“I hate to ask one more thing of you,” her sister-in-law continued. “So I apologize in advance. I know you intended to go home yesterday.”
“Never mind that.” She plucked absently at a woven place mat. “What can I do for you?”
“Until a few minutes ago, I’d forgotten the kindergarten Sunday school teacher is out of town this weekend. I’m her assistant. Her backup. Would you fill in for me this morning?”
That meant a room full of little kids, probably next door to the nursery. She’d be facing another battery of “do you remember me?” people, too. But how could she say no?
“I’ve prepared the lesson,” Meg rushed on. “The activities, too. Everything’s in the wicker trunk in the living room.”
“How many kids are we talking about?” Although she’d long dreamed of one of her own, Abby hadn’t much interaction with the younger set. Brother Ed had no children and Joe’s son, Davy, by his now-deceased first wife had grown up in San Diego, where she’d had no in-person contact with him until now.
“Usually four kids, maybe five. But this time of year, with the tourist season beginning, we plan for eight, then up to twelve once school is out and the season is in full swing.”
Potentially eight kids. “Ohhh...kay.”
“You don’t sound like it’s okay.”
Abby glanced down at her jeans and tank top. Not exactly grubbies, but hardly churchwear. She’d have to change. “I’m reconfiguring the morning in my mind. Davy and I aren’t quite ready to dash out the door.”
“Sometimes you have to light a fire under him to get him moving.”
“Oh, he’s up and had breakfast. We’ve run into a slight delay.” She hoped the yellow Lab hadn’t chewed up the shoe beyond repair. “Don’t worry about the class. I’ll have it covered.”
“Thanks, Abby. I feel bad asking people to step in at the last minute. I had to call the school district to tell them I’ll miss these final days of the semester.”
From the dismal tone of her voice, disappointment weighed heavily on the high school science teacher. It was obvious even from their brief acquaintance that she loved teaching and her students.
“Joe says you might be released this afternoon, so get plenty of rest. You and Jori—” she tried out the nickname on her tongue, still liking the sound of it “—need all your strength for the final big event.”
“Jori?”
“That’s what one of Davy’s riding instructors, Brett Marden, is calling her.”
“So you met Brett, did you?” A lilt of amusement colored Meg’s innocent question.
The image of Brett’s dancing eyes and flash of even white teeth returned with a rush. His “could be you’ll find something that catches your interest” comment echoed in her ears as she rubbed her palm down the side of her jeans, recalling yesterday’s surprisingly gentle touch when he’d unexpectedly taken her hand in his. “We spoke for a few minutes.”
“What do you think of him?”
She stood and moved to stand at the French door leading to the patio, focusing on the beautiful morning in an attempt to force out lingering images of her nephew’s riding instructor.
“He’s nice. Davy seems to like him.”
Meg snorted. “You’re holding back on me. How about the part that he’s gorgeous, has a killer smile and can charm the hair right off your head?”
“I guess I wasn’t paying that much attention.” Would lightning strike her for the denial?
Her sister-in-law’s laughter pealed through the phone. “It sounds as if we need to get your eyes checked. He has so many female hearts wrapped around his little finger it’s not even funny. So be on your toes, girl, if you run into him again.”
She wouldn’t be running into him again if she had anything to say about it. There was something unsettling about the man, something that set her senses on high alert with red flashing lights. Caution. Warning. Do not enter.
“You forget, Meg.” Abby shoved away thoughts of the too-friendly cowboy. “I’ve come out of a relationship that didn’t end in a happily ever after. I’m in no hurry to walk that path again.”
“I’m sorry. I forgot.”
Hearing the sincere regret in Meg’s voice, Abby wished she hadn’t said anything. She didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. Not about any of it, which is why she’d kept the truth behind Gene’s departure from her family and had allowed them to assume she’d broken off the relationship as she’d done others in the past. No one anticipating the celebration of a new arrival needed the downer of her childless reality intruding into their midst.
“That’s okay. I’m fine. I’m not looking for a replacement anytime soon.” Abby turned away from the pine-studded view to pace the kitchen floor. “So forget about me and concentrate on your new arrival. You’re going to have that baby before you know it.”
Meg sighed. “I hope so. I know God has it all under control, but yesterday I was so scared. I still am even though I’m trying not to be.”
Abby halted. It seemed strange for Meg to confide in her, an almost stranger. She must be searching for reassurance wherever she could get it. Would they have been friends by now had Abby not eschewed her brother’s wedding last year? Her relationship with Gene had been off to a promising start and he’d invited her to meet his Seattle-based parents during spring break—which happened to coincide with Joe and Meg’s wedding date. With hardly a second thought, she’d eagerly joined Gene. Bad choice on her part, in retrospect.
“I want my little girl to be healthy and happy,” the voice over the phone murmured softly.
“She will be, Meg. Everything’s going to be fine.” Would it? That’s what Brett said and, for some crazy reason, she’d believed him. He’d seemed so certain and had promised to pray. Abby had been praying, too, but felt like a hypocrite asking favors for someone when she’d seen prayers for herself come to nothing. “Take a deep breath and don’t worry about anything here. Davy and I will be on our way to church shortly.”
Just as soon as she got that shoe away from the pup.
Chapter Three
“Hey, who’s the gal with Davy Diaz?”
Jake Talford, standing outside the front door of Canyon Springs Christian Church, nodded toward the education wing of the building.
Brett turned to take a look and his spirits inexplicably took flight. As always, he felt a sense of anticipation as he approached the native stone building nestled among tall-trunked ponderosa pine trees, its bell tower topped by a cross. But today that expectancy was heightened by the sight of Abby ushering her nephew toward a side door. So she hadn’t gone home yesterday after all.
Abby was dressed in a black skirt, burgundy V-neck top and what his sisters called espadrilles, with her hair fastened behind her head in a schoolmarmish bun. Despite her reserved manner, the look didn’t suit her.
He watched until the pair disappeared inside, then turned back to his friend. “That’s Abby Diaz. Joe’s sister.”
The city councilman raised a brow. “You’re kidding. I didn’t know he had a sister.”
“Welcome to the club.” At least he wasn’t the lone person Joe hadn’t confided in.
They chatted for several more minutes about the promising Arizona Diamondbacks season and Jake and his fiancée’s