Ever After by Carolyne Aarsen

Author:Carolyne Aarsen [Aarsen, Carolyne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Misty Ridge Publishing
Published: 2020-04-01T05:00:00+00:00

“Seriously, Jodie?” Denny tucked his phone under his chin as he unbuckled Ella from her car seat. It was Sunday morning and he had come to church early. He was looking forward to the service. Then his sister called, effectively ruining his Sunday peace. “You promised you would come and I need you.”

“Sorry. I know I said that,” Jodie said. “But when I told my boss I was quitting, he said he’d give me a bonus if I stuck around another week, and you know I can use the money.”

Denny pulled Ella out of the backseat of his truck and kicked the door shut. He wanted to remind Jodie of the times he’d helped her but knew that could awaken a more painful subject.

Because of his poor choice, Jodie had had to move from her home.

“I thought you had some lady helping you out,” Jodie said.

“I can’t keep asking her to come. She has her own business to run.” And he knew that in spite of the havoc and turmoil in his own life, he was growing too attached to Evangeline. That moment in his kitchen when he had impulsively reached out and touched her had lingered long after she’d left. He couldn’t afford to be distracted.

Carrying Ella, he walked around to the other side of the truck and pulled out the diaper bag Evangeline had readied for him yesterday when she’d brought Ella to the ranch. Last week he’d come to church completely unprepared. This week he didn’t want to look like a poor father.

“I’ll come as soon as I’m done with this job,” Jodie promised. “Next week.”

He’d simply have to be satisfied with that. “I’ll see you by the end of next week, Jodie,” he warned her.

“Looking forward to meeting my little niece.”

“I hope so.” He was nearing the front doors of the church. “I gotta go. Send me a text when you know when you’re coming.”

“Roger that.” She signed off, leaving Denny in the lurch once again.

Denny sighed, turned his phone to silent and slipped it into his shirt pocket. Sisters. Never there when he needed them, only there when they wanted something from him. Now he would have to ask Evangeline to continue to help him.

That thought frightened him and sent anticipation singing through him at the same time. As he pulled open the door of the church the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee assaulted his nostrils. He’d missed his morning coffee and his breakfast.

While he’d fed Ella he’d been on the phone going over final details with Carlos, then arranging for more feed for the cows. Taking care of everyone but himself.

And trying not to remember Evangeline sitting across from him a few days ago as she ate supper with him as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

As she listened to him talk about his faith. After she’d left he’d felt as if he had come on a bit strong. He’d only wanted her to know that God cared for her.

Because you’re starting to care about her.

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