The Least of These. by Kathleen Neely

Author:Kathleen Neely
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Fiction, inspirational fiction, Clean and Wholesome Novels, Religion and Spirituality
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2019-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

16

Claire Bassett

It didn’t take long before Jonathan was asking me out again.

“Saturday afternoon. How about that Lake Arthur picnic? We’re running out of days before the snow flies.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. I need to save weekend days for Isabella. She’s in school all week and needs time with me.”

“Bring her. I’d love to meet her. You know how smitten I am with Hannah.”

That would definitely not happen. I gave him a sad smile. “You know I can’t do that.”

“OK. Saturday night? How about a movie?”

“Not this Saturday. I’ve got some things I need to do.”

Things like reading my daughter a book or watching a movie with my parents.

I couldn’t fully explain. I did want to see him again, but every weekend felt like a commitment I wasn’t prepared to make. My mother would jump to conclusions. She’d have me out looking for a divorce lawyer. Besides all of that, I was far too vulnerable around him. No, I needed to limit the time spent with Jonathan.

I offered an alternative so he wouldn’t be too disheartened. “How about the following Saturday? A movie sounds good. I haven’t been to one for ages.”

He flashed a broad grin. “The following Saturday it is. I’ll check to see what’s playing when it gets closer.”

“I better get back to work.” I swept my hand over the stacks of paper on my desk. This was our workplace, deserving of respect. There were enough wagging tongues whispering my name.

“Lunch today?”

Without answering, I repeated my hand motion, indicating a heavy work load.

With his back to anyone within view, he touched his fingers to his lips, and with the same fingers, tapped my cheek. Then he turned and was gone. My cheek warmed with the heat of his touch.

~*~

I was two separate people with two distinct focuses. I continued to pray for Andrew, to caress the face in my frame, and dampen my pillow at night with tears. And then I’d find myself eager to walk into my office, see Jonathan’s impish grin, and feel him weaving his fingers with mine. How double-minded was that. I was betraying both men.

And if that wasn’t enough confusion for my mind, I kept seeing Andrew sleeping in doorways or begging for food. That seed of thought was planted even though my logical mind told me it was impossible. Every time it surfaced, I chased it away with a prayer or Bible verse or by humming a tune. Anything to erase the picture. Take captive every thought.

Following dinner, Dad took Isabella and Drew for a short walk around the neighborhood. A text message came in, but I continued cleaning the dishes.

Mother turned toward the sound. “Claire, did I hear your phone making little noises?”

I dried a plate and stacked it with the others. “Yes, Mom. No hurry. It’s in my bedroom. I’ll get it in a little bit.”

She stopped in the middle of wiping Drew’s highchair tray. “Do you want me to go get it for you?”

“No, thanks. I’m almost done here.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.