“Because I’m going to be her—Her friend.”
Jack sure was acting strange today, Elizabeth thought. “Aren’t you going back out?”
“No, I think I’ll stay in the rest of the day. The cold is bitter and the kitchen is warm. You and Brady can decorate cookies and I’ll feed Jenny.”
Elizabeth hesitated, but she wanted the experience to be good for Brady, so she agreed.
By the end of the afternoon Brady had made a plateful of unusually decorated cookies. But he thought they were terrific and that was good enough for her. He even took one of them to feed to Jack.
Jack seemed to enjoy the family scene too, which surprised Elizabeth. In fact, she had such a good time she didn’t realize it was past time to make dinner. She hurriedly cleaned up.
“Elizabeth, why don’t we go to a restaurant?” Jack offered. “You’ve been working all day.”
“Jack, that’s ridiculous. It’s my job.”
“I’d like some good Mexican food to warm me up. How about you, Brady? Would you like some Mexican food?”
“What’s that?”
“It’s food that they serve at José’s Bar & Grill in town. It’s really good. Want to go?”
“Jack, you go. It’s too hard for Brady, Jenny and me.”
“No, I refuse to go without you. Just grab your coats and I’ll take care of everything.”
Fifteen minutes later they entered the restaurant, warm and redolent with Mexican spices. Jack settled Jenny’s car seat on an upturned chair and helped Elizabeth off with her coat. “We never did get you a new coat.”
“I’m sure it’s not worth an hour-long drive to Oklahoma City.”
“Well, we do have one store that has coats, but it’s kind of a Western store. I don’t know if you’ll find what you want.”
“We’ll see.”
“Hey, Jack,” a voice called from across the restaurant.
“Hey, Bill,” Jack answered. “Come on over and I’ll introduce you. Elizabeth, this is Bill ‘José’ Metcalf. He’s the owner of this place.”
“Hello, Mr. Metcalf. Do I call you Bill or José?”
“Anything you want, darlin’.”
Jack’s arm came around Elizabeth. “Hands off, pal. This is Reggie’s widow.”
Elizabeth was startled by Jack’s behavior. “Jack, you shouldn’t—I mean, I’m very glad to meet you, Bill.”
Elizabeth met several more people through Jack, and it was a a fun evening away from her responsibilities. Brady loved the Mexican food, especially the chips and queso. In fact he ate so much he fell asleep before it was time to leave.
“It’s a good thing I’m with you,” Jack said. “Otherwise you’d be hard put to get both kids home.”
“I can carry them.”
“Not together you can’t. I’ll take Brady, you take Jenny.”
“But we have to pay.”
“I’ll take care of it. Just a second.”
“No, you can’t pay for us,” Elizabeth protested.
“Honey, it’s too late.”
Before she could ask what he meant, Jack got up. She’d hoped to come again, but not if he was going to insist on paying. Then again, he’d be leaving soon.
Once they were in the truck driving home, both children asleep, Jack asked, “What did you think of José’s?”
“I liked it.”
“Good, we can go eat there again.”
“We?”
“Yeah. Why not?” Jack asked.
“Because I think you’ll be gone.”
“Did you know José’s does Christmas dinner for a lot of people?”
“You think I’m going to eat Christmas dinner at José’s?”
“No, I thought you might volunteer.”
“Volunteer for what?”
“He feeds a lot of people who otherwise couldn’t afford it or who don’t have a place to go for Christmas. A lot of us have gotten together to help him. It’s a nice thing for Christmas.”
Elizabeth didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I’d be willing to help out if you’re sure they’ll welcome me to the group. It will be a nice way to say thank you for all the blessings I’ve received.”
“Good. I’ll let them know. You realize it’s hard work, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I can do hard work.”
“It will be a good way to get to know everyone.”
“Yes, I’m sure you’re right.”
They rode in silence for several minutes. Then Jack asked a question he’d wanted to know the answer to. “Did Reggie come to see you after you found out you were pregnant?”
“With Jenny? No. When I told him I was pregnant, he was furious. He accused me of taking a lover.”
“That must have been difficult.”
“Yes.” She didn’t add anything else. The emotions she’d felt at his response to her pregnancy had destroyed any hope of a marriage between them. Still, she’d held on to hope until Jenny was born. By then, it had been too late.
“Did you ever discuss Jenny’s birth with him after that?”
“No, he didn’t want to listen.”
“I’m glad Jenny doesn’t have to know that.”
“I certainly don’t intend to tell her.”
“Me, neither.”
When he turned the truck into the driveway, Elizabeth glanced ahead at the house. It was brightly lit. But how? She was sure they’d carefully locked up before they’d left. “Jack, did we leave that many lights on when we left?”
He focused on the house. “No, we didn’t.”
“Who could it be? Tom and Carol aren’t due back for another five days!”
“I guess we’ll find out.” He turned to her. “Stay here with the doors locked while I check out the house.”
She didn’t argue, but she stared after him, praying for his safety.
“Mommy?”
“Oh, Brady. I didn’t know you were awake.”
“Why aren’t we getting out?”
“Jack is checking out the house. Some lights were turned on that we thought we’d turned off.”
“Do you think someone is stealing our presents?” Brady asked, his eyes big.
“I don’t know, sweetie.”
Just then Jack came out on the porch and reached for Elizabeth’s door. “We have a surprise. Come on in.”
When he realized Brady was awake, he reached out for the boy. “Come on, little guy. I think you’ll like this surprise.”
That unleashed Brady’s many questions. Elizabeth smiled as she gathered up Jenny and climbed out of the truck.
When she opened the door