Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Seth with his two children, and the resentment and sadness that had settled over her like a dark cloud lifted unexpectedly. Sunlight filtered into her soul. For whatever reason, she’d been given this second chance at finding happiness. She intended to take hold of the opportunity with both hands and let it take her where it would. Throughout the remainder of the service, her gaze continually strayed to Seth and the children. Every time she glanced in his direction, the warmth returned.
During the closing hymn, Reba felt Seth’s eyes on her. She held his look and smiled, surprised by how shy and uncertain she felt. It was a little thing, this dinner with him and his children. But she’d rarely looked forward to any time more.
They met on the concrete steps outside the church. “There’s been a small change in plans,” Seth announced.
“Oh?” She could see by his look that the revision had unsettled him.
“Unbeknownst to me, Mrs. Merkle promised the twins she’d take them to the movies this afternoon. She said she could make us soup and sandwiches before she left if you wanted. I’d thought…I’d hoped…What I’m trying to say is that we can make it another time if you’d like.”
So both the housekeeper and the twins would be gone. “Would you rather I came another time?” she asked, preferring he make the decision.
His eyes scooted past her. “No. I was looking forward to seeing you again.”
“I don’t want to wait, either.”
This appeared to surprise him, but a smile soon formed and he reached for her hand, his fingers tightening around hers. “Actually I make a mean toasted cheese sandwich.”
“Does this mean you’ll be doing the cooking?”
“Don’t let him,” Judd advised, glancing up at his father. “We eat a lot better since Mrs. Miracle came.”
Mrs. Miracle. Reba’s gaze went to the plump older woman. The children gathered about her like chicks seeking the protection of a mother’s wing.
“I do hope my taking the children won’t be too much of an inconvenience,” the housekeeper said, looking to Reba. A smile courted her lips, causing the edges to quiver. “I would stay and fix dinner, but I’d hate to disappoint the twins. They’ve been extra good all week, and this is their reward.”
“It’s no problem,” Seth assured her.
Reba drove to Seth’s house. Mrs. Merkle had the children change their clothes while she set sandwich makings on the kitchen counter.
“There’s plenty of leftovers,” she called out.
“Don’t worry, we’ll see to everything ourselves,” Seth told her.
The housekeeper’s gaze slipped from her employer to Reba. She looked well pleased with herself. Reba glanced around, suddenly uneasy with the thought of being alone with Seth. The attraction she felt toward him was strong and was sure to grow more so once they were alone. Perhaps it was the conversation with her mother earlier in the day, the coming inquisition lunch on Monday would bring. She couldn’t very well play down their relationship when meeting Seth was the best thing that had happened to her in four long years.
“All things are possible with God,” Mrs. Merkle said out of the blue, looking intently at them both. “But no one said they’d be easy.”
Reba glanced at Seth, wondering if he could explain the comment. He looked as puzzled as she.
In a matter of minutes the housekeeper had disappeared with both children. The silence that followed engulfed both her and Seth.
“I can’t shake the feeling that she somehow arranged this in advance,” Seth mumbled as he carried two cups of coffee into the living room. She wasn’t in the mood for lunch yet, and neither was he.
Hoping to give a relaxed impression, Reba removed her shoes and tucked her feet up against the side of the chair. This was the first time she’d been inside Seth’s house. She liked it. The style was homey and comfortable, the furniture large and bulky. Sturdy, like the man himself.
Seth handed Reba the coffee and sat across from her. He seemed deeply wrapped up in his thoughts.
“Do you get the feeling we’re being purposely thrown together?” she asked.
He nodded. “It seems that way, but Emily didn’t know that I’d invited you to dinner. I forgot to mention it,” he added sheepishly.
“She’s an unusual woman.”
Seth shook his head and relaxed against the cushion. “You’re telling me! I can’t help but wonder…” He let whatever he was going to say fade.