by Myra Johnson
Come tomorrow morning, he knew what he absolutely could not do—chicken out. Erin might understand and forgive him, but he’d never forgive himself.
As Erin drove away, he clenched his jaw and offered up the first prayer he’d prayed in too long to remember. This one’s on You, Lord. I may be doing the hard work of fixing up my house, but if You want me back, You’re gonna have to do an even bigger renovation of my heart.
Chapter Eight
After tucking Avery into bed Saturday night, Erin brought down the bag of goodies she’d hidden away in her closet for Avery’s Easter basket.
As she spread everything out on the coffee table, her brother Greg muted the basketball game he was watching. “Went all out, didn’t you? Sure Avery isn’t going to OD on chocolate?”
Erin laughed, “Probably.” She adjusted the big pink bow attached to the basket handle, then arranged green yarn to line the inside. Pondering a chocolate bunny, she pursed her lips. “Maybe I did go a little overboard. But with all Avery’s been through this past year—”
“With all you’ve both been through,” Greg interrupted. He looked away and murmured, “I only wish you pressed charges.”
“All I wanted was to get away and put it all behind me.” Erin arranged the chocolate bunny in Avery’s basket. “Besides, I didn’t want anyone to know what a huge mistake I’d made.”
Greg offered an understanding smile as he handed her a bag of tiny candy eggs. “This actually makes me kind of sorry my daughter’s all grown-up now and too big to make an Easter basket for.”
“Taylor’s driving over from College Station in time for church tomorrow, right? Make her a basket. I’ve certainly got chocolate to spare. Baskets, too,” she added with a wink.
“You talked me into it. If nothing else, it’ll give Taylor another reason to suspect her dad’s gone bonkers.”
“That hasn’t been officially confirmed yet?” Erin elbowed her brother in the ribs before marching to her workroom.
After selecting a basket she thought Taylor would like, she grabbed another skein of green yarn. When she returned to the family room, Greg had filled several plastic eggs with loose change and little candies. He glanced up with a grin. “This is really bringing back memories.”
Reclaiming her spot on the sofa, Erin set the basket and yarn in front of Greg. “I’m glad you and Taylor have such good memories of Vivienne. She was a wonderful woman.”
“That she was.” The faraway look in her brother’s eyes spoke of how much he still missed his late wife.
Erin touched his knee. “You’re not too old to marry again and have more kids.”
“Ha. Not likely.” Greg slanted a meaningful look in her direction. “But you, on the other hand...”
“I totally failed at one marriage. I’m nowhere near ready to try again.”
“You aren’t the one who failed.”
Dropping her chin, Erin released a sigh. “My head gets it. My heart? Not so much.” She picked up one of the plastic eggs Greg had filled. Coins and candy rattled inside, bringing a smile to her face. “This is kind of what my life feels like now. Every day, a new surprise inside, and I have to say, lately they’ve mostly been good surprises.”
Greg unwrapped one of the chocolate eggs and popped it into his mouth. “Like a certain rancher handyman who’ll be joining us tomorrow?”
Flames seared Erin’s cheeks. “Kent doesn’t have any family close by, and I hated the thought of him spending Easter all by himself.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Greg unmuted the TV. With one eye on the game, he arranged plastic eggs and candies in Taylor’s basket.
Giving a huff, Erin returned her attention to Avery’s basket. She finished it off with a miniature pink velvet bunny. Then, having enough of both a basketball game that she had no interest in and her brother’s allusions to a nonexistent romance, she decided to get a head start on tomorrow’s dinner preparations.
Problem was, thinking about the dinner menu only made her more aware of the guest she’d invited. Greg’s teasing aside, Erin couldn’t deny there was something going on between her and Kent. But how could she possibly risk opening her heart to a man on the run from God?
Except...he’d as much as promised to be at church in the morning, which had to mean there was hope. Whether anything more came of their friendship or not, she’d pray for the Lord to restore Kent’s faith.
* * *
Kneeling backward on the pew, Avery peered toward the foyer. “I don’t see him yet, Mom.”
“I’m sure he’s coming.” Not the least bit sure at all, Erin tried her best not to turn around and look for herself. The worship service would begin in less than five minutes, and the praise team already had everyone on their feet singing. The whole sanctuary reverberated with voices and instruments raising joyous Easter hallelujahs.
Erin’s niece, Taylor, leaned past Avery and spoke over the music. “That lost-looking guy standing way over there against the wall—could he be your friend?”
Looking in the direction Taylor indicated, Erin spotted Kent near the sanctuary entrance. Lips mashed together, hat held at his waist like a shield, he looked as if he’d rather be anywhere else.
But he’d come!
Hoping to reach him before he decided to duck out, Erin edged from the pew. She approached shyly, fearful of startling him. “Hi. You made it.”
He blinked several times, like a man coming out of a trance. “Didn’t know it would be so crowded.” An uneasy smile crept across his face. “Or so loud.”
“You know what they say—it’s one of those Sundays when all the CEOs show up.”
“CEOs?”
“Christmas-and-Easter-only Christians. It’s okay, though,” Erin added quickly. “God’s arms are always open in welcome. He’s glad you’re here. And so am I.”
Kent’s darting gaze settled fully on Erin, and a tiny bit of his tension seemed to lift. “Is there a term for somebody like me who hasn’t darkened a church door in years?”
“Yes,” Erin replied with a firm nod. “God’s forgiven and dearly loved child.” She boldly linked her arm through his. “Come sit with us. Avery’s been watching for you ever since Sunday school let out.”
Returning to her family, Erin made room for Kent, strategically placing him between herself and Avery in case he got any ideas about bolting. She needn’t have worried, though. As Pastor Terry read the Easter gospel, she glanced over to see Kent’s chin trembling. Acting as if his eye itched, he flicked away a drop of moisture. Knowing he’d be embarrassed to think she’d noticed, she resisted the compulsion to hand him a tissue from her purse.
Then she glimpsed Avery slide her tiny hand into Kent’s and give it an encouraging squeeze. Now Erin was the one in need of a tissue. Keeping her gaze forward, she quietly blew her nose and pretended it was the Easter message that had moved her to tears—and truthfully, it was, because she certainly felt as if she’d witnessed the beginnings of a heart redeemed through Christ’s love.
When worship ended, the Austins, Willoughbys and several other friends stopped to say hello but kindly didn’t make a big deal about the fact that they hadn’t seen Kent in church before. Both Christina and Diana sent meaningful looks in Erin’s direction, though. They’d probably be peppering her with questions at the first chance they got.
Near the main doors, Pastor Terry greeted them. When Erin introduced Kent, Pastor Terry offered his hand in a hearty shake. “Yes, I’ve seen you around town, Kent. Welcome, and happy Resurrection Sunday.”
“Thanks.” Tensing again, Kent cleared his throat. His voice dropped to a murmur. “Would it be okay if I came by to talk one day this week?”
Pastor Terry’s brows twitched upward in a gratified smile. “Give me a call anytime.”
As they stepped outside, Erin motioned for Greg to take Taylor and Avery on to the car. Walking a little farth
er with Kent, she shielded her eyes from the bright sun overhead. “See you at the house in a few minutes?”
With the straw Western hat shading his face, it was hard to make out his expression. “Yeah, I’ll be along.”
“If this morning has been too much for you, I’ll understand.”
“No, it’s okay. I just need a couple minutes.” He looked up toward the steeple.
As Erin followed his gaze, her heart threw in an extra beat at the sight of the shimmering metal cross against a crystal blue sky. “That’s a view—and a reminder—I’ll never get enough of.” At Kent’s nod and brief smile, she drew a quick breath. “Well, take your time. We’ll see you when you get there.”
She left Kent standing on the church’s front walk and hurried over to Greg’s SUV. She climbed into the back next to Avery and slumped into the seat cushion.
“Everything okay?” Greg asked as he started the engine.
“I think so.” Erin glimpsed Kent slowly making his way toward his pickup at the far edge of the parking lot. He still looked lost in thought. “Maybe you could tell Kent’s working through some stuff.”
As traffic cleared, Greg headed toward the street. “Seth told me he served in Afghanistan. Had to be tough.”
In the front passenger seat, Taylor tucked a short blond curl behind her ear before slipping on tortoiseshell sunglasses. “He sure is one cute cowboy.” She grinned over her shoulder. “If I were you, Aunt Erin, I wouldn’t let him get away.”
Erin stiffened. “We’re just friends.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Taylor glanced back at Avery. “What do you think of him, cuz?”
“He’s nice.” Avery stroked the ears of her new stuffed bunny. “He has horses and cows and a big dog that sleeps in his chair.”
Taylor laughed, “Wow, that must be one huge chair!”
“No kidding,” Greg chimed in. “With all the livestock camped out in his living room, no wonder the guy’s still single.”
“Enough, you two.” Erin punched the backs of Greg’s and Taylor’s seats, which only made them both laugh harder.
While Avery painstakingly explained that only Skip the dog lived in Kent’s house, Erin tuned them out. Maybe if she concentrated on the dinner preparations she still needed to make, she could stop dwelling on Kent Ritter and the unnerving jumble of emotions his mere presence always seemed to evoke.
* * *
Kent sat in his pickup for several long minutes after the parking lot had cleared. He’d come to church this morning mainly to keep his word to Erin. Never in a million years had he expected the service to affect him so profoundly. Called or not called, God is present, Erin had quoted the first time she’d shared a meal with him. Now it felt like God was doing the calling, and it scared Kent silly. He’d certainly surprised himself when he’d asked about meeting with the pastor, but it seemed like the next logical step. All these years of pretending he didn’t need to talk about Afghanistan—worse, pretending he didn’t need God—and all it had taken to crack his armor was the faith of one caring and beautiful woman.
Careful, Ritter. You just might be falling for the girl.
That was a puzzle for another day. As his dad always said, best not to put the cart before the horse. Kent needed to get his own life in order before he brought anyone else into it—especially Erin and her sweet little daughter. When Avery had taken his hand this morning, he’d almost lost it for real. He could still feel the tender compassion in the touch of those tiny fingers.
With a loud sniff, he worked on pulling himself together. Not a good idea to keep his hostess waiting. Besides, several hours had passed since his 5:00 a.m. bowl of cereal before morning chores. He felt like he could almost smell Erin’s ham and sweet potatoes from here.
When he parked in her driveway a few minutes later, Greg and the young woman Erin had introduced as her niece, Taylor, were sneaking around the front flower beds hiding eggs.
Greg ambled over, a basket handle draped over his arm. “Just in time. We could use some help.”
“Sure.” Whipping off his hat, Kent had Greg transfer as many colored eggs as the upturned crown would hold.
As he concealed his last egg at the base of the mailbox post, Erin stepped onto the porch. Her face lit up when she saw him. “Dinner’s on the table, guys. Let’s eat first, and Avery can have her egg hunt afterward.”
“All this for one little girl?” Kent smirked as he followed Greg and Taylor up the porch steps. Meeting Erin’s gaze, he added, “I have to admit, she’s a pretty special kid.”
“I think so, too.” Erin’s eyes said so much more than her words.
So she’d noticed his reaction in church. He checked himself to see how he felt about it and realized he was amazingly okay.
“Hurry up, Aunt Erin,” Taylor called from the dining room. “I’m starving!”
Erin showed Kent to the table. “Avery begged for you to sit next to her.”
“It’d be my pleasure.”
Nearly an hour later, with his stomach on the verge of exploding, Kent still couldn’t bring himself to refuse a second slice of blueberry pie. As Erin refilled his coffee cup, he looked up with an appreciative smile. “If you ever tell my mother I said so, I’ll deny it to my dying day, but your cooking beats hers by light years.”
Erin’s eyes sparkled. “I hope I get to meet her someday.”
Avery tugged on her mother’s sleeve. “Can I have my Easter egg hunt now?”
Perfect timing, before Kent let his guard down even further.
Avery dashed to the family room and returned with her Easter basket. “Let’s go, Mom. Come on, Mr. Ritter. You can help me look.”
Letting himself be dragged toward the front lawn, Kent glanced back at Erin with a helpless shrug. “Guess I’ve been drafted.”
After all the eggs were found and Kent had helped with the kitchen cleanup, he decided he should leave the rest of the afternoon to Erin and her family. As she walked him to the door, he thanked her again for including him. “Best Easter I’ve had in a long, long time.”
“You made the day special for us, too,” she said. “In case you haven’t noticed, Avery’s really taken with you. She can be apprehensive around men outside the family.”
“I’m honored to have passed the Avery test.” He jingled his truck keys. “Better hit the road. Still got chores to do.”
Erin looked at him askance. “Not planning on doing more painting on Easter Sunday, I hope.”
“No way!” Not that he wouldn’t have done just that if Erin hadn’t invited him today, but this was better by a long shot. “The boys and I made good progress yesterday, but horses and cattle don’t take holidays. Can’t let ’em go hungry.”
“No, I guess not.” Concern narrowed Erin’s smile as she studied him. “Will you be okay?”
Taking her meaning, Kent nodded. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure I will be.”
“Good. I’ll keep praying for you.”
“Thanks.” He shot her a wink. “And save me some egg salad in case a doorknob gets loose or another shelf collapses.”
“I will.” Her laughter rang out, and the sweet sound echoed through his thoughts all the way home.
Chapter Nine
“Thanks for stopping by, Mrs. Glazer,” Erin said as she walked her customer to the door. The woman’s purchases included one of Erin’s decorative fruit baskets, plus she’d asked for Erin’s advice about redoing her living room. “Call me later this week and I’ll come over to take a look.”
Wanda beamed as she strode around the front counter. “Girl, I’m telling you, with your eye for design and my business savvy, just imagine the possibilities. We could change the name of the shop to Interiors by Wanda and Erin.”
“Or Erin and Wanda,” she quipped over her pounding pulse. Her boss couldn’t be serious... Could she? Erin might have dreams of launchin
g her own interior design company, but the logistics intimidated her like crazy. Her talents lay in artistry and design, not business and marketing. Partnering with an established career woman like Wanda Flynn could make all the difference.
“Oh, and by the way, here’s another special order for a basket.” Wanda handed her the email she’d printed out. “This lady has a knitting shop over in Fredericksburg and wants a specially designed basket for toting supplies.”
Erin scanned the message. The buyer wanted a soft-sided, tightly woven basket with an interior pocket and handles, and she’d included a copy of the shop logo for Erin to work into the design. “Wow, I’ve never done anything quite this involved.”
Wanda patted Erin’s arm. “I have confidence in you, sweetheart. Let me give you an advance to buy supplies.” She opened the cash drawer. “And why don’t you take off a little early today so you can get started?”
“Maybe I should,” Erin murmured as she mentally reviewed her schedule. She’d already made plans to shop with Christina this afternoon. Plus, she’d offered to go out to Kent’s tomorrow after work to help him paint his kitchen. How did life get so busy all of a sudden?
Leaving the shop shortly before noon, she hoped Kent would still be at the hardware store. As she parked, he came out pushing a gas grill on wheels and lined it up with others already on display.
“Gearing up for barbecue season, I see.” Erin ambled over and tried to ignore the flutter of anticipation, a sensation all too common around Kent these days.
His welcoming smile only intensified the feeling. “Don’t you know it’s always barbecue season in Texas? Anyway, these are last year’s models. Need to make room for the new ones.” He gestured toward the closest one, doing a convincing imitation of a used-car salesman. “This could be yours for the low, low price of only $89.95.”
“Not in my budget, even on sale, I’m afraid—although, at the rate things are going, that could change.” Erin described her eventful morning at the shop. “Wanda had to have been joking about the partnership.”
