Forever In My Heart by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

Laureen loved his company. He made her feel protected and cherished rather than the person who always had to be controlling things. It would be pleasant to have that sort of refuge at the end of each day. And if he accepted her commitment to her job and the kids. . .

Perhaps God had brought them together for that reason. To give her someone for her.

She chided herself. That sounded so selfish. God was enough. He was her rock and her fortress.

But it would be nice to share her concerns with someone. After all, even God had said it wasn’t good for man to be alone. Sometimes it wasn’t so good for a woman, either.

She slipped from the swing and stood facing him. Neither of them moved.

The only sound came from the birds visiting in the nearby trees. She waited, wondering if he felt the possibilities as much as she did.

But he only reached for her hand. “Let’s walk some more.”

They continued touring the streets of old Freetown. Laureen pointed out a flash as a blue jay darted between the branches of a dusty evergreen, the newly painted gingerbread trim on a house, the exuberant purple on another house, the thread of music from someone playing a piano, the heady scent of petunias as they breathed into the late hours of the day.

Pete laughed at her comments and squeezed her hand when she recalled events from her childhood. They paused beneath a thick overhang of pine boughs to study a little picture book abandoned there.

As he bent over the pages, she studied his face. In the dusky shadows his expression was cloaked.

He looked up and caught her staring.

“Laureen? What is it?”

She shook her head. “I was just thinking.”

“About me? About us?”

“Maybe.”

“Is there a maybe?”

Did he sound hopeful? Could she believe he had thought about them? “I don’t know.”

He tilted his head, and a finger of sunlight caught his dark eyes, revealing an expression she thought disclosed hesitation.

“I admit I enjoy your company,” she said, her voice slow and uncertain. It wasn’t what she wanted to say. She wanted to tell him how she yearned for him to understand her quandary—committed to her job yet longing for something more—maybe even a home of her own. It was an entirely new dilemma for her. Never before had she even considered she might need, or even want, a life apart from working with kids.

She forced herself to be lighthearted. “You’re such a good sport about being whipped in minigolf.”

“I let you win.” His smile deepened the corners of his mouth.

“Yeah, I believe that.”

He sobered. “Laureen, what happens when the workers at the home marry? Are they required to leave?”

“No. They can still work if they want to.” Her words sounded breathy. Was he wondering if they could work out something? “Some have married and stayed on staff.” They didn’t seem to stay long, but maybe they had their own reasons for moving on.

He didn’t make any further comment, just pulled her arm through his and led her home, taking the long scenic route.

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