Grace Restored

by Toni Shiloh

  Evan stared at her. “Really?”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “What? You don’t think I can watch some kids?”

  “I didn’t know you liked kids.”

  Touché. She scrunched up her nose. “I like them as long as I can return them to their parents.”

  His laughter filled the air. “Thanks, Michelle. I’ll call Jo and if she can’t do it, then I will gladly accept your help.”

  “No problem. Are we still having Bible study tomorrow?”

  “Yes.” He tilted his head. “You want to lead?”

  “Oh, no.” She backed up. “No thanks, I’ll leave it to the professionals.”

  He grinned as if she was highly amusing. “Alrighty then.”

  Evan waved good bye and walked slowly down the driveway toward his van. She studied his gait. He walked like the new prosthetic bothered him. Lord, please let that not be so.

  Closing the door, she headed for the kitchen for another cup of coffee. For a few days now, she had been wondering what to do with the information Mrs. Adams had related to her. Should she tell Chloe she might be related to the Davenports? It seemed a little premature, especially since Mrs. Adams had no idea where John Davenport disappeared to.

  She bit her lip and stared at her cell phone. This would be the perfect opportunity to get Guy’s input. Maybe he knew a way to track him down. Look up his driver’s license or something.

  The iPhone beckoned to her, it’s dark screen shining up at her. She snatched up the phone and dialed Guy’s number before she could talk herself out of it.

  “Hello?” The husky tone of his voice sent unwanted shivers down her spine.

  Oh, man. His voice was sexier on the phone. “Hey, I have a lead I need your help with.”

  “Michelle?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sorry, your voice sounds different over the phone.”

  She stared at her phone. Nope, not going to investigate his statement. “I have a possible name for Chloe’s father, but I have no idea how to track him down. Holly’s mother said no one has seen him since graduation.”

  “Okay, let me grab a pen.”

  She listened to the giggles and shouting in the background.

  “Silans!”

  The deep timbre of Guy’s voice rang loud and clear, almost like he stood in the room next to her. She remembered the first time he had said something to her in the beautiful language of the Haitian people. She’d practically melted into a puddle at his feet. Her hands tightened their grip as her brain fought to ward off unwanted memories.

  “Okay, I have a pen.”

  “His name is John Davenport. He graduated in ’86 and left Freedom Lake soon after.”

  A low whistle crossed the airwaves. “Of the Prosperity Ridge Davenports?”

  She nodded then rolled her eyes. Of course, he couldn’t see her. “Yes, I was surprised to hear that too.”

  “Have you told Chloe yet?”

  “No. Why? Do you think I should?”

  “No, I’d wait for more concrete evidence.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.” She paused, thankful for the second opinion.

  It seemed like forever since she had someone to bounce ideas off of. That was one thing she missed about working in a law firm. Working for herself left her without a sounding board.

  “I’ll check this out when I get to work tomorrow.”

  “I told Evan I’d watch the girls for you.” Why’d you spill the beans? She had no intentions of telling him, but apparently her subconscious disagreed.

  “Excuse me?” His tone deepened along with his accent.

  “He said you’re planning on going out Saturday. He came over to ask Jo, but she wasn’t home yet, so I volunteered in case she can’t do it.” Michelle stopped short from admitting she had no life and plenty of time to watch his kids.

  “Thank you,” he replied cautiously. “I didn’t even know you liked kids.”

  Why did everyone have the same reaction? Did she look like Cruella or something?

  “Well, Evan is going to let me know what’s up after he talks to Jo.”

  “Okay. I’ll call as soon as I have some info on Mr. Davenport.”

  “Thank you, Guy.”

  That was pretty painless. Maybe she could live in Freedom Lake with the man who broke her heart after all.

  GUY STARED AT THE FRONT door. Just how long could he sit in his car before Nana Baker noticed him. Handling the twins all day was exhausting, but Nana never looked tired when he arrived. Not even after a month hiatus spent recovering from her heart attack. He was so thankful for her.

  Thankful enough to give praise to God?

  Once upon a time, he would have given praise to God for every little blessing. Now he struggled to keep his thanks silent. It had been so ingrained in him that his body naturally wanted to praise God.

  Except He took Charlene away.

  Guy wiped a hand across his forehead. He was so tired and weary of being tired.

  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

  The Scripture crossed his mind and his jaw clenched. Charlene had always said when Scripture appeared in your heart the Holy Spirit was prompting you to remember God’s truth. However, if he chose to believe God wasn’t real, then what was the point of remembering Scripture?

  Because you know, deep down, God is real.

  Guy gulped. It was easier to say that God wasn’t real then to come to grips that He allowed Charlene to die and leave him to raise his girls alone. He was all alone.

  He opened the door, shaking off the melancholy so he could greet his daughters with a cheerful face. Sometimes he wondered if they were fooled by his act. Could they sense the deep sadness he tried to hide? He hoped not. His girls deserved a life of joy and happiness. The death of Charlene had marked and permeated everything he did with unbelievable sorrow, but he would continue to shove it down and curve his lips upward in some semblance of a smile.

  Plastering a grin on his face, or what he hoped looked like one, he knocked on Nana Baker’s door.

  “Guy, right on time as usual.” She wrapped her frail arms around him for a quick hug. “Come on in, the girls have just finished their snacks.” She leaned in close. “That should give you a couple of hours to throw some dinner together before they get hungry again.”

  This time, his smile came out a little less forced. “Thank you so much, Nana. You’re a breath of fresh air.”

  “Oh, you!” She swatted at him and walked toward the kitchen. “Bekah! Rachel! Your Papa is here.”

  “Papa,” they girls chorused. Rebekah reached his leg first, but Rachel was right behind her. He picked Bekah up and tossed her in the air, then kissed her on the forehead.

  “Me next, Papa,” Rachel held her arms up.

  Although the oldest by a minute, Rachel still held onto her baby fat more so than Rebekah. They were identical twins, but Guy could tell the subtle differences. Bekah talked with a lisp and Rachel sounded like an adult in a child’s body. It was interesting how even twins took on the role of oldest and youngest.

  He swung Rachel into the air and kissed her forehead before setting her back down. “You girls ready to go home?”

  “Wi,” they chorused.

  He looked down at them. His manman would be happy to hear the Creole being used. Of course, the girls would probably start to lose the ability to speak two languages now that his mother no longer watched them. He didn’t use it unless his emotions were flying high. At least he didn’t think he did.

  The girls made their good-byes to Nana Baker as he settled them into their booster seats. They had to have matching Disney princesses’ car seats. They were fans of all things Princess Tiana since she resembled them. They always asked him to do their hair like hers, but he lucked out if he could tame their hair into ponytails without looking a mess.

  Guy headed home, wondering what he should cook. Charlene had always had something ready, even if
it was simply takeout. She couldn’t cook, but he hadn’t minded. It was the thought that mattered.

  “Girls, are you super hungry or a little hungry?”

  “Super hungry.”

  “Wittel hungwy.”

  Of course, they’d answer with different responses. He’d keel over in shock if they ever agreed on what to eat. He tried to remember what was in his fridge and pantry. The girls seemed to be tired of rice and beans.

  I should really hire a nanny or at least a cook.

  Chapter Eleven

  Saturday sprang up before Michelle knew it. She took a sip of her coffee as she enjoyed the sun’s rays and the cool breeze of spring. Jo conveniently had a new renovation to work on today. And Chloe... Michelle sighed. Her plan involved avoiding Chloe until she had concrete evidence that John Davenport was her father. Guy had yet to give her any information so that left her time wide open, open enough for babysitting detail.

  To Guy’s twin girls.

  The irony was enough to make her laugh all the way to the loony bin. Instead, she sipped her coffee, loving the warmth spreading through her being. Michelle would need all the caffeine she could get to make it through the rest of the day.

  The girls were supposed to arrive any minute. She glanced behind her at the open porch door. Maybe I should go wait inside. She went to twirl her ring and sighed. Relaxing in her fairy garden—as she liked to call it—helped her ignore the nerves of what was to come. Hopefully the girls would like the tea party she had set up out here.

  Did little girls still pretend to have tea parties? It had been so long since she had been to one, let alone host one. With no other living relatives, she had no nieces or female cousins to dote over, so Michelle was taking a gamble that Guy’s girls would enjoy themselves. She blinked rapidly, telling herself it was the spring air and not tears at her solitary status making her eyes water.

  A knock on the door alerted her to her charges. She stood, tying the wraps around her gray duster sweater close, and sent a quick prayer upward that they would all survive the day. When she opened the door, her heart melted.

  They’re adorable.

  “Hello,” she bent down. “I’m Michelle.”

  The little one in purple smiled shyly. “I’m Rachel.” She pointed to her sister, who wore pink. “This is Bekah.”

  She smiled at them. “Nice to meet you, both.” She stood up. “Guy,” she stated softly. His black eyes met hers warily.

  “Thanks for doing this, Michelle.” He slipped his hands into his jean pockets. “I appreciate it.”

  Michelle nodded, jarring herself from the hold of his gaze. She didn’t know why she had even offered but there was no turning back now. She stepped back. “Come on in, I don’t know what I was thinking, making you stand out here.”

  They walked in and stood around awkwardly.

  “Do they have any allergies?”

  “No, none.” He held up a backpack. “I packed DVDs they love as well as some snacks. Their sippy cups are in here too. I guess I should have asked if you had any toys for them to play with.”

  “Don’t worry. I have that part covered.” Please, let them like tea parties, Lord.

  “Okay. You have my number in case there’s an emergency?”

  Emergency? Like them hating tea parties or me? A breath shuddered through her body. “Yep, go have fun.” She forced a smile on her lips. “Enjoy yourself and don’t rush on my account.” But don’t linger either.

  She looked at him and froze. Trapped by his gaze, she forced herself not to shiver. The black color of his eyes had always mesmerized her. They reminded her of obsidian marble.

  The corner of his mouth turned up. “Bye, Chelle belle.”

  Michelle watched as Guy made his way down the driveway and got into his SUV. She needed to demand he stop using that nickname. It was like a dagger to her soul.

  Shaking off memories, she turned and smiled at the girls. “You guys hungry?”

  “No,” they said in unison.

  Was the unified answer a twin thing? “Well, I thought it would be nice to have a tea party. Would you guys like that?”

  Bekah’s eyes widened and she stepped closer. “A weal tea pawty?”

  How could she not find these girls adorable? “Yes, a real tea party.”

  “Do you have the dishes?” Rachel asked with her hand on her hip.

  It took all her effort not to laugh at the little girl. Was she really only three? “I sure do. Everything is outside waiting for your arrival.”

  “Let’s go.” Rachel marched forward, heading for the patio door.

  Michelle offered her hand to Bekah, who readily accepted it. She held the little one’s pudgy hand and cleared her throat. All of a sudden it mattered if the girls liked her or not. Was it because they were Guy’s?

  Rachel stopped short and Michelle almost knocked into her. The little girl turned and looked up. “You have a princess garden?” she whispered.

  “Isn’t it wonderful?”

  “I love it,” Rachel said.

  “It’s pewfect,” Rebekah exclaimed.

  They walked outside and sat down at the little table. She had added a pink and purple checkered tablecloth to her childhood table. The floral-patterned tea set came from her childhood as well. Why she still had it she didn’t know. Then again, she had a lot of her old toys still boxed up. Maybe her subconscious had been waiting for the moment she would need them again.

  Or God knew.

  She blinked, not ready to go down that rabbit trail.

  “Okay, ladies—

  “No, Princess Bekah and Princess Rachel.” Rachel met her gaze, a look of authority on her face.

  “Sorry, Princess Rachel. Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, thank you Princess Miz Chelle.” She held out a teacup primly.

  Michelle poured as Bekah giggled, watching the exchange. She turned to the other twin, the teapot still extended. “And you Princess Bekah?”

  The little girl nodded and held up her cup, though her hands shook with laughter. Next, Michelle filled her own teacup, and then placed a shortbread cookie on each of their plates. She picked up her cookie—

  “No, Princess Miz Chelle. We must say grace.”

  Heat infused her face. “I’m sorry, Princess Rachel.” The little girl was going to give her a run for her money.

  “That’s okay. Hold hands.”

  She held their hands and bowed her head.

  “Deaw Lowd, thank You fow ou’ tea pawty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

  She looked up stunned by Rebekah’s eloquent delivery. “That was beautiful, Bekah.”

  Rebekah beamed at her and then took a bite of her cookie.

  GUY LOOKED AT THE REARVIEW mirror for the umpteenth time. Should he turn around? Would the girls be okay? Would Michelle? He rubbed the back of his neck. Guy had never seen her interact with any kids. Granted the last time he hung around her, they were on the cusp between childhood and adulthood themselves.

  Meeting Charlene had ushered in a new chapter in his life. Guy had happily forgot any and all girls of his past, but being back in Freedom Lake brought back memories. Memories of whispered dreams in the dark of the night. Of kisses shared, the ones that heated the blood and made all rational thought leave. The memories were strong enough he had begun wondering if he had done a disservice by breaking up with Michelle.

  What would their life look like if he had stayed in Freedom Lake? He blinked. Don’t get sucked in by that line of thinking, man. No matter what, the past was that. Rachel and Rebekah needed him to be here. In the present. In the now. Alive and willing to live. But he knew he was giving only a bare portion of himself. He just couldn’t seem to climb out of the pit he had fallen into.

  And on days like today, he was comfortable in it. He knew Evan would try to pull him out and Guy appreciated his efforts. But he so badly wanted to curl inside of himself and blank out the world. He stared at his turn signal. It would take a slight push for it to switch side
s and direct him home. Away from the temptation of fun. Away from his responsibilities. Away from his mistakes.

  “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”

  “I don’t deserve Your grace,” he whispered.

  Maybe he just needed a vacation or simply make the decision to leave the melancholy mood. Guy turned left, toward Evan’s home. Tonight was about having fun. Pretending to be carefree in the midst of a storm he couldn’t battle. And tonight was not the time to talk or think about God’s Word either.

  In no time, he parked in front of Evan’s home. The yellow country-style home seemed to smile at him. The sun shined in the blue sky, a sign of the lengthening days. He glanced around noting, the traces of life returning from the dead of winter.

  Spring had been Charlene’s favorite season, but all he saw were irritants and horrid reminders of his isolated life. “Come on, Guy, you need to shake the blues off. Hang with the boys and pretend you’re all right.”

  He nodded and knocked on the door ready to fake it until he made it.

  “G-man,” Darryl shook his hand and pulled him in for a hug and back clap.

  Oddly enough, the back clap was lighter than the one at Bible study. “Hey, D, what’s up?”

  “Nothing much, man, nothing much. Come on in. Ev’s trying to grill some burgers and brats for us.”

  Scary thought. “Can he grill?”

  “It’s not going to taste like mine but it’s passable.” Darryl looked at him. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around since you moved back. We’ve been swamped at the office. But I’m glad you’re back. We missed you around here.”

  “Thanks, D, I appreciate that.”

  “Cool,” he said with a goofy grin. “Don’t be a stranger. And make sure if you ever need a pediatrician, you bring the girls to my office.”

  He nodded. “Deal, man.”

  Guy followed Darryl out back and stopped short, shocked at the deck that greeted him. It looked like every man’s dream. There was an outdoor kitchen and island with a grill. “Nice setup, Ev. How’d you get a deck like this?”

  “My girl loves me. What can I say?” Evan shrugged his shoulders while his eyes shined bright with happiness.