by Debby Mayne
❧
When Ed appeared by the cash register, Jill jumped. “Sorry if I scared you,” he said. “I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do for you before I take the girls home.”
She slowly shook her head. “No, I’m fine, but thanks.”
He moved toward the door. “C’mon, girls—let’s get a move on.” The girls dropped what they were doing and ran to his side. “See ya tomorrow, Jill.” He nodded toward Jennifer. “G’night, Jen.”
Both girls ran up to Jill, wrapped their arms around her waist, and gave her a squeeze. A lump of emotion filled her chest as she reached down and patted them on the back. Then just as quickly as they’d come to her, they went back to their dad, waved bye, and were out the door. Stacy and Tracy are little whirlwinds, she thought as she retreated to a small space behind some shelves where she could pretend to arrange stock while recovering from her emotions.
As difficult as it was for Jill to admit, even to herself, her business had taken off like a lightning bolt shortly after Ed came into her life. In fact, it was better than anything she’d ever expected. Her regular customers—many of them elderly women who bought out of nostalgia—were taken in by Ed’s charm. And the people from the church were extremely supportive—even people who’d never collected antiques.
To top things off, Ed’s church seemed like the kind of place she’d want to plug into for worship and friendship. But the very fact he was there all the time put a kink in that. With the attraction she felt toward him, she knew she was treading on dangerous ground. If he’d been footloose without children and she didn’t have a brand-new business, she might not have felt so overwhelmed by the man. His having a built-in family gave her pause. Sure, she loved the girls, but they were a handful. She could tell they needed more than she’d ever be able to give.
“Hey, Jill, want to go out with some folks from the church? We’re grabbing a burger and seeing a movie tonight.” Jennifer had found her and was standing at the edge of the shelves, holding an old book filled with pictures of collectibles.
“I’m afraid not tonight,” Jill replied.
“Let me buy this book; then I gotta run.”
Jill fluttered her hand. “You don’t have to buy it. Just borrow it and bring it back when you’re finished.”
Jennifer looked as if she was about to argue, but she clamped her mouth shut and nodded. “That’ll be great. I won’t keep it long.”
“Keep it as long as you need it. I have another copy on the shelves.”
Jill was glad to be alone. It had been awhile since she’d had time to gather her thoughts; the move and the church had taken her by storm.
That afternoon when Jill tallied receipts, she was surprised at how well the shop had done—and at the same time how much she’d enjoyed the day. She’d always heard about the joy of having a career she could love, and now she was seeing it truly could happen. She felt a peace she’d never had before.
Later that week, the exterminator called to say he couldn’t get started because of a cat that kept darting under the tent. She’d searched for Tiger before she left, but when she couldn’t find her she figured the kitten had found another home. When Jill told Ed about Tiger, he jumped into action. He and Matt went over there, and Ed finally managed to coax a very scared and hungry Tiger into his truck. Jill’s heart melted at the sight of muscular Ed holding the adolescent kitten who’d grown dependent on her.
Jill found a small plastic bowl and filled it with some of the cat food Ed had remembered to pick up on his way to rescue Tiger. The kitten seemed very grateful as she settled down for a hearty meal while Ed and Jill stood back and watched. That night Jill took Tiger home with her.
“The cat set us back on timing. Looks like it’ll be another couple of weeks before they can start the extermination,” Ed told her the next morning. “They’re having to work your job in between some that were already scheduled. And then I still need to repair the floor and walls.”
As eager as Jill was to be back in her own space, she took a deep breath, slowly let it out, and said, “That’s fine, as long as you don’t mind me being here.”
Ed stood still and looked at her, tenderness in his eyes, his jaw relaxed. Jill wanted to reach out and trace the side of his face, but she held back, hoping the urge would pass. It didn’t.
“Jill,” he said softly, “you may stay in the warehouse as long as it takes to—”
At that moment the bell sounded on the door, interrupting him. Jill turned around and glanced out the glass door. She noticed a large tour bus parked outside. A couple of women stood at the counter, chattering up a storm.
“May I help you?” Jill asked.
“Yes,” one of the women said. “We saw the sign on the Junktique Shoppe lawn about being in a temporary location. Is this the right place?”
Confused, Jill nodded. “Yes, this is the place.”
“Oh, good,” the other woman said. “Let’s go tell everyone.”
As the two women headed out to the bus, Jill looked at Ed quizzically. He grinned. “Oh, I forgot to tell you; I had a big sign made for the yard. I didn’t want you to lose any business.”
Within a couple of minutes, the shop was teeming with about thirty middle-aged and elderly women, all of them loading up on knickknacks and other glassware. One woman had a basket she was filling with linens. Jill stood at the cash register, astonished at the booming business. She also knew she’d have to hustle and get more merchandise, or she’d be out of business due to not having anything to sell.
After the group left a couple of hours later, Jill stood in the center of the store and took a long look around. Ed had helped out, and he was putting a few discarded items back on the shelves.
“I have no idea what just happened,” Jill said. “But it’s obvious I can’t keep up with it by myself.”
Ed chuckled. “I bet you can probably find a few people from the church who’d love to work part-time while you go on a buying spree to replace some of this stuff.”
“I’ll have to look into it,” she agreed.
“Better make it soon.” He started back to his work area when he suddenly stopped, pivoted around to face her, and said, “Oh, by the way, the girls wanted to know if we could pick you up for church on Sunday.”
She’d gone to church alone the past couple of Sundays, but the minute she stepped out of her car she’d found herself surrounded by her new friends. That was wonderful, except that Ed always seemed to be on the outside looking in. He could have made his way to her, but she noticed his hesitation. Until now.
“Tell the girls that would be nice.”
Ed blinked, almost as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard right. “Eight thirty okay? We can stop off and have breakfast somewhere on the way.”
Jill nodded slowly. “I’d like that.”
On Sunday morning Jill opened her door and was greeted by the twins, who stood there alone. “Where’s your daddy?” she asked.
Stacy pointed behind them. “He’s in the truck waiting. We told him we were big enough to come and get you by ourselves.”
Tracy nodded. “He had to unbuckle Stacy’s car seat, but I got mine undone all by myself.” She tilted her head. “I’m getting big cuz I’ll be five next week.”
Jill had to stifle a smile as she took a step back. “Come on in while I get a sweater.”
The girls giggled as they stepped into her cottage. “Do you live here all by yourself?” Tracy asked.
“Yes, I sure do,” Jill replied.
“Aren’t you scared?”
“No, not really.”
Stacy nodded. “I know why. Jesus is always with you.”
Jill beamed down at Stacy. “Yes, you’re absolutely right. As long as He’s by my side, I don’t have to be afraid of anything.”
Tracy looked down at her feet, then back up at Jill, her lips turned downward in a frown. “Sometimes I still get afraid.”
Jill leaned down and cupped Tracy’s face in her ha
nds. “Honestly, I think everyone gets afraid at times. But that’s normal.”
“What do you get afraid of ?” Stacy asked.
Being alone for the rest of my life, she thought, although there was no way she’d say that to a couple of almost-five-year-olds. “I dunno. Just silly things, like if people will keep coming to my store.”
“We’ll come to your store anytime you want us to,” Stacy said with confidence.
Jill had to fight back tears of joy that they seemed so happy to be part of her life. “Come to my store anytime.”
The three of them left the cottage and headed for Ed’s truck, where he sat smiling. “Want me to sit in the back?” she asked as she opened the door. “We can put one of the girls up here with you.”
Both girls shook their heads. “No!”
Ed patted the passenger seat. “I promise I won’t bite.”
Stacy started giggling; then Tracy chimed in. Snorting, Stacy said, “My daddy wouldn’t even bite a dog if it bit him first.” That made both of them laugh.
Ed glanced at his girls in the rearview mirror, then turned to wink at Jill. “They’ve heard me say that,” he whispered. He looked back at the girls. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”
That sent the girls into another fit of giggles. The happiness level in the cab of Ed’s truck was higher than Jill had experienced during her entire childhood. And she loved the way it felt to be a part of it. Ed gave her a sense of well-being and belonging. The girls were a wonderful bonus.
Ed pulled his truck into a tiny diner that specialized in breakfast and lunch. Jill had seen it before, but she’d never eaten there.
“Tracy and I like fast-food pancakes,” Stacy said.
“But Daddy said you’d like this place, so we told him that was okay,” Tracy added. “We want you to have fun with us.”
Jill’s heart melted a little bit more. “Thanks, but if you’d rather go for fast food, that’s fine.”
Ed turned off the ignition and cast a silly look at his girls before turning back to her. “I told them not to tell you that,” he said.
“But, Daddy, we wanted her to know we’re doing this special for her.”
Jill unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out before helping them out of their seats in the back. Tracy had hers undone and was busy working on Stacy’s until Jill took over. “I’m happy to have such nice friends who like to do special things for me.”
Once Stacy was on the ground, she looked up at Jill and, with an expression that looked more grown-up than ever, said, “You did something special for us when we had that tea party.”
“I loved that tea party,” Jill said quickly.
“We know that,” Stacy said with confidence as she took Jill’s hand. “We all liked it. Even Jennifer.”
“Especially Jennifer,” Jill said.
Ed cupped his hands over his mouth and whispered, “Remind me to tell you something after we drop off the girls at their classroom.”
“Are you gonna tell her Jennifer used to be scared of children before?” Stacy asked.
A goofy look came over Ed’s face, and Jill laughed. Ed obviously couldn’t pull anything over on his girls; they were so smart.
“Jennifer is a very nice lady,” Ed said. “Let’s change the subject, okay?”
After breakfast they drove to the church. The parking lot was almost full. “I’ll take the girls to their classroom,” Ed said. “Why don’t you go find a good seat?”
“Don’t sit in the back,” Stacy said. “Daddy hates sitting in the back.”
The back was Jill’s favorite place to sit in church, but after what Stacy said she didn’t stop there. She found a nice spot toward the front and on the very edge of the pew. Ed joined her a few minutes later.
“What did you want to tell me that you couldn’t say in front of the girls?” Jill asked.
“Stacy pretty much covered it,” he whispered. “I think you might have changed things.”
The choir started singing, so Jill didn’t have a chance to respond. She focused on the overhead screen and sang the worship songs until it was time for the sermon. Ed’s presence next to her was somewhat distracting, but she still enjoyed the message.
After church Ed stood and faced her. “Well, would you like to go to lunch?”
Jill pursed her lips. She would have loved to go to lunch, but she didn’t want to overdo things with Ed.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Not today.”
“You sure?” he asked as he folded his arms and frowned.
“Positive,” she replied before she had a chance to change her mind. “I have a ton of stuff to do at home. You know how things can pile up when you work all week.”
“Yes,” he said as he sighed. “I do know.”
Jill sat and waited for him as he ran around to the other side and got in. “Where are the girls?”
“They’re with some friends.”
Once they were on their way, Jill started chattering about how much she enjoyed Stacy and Tracy. “They’re obviously well-adjusted and super smart. I’ve enjoyed them quite a bit.”
Ed grinned. “Thanks. I think so, too, but I figured that was just the proud father in me coming out.” He paused before adding, “The girls really like you, too.”
The warmth in his voice touched Jill.
When he pulled up, Jill started to jump out of the truck. But Ed reached over and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “Jill,” he said, “can we talk?”
Ten
She turned to face him. “What did you want to talk about?”
He ran his thumb along the edge of the steering wheel as he sat in silence for several very long, uncomfortable seconds. Finally, when he spoke, his voice cracked. “Jill, I really like you.”
“I like you, too, Ed.”
“My girls are crazy about you.”
Now it was Jill’s turn to pause. “I, uh, well. . .I like them a lot.”
The expression on Ed’s face remained unreadable. She could tell his guard was up.
“You’re different from what I thought when I first met you.”
Jill tilted her head and looked at him. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “You’re very responsible.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “You didn’t think I was responsible at first? You thought I was a flake.” That last comment had slipped out, and she regretted saying it the instant she saw the mortified look on his face.
“I never said you were a flake.”
Jill reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “I know. I was just kidding. Is this what you wanted to talk about?”
“I just wanted you to understand why we have to be careful. When Marcy found out she had gestational diabetes, we assumed it was simply a complication that would disappear as soon as the twins were born. We had no idea it would be. . . fatal.”
Jill’s heart ached at the very thought of what Ed and the girls had been through. “I’m so sorry.”
“I can’t take a chance on letting the girls get hurt by someone who might break their hearts, as unintentional as it would be.”
“That’s understandable, but I don’t plan to break their hearts. I can be their friend, can’t I?”
“Their friend?”
Jill nodded. “That’s what I am. Their friend.” She glanced down, then decided to take a chance on letting her feelings out a little more. “Actually, I adore the girls more than I can explain. I never realized how children could make such a difference in my outlook on life.”
He smiled at her tenderly. “You’ve made a huge difference in our outlook on life.”
She blinked. He’d included himself. “Ed, you’re a very special man.”
A sheepish look came across his face, and then he turned to face her. “I’m just doing what any man would do in my shoes.”
Jill swallowed hard. Ed’s goodness ran so deep that he didn’t realize he’d done much more than what most men would have done. He’d taken
on the role of being the father and the mother to his little girls. He’d taken them to church without showing any signs of bitterness toward God. And he’d reached out to her, taken her under his wing, and made sure she didn’t lose her business.
“Ready to go in?” he asked as he reached for the handle. She nodded. “Oh, one more thing. I’m having a birthday party for the girls next weekend. Can you come?”
She nodded. “Yes, of course.”
He helped her out of the truck and took her by the hand. Jill felt a natural, warm glow as they walked up the sidewalk to her house.
When they reached the door, she turned to face him. She had the odd sensation they were supposed to kiss. But they didn’t. Instead he stood there looking at her for several seconds before he let go of her hand, turned, said, “See ya tomorrow,” then left.
When Jill was inside, she closed the door, leaned against it, and shut her eyes. She was so not prepared for this. All she’d ever wanted was to lead a quiet life alone with her own little shop to run, no one telling her what to do and not having to account for a thing. And here she was, attending a lively, energetic church and falling in love with a man with two kids. How could she deal with it? With a sigh she closed her eyes and swallowed hard before she prayed.
Lord, I’ve loved You for a long time, and that’s all I really need. I’m sure You had the best of intentions when You brought Ed into my life, but he’s not what I need right now.
Then suddenly her eyes popped open. An alarm sounded in her head. The sermon that very morning had been about trying to tell God what to do. Pastor Travers had said people needed to be still and listen. God knew what they needed without their having to say a single word.
Jill frantically moved about her house, straightening pillows on the couch, picking up tufts of cat hair from the carpet, and, when she reached the kitchen, loading her dishwasher. Then she filled the dispenser with detergent, shut the door, and hit the power button. From there she headed to her room, where she put away yesterday’s clothes and made the bed.
Once she was finished she sucked in a deep breath and took a long look around. She’d just done housework. That was totally not like her. To top it off, she felt good about it. What was going on?
