She was about to get up and finish some work before her mother came home for dinner when she heard a truck idling out on the street.
Surprised that anyone would be stopping by this late in the day, she held her foot on the floor to halt the swing. When David Ryland got out of the truck, Anna gulped in a breath to hide her shock.
“Hello,” she called, waving to him as he walked up the steps.
“Hello, yourself,” he said in response. Then he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, staying on the steps while he surveyed the house. “Impressive.”
Anna got up, too nervous to sit still. “The house was built around the turn of the century—1901 I think. My mother knows the entire history of this place.”
He nodded then glanced out at the old oaks and tall pines. “So this is where you live and work.”
“Yes.” She nodded, her hands clasped in front of her. “So what brings you to see us today anyway?”
He grinned then scratched his thick short hair. “I guess I’m here to volunteer. At least, that’s what Chaplain Steve suggested this morning.”
“You don’t look so sure,” Anna replied. In fact, he looked downright uncomfortable.
“Oh, I don’t mind volunteering,” he said. “It’s just that…well…I’ve been on the front for so long, I guess I’ve forgotten how to talk to a woman.”
Anna chuckled, hoping to hide the blush moving down her face. “But you were around women in combat, right?”
“Uh, right. Whole different kind of thing.” He shrugged. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen a pretty woman sitting in a swing on a summer night.”
“Oh, I see.” Anna liked the way he drawled out his words. Then she said something that surprised them both. “You’re welcome to sit here with me for a while.”
“That would be nice,” he said, motioning to the swing. “But don’t let me keep you.”
“No, it’s okay. I was taking a break before I go back in to finish up some things.”
He let her settle into the swing then sat down beside her, his weight shifting the creaky chains. Anna thought how different it felt, having someone beside her in this old swing. Different and a bit disconcerting, considering how her mind went into sensory overdrive with this man. She noticed the fine hairs on his forearms, the soapy clean scent surrounding him. And she noticed how he kept giving her an almost shy smile.
“So where do I sign up?” he asked.
“How good are you with a hammer and nails, Chief?”
David gave her a deadpan look then said, “Well, ma’am, It’s been a while but I think I remember how to swing a hammer. But I might hit my thumb instead if you smile at me and distract me.”
Anna’s blush reheated. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He nodded, laughing. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do around here. I just need to stay busy.”
She relaxed, and fought the temptation to fan herself. What on earth was wrong with her? She was acting like her mother. Never one for theatrics, Anna gave herself a serious reprimand and reminded herself she couldn’t get involved with this man, for oh so many reasons. “I’ll just take you out back to the playground. We’re trying to rebuild it so it can be up to code. We’ll have several volunteers coming in the morning to pack boxes and such, and I think you’ll enjoy working on that type of project. And the back porch steps need repairing. If you don’t mind.”
He gave her one of those killer smiles. “Don’t mind one bit. It’ll be nice to be out in the open without having to worry about getting shot or blown up.”
She slanted her head toward him. “I can show you what needs to be done right now, if you want.”
“That’s fine, as long as I’m not keeping you from something else. I mean, it is quitting time and I’m sure you have an after-hours life.”
Anna had to laugh at that. “Oh, yes. Very exciting. I get to go upstairs and settle down with more paperwork.”
“Do you ever just get away from this place and have fun?”
“Hmm, let me see.” She pursed her lips. “It’s been a while. But I did go for ice cream with some of my coworkers last week.”
“I like ice cream. Maybe I can help in that department,” he said, the gleam in his eyes enticing.
“Uh, about that playground—” She got up to find some breathing room. Turning she said, “If you’ll just follow me.”
She didn’t miss the appreciative look he gave her. “So what exactly goes on around here?” he asked as they walked inside into the cool, dark hallway of the old house. “I know all about what your organization does, but what actually goes on back here?”
She turned at the porch door and said, “Oh, all kinds of things. We gather supplies to send to the war, we keep clothing on hand to give to the families of the soldiers and to give to those in other countries who are affected by the war, and well…we do whatever we can to help the children, including letting some of them live here temporarily if need be until relatives or foster care can take them in. They’re our main concern. Some of them become neglected, even though they still have a parent here. The stress of being a single parent with a spouse overseas becomes too much for some. We try to help with that, too.”
David held the door open for her then squinted toward the setting sun. “I guess I was lucky that way, at least. My mother was a soldier stationed at Fort Bonnell, but she always took care of me, somehow. But that’s the thing about war. The children certainly suffer more than anyone else and they’re so helpless.”
“Yes, they are,” she said, her mind whirling with a million questions about his childhood. “So you don’t have any relatives close by?”
He looked down at the gray boards of the porch. “No, I don’t. My mother moved to Louisiana and…I never knew my father.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” She waited a beat then gave him a direct look. “Then I guess you really do understand…about why Children of the Day is so important.”
David nodded. “Oh, I understand, all right. That’s why I took Chaplain Steve up on his suggestion and came here to volunteer. I know exactly what it’s like to be little and afraid, and full of anger and questions.”
Anna saw darkness in his eyes and wondered just how much this man had suffered. She’d lost her father when she was young, but David had never even known his. That kind of pain left a deep, cutting scar.
But it immediately endeared him to Anna and made her want to nurture him and help him to heal. After all, that was her job.
Chapter Four
Early the next morning Anna heard the whine of a sports car’s gears shifting outside the house. Glancing up, she saw her best friend Trisha Morrison bringing her shiny white roadster to a grinding stop just inside the driveway. It didn’t take Trisha long to make her way into the front lobby then straight into Anna’s office, shutting the glass-paned door after her.
“Hi,” Anna said, waving. Then she noticed Trisha’s downcast look. Since Trisha was usually bubbly and outgoing, Anna knew something was wrong. “Trisha?”
Trisha burst into tears. “Anna, I need…”
Anna jumped up to come around the desk. “Trisha, what on earth’s the matter? Did you break up with Nick again?”