by Mia Ross
“You’re welcome anytime, Bailey,” Joanna said, her husband nodding his agreement. “Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.”
“Bye, Bailey,” Cara said, waving over her shoulder. “See you at day care tomorrow.”
Taking Bailey’s hand, Heather guided her onto the sidewalk that led home.
“You know what I like best about Oaks Crossing?” Bailey asked as they strolled along.
“What’s that?”
“Everyone here feels like a family, even if they’re not.”
The artless comment summed up what Heather had noticed during church, and she put an arm around her niece for a quick hug. “I like that, too.”
“I was scared about it at first, but I’m really glad we moved here. I have lots of friends now, and I love Sunday school. I never want to leave.”
“Me, neither.”
Surprised to hear her own response, Heather examined the instinctive answer for a moment, searching for a flaw she never found. For the first time in her adult life, she’d allowed her heart to speak for her, and staying here was what it wanted. The trick, she knew, was to find a way to do that without going bankrupt.
Unfortunately, that would be easier said than done.
Chapter Eight
“Okay, right there,” Frank, their voluntary contractor, ordered, eyes fixed to the level he held upright on the beam Josh was helping to bolt in place. “Don’t move.”
“Gotcha.”
Since he was stranded in his current position for the next few minutes, he took the opportunity to appreciate the improvements that had gone on at the playground since the storm. All the debris had been hauled away, and what remained had been inspected and approved for continued use. Across the square, repairs to the day care center were almost finished, and if you hadn’t seen it beforehand, you’d never have guessed that a section of the house had collapsed under a fallen tree.
That was good, because every time he’d driven past it, recalling how close they’d come to a tragedy, that knowledge had sent a chill up his spine. He could only imagine how Heather and Bailey felt, going past the place every morning on their way to day care at the church. Josh understood how it felt to lose someone important to him, and how the life-changing experience made you cling even tighter to the family you had left. The Fitzgeralds only had each other, which made their connection all the more precious to them.
Again, he silently thanked God for intervening on that awful day. Heather might act calm and in charge most of the time, but he’d glimpsed a sliver of her vulnerable side and how deeply she cared for the things that were important to her. She’d uprooted her entire life and detoured her career plans for the sake of Bailey’s happiness. Anyone who sacrificed so much for a child who wasn’t her own deserved to get some help from above every once in a while.
“That’s good for now, Josh,” Frank told him, adding a tired sigh. “Let’s take five.”
“Are you okay?”
“Up all night with a colicky baby is all,” he replied with a wan smile. “Nothing a day off won’t cure.”
“Except for the fact that this time of year you get as many days off as I do.” To emphasize his point, Josh held his thumb and forefinger up in a big zero.
“It’s supposed to rain on Wednesday,” the builder commented in a hopeful voice.
That wasn’t the forecast Josh had heard, but he hated to ruin the guy’s day, so he kept his weather report to himself. “The repair committee’s got a snack table over there, so I’m gonna get something to eat. Can I bring you anything?”
“Coffee, black,” he groaned, sinking down to sit with his back against a tree. Before Josh had taken two steps, Frank’s eyes were closed.
If the poor man’s sleepless night was typical for fathers, Josh was gladder than ever that he had his own place and no longer lived in the Kinley farmhouse. Especially now that Mike and Lily were expecting a little one of their own. Doing his laundry there was convenient, and he loved seeing his family at meals, but at the end of a long day, he treasured the peace and quiet of his cottage in the woods. At this point in his life, he preferred being fun Uncle Josh to fatherhood.
Drew had once felt the same way, Josh mused as he waited in line at the sandwich table. But now, he was excited to have a child who, in his own words, would be the best of Bekah and him in one cute package. It was as if a switch had flipped inside him, changing his perspective on what meant the most to him.
Was that how it worked? Josh wondered. He loved kids, had a blast horsing around and teasing them, but he’d never officially been responsible for anyone but himself. Did you have to grow up enough to hit that phase of your life, or was there something else that made you feel ready to be someone’s dad?
The person in front of him stepped to the side, and Josh saw Heather standing on the opposite side of the table, rearranging sandwiches whose waxed paper wrappers were labeled in her neat handwriting.
Figuring that God had just given him an answer to his question, Josh couldn’t help grinning. “Hey there.”
She looked up and nearly knocked him over with the dazzling smile he knew he’d never get tired of seeing. “Hey yourself. How’s it going over there?”
“Good, but Frank needed a break so I came to get him some coffee. Better make it a large.”
“And you’re starving.” When he grinned again, she shook her head with an indulgent smile. “As usual. Help yourself, and I’ll get your friend some fresh caffeine.”
“Thanks.”
While he waited, Josh took a cup of lemonade and stacked ham and roast beef sandwiches on top. Then he added a couple of chocolate chip cookies for good measure.
When Heather returned, she eyed him doubtfully. “Would you like a hand carrying all this?”
Josh hadn’t originally intended to take so much, but since he had, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to have some help to make sure it all got to where it was going in one piece. “That’d be great. Everything looks so good, I couldn’t resist.”
“And you’re starving,” she repeated with a knowing look.
“Yeah, that, too.”
She laughed, and as they strolled across the park, she said, “Things are looking really nice over at the day care. Tammy told me they’re planning to be back in by June first.”
“That’s good to hear. Bailey must be happy.”
“Actually, she really likes going to the church. She said it feels like someone’s watching over them there.”
“That’s ’cause someone is,” Josh commented. “But God was keeping an eye on her at the center, too, so you could try reminding her of that. He’s all around, not just at church.”
Heather stopped in midstride and stared up at him with a pensive expression. He wondered if he’d crossed some kind of line with her, but then—thankfully—she smiled. “I was thinking the exact same thing during the service this morning, when I saw how much everyone seems to enjoy being there. It seemed as if they were there for more than just the sermon, or so the neighbors would give them credit for showing up. So many people I’ve known act like God is taking attendance and that being in a pew on Sunday covers whatever bad things they do during the week.”
No wonder she didn’t think church was important, he thought wryly. If you were surrounded by people who viewed it as some kind of roll call, it would be impossible for you to understand the importance of having faith. Not to mention sharing it with others.
“Well, folks around here don’t care much for appearances. Pretty as you are, what you do means a lot more to us than how you look.”
“You know,” she confided in a shy voice, “when we first met, I thought you were being nice to me to get on my good side.”
“I was,” he assured her with a grin.
“But now that we’ve gotten better acquainted,�
� she continued in her serious mode, turning to face him so he’d know she meant business, “I’ve seen for myself that you’re like that with everyone. You really are one of the good guys, Josh. There aren’t many of you left.”
The affection sparkling in her eyes pulled him in, and he didn’t even bother trying to joke it away. Instead, he slid his arms around her, drawing her close enough to make it clear what he was feeling, but not close enough to cause a scandal that would give his mother apoplexy. “What makes you say that?”
“Trust me, I’ve looked. A lot.” Settling her hands on his shoulders, she asked, “How about you?”
“The same.” Holding her in his arms felt so right, he could easily picture doing it for the rest of the afternoon. And so, he pushed off the last of his doubts and jumped. “But I think I’m done hunting now.”
A spark of surprise lit her face, and a pretty blush crept over her cheeks. “Really?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Me? But I’m so demanding and always talking, and I’m never satisfied with anything the way it is.”
“You really need to take some marketing lessons from Bekah,” he teased. “You make yourself sound like the wicked witch and evil queen all rolled into one gorgeous package.”
“You like all that?” He nodded, and he could see her wavering. Then, in a heartbeat, the hopeful look clouded over. “What about Bailey?”
“She’s terrific. In case you haven’t noticed, I love kids.”
“I noticed, but I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about getting involved with someone who has so many responsibilities.”
“It’s not the way I expected my life to be going right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s a problem. Just ’cause things are different from what I imagined doesn’t mean they’re worse. They’re just different.” To drive his point home, he dropped in for a light kiss, then rested his chin on top of her head. “I didn’t mean to spring this on you in the middle of the park. Hope you’re okay with it.”
“Oh, yeah,” she said, cuddling against him with a little sigh. “I’m very okay with it.”
Their private moment was briefer than he’d have liked. Bailey zoomed over from her post at the snack table, obviously excited about something.
“See, Aunt Heather?” she gloated, ponytail bouncing as she danced in place. “I told you Josh liked you.”
“You did?” he asked. When she nodded eagerly, he laughed and held out an arm to draw her into their cozy circle. “Thanks, sweetness. I appreciate your putting in a good word for me.”
“You’re welcome. Abby and Parker were telling me about the parade on Memorial Day. Parker’s marching with the band, and Abby’s going to ride in a carriage with Mike and Lily. They invited me to go, too.” Turning hopeful eyes on Heather, she added, “Can I? Please?”
At first, Heather looked baffled by the suggestion. Then her expression brightened, and she gave Josh a delighted smile. “Is this one of those places that celebrates Memorial Day the old-fashioned way?”
“I don’t know about old-fashioned, but we have a parade, and a service to honor local soldiers. Then there’s a big picnic here in the square for anyone who wants to come. While everyone’s together, I’m planning to shanghai a few more volunteers for our playground work crew.”
“You mean, you’re going to show them how bad it is and shame them into helping with the repairs?”
“Whatever works,” he said with a shrug. “It’s harder to say no when you can see for yourself how much help we need to get this place up and running for the kids to use this summer.”
“It’s a great idea. It reminds me of how the rescue center holds those open houses to bring visitors in to meet the animals. Personalizing the issue makes people want to donate whatever they can spare.”
“Sometimes folks want to help out, but they don’t know how.”
“It’s like when Annabelle came to the center,” Bailey chimed in. “We weren’t looking for a kitten, but you saw her and knew she needed us to take care of her.”
“Smart kid,” Josh commented with a grin.
“Yes, she is.”
She ran a gentle hand over Bailey’s head in a gesture that reminded Josh of how his own mother had treated him as a child. For some women, that kind of loving touch seemed to be instinctive, and Josh found himself wondering if he could be the guy who eventually won the hearts of the Fitzgerald girls.
Because that man would be happy for the rest of his life.
* * *
Heather couldn’t remember the last time she’d been to a parade.
Growing up, she’d watched the big Thanksgiving one on TV while Mom babysat the turkey and turned out pie after mouthwatering pie. It was still a tradition for Heather, but now that her parents had fully embraced their gypsy lifestyle, it wasn’t quite the same. This past Thanksgiving she’d recorded the parade so she could watch it after her shift at the emergency animal clinic, where she’d signed up to work some extra hours so people with families could enjoy their holiday.
The Oaks Crossing Rescue Center was being staffed by a rotation of volunteers today, so here she was standing on the sidewalk in front of Pampered Paws, waiting for the festivities to get started. Surrounded by flag-toting people who were talking and laughing, it was easy to enjoy the bright, sunny day that promised nothing but relaxation and baskets full of Maggie’s wonderful home-cooked food.
“Hey, you.” Josh greeted her as he hurried over from wherever he’d been.
“Hey, yourself. I was beginning to think you ditched me.”
“Not hardly. Mike needed a hand unloading the trailer at the starting line. He can handle the carriage or the horses by himself, but not both at the same time. Bailey was pretty jazzed about meeting Penny and Ginger, so I figured I should warn you—she’s probably gonna start asking for a horse.”
“I’m pretty sure my lease doesn’t allow livestock,” Heather commented wryly. “We’ll have to be content with Annabelle for a while.”
“If Bailey wants to hang out with some ponies, you can sign her up for the Gallimore Riding School. Mike and Lily run it, and the kids have a blast.”
Heather’s budget was stretched pretty thin already, so she wasn’t eager to take on any more expenses. As if he’d read her mind, Josh added, “Since you work for Erin, I’m sure they’d let Bailey take lessons there for free.”
“That’s very tempting, but I wouldn’t feel right about taking advantage of them like that.”
“Then she could do some barn work to earn her keep. I’d make sure I’m there so you wouldn’t have to worry about her being around the horses by herself.”
Stunned by his quick response, she turned to him with a little smile. “How is it you always have a solution to my problems? Whether it’s stepping in when a moving van shows up early, rescuing my niece or helping her get some riding lessons that I’m sure she’d love, you seem to have all the answers.”
“Well, now,” he drawled, “I guess I just have a knack for being in the right place at the right time.”
And for stepping up to do more than any girl had a right to expect, she thought. She wasn’t sure exactly when it had happened, but she’d come to rely on this easygoing country boy being there for Bailey and her. Sometimes even when she didn’t realize she needed his help.
Determined to make her own way, Heather wasn’t too proud to admit that there were times when her independent streak made her life more difficult than it had to be. Sharing those burdens with someone hadn’t been an option for her recently, because she didn’t dare start leaning on someone, only to topple over when they finally decided they’d had enough and left. Not only would she not do that to herself, she couldn’t bear the thought of Bailey suffering that kind of heartache.
The starter’s horn blared, and Josh stepped behind her as strains of music dr
ifted up Main Street. Dressed in uniforms that had been in style decades ago, the Oaks Crossing band marched up the street behind a colorful banner that had obviously been made by hand. They were mostly in step with each other, and the rousing tune they played got everyone cheering, snapping pictures and waving at their kids as they marched past.
“Is that Parker playing the drums?” she asked.
“Yeah, it’s his first year, and he loves it. He’s really good, so even though he’s in fourth grade, they asked him to march with the band today. It gets kinda loud when he’s practicing, so Cam built him a studio in the workshop behind their house.”
Some parents would have insisted that he choose a quieter instrument, she mused in admiration. Parker was blessed to have been adopted by two people who loved him enough to encourage his interests, however deafening they might be. Now that she’d identified someone in the group, she paid closer attention to the music. “There aren’t many of them, but they have a nice, big sound.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Josh agreed with a chuckle. “At the last concert, the kid playing the chimes went a little nuts, and the whole thing crashed on the floor of the stage. He stood there holding his mallets and just kept on pretending to play. It was hilarious.”
“Oh, no,” she groaned. “You didn’t laugh at him, did you?”
Josh made a derisive sound, as if he was offended that she’d even suggest such a thing. “’Course not. Just about choked holding it back, though.”
That was Josh, she thought fondly. Generous and kind, he’d do anything to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. The blast of a fire truck siren right in front of her made her jump back in surprise.
Josh laughed. “And here I thought city girls were immune to noise.”
“Not that kind of noise,” she corrected him as her pulse descended from the stratosphere. “I wasn’t prepared for them to do that.”
