A thought washed over her. Maybe God had brought the two families together because Dotty needed care and Bev’s mother was a caregiver. Was that the reason? With the possibility making sense, Bev relaxed. The thought had crossed her mind at dinner the week before. She sensed the same idea had struck Dale.
When Bev glanced again, she saw Dale and Dotty heading her way. She rose and gave them a wave, noting Dale’s grin.
“Dale spotted you,” Dotty said.
Bev leaned down and gave his mother a hug. “It’s nice to see you.”
“How about me?” Dale asked.
A moment passed before Bev realized what he meant, but before she could find something to say, Kristin’s scream shattered the air. Bev spun toward the sound.
The child ran toward her, tears flowing from her eyes while her hand clutched her forehead.
“What happened?” Bev asked, pulling away her fingers. A dark welt rose below the little girl’s hairline, a bruise already forming.
Dale stepped closer and pushed the girl’s hair aside. “It’s not bleeding, but she’s going to have a knot there.”
“What happened?” Bev asked again.
“Michael hit me with the swing,” Kristin said between hiccoughing sobs.
Bev eyed the boy sitting on the swing seat and moving it in circles. He ignored the group huddled around Kristin. When he’d tightened the swing’s chain, he lifted his feet and spun around until the momentum halted.
“Michael,” she called. “Come here.” She beckoned at him, but he only began winding the chains again for another spinning ride.
“Michael!” Dale bellowed.
Bev’s heart lurched at his yell while anger shot through her, but she glanced at Dotty and held her tongue.
Michael unwound like a loosened coil of rope and approached them with his head hanging.
“I want to talk with you later,” Bev hissed to Dale. Gritting her teeth, she turned her attention to Michael.
“What did you do to Kristin?”
“Noth—” He lifted his eyes to Dale and changed his tack. “I didn’t mean to do it. I pushed the swing at her. I thought she’d catch it.”
“It hit me in the head,” Kristin whined.
“But I didn’t mean to—”
“Okay. That’s enough,” Bev said. “Either play nice, or we’ll go home.”
Michael scampered off first. Finally Kristin unwound herself from her mother and headed back to the play area.
“Would you mind going over and keeping an eye on the kids a minute, Dale?” Bev asked, to cover her ploy to give him a piece of her mind away from his mother. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
He gave her a questioning look.
“You could play with them. They’d enjoy that,” Dotty said.
Dale arched a brow at his mother, but did as Bev asked.
“Sorry to put you through that,” Bev said, settling back on the bench. “I just need to get my wits about me before I talk with Michael. Sometimes he’s so hard to handle, and I need to keep calm.”
“Kids can be a handful,” Dotty said. “It’s much harder when you’re alone. I always had Al to stand by me when we needed to discipline Dale, although he was a good boy most of the time.”
Bev had a difficult time imagining Dale as a boy. She truly wondered if he’d ever really been one.
“I’d better rescue Dale,” she said, rising. She marched across the grass, and as she neared, she beckoned Dale aside. “I wanted to talk with you away from your mother.”
His face brightened. “You’ve thought of someone?”
Someone? When she realized he thought she had information about a caregiver, the awareness smoothed the edge of her anger, but she still had to speak her mind. “It’s not about your mother. It’s about my children.” She drew him farther away from the kids so they wouldn’t hear.
His expression darkened.
“It’s obvious you don’t like kids. I want—”
“I never said that.” He glanced toward his mother then back to her.
She let her gaze drift to Dotty, trying to make their conversation appear to be genial. “I can see it in your actions.” She tried to keep her voice low and controlled. “I really don’t care how you feel, but I want you to know that I love my kids, and I don’t expect you to discipline them.”
“Look, Bev, I didn’t—”
“You bellowed at Michael. That’s my place, not yours. I can criticize my children, but you can’t.”
He stepped back. “Sorry, I just thought you were having a problem getting him to—”
She felt tears blur her eyes. “I have problems, yes, but I don’t need your help. I can handle it myself.”
“I’ve recently asked for your help.” He gave a feeble gesture toward his mother. “I only thought…” His voice faded, then he rallied. “Sometimes people need someone else, but I hear you.” He lifted his hand. “I’ll stay clear of your kids.”
“Good,” she said, though she didn’t feel good at all. She’d begun to like Dale.
“Why don’t you go back to your mother, and let me take care of things here?”
Dale felt the sting of Bev’s comment. He’d thought she would appreciate his making an effort to get Michael’s attention. He guessed he’d been wrong.
He kicked a stone as he headed back toward his mother, hoping she hadn’t spotted the tension that flashed like sparks from Bev’s eyes. He’d called her a mother hen earlier. Mother tiger would have been more realistic.
The kicker was he liked Bev—a lot more than any woman he’d met in a long time, but that didn’t change his attitude. Still, he’d hoped to remain on a friendly basis for his parents’ sake.
The truth shimmered over him. His last thought was a coverup. She’d been growing on him, and if the blossoming friendship would have any hope of continuing, he needed to stay out of Bev’s business. Yet something inside him wanted to help. The kids needed discipline—the boy especially—but both needed something more. Direction, he thought. Bev gave orders, but didn’t seem to follow through. He could give her some good pointers. He faltered, knowing he’d better learn to keep quiet.
“Is Bev angry with you?” Dotty asked as soon as he reached her.
He grimaced, wondering how a woman with blurred eyesight could see so much.
“You shouldn’t discipline her children, Dale. That’s her business.”
He opened his mouth to refute her comment, but she didn’t give him a moment.
“She’s a lovely woman,” his mother said. “She’s had a hard life.”
Her words made Dale realize he knew little about Bev’s life except she was a widowed mother. “How do you know about her life?”
“Women sense things, but I’ve also spoken with Millie. She comes by during the week to visit. She’s a wonderful lady. I can see why your father thinks so much of her.”
Mildred visited his mother during the week. That was something else he didn’t know. “What about Bev’s life?” Dale let his gaze drift to the playground slide. Bev stood at the bottom, waiting for Kristin to take a turn.
His mother ignored his question. “It’s just sad when a young woman has such burdens. She should be enjoying life and sharing it with a husband.”
“Seems like she should be concentrating on those kids before one of them gets killed.”
“Dale, I can’t believe you said that.”
The disappointment in his mother’s voice caused him to regret his comment.
“Where’s your compassion?” she asked.
“I have compassion. I think they need a firm hand. And love,” he added before his mother became upset again.
“Love is the answer,” Dotty said.
His mother’s eyes said more than he wanted to hear. She was conspiring, he guessed, working on a romance. His heart ached. She’d wanted grandchildren so badly, and he’d let down both his parents.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked, rather than plowing any further in
to a discussion about Bev.
“I suppose. It’s getting a little chilly.”
He stood, released the brake on her wheelchair and shifted it around. Bev looked their way, and he lifted his hand in a wave. She barely responded.
“You should tell Bev we’re leaving,” Dotty said as he moved her chair along the sidewalk.
“I already did.”
For a moment no one spoke until his mother, like a person who loves a song and keeps singing it over and over, started the topic again. “Bev needs a good husband—a man who’ll love her and the children. Someone raised as a believer who can be faithful. Marriage is a wonderful experience when it’s between two people whom God meant for each other.”
What could he say that he hadn’t already said? God had meant his father and mother to marry. They were a perfect couple. One of a kind. Dale didn’t question that. But in his heart, he sensed the Lord was leading him to remain unattached. No troubles. No heartache.
Anyway, he’d make a lousy parent.
Chapter Four
Bev looked up as Annie DeWitt poked her head into the Loving Care playroom. “Dale Levin’s here to see you.” Her voice rose above the clamor of the children, and she gave Bev a conspiring smile.
Dale? Her pulse skipped for a moment before she realized something must be wrong. Bev’s voice lodged in her throat as she brushed away Annie’s insinuation with a wave of her hand and rose from her crouched position. “Don’t start that, Annie.”
Bev stepped over a toy truck as she headed for the doorway. “Can you keep an eye on things until I can send in someone else? It’s almost time for me to leave anyway.”
Annie took over, and Bev hurried to the front door, searching Dale’s face for bad news. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Dale drew back, his expression becoming apologetic. “Nothing. I didn’t realize I’d frighten you.”
Relief washed over her followed by surprise. “Then why are you—”
“Impetuous, I suppose.”
His grin rallied her pulse back to a skip.
“I recalled your saying you worked here, and I had a couple of things to talk over with you.” Dale shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his gaze surveying the room. “Is this a good time to talk?”
Addled by his sudden appearance, Bev calmed her thoughts and glanced at her watch. “I’m off in a couple of minutes, and my mom has Kristin today. That would probably be better.”
He agreed and remained by the door.
As she walked away to say good-night to her employer, Christie Hanuman, Bev asked herself what she was doing. She was absolutely loony to build a friendship with Dale. She knew it, but something pushed her forward despite her reservations.
She hurried not to keep him waiting, and in minutes, Bev followed him outside and down the steps.
Dale gestured toward the highway. “How about Dee’s Grill? It’s right up the road. That is if you have the time.”
“Fine,” she said, her bewilderment growing. She pulled her car keys from her handbag. “Is this about your mother?”
“In part. But I also need a favor.” He gave her a wave and headed for his car.
In part? A favor? His response unsettled her worse than not knowing at all. Bev climbed into her car, rolled onto the highway and, in moments, aimed her car into the small parking lot of the grill. Dale pulled in beside her. She exited the car and followed him to the entrance.
Inside they found a booth and ordered coffee. Bev felt puzzled and worried that he’d learned bad news about his mother.
In a moment the waitress returned with their drinks and a carafe. Dale thanked her, then settled back. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I should have called you.” He gazed at his coffee cup, and for the first time, Bev noticed his nervousness.
“You’re welcome, but what’s this about? Is your mother—” She paused, realizing she was moving into a sensitive area.
Her comment seemed to catch his attention, and his gaze settled on hers. “Mom’s the same. What I really need is your help.”
She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity soaring. “Help with what?”
“My mother’s care.”
“You want me to take care of your mother?”
He shook his head. “No. Not you. How about your mother? You know Dad isn’t willing to admit Mom into a facility.”
“Yes,” she said, only imagining how she might feel in his shoes. “It would be a difficult decision.”
Dale’s downcast head bobbed with agreement. “I don’t want that either.” He raised his eyes and gave her a direct look. “But he doesn’t want to hire anyone either because he doesn’t want to hire a stranger.” He released a ragged sigh. “So I’ve been thinking about your mother.”
“I noticed your look the other night. I had the same thought, but I don’t know about that, Dale.”
His hopeful look faded. “She’s a nurse and has spare time. Mom mentioned she’s been dropping by for visits. Do you think she might be willing to help my dad?”
“That’s up to my mom. When she came to Loving, she stressed that now she had time to enjoy her retirement and renew old friendships. I’m not sure she’d want to give up that freedom.”
Her expression must have jarred him. Dale’s look sank to discouragement. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but they seem like such good friends. Your mother wouldn’t be a stranger in my dad’s eyes.”
Bev’s heart ached for him and the sad situation. Dale’s ill-humored behavior softened in her thoughts as she listened to his concern and love for his family. Underneath his gruffness was a soft-hearted man. He needed to open up and let it out.
“When my mom said those things, she didn’t know about your mother, and she hadn’t run into your dad yet. That might make a difference. I could suggest it to her. Would that help?”
A look of relief spread across Dale’s face. “If you would, I’d be eternally grateful.” He leaned across the tabletop, slid his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze.
The warmth rushed up her arm and prickled down her back. She searched his eyes, amazed at the depth of emotion she saw. He was bound so tightly with restrictive behaviors Bev wasn’t sure Dale even knew the feelings were there.
A thought traveled through her. She wanted to know this man, to see his potential as a loving person, to know why he held himself aloof from showing his feelings. More than once, she’d observed his compassion and his fear. He tried to conceal them even from himself, but he couldn’t hide them from Bev. She’d spent years obscuring her own secret hurts. She was a master.
His hand remained on hers, and Bev didn’t move. How long had it been since a man had touched her hand in such an intimate way? She couldn’t remember. She studied Dale’s worried face. His beautiful eyes were darkened with concern, the deep-blue color like a stormy sea.
“I can’t thank you enough, Bev,” Dale said, breaking the silence. “Being an only child, I have no one to turn to, no one to be a sounding board for my thoughts, no one who cares. It’s nice having a person willing to listen.”
Bev watched a faint grin form on his face as he gave her hand a final squeeze and drew it back to lift his coffee cup.
“I suppose this seems silly to you. You hardly know me, and I’m asking for your help. It’s not like me. I usually handle things on my own.”
She knew him better than he realized. In her opinion, he didn’t handle things well at all. “I’ll take it as a compliment that you trust me enough to ask,” Bev said.
“You’re a nice lady, Bev. You’re a beautiful person.”
Her pulse did another waltz up her arm, and the sensation irritated her. She didn’t want to react to this man’s attention—or any man’s, for that matter.
“You’re beautiful inside and out.” His gaze washed over her.
Bev didn’t know what to say. She sensed he was sweet-talking her, and it was working. Her stomach had joined her pulse, and the two danced a jig through her body until she f
elt unable to calm her emotions. She shook her head. “I try to be kind. Kindness looks beautiful.”
“You’re that, too.” He reached for the carafe.
She watched him add coffee to the cups, then take a sip as if his mind had flown off somewhere else. She needed the reprieve to calm herself, to get things back into perspective. Her emotions had been doing push-ups since Dale touched her hand.
Bev eyed her watch. “I suppose I’d better get home.”
Dale turned his head and checked the wall clock. “I didn’t realize so much time had passed. I still have that favor to ask.”
“Favor? I thought you’d asked it.”
“I had two favors to ask.”
Two? She noted an uncomfortable look edging across his face.
“This one is more personal,” he said.
Personal? Her kids came to mind, and she girded herself for an argument. If he was going to tell her to keep her children away from his parents or how to raise them, she’d let him have it right now, no matter how sweet he was somewhere inside his hard head. “Is this about my children?”
His head snapped upward. “No. Not at all.”
No? She slipped her hands into her lap, embarrassed by her thoughts.
“Ian Barry, an old high-school friend, invited me to dinner tomorrow night.”
Hearing the name gave her a start. “I know Ian and Esther from church.”
His face brightened. “You do? Great.”
Bev had no idea where this favor was going. A proper hostess gift? What?
“Ian suggested I bring someone along. I thought of you.”
Bev’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s because I’m the only woman you know in town.”
“No, I—”
“I’m only kidding.” She lowered her gaze and looked into her cup while pondering the possibility. She’d been out of the social loop for so long. Too long, her mother thought.
She let her response settle in her thoughts a moment before answering. “I like Ian and Esther. I’d be glad to go to dinner if my mom will watch the kids.”
Bev heard her mother pulling into the driveway. Mildred had been out with another old friend, and Bev realized she was truly enjoying her retirement. “Did you have fun?” Bev asked when she came through the doorway.
Loving Promises Page 4
