expressed pleasure instead of anger.

  Matt laughed with the others and watched the younger boys climb up into the tree house. They seemed to be getting along great. The two little girls played nearby with toys from the house. Heather and Becka acted as comfortable together as… The words mother and daughter stuck in his mind without being fully formed. Friends. Old friends sounded better.

  “You have a nice place here.” Heather’s comment brought Matt’s attention to her.

  “Thanks. It isn’t bad, but I hope to build my own house someday. I’m looking for an acreage not far outside town.”

  Heather’s eye brightened. “That sounds wonderful. I’ve been saving for a house forever.” A becoming shade of pink touched her cheeks. “We live in a rental. It’s too small and it’s falling down around us. The landlord doesn’t want to pour money into it, and I won’t.”

  Matt nodded. “I understand. I’m renting this place, too. It’s nice enough, but it isn’t home.”

  “That’s how I feel.” Heather leaned forward as she talked about the house she wanted. “I’d like at least three bedrooms, although four would be better. And a dining room would be nice, but mostly I want a separate room for laundry.”

  Becka stood and looked at Brad. “I’ve got a new video game if you’d like to play.”

  Brad shrugged.

  “Of course, if you’re afraid a girl might beat you…” Becka grinned at him.

  “No way.” Brad jumped up. “Lead the way, and I’ll show you.”

  Matt chuckled at the look on Heather’s face. Her eyes grew wide and then she smiled. “If he keeps acting like this, I’m going to think he’s having fun.”

  “I hope he is.” Matt smiled at Heather and wondered why he felt so content.

  He and Heather sat in lawn chairs beside a folding table covered with the remains of dinner and talked. Time stood still for Matt, as the four younger children’s voices became background noise to Heather’s alto. They discussed everything from architecture to Heather’s last trip to the zoo with her kids.

  “Candace wanted to pet the giraffe that kept sticking its long neck over the fence. Until she saw its tongue and got scared.”

  “How did the tongue scare her?” Matt was as much enthralled with the woman as her story.

  “A giraffe’s tongue is black. She cried until we walked away. She thought the giraffe ate dirt. She doesn’t like getting dirty.”

  Matt glanced toward the two little girls playing nearby in the grass. He chuckled. “Kids are interesting people. Each is unique. I hope she didn’t have any nightmares from her experience.”

  Heather smiled. “No, no lasting effects.”

  Kristi picked that moment to stand and toddle to Heather. Matt watched his youngest daughter lift her hands toward a woman she barely knew. “Uppy.”

  Heather slipped in a hug and kiss, as she settled the little girl on her lap. “Hey, sweetheart, did you get tired of playing?”

  Matt had never seen another woman so natural around someone else’s kids. Of course, caring for other people’s kids was Heather’s job. But taking care of and really caring about them were two different things. And unless he was a poor judge of character, Heather really cared.

  “Mama, me.” Candace tried to climb into her mother’s lap. Heather scooped her up with one arm making room for her, too. Holding both little girls close, she murmured to them and kissed them each.

  Matt couldn’t stop the warmth spreading through his heart at the scene. Kristi appeared so content and happy. Becka did her best, but Kristi needed a mother’s love. He turned away, fighting the pull of his heart toward a woman who, as far as he’d been able to figure, didn’t go to church and maybe didn’t trust in God.

  ~*~*~*~

  ~Six~

  “The school kids are here.” Darlene set a tray of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the kitchen counter.

  Heather turned her attention toward the muted sounds of children approaching. Young voices chattering to each other grew in volume and filled the daycare as Jan opened the door and ushered in twenty kids ranging in age from five to twelve years.

  The first day of school. Heather shook her head and shoved away from the counter to help Jan. The kids were wound tighter than a rubber band.

  “We’ve got enough hooks here for your coats and bags.” She pointed to the row of coat hooks on the wall.

  “We didn’t wear coats. It’s too hot.” One girl protested.

  Heather smiled. “I know, Dallas. I’m thinking ahead for when you do have coats. For now put your bags on the hooks so you know where they are. All right?”

  A scramble followed, as the kids disposed of backpacks as quickly as possible before disappearing outdoors. Jan went too, with a wave over her shoulder. “Are you bringing snacks?”

  Heather nodded. “Yes, I’ll be just a minute.”

  “Works for me.” Jan jerked around as something whizzed past her shoulder. “Hey, Tommy, if you want to throw something, use a ball.”

  “Mrs. Conway?” Becka stood beside Heather.

  “Hi.” Heather picked up a bag lying on the floor.

  “Can I help with the little ones?” Becka asked with an eager light in her eyes.

  “Oh, would you, sweetheart?” Heather gave a short laugh. “They’ve been wandering around all day lost without you big kids here.”

  “Really?” Becka’s eye widened.

  “Well, we’ve kept them pretty busy,” Heather admitted. “I started preschool today, so they’re ready for some serious playing right about now, I imagine.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Conway.” Becka started away and then turned around. “I’m sorry. I forgot you said I should call you Heather.”

  Heather laughed. “Becka, it’s refreshing to be treated with respect. But yes, you might as well call me Heather. Everyone else does and besides, friends usually call each other by their given names.”

  Becka’s eyes sparkled. “All right! I won’t forget again, Heather.”

  Heather watched Becka run out the door before going into the kitchen. She lifted the two trays piled with sandwiches cut into squares and triangles. She stepped through the door and braced herself for the
rush of hungry kids.

  She held the trays high and reminded them, “Form a line. No snacks until you’ve formed a line.”

  They knew the drill, although a few always tried to bend the rules. Jan moved along the line bringing order until she reached Heather.

  “Want me to take a tray while you serve the little ones? Toni and Becka have them pretty well under control.”

  “Thanks.” Heather handed the tray to Jan and headed toward the swings. She glanced down the street in front and wondered why Brad hadn’t shown up yet.

  At the swings, she handed the tray to Becka. “Would you like to pass out snacks?”

  “Sure.” Becka knelt in the loose pebbles covering the play area while the little ones each took a sandwich.

  Heather stood with Toni and watched the teen talk to the young children. Several stayed to lean against her, and Heather was amazed at how natural Becka acted with them.

  Others ran off to play, but Candace reached for her mother. Heather sat in a swing with her daughter on her lap gently swaying. Kristi toddled over and lifted her hands, one clutching a squished sandwich. “Uppy.”

  Heather laughed. “This is becoming a familiar routine. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you are jealous of Candace and vice versus.”

  Toni set a little boy in another swing. “Hold tight.” As she pushed his swing into motion, she asked, “Are we competing for attention?”

  Heather shrugged. “Something seems to be going on between these two. If I pick one up, the other comes running. I haven’t noticed Candace doing that with any other kids.”

  “Hmmm.” Toni’s eyebrows drew together. “Could be she senses you’re especially fond of Kristi.”

  “No more than Justin.” Heather nodded toward the little boy Toni was swinging. “Or Katie, or Davey, or Lance, or—”

  Toni laughed. “Stop, I get the picture. I’m not sure you know what you’re talking about, though. Kids usually see things like that before we do.”

  “What do you mean? Like…” Heather glanced toward Becka who seemed more interested in helping a little girl on the slide than in their conversation. Still, she lowered her voice. “You think I’m partial to Kristi? Why would I be?”

  Toni laughed again. “Indeed, why would you be? She’s an adorable two-year-old, but she isn’t the only cute member of her family.”

  “Toni!” Heather knew her face now matched the color of the late blooming roses in the neighbor’s yard across the fence. She gave a pointed look at Becka again, this time trying to warn Toni to keep her voice down.

  “I’ll be quiet.” Toni took the hint. “But that won’t change anything, will it?”

  “Mom, Mom!” Gary ran across the playground with Ricky in hot pursuit. The two boys had become close friends, and Heather welcomed their interruption. They both skidded to a stop just short of her and the two little girls.

  “To what do I owe this great pleasure?”

  “Huh?” Gary’s nose wrinkled, but he didn’t wait for an explanation. “Can I go with Ricky to Sunday school? He asked me to. Please? ”

  She might have expected an invitation to the movies or an overnight camping trip. Maybe an invite to Cub Scouts, but not this. Not church. She searched her mind for an easy way out. Surely she could think of some place to go Sunday.

  “Please, Mrs. Conway.” Ricky turned big brown eyes and a pouty lip toward her, then he grinned as if he knew she’d give in.

  She almost did. Until she realized she might not approve of the church he went to.

  “I don’t know guys. Where do you go to church, Ricky?”

  “Bible Community.” His eyes lit up. “It’s great. You’d really like it there. Please, can Gary come? My dad will pick him up in our Bronco.”

  Bible Community. Even the name brought a rush of memories, good and bad. But she had to admit, mostly good. She hadn’t set foot inside the church since Darrell died. After her husband’s funeral, she walked out and never returned.

  The boys continued pleading with her to let Gary go. She shook her head. “I can’t give you an answer right now. Sunday is almost a week away. Let’s let it rest until Friday. Ask me again then, and I promise I’ll have an answer.”

  Slightly deflated they’d have to wait for permission, the boys ran off across the playground. Candace and Kristi scrambled down from Heather’s lap when she stopped swinging. She let them go and stood. She picked up the empty snack tray Becka had set aside and headed toward the house. Everything outside seemed to be running smoothly. She had enough work in her office to keep her busy for the rest of the day. Maybe by Friday Gary would forget about church so she wouldn’t have to tell him no. Even the thought of returning to church scared her.

  As she walked across the playground, Darlene stepped out the front door with the cordless phone in her hand. “Heather. Telephone.”

  Heather quickened her steps to take the phone. “Hello.”

  “How’s my favorite daycare provider?” Howard’s voice surprised her.

  “I’m fine, but I didn’t expect to hear from you ever again.” She moved down the hall to her office. From her desk she could see most of the playground. She watched the kids run and play while she relaxed and listened to Howard’s voice.

  He laughed. “Don’t underestimate me.”

  “I guess I shouldn’t.” She wondered what he wanted.

  “To prove how resilient I am, would you give me another try?”

  “Are you certain you know what you’re asking? Have you already forgotten Friday night?”

  “Hey, I can wear a rain suit.” He sounded amused. Then his voice dropped a notch. “I haven’t given up yet, Heather.”

  Heather pulled the phone away and frowned at it. Unsure of her romantic feelings toward Howard, she certainly didn’t understand him. Why did he want to date her? Did he care for her? She liked Howard all right. She really liked his money. So why did the memory of Matt and Brad standing together at the grill pop into her head at that moment?

  She returned the phone to her ear when she heard Howard’s voice. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “I’ll pick you and your kids up Saturday evening. Ask Brent if he’d like to go this time, too. Okay?”

  “Brad.” She thought of Howard’s money and her own insignificant bank account. “All right, Howard. I’d love to try again. How can I refuse when you’re so brave?”

  His laughter rang in her ear. “Great. I’ll look forward to seeing you. And the kids.”

  “Okay, but there’s a catch.” She stopped him from hanging up. “I’d like to find a sitter this time, if you don’t mind. I’ll ask around and let you know.”

  “Honestly, Heather, I don’t mind.” He sounded sincere. “As much as I know I’ll enjoy an evening alone with you, it’s all right with me if we take the kids.”

  Heather hung up a couple of minutes later and rubbed the tight spot between her eyebrows. Howard didn’t mind having the kids along, but he couldn’t get Brad’s name right.

  At the thought of Brad, she called her home number. Three rings later, he picked up. “Brad, are you all right?”

  “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?” He sounded annoyed.

  “Because it’s your first day of high school. I fully expected you to stop by here and let me know how things went for you.” She hated to sound like a nagging mother, but he should know she worried about him.

  A voice broke the silence, and Brad coughed.

  “Brad, is someone there with you?”

  “Just me and the TV. No one else.”

  “All right. Don’t make a mess, okay? And, if you’ve got homework, please get it done.”

  “Sure, Mom. See ya later.”

  ~*~

  Matt stirred seasoning into hamburger before adding a couple of cans of chili beans. When Eva became too sick to cook, he quickly learned. He’d become pretty good with the simple stuff like chili and spaghetti. Sometimes Becka tried something more elaborate, but most of their meals were pret
ty basic.

  “Hey, Dad.” Ricky skidded to a stop inside the kitchen door. “I invited Gary to church, and he wants to go.”

  Matt wiped his hands on a towel and turned full attention on his son. “That’s good, but did you think to ask his mom’s permission?”

  “Yeah.” Ricky shrugged. “She said she’d get back to us. We can pick him up at his house, can’t we?”

  “Sure, we’ll give him a ride, but let’s see what Mrs. Conway has to say. Did she act like it might be okay?”

  Ricky scrunched his face and shook his head. “I don’t know. She looked kind of mad at first when I told her where we go. Then she said to ask again on Friday. I guess she has to think about it first.”

  What kind of woman had to think over an invitation to church? More likely she would try to think of a good excuse to keep Gary home. Matt turned the burner off. “Go tell your sisters supper’s ready.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  Matt set the chili on the table. Maybe Heather thought he put Ricky up to asking Gary as a way to get her to church. Or, worse yet, to pave the way for a deeper friendship between the two of them.

  As soon as they finished eating, Matt left Ricky rinsing dishes while Becka put them in the dishwasher with Kristi getting in the way. He went into the living room and grabbed the phone book for Heather’s number. She answered on the second ring.

  “Hey, Heather, this is Matt Sanders.”

  “Oh, hi.” She sounded surprised to hear from him.

  “Listen, I’d really like to talk to you about something, but not on the phone. Could you meet me somewhere?”

  “Did something happen at daycare?” Her voice rose.

  “No, it’s nothing bad.” Matt quickly reassured her. “I just can’t talk in front of my kids. They’ll be in here any minute. Do you know of someplace we could go for a cup of coffee? Can you get away right now?”

  “Yes, there’s a café on the highway. A diner, actually. You can’t miss it.”

  “That would be Goldie’s, right?”

  She laughed. “Right. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Is that okay?”