A Matter of Destiny (5 page)

Joe moved around Luke, saying over his shoulder, "Better go upstairs. I want to talk to your mother."

Luke hesitated, his gaze shifting from his mother to his teacher.

"Stay here, son." Sharon's voice was low, but firm. If this was a standoff, she'd make it clear who was in charge.

"Please, Sharon...Mrs. Quinn, I'd like to talk to you alone, if that's okay."

Apparently Joe's deep voice carried more authority than hers did because Luke left the room with little more than a sheepish glance for his mother. She stared at Joe incredulously.

He raised his hands in an apologetic gesture. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interfered, but I can see how upset you are. I'm only trying to help."

She sat down, realizing she might have over-reacted. Joe sat next to her.

"Now," he began, "I didn't think about Luke trying out for the team before, but he hasn't missed too many practices. We're late getting started this year because the head coach is in the hospital with respiratory problems."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm filling in until he returns. That's why Luke didn't have a chance to tell you. He didn't know until today."

"He could have called."

"He tried, but you didn't answer."

Sharon had been at Paula's that afternoon, but wasn't satisfied. "Football's too rough. He'll get hurt."

She was making excuses, and they both knew it. She felt a headache coming on. "I sound like an overwrought mother, don't I?"

"There's something else you should know. Luke has been in some trouble at school. He's going through a rebellious phase..."

"Luke?" She'd seen the signs of rebellion herself, hadn't she?

"Believe me, it's true. But rather than discipline him through punishment, I talked to Mr. Greaves, and he agreed that getting involved in sports would be a good outlet for Luke's aggression. That's why I brought him home tonight, to see what you think."

Sharon's mind whirled. She'd been so worried about David and finding a job for herself, that she'd forgotten what Luke was going through. He was the one she always expected to land on his feet.

She met Joe's gaze. "I guess I didn't realize...but you think this will help?"

He grinned crookedly. "Almost never fails. When a boy becomes part of a team, it'll either make him or break him. I think Luke's behavior will improve. The fact that I'm his coach tips things in his favor, don't you think?"

Sharon couldn't help but smile at his audacity. "If you say so, coach. I guess it wouldn't hurt to keep him busy." She paused. "Will you let me know if he gets into any more trouble? I'm afraid I've been wrapped up in my own problems."

"Don't be too hard on yourself. You're doing a fine job. Those are great kids you have, but even a mother can't stop the painful process of growing up."

His words made her feel a little better. Maybe she wasn't doing so badly after all. Her sons would be going through changes even if they hadn't lost their father.

She hesitated before asking, "Have they hired anyone for the receptionist job yet?"

"Not that I know of, but I can check, if you want."

"No," she said, "please don't. I was just wondering. Maybe I'll call the office again." The secretary wasn't very friendly, though.

The chair scraped backward as he got up to leave. "If you need anything, please let me know. Promise?"

She held out her hand, and he grasped it longer than necessary, but she didn't mind. His touch spoke of strength. "I will, thanks. Sorry I bit your head off when you came in."

"Don't worry about me. I'm used to facing ferocious mothers. It's all in the line of duty. By the way, there's a game next week. You should come. Luke would like that." His dark eyes glistened with warmth.

She nodded slowly. "Maybe I will."

He shouldn't look at her like that. It made her feel all funny inside. "Call me Sharon," she said, realizing it was important that he did.

"All right, Sharon. See you at school."

She watched him drive away before heading for the kitchen. Filling the sink with hot sudsy water, she washed up the few dishes, needing something to do.

Things were happening too fast. She'd just lost her husband, and now her sons were pulling at the apron strings. She was grateful for Joe's support, but wary of the growing reliance she felt.

Just the way he'd said her name should be a warning. It might be difficult to think of him as simply a friend. She turned on the water to rinse and nearly scalded her fingers.

With a deep sigh, Sharon went to the foot of the stairs and called up. "David, Luke. You can come down now." Maybe after dinner, they'd have a long talk about their future.

They were still a family, and that's how it was going to be.

Joe had never felt so frustrated. Sharon was fighting valiantly to hold her family together, and all he could think about was holding
her
, taking care of her.

He wasn't supposed to have these feelings. How could he accomplish anything if he didn't think or feel like an
angel
?

She'd gotten under his skin without lifting a finger, and he doubted she was even aware of him as a man.

You're not a man, you're a guardian angel, he reminded himself. It would be best to remember that.

He could still smell the fragrance of her perfume, as powerful as a love potion. Would she ever get over her husband? He shook his head. He definitely had to get a grip on reality.

When he reached his apartment, Joe went straight to the shower and turned the faucet on Hot until the bathroom was full of steam. He needed to relax and forget a certain widow who dominated his dreams.

But later, as Joe lay in the darkness, his thoughts returned to the lovely lady whose heart belonged to another man.

Maybe he shouldn't have accepted this assignment. He'd tried to tell Serena he had a gut feeling about it. Was it too late to back out now, before he caused more harm than good?

Two days later, Sharon received a letter from school. She ripped open the envelope and read the first few lines while holding her breath. "Dear Mrs. Quinn: Thank you for your interest in the receptionist\clerk position. We had many qualified applicants, making it a difficult task to decide upon one. We are sorry..."

Sharon wadded the letter into a ball and threw it into the trash basket. Her hopes were dashed with those few words.

She'd have to start all over again, maybe check with the employment agency. She hadn't realized until that moment just how badly she wanted to work at the school.

It would have meant she was capable of supporting herself and her children. What would happen to them if she never found a decent job? The thought troubled her so much she refused to accept the possibility.

Sharon decided to make pies, stomping to the back porch and lugging a sack of apples into the kitchen. She slammed a knife and a newspaper onto the table, then sat down to peel, furiously skinning each apple in turn, leaving very little of the fruit. By the time the boys came home, however, the pies were baking in the oven, and she felt a little calmer.

Joe was right behind them as they came through the back door. He sniffed the aroma and murmured appreciably. "I don't mean to barge in, but we've got all the ingredients for a celebration, bubbly and all."

"Champagne? What's there to celebrate?" She refused to acknowledge how her heart had skipped a beat when Joe stepped into her home.

"Not really champagne, just 7-Up," he explained, then asked, "didn't you get the letter from school?"

His cheerful mood was beginning to get on her nerves. Did he have to rub it in? She nodded and pointed across the room. "It's in the trash can."

"I thought you'd be pleased." Joe looked bewildered, and her boys exchanged puzzled glances.

David spoke first. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, Mom."

"What's wrong with working in the cafeteria?" Luke asked.

Sharon studied their faces. "What are you talking about?"

Joe went to the wastebasket and lifted out the letter, smoothing out the wrinkles. "Didn't you read the whole thing?"

Chapter Three

Sharon took the crumpled letter from Joe and pored over the contents until she reached the place she'd left off.

"We're sorry we couldn't place all the applicants. However, there is an urgent need for help in the cafeteria. It would entail six hours a day, five days a week, starting right after the Thanksgiving holiday. If you're interested, please contact our office immediately."

She tore her gaze from the page, her mouth open. "No, I didn't see that part, but a cafeteria job?" She shook her head and read it again.

David said, "It might be fun, and we'd see you during the day."

"Yeah," Luke added, "and the food would improve."

They waited, poised on the edge of the sofa. She needed a job and couldn't afford to be too choosy. Should she keep looking?

What if she didn't find anything better? This was close to home and near the boys. It was the expression in Joe's dark eyes that made up her mind.

Shrugging, she said, "Why not? Cooking is one thing I know how to do."

"All right!" Luke shouted, jumping up to give her a hug. David smiled, looking proud.

Joe picked up the green bottle. "See what I mean? There
is
a reason to celebrate. Who wants a drink of pretend champagne?"

"Sounds good," Sharon said, turning to Joe. "Would you like to stay for dinner? There's apple pie in the oven." It seemed more of an occasion with Joe there.

"Thanks, I'd love to."

The boys offered to round up the glasses. When they'd disappeared into the kitchen, Joe approached Sharon, his dark gaze sweeping her face.

A light seemed to shine from behind his eyes.

"There's something I want to tell you before anyone else does."

The ominous tone in his voice alerted her. "Is it about Luke?" Joe shook his head. "David?"

"No, Sharon, it's about the job. Mrs. Moran, got the receptionist position."

She stared in disbelief. "Celia Moran? She doesn't even need a job." Sharon crossed her arms. "Well, that does it. I'm not going to work where she can gloat over me every day."

Celia was a nosy neighbor, well known for her gossip and catty remarks.

"I thought you needed the money," Joe said quietly.

Irritated by his point-blank perception, she turned her back on him. He raised his hands to her shoulders, then let them drop, but she'd noticed.

David and Luke came into the room with the glasses and set them on the dining room table. Joe moved over to pour.

"Hey, what happened to the party?" Luke asked, as if sensing tension in the air.

Sharon pressed her hands to her forehead as she searched her sons' faces. So much depended upon her and how she handled things. They desperately needed a reason to be happy, and she couldn't take it away from them.

Picking up a glass of 7-Up, Sharon lifted it in a salute. The others followed.

"To Mom's new job," Luke said.

"Hear, hear," Joe added, and the boys laughed.

Sharon joined in the laughter, realizing it was long overdue in this house. She was amazed at how easily Joe fit in. David seemed a little wary of the older man's intentions, but Luke obviously regarded Joe as a hero.

Sharon took another sip before saying, "I'd better check on dinner. It'll only be a few minutes."

"Need any help?" Joe asked with a twinkle in his eyes.