“Isn’t there anything I can do to convince you, Bryan?”
He shook his head. “The decision’s been made. Cass and her husband will be able to give him everything I can’t.”
“Everything you won’t, you mean!” Laura stood and paced the floor. “Tell me that you don’t love the idea of raising that little boy, Bryan—of coaching his football team, of sharing an ice-cream cone…”
“Stop it, Laura. This isn’t your problem.”
As if he’d totally worn her out, she clipped each word. “Put the past behind you.”
Thinking of the many times he’d seen that dreamy look appear in her clear blue eyes when talking of her husband, Bryan realized she was as guilty as he. “Is that how you manage?” He turned and faced her, his voice thick with sarcasm. How different his life would be now if his wife had ever felt for him what Laura had for Todd.
She looked as if he’d slapped her. “I do the best I can, but I couldn’t have made it through the past few months without God.”
“I think I burned those bridges behind me a long time ago.”
She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze straight on. Two deep breaths, and her anger was replaced with a serene confidence. “He doesn’t keep score, Bryan. He knows your needs and is just waiting for the invitation to help.”
“Sometimes, it’s just not that easy…”
Jacob started crying, yet Bryan hesitated. Laura looked down the hall, then back to him. He could see the panic in her eyes, almost feel her heart racing, trying desperately to scheme a way to mend his rotting soul.
“There’s a Sunday morning singles’ class I’ve been attending. I was reluctant at first, but it’s been very helpful. If you’re interested…let me know.”
She turned and walked out the door.
“Don’t hold your breath,” Bryan grumbled.
“Why do we have to go to another football game?” Carrie complained.
“It’s not T.J.’s game, Carrie. It’s the Broncos’. At Mile High Stadium, like on T.V.” Laura poked the needle through the canvas and pulled the floss taught, then crossed the square to complete the stitch.
“It’s still football.”
Laura took a deep breath and counted to ten. After the way she’d lectured Bryan the week before, she figured she owed it to him to try his advice on parenting. “If you want to stay here, that’s fine. You could go to Lisa’s house while the boys and I are gone. I’m not making that decision for you. Just let me know your answer so I can let Bryan know how many tickets we’ll need.”
Her daughter straightened her back, the whiny attitude replaced with interest. “Bryan’s going with us?”
“T.J.’s entire football team is going. They needed a parent to go along, and Bryan was nice enough to ask us.”
She’d been ready to say no after their discussion on Thanksgiving day. But he’d come in the door the following Monday morning and admitted that she’d hit a nerve.
While he hadn’t agreed to go to church with her, he seemed curious. For his and Jacob’s sake, she vowed to do anything she could to convince Bryan to keep his son.
At the game a week later, Bryan absentmindedly handed a granola bar to one of the boys. He watched Kevin and Laura come down the steps with refreshments. Kevin leaned provocatively close, and she blushed in response to whatever he’d whispered in her ear.
Laura handed the tray of snacks to Carrie, who was sitting next to Bryan. As she stepped over several boys, tiptoeing through their gear, Laura lost her balance. Bryan jumped up, but it was Kevin who grabbed her around the waist and helped her regain her footing. Bryan’s glare brought a raised eyebrow and mischievous smile from his friend.
This day couldn’t end a minute too soon. It had been pathetic. The Broncos won, T.J. and the rest of the team had had a great time, Chad was enthralled with everything, and even Carrie appeared to have enjoyed herself. None of that mattered. It was Laura that had been the center of his attention. There was no doubt in his mind, she’d had a great time, too. Why wouldn’t she? Kevin didn’t taken his attention from her the entire game.
Daylight quickly faded into darkness during the last quarter. As they left the stadium, Kevin caught up to Bryan. “Great game, huh? Say, I’ve been thinking, Laura shouldn’t drive back after dark with a bunch of kids to handle.”
Bryan had thought the same thing, but reasoned that she had more experience dealing with a car full of kids than he did. Still, her van had been acting up lately and she might need help. He glared at Kevin. “Well, I guess that leaves you to do the noble duty then, doesn’t it? I have to drive the company van.”
Kevin smiled. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”
“When did you become so chivalrous?” Bryan grumbled, and continued to lead the group back to the parking lot.
Laura helped the kids load their backpacks and accepted Kevin’s offer to help with the kids. She followed close behind Bryan’s van until they were on the interstate, then let the distance between them grow.
They arrived at the school twenty minutes earlier than expected, but streetlights illuminated the grounds. The kids raced to the playground as Kevin joined Bryan.
“That is one terrific woman,” Kevin said.
Bryan watched his friend’s gaze return to Laura, who was sorting through the scattered gear left in her van. As she leaned over the seat, he knew exactly what Kevin was thinking.
“Quit playing your games, Kevin. Not with Laura.”
“Who says it’s a game?”
Kevin tossed his coat into the company van, then returned to Laura, appearing to be offering his help. Bryan continued to supervise kids and greet parents. When Laura leaned over the middle seat, Kevin moved closer to her, blocking Bryan’s view of her completely.
While they waited, Bryan threw the football with the boys, keeping one eye on Laura’s van. He fought the temptation to see just how accurate his throwing arm was after all these years.
Why do I care? A woman is the last thing I need complicating my life right now! Forget her. In just three more weeks, Jacob will be with Cassandra, and everything will get back to normal.
He realized how much he had come to respect and admire Laura Bates. She was compassionate and sensitive. Charming and intelligent. Dignified and beautiful. And how he’d tried to ignore his growing feelings for her. Even reminding himself of Andrea’s betrayal didn’t taint the warmth he experienced when Laura was around. Their conversation from Thanksgiving day played over and over in his mind like a stuck record. If there’d been any doubt before, it became clear that day. Nothing meant more to Laura than her family. She’d never understand his decision.
Three weeks. If I can just survive three more weeks.
After the other parents left, she approached him.
“Thanks for the tickets, Bryan. We had a great time.”
“Glad you could come. You and Kevin certainly seemed to enjoy yourselves.”
“He’s something else.”