Chapter 6 #2
Bobbie flapped her hand in dismissal. “Maybe...maybe not. Grief fades. People have to move on sometime. Besides, he’s here, isn’t he?”
“So are you and Caleb.”
“Old married couple, remember? You think this was his only option for Friday night entertainment?”
“I know he has a baby and no sitter for tonight.”
“Yes, and he dragged that baby and a ton of junk over when it would have been easier to stay at home. You do the math.”
At Bobbie’s words, the attraction in Monica’s heart went from a gasping spark to a hopeful flame. Monica needed to throw a bucket of reality over it.
It was only natural for Bobbie to think Monica would be attracted to Sean.
Obviously, he was attractive. Plus, Monica hadn’t mentioned the opportunity to work for Matthew Wright to anyone yet.
She was waiting until there was something concrete to share.
The only information Bobbie had to work with was their numerous conversations about Monica’s dreams for a home and family of her own.
“He just moved back to town and needs to socialize.”
Bobbie pushed herself away from the building. “You believe whatever makes you happy, but I call it like I see it. Now let’s get these men fed before they wither away to nothing.”
A few minutes later, Monica set an insulated tote on the table and began to unpack the contents while Sean peered over her shoulder.
“Do you have the entire grocery store in that bag?”
The feel of his breath on her neck made it hard to focus, especially after her conversation with Bobbie.
Monica needed to take Sean at his word and focus on friendship, but the part of her that wanted more than friendship was growing faster than a garden on steroids.
She cleared her throat and tried to ignore the double-time thumping of her heart.
“We’ve got two kinds of sandwiches. Ham and cheese, and chicken salad.
A bowl of potato salad and some cold sodas. ”
Bobbie emptied the paper bag she’d carried in. “Plates, forks, napkins, chips, and some fruit.”
“Everything we need for a picnic except the ants.” Sean put a hand on Monica’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’re amazing, thanks.”
Oh, boy. It was hard enough to pretend she wasn’t attracted when he didn’t touch her. She couldn’t decide whether to duck away or lean closer.
Fortunately, Sean backed away and filled his plate. Monica and her friends followed suit, and they all found seats.
Sean sat with Jace on one knee, feeding the little guy pinches of chicken sandwich and spoonfuls of salad. Thanks to Monica, the baby held a cheese puff in both hands, and Sean’s arms bore smudges of the orange residue.
“Sorry about that.” Monica reached for the wipes.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to wearing his dinner.” Sean took a bite of his sandwich and chased it with a swallow of soda from his can of Sprite. “Dinner was a pleasant surprise, but when did you have time to put all of this together? Did you take off work early?”
“No, I made it all up last night and stuck it in the fridge. All I had to do was pack the tote when I went home to change.”
“Monica is our resident superwoman,” Bobbie chimed in. “She always goes the extra mile and takes on the projects no one else has time for.”
“That’s what Mom said.” Sean wiped Jace’s face and hands and let him down to continue his play time with Parker.
He focused on Monica. “She told me that, in addition to managing the nursery at church, you also oversee the women’s monthly fundraising dinner.
How do you manage all that, a full-time job, and stuff like this? ”
Something in Monica’s chest did a little happy dance.
Sean was talking to his mom about her. That was a good thing, right?
She glanced up to find Sean watching her quizzically.
Oh, he’d asked her a question. She ran the conversation back through her head.
“I like to keep busy. It makes me feel fulfilled. My dad preached something he called ‘JOY’ to me my whole life.”
“I’ve heard of that,” he deadpanned.
“No, I mean... It’s an acronym. Jesus first, others second, you last. You’re a minister. Surely, you’ve done a lot of that yourself.”
Instead of answering, Sean motioned to the room. “Will this event meet your financial goal?”
Monica rested her elbows on the table. “Not completely, but it will put me fifteen hundred dollars closer. I...” What she was about to say faded away.
The baby who’d been crawling behind Parker all evening now stood several yards away, balanced on unsteady legs.
Monica put a hand on Sean’s arm and nodded in that direction, afraid to say anything to disrupt the moment. “Look,” she whispered.
Sean followed her gaze, and a gigantic smile split his face.
He started to rise but Monica held him in place. “Let’s see what he does.”
Across the room Parker held up the truck. “Come get it.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jace toddled in that direction while Parker laughed and backed away.
“Would you look at that.” Sean scrambled to get his phone out and trained the camera on his son’s first steps. “I haven’t been able to get him to take a single step. I guess he just needed someone to chase.”
Parker gave Jace his truck, so Monica held up a banana.
“Jace, do you want a bite?”
The truck clattered to the floor as Jace toddled toward her. When he reached her knees, she swooped him up and bundled him close.
Everyone around the table applauded his success.
“You’re such a big boy!” Monica said.
Jace grabbed two handfuls of her hair, pulled her close, and delivered a wet kiss, then he turned to dive into his father’s arms.
Sean caught him and swung him over his head.
Watching the father-son scene, Monica put her fingers to her lips.
It was just the kiss of an excited little boy, but in her heart, it felt like so much more.
She wasn’t sure where her feelings for Sean were going, especially since she had no way to know how he felt about her.
All she knew in that moment was that she was head over heels in love with this motherless child.
A silent prayer rose in her heart. Father, where are You going with this?