Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2)

by Noorman, Krista

  She smiled at him as a tingling sensation made its way up her arm.

  “Deja vu,” he said as they walked past Miller — formerly her dorm, now her place of employment.

  “Well, if we’re making the rounds to all the places of the past …” She tugged him toward the entrance of the building and stopped near where they had stood all those years ago after their talk on the beach. She could almost hear Jill and Darcy yelling “Three second rule!” out their dorm room window.

  He faced her and took both of her hands. “This is surreal.”

  She nodded.

  He let go with one hand and pushed a hair back from her face. “You’re still just as beautiful as you were back then.” His thumb trailed along the curve of her jaw. His eyes met hers, and he stared as if in a trance.

  Her pulse picked up, and a breath caught in her throat.

  His gaze found her lips.

  She squeezed his hand, which seemed to bring him out of it.

  He grinned at her and turned back toward the parking lot, leading her by the hand.

  “Surreal,” she agreed.

  20

  It seemed like a dream. In the morning, she awoke and actually believed for a moment that it had been. But when she walked out of her bedroom and spotted the flowers he gave her, she knew it was real.

  In all the years since Sean left school, she never imagined they would run into each other again or that he would be a widower. She couldn’t fathom suffering that kind of loss, grieving the death of a spouse, all while trying to raise two children.

  At her desk on Monday morning, she heard the muffled ring of her cell phone in her purse. She retrieved it quickly and answered.

  “This is Michelle.”

  “You miss me, don’t you?”

  A huge smile spread across her face at the sound of Sean’s voice. “You know the answer to that.”

  A soft laugh came as his reply.

  She closed her eyes, remembering those same greetings spoken to each other years ago.

  “I just wanted to thank you again for the other night.”

  “You don’t have to keep thanking me, Sean.”

  “I don’t think you realize how much you helped me.”

  She didn’t know what to say.

  The phone at her desk rang. “Hold on a second.” She answered the work phone and forwarded it to the proper extension. “I’m back.”

  “Sorry. You’re working. Can I call you again later?”

  “You can call me any time you want.” It came out more flirty than intended.

  “OK. Three a.m. it is then.”

  He made her laugh. She needed more laughter in her life.

  They talked on the phone every night after that. Long, easy conversations about life, memories, his children, even his wife sometimes. Short, quick recaps if they’d had a long day. Though they grew closer over the phone, there had been no discussion of making their friendship into anything more than that. With each conversation, she liked him more and more, and she grew to despise the physical distance between them. She wanted to see him again, but she wanted him to bring it up first.

  “I hate not being able to see you when we talk,” Sean said during one Thursday evening phone call.

  “We could Skype.”

  “I don’t even know what that is,” he admitted.

  She laughed at his lack of technical know-how. “I think your kids know more about computers than you do.”

  “That’s a fact.”

  “Aaron can set it up for you.” She was sure Sean’s son could get the job done.

  “I’d rather have you here.”

  “Oh, yeah?” She literally crossed her fingers, hoping he would ask to see her.

  “Will you come visit us?”

  Yes! She was ecstatic, but did her best to sound calm. “I might be able to arrange that.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ll call my mom and let her know I’m coming.”

  “I want you to stay with us.”

  This filled her with unease. “Are you sure? What about your kids? Will they really want some strange lady staying in their house?”

  “Well, you are kind of strange,” he teased.

  “Hey!”

  “It’ll be fine. If you get here and you’re not comfortable with it, you can stay at my brother’s or go to your mom’s.”

  She hesitated a moment longer, then gave the reply she already knew she would give. “OK. When?”

  “The sooner the better.”

  The tone in his voice brought a flush to her cheeks. “I’m on my way.” She tried to sound sexy, but she was sure it came off as silly instead.

  He gifted her with that great laugh of his. “See you in a few hours then.”

  If it wasn’t for her job, she would have been out the door and in her car in ten seconds flat. Instead, they planned for her to visit over Easter weekend.

  “I’m not so sure about this,” Michelle told Janice at church on Sunday.

  “Why are you so worried?” Janice’s forehead crinkled with concern.

  “I mean, it’s Sean, for one thing. I’ve thought about him so many times over the years, and now he’s back in my life. But he lost his wife, and he’s grieving … and he’s got kids.” Although she was excited to see Sean again, she was very nervous about spending time with his kids. She didn’t want them to feel like she was trying to step in and take their mother’s place or steal their father’s attention away.

  “And?”

  “Kids!”

  Janice grinned at her. “What is your point?”

  “Here I am, this stranger from their dad’s past coming into their home, messing up their life.” She was overreacting and she knew it, but the whole thing was freaking her out more than she had anticipated.

  Janice put her arm around Michelle. “That’s how it goes sometimes. Whether it’s because of a death or a divorce, people move on and find new love in their life, and the kids have to deal with that. And there is no way you are gonna mess up their life. You could only make it better, because you’re you, and you’re special and wonderful.”

  Michelle grinned at her friend, but it quickly faded. “What if they don’t like me?”

  “They will,” Janice assured her.

  “But what if they don’t?”

  “Michelle, I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  “Like what?”

  “So unsure of yourself. Like your whole life’s happiness all comes down to whether or not these kids like you.”

  “Maybe it does.”

  Janice shook her head. “Only God can bring you happiness. Don’t worry. It will all work out.”

  Michelle nodded, but she wasn’t so sure.

  “Sean inviting you into their home is a big deal. I get that. But he wants you there, and I have a feeling you’re gonna win those kids over.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She wished she had Janice’s confidence.

  “You know I’m always right.” Janice gave her a wink.

  The sermon went in one ear and out the other. Michelle couldn’t focus on the pastor’s words. All she could think about was what in the world she would have in common with a couple of kids. She pictured terrible scenarios, where they both hated her and made the trip miserable. If she didn’t get along with them, would Sean still want her in his life? How could that possibly work if the kids didn’t like her?

  Before she left the church, Janice gave her a hug and a knowing glance. “Stop worrying.”

  If only she could.

  21

  The closer she got to the suburbs, the more nervous she became. Was it too soon for her to be visiting him? They hadn’t talked about their relationship status yet. But why would he invite her if he didn’t think this was going somewhere? Their time together in college had been brief, but neither of them could deny that there was still something between them. Nervousness mingled with excitement. She couldn’t wait to spend more time with him. She cared about
him so much. She always had.

  In the weeks since they had reconnected, she caught herself smiling often. She couldn’t help it. For so long, she thought Simon was the one she was supposed to be with, but when that didn’t work out, she feared God might want her to be alone. Deep down in her heart, she desired to find love. But she also desired to please God and was prepared to accept singleness if that was what He wanted for her. So when Sean came back into her life, she couldn’t help but smile at the way God worked things out sometimes. She didn’t know for certain if Sean was the one God meant for her. Not yet. But she was filled with hope for the future.

  She turned onto Sean’s street, scanning the house numbers, and caught sight of him and Aaron. They were playing basketball at the hoop set up in their driveway, and a smidgen of her anxiety disappeared.

  Sean waved as she pulled in, and Aaron dropped the ball and jogged over to greet her.

  “Hi, Michelle.” Aaron grinned at her. He was a dark blond version of his dad, with those same bright blue eyes.

  “Hi, Aaron.”

  Michelle popped the trunk and climbed out of her car.

  The guys had her bags before she had a chance to close her door.

  She glanced around at the lovely two-story brick home. It seemed Sean had done very well for himself.

  Sudden movement in a first-floor window caught her eye. The curtain flipped closed. Ashley.

  Sean headed toward a side door with her bags. “Let me show you where you’ll be staying.”

  “Oh, don’t let me interrupt your game.” She dropped her purse by the door and grabbed the basketball from the grass, where it had landed. She dribbled toward the basket and shot from a good distance away. Nothin’ but net!

  “Pretty good,” Sean noted.

  “Pretty good?” She gave him a smug look. “Show me what you got, Davis.” She tossed the ball at him as hard as she could, and it hit him in the chest with a loud thud.

  He grunted, then took a shot from where he stood. It swooshed silently through the net. He glanced over at her and grinned.

  “My turn!” Aaron ran to retrieve the ball. He stood back almost as far as Michelle and took a shot. Swoosh!

  Her eyes widened. “Aaron, that was awesome!” She and Sean both clapped for him.

  Aaron shrugged his shoulders. “No big deal.”

  Sean grinned at Michelle again.

  A shuffle in the doorway signaled Ashley’s arrival.

  “I’m starving. Can we eat already?”

  Sean shot his daughter a look of disapproval, and she turned and walked back into the house.

  Aaron walked over and grabbed Michelle’s bag. “Come on. I’ll show you your room.”

  She looked at Sean, then followed his little gentleman of a son into the house.

  It was as nice inside as it was out. They walked through the mud room, which held their washer and dryer, and into the kitchen with its large center island, dark granite countertops, white cupboards, and stainless steel appliances. It looked like something she had seen on an HGTV makeover show.

  They led her through to the open staircase that led to the second floor.

  Sean pointed past the dining area to a hallway. “My room’s down there. There’s a bathroom just over there.”

  They continued upstairs. There was a bathroom at the top of the stairs, Aaron’s bedroom was on the right, and two bedrooms were to the left. “This is where you’ll stay. Ashley’s right next door.”

  Ashley walked past them and closed the door to her room. “My room is off limits.”

  “Ashley,” Sean scolded.

  “It’s OK,” Michelle assured him. “I understand. A girl’s gotta have her own space.”

  Ashley rolled her eyes and walked back downstairs.

  “Aaron, will you please go help your sister get dinner started?”

  “OK.” Aaron hopped down the stairs two at a time.

  Sean carried the bags into the guest room, and Michelle followed.

  He placed them at the end of the bed, then turned and enveloped her in his arms. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

  She gave him a quick hug, then stepped back. “Are you sure this isn’t weird? I mean, we’re just getting to know each other again. And this …” She motioned around the room, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

  He looked at her searchingly. “This what?”

  “This was your home with your wife.” It was blunt, but it was what she was thinking.

  He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I know. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have happiness here again. Lindsay was the kind of person who made the most out of life. She wouldn’t want me moping around here all alone for the next eighty years.”

  “Eighty years, huh?” She grinned. “So, you’re planning to live past a hundred then?”

  “Seventy. Eighty. Whatever. I was never good at math.”

  Michelle chuckled.

  He looked her in the eye. “I want you here, OK? Let’s just make the most of it.”

  She smiled. “OK.”

  The kids made spaghetti for dinner. Ashley had most certainly been forced to help. She poked at her food the whole time and refused to take part in the conversation. Aaron baked garlic toast in the oven all by himself and lit candles on the table to set the mood, which was very thoughtful.

  “You’ll love our church,” Sean told Michelle. “Great people there. We’re having an Easter sunrise breakfast Sunday, so we can go if my sleepyhead kids get out of bed in time.”

  “That sounds nice.” Michelle glanced over at Aaron, then Ashley.

  Ashley stood and picked up her mostly full plate.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Sean asked.

  “I’m not hungry.” She certainly fit the stereotype of the snotty teenager.

  “Sit! You are not leaving this table until your plate is clean.”

  “Da-ad,” she whined.

  “And we have company.”

  “She’s your company.” Ashley glared at him.

  “It doesn’t matter who she’s here to see. We do not treat people like that.”

  “Whatever.” Ashley rolled her eyes and plopped down in her seat, dropping the plate onto the table.

  “Hey!” Sean raised his voice. “You’re lucky that didn’t break.”

  “I wish it had.”

  Sean’s fist met the table. “Enough!”

  Michelle looked down at her plate. She felt very out of place and had an overwhelming urge to cover her ears like she had as a child during her parents’ fights.

  Sean seemed to realize how uncomfortable she was. “I’m so sorry, Michelle.”

  She shook her head. “It’s OK.”

  They finished the rest of the meal in silence, then Ashley bolted up the stairs to her room and slammed the door.

  Aaron walked over and took Michelle’s plate.

  “Thanks, Aaron. Can I help you clean up?”

  “Nah.” He patted her on the arm. “You’re our guest.”

  Her heart warmed. He was the nicest kid.

  Sean looked over at her when Aaron left the room, and his shoulders slumped. “I’m so sorry. Sometimes I just lose my patience with her, and I get a little crazy.”

  Michelle nodded. “I get it. I was the same way at her age, and I did everything I could to push my parents’ buttons.” She noticed Sean’s weariness, and it reminded her of her mother of all people. He had the same look on his face that her mother had so often worn — the exact same look her rebellion had put there time and time again.

  “Why did you do it?” he asked.

  “I thought I didn’t need them, and I didn’t want them telling me what to do or how to live my life.”

  He rubbed his tired eyes. “I just don’t know what to do any more.”

  “Have you thought about counseling? It could help her deal with the grief in a more positive way. And I’m sure it’s hard for her not having her mom to talk to about all the changes she’s going through right now.
It can be a tough time for a teenage girl.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t want her to feel like I’m sending her off to a shrink because something’s wrong with her.”

  “It wouldn’t have to be like that. There are a lot of great Christian counselors out there that could help her so much. I see things like this every day at Cornerstone.”

  He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his forehead in his hands. “I’m just not very good at being both the dad and the mom, ya’ know?”

  She reached across the table and touched his arm. “Maybe you need to talk to someone, too. It might be good for all of you.”

  He nodded. “Maybe.”

  “I’ll pray for you.”

  That seemed to calm him.

  Long after midnight, Michelle jolted awake. She glanced over at the alarm clock on the nightstand, which read 2:36 a.m. Her head met the pillow again, and she let out a calming breath. Something had woken her, but she wasn’t sure what. Had it been a bad dream? She couldn’t remember dreaming about anything. In fact, she had drifted off rather quickly last night and slept quite comfortably. Maybe it was just being in Sean’s home, so close to him, knowing he was lying in his bed in the room beneath hers.

  Just then, she heard a faint sound coming from the room next door. She quietly moved to the wall that separated her room from Ashley’s and leaned her ear there to listen. What she heard broke her heart.

  It was the sound of a young girl crying.

  An hour passed as she lay awake staring at the ceiling. Everything in her wanted to go to Ashley’s room to comfort her, but she fought the instinct.

  When the crying stopped and all was quiet, she tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen for a drink of water. One of the cupboards squeaked when she went searching for a glass, and she winced. She slowly opened another, but found bowls instead.

  Strong hands suddenly grasped her waist, and she jumped and let out a loud yelp.

  Sean chuckled and wrapped his arms around her to calm her. His bare chest met her back. “Shhh! The kids,” he whispered.