A Matter of Destiny (9 page)

The amusement in the other woman's eyes vanished and was replaced by frigid anger. "Why you little...how dare you insinuate..."

A deep voice cut her off. "How's it going, Sharon?"

She glanced at Joe while making a conscious effort to calm down. She shouldn't have let Celia get under her skin, especially in public.

"Fine, Joe, thanks." Eyeing Celia with a steady gaze, she murmured, "Keep the line moving, please."

Joe chuckled and leaned over so that only she could hear his words. "Sheath those claws, honey, you won the first round."

"I don't feel the thrill of victory," she moaned.

"Your neighbor might even be an angel in disguise and you're being tested."

"Ha!" Sharon said, "I'd know an angel if I saw one, and she certainly doesn't qualify." When Joe gave her an amused look, she said with an answering grin, "Better keep the line moving, buddy."

Joe gave a somewhat sloppy salute and did as he was told. His intervention lightened her mood, and she consciously ignored Celia.

Sharon continued serving, always aware of Joe's scrutiny from a table in the corner, near a group of rowdy boys. Then the lunch hour grew so busy she didn't notice when he left.

All things considered, she had a successful first day.

Joseph had felt like a proud parent as he'd watched Sharon during her first day at work. It was getting increasingly difficult to be in two places at once.

He'd have to talk to Serena soon about his waning powers.

He was satisfied, though, that she'd be all right. The cafeteria job had been just what she'd needed, to take her mind off her grief. And her co-workers were fun, not stuck-up, like the office workers at the school.

All in all, he felt good about the way some things were progressing. As for other areas of this mission...he'd rather not think about it.

Sharon called Paula that night and asked about the Banners' holiday.

Paula hesitated, as if checking to see if anyone was nearby. "It didn't go very well, Sharon, but I'll have to talk to you later, okay?"

Sharon figured things weren't any better if Paula was afraid to talk on the phone. "Can you come over?" she asked, knowing instinctively she couldn't go to the Banner home.

"No, I'm sorry," Paula said in a low voice. "I'll call back when I can."

There was a click and the line went dead. Sharon stared at

the receiver. What should she do?

David walked through the room, carrying his school books. "Was Melanie at school today?"

He frowned. "Yes, why?"

She hung up the phone. "Paula couldn't talk just now, and I wondered if everything was all right."

David continued toward the door. "I don't know. Melanie didn't speak to me."

"Have you given her any reason to?" Sharon hadn't meant to be so blunt, but she was worried.

David turned and looked at her. "I said hello, but she walked right by."

"Hmmm, that is strange."

"Stay out of it, Mom. That's the way she wants it." He headed up the stairs without a backward glance.

Sharon stared after him. Did he know something he wasn't telling? She'd let it rest for now, but was determined to ask Paula as soon as possible.

With a deep sigh, she headed for the kitchen. Baking always relaxed her, and the boys liked the aroma of chocolate chip cookies filling the house. Come to think of it, so did she.

It didn't take long for the aroma to bring them downstairs again.

In the days that followed, Sharon didn't see Celia in the cafeteria again. Probably has her meals out, she thought wryly.

The receptionist position paid two dollars more an hour than the cafeteria job, but Sharon was beginning to enjoy it now that she was catching on. Her co-workers were helpful and friendly, and the four of them often found themselves weak with laughter from a comment one of them had made.

Sharon accidentally dumped a bowl of whipped cream onto the counter one morning. Since it couldn't be used, she scooped up a handful and formed a white beard and mustache on her face, then let out a deep, "Ho, ho, ho."

Her boss tried to scold her for wasting food, but couldn't keep from laughing. As Esther leaned against the counter, gulping air between giggles, she suddenly stood upright and tried to pull herself together.

"Good morning, Mr. Reardon. Your usual coffee?"

"Thanks, Esther. Hi, Sharon." His voice was ripe with amusement.

Her smile froze as embarrassment burned her cheeks beneath the whipped cream. Sharon turned slowly, took one look at Joe, and ran.

His laughter followed her even after she banged the bathroom door shut. She moaned aloud as she stared at herself in the mirror.

"You idiot," she muttered. It was amazing that Joe still admitted he knew her. He must be convinced by now that she'd completely lost her mind, and she'd have to agree with him.

Esther gave Sharon a full six minutes before she stuck her head in and said, "Time to come out and face the music. You can't hide all morning."

Sharon worked steadily the rest of the day, ignoring Esther's occasional chuckle, except to smile to herself.

Sharon kept an eye on David and Luke during lunchtime whenever possible. David was still avoiding Melanie, or vice versa, but Sharon didn't think she should interfere.

Luke sometimes sat with the loud group of boys, and Sharon was afraid he might get into trouble again.

She didn't know what to do about it and mentioned her concern over an afternoon coffee break with Joe. It was the first time she'd talked to him since the whipped cream episode, and she could have kissed him for not bringing it up.

He answered her question about Luke.

"I'll have a talk with him," he promised. "At least he's too busy with sports to run around with that crowd after school."

"Yes, I'm glad of that." She tilted her head. "Have I ever properly thanked you for getting him into football?"

Joe scratched his head as he thought a minute. "No, not that I recall. You were ready to toss me out of the house when you first found out."

She laughed. "I was hoping you'd forgotten."

He covered her hand for an instant, just long enough for her to miss his warmth when he took it away. "I understand. You were upset at the time."

She stared into his rugged face. "Are you always so nice?"

His eyes were solemn as he gazed back. "No, sometimes I'm not nice at all."

"Why do you say that?" Her voice was almost a whisper.

Joe glanced down at his coffee cup and fingered the handle. "I'm only patient and kind when I want something very badly."

Sharon knew she shouldn't ask, but did anyway. "And, what is it you want?"

His eyes grew even darker. "Haven't you figured that out yet?" He reached over and ran a gentle finger down her cheek, then brushed her lips with his thumb. "Just remember I'm here if you need me."

He rose then and said he had to get back to class.

Sharon couldn't have replied if her life had depended upon it, so sensual was his touch. There was no way to misinterpret his meaning, unless he was playing a game. She didn't think he was that kind of man.

What was she going to do about it?

She liked being with Joe; there was no denying that. But if he wanted more than she could give, what then?

Sharon touched the place on her mouth where his thumb had rested and shivers skipped down her spine. Then she thought about her sons and knew she could do nothing without upsetting the delicate balance of their lives.

Joe berated himself on the way back to class. He'd lied to Sharon. He didn't feel patient at all, especially when he desperately wanted something he couldn't have, not now, not ever. He just didn't understand his assignment...exactly.

He wasn't allowed to use most of his powers, when there were times they'd be most valuable. He hadn't heard of such restrictions being placed on a guardian before.

After all these eons, why this one woman? What set her apart from all the rest?

The raucous chatter coming from inside his classroom halted his tormented thoughts for the moment, a blessed relief.

Sharon wondered later if Joe had spoken to Luke because her younger son was quiet and thoughtful during dinner when he usually talked constantly.

"Are you feeling okay, honey?" she asked.

Luke looked up, surprised. "Sure, Mom. Any more potatoes?"

She passed the bowl, noting he hadn't lost his appetite. David had called and said he'd be late. He had some research to do for a report. When they used to be a family of four, it seemed lonely with only two at the dinner table.

"How was practice?"

Luke smothered his potatoes with gravy before answering. "Good." After a huge bite, he said, "How was work?"

Sharon sat back. "It was hectic, as usual, but the time goes fast."

No comment. Luke's mind was apparently miles away again, so Sharon finished the rest of her meal in silence. She longed for the days when Luke's chatter never ceased. It was too quiet now. The phone rang and Sharon answered it.

"Oh, hello, Joe. What? Yes, he's here." She handed the receiver to her son, who turned his back to her and mumbled into the phone.

Sharon couldn't quite catch what he was saying. Luke was acting so strangely, as if he had something to hide.

Luke hung up abruptly. Jamming his hands in his pockets, he faced her squarely. "He says he's coming over. I'm leaving."

She stared at him, confused. "But...where are you going?"

He wouldn't look at her. "Over to Billy's." Luke turned away, lifting his jacket off the back of his chair.

"No, you're not, young man, not until I know what's going on." This man/child was a stranger to her.

Luke flung the coat over his shoulder. "Sorry, Mom, but I have to go." With that, he went through the back porch and out the door.

Sharon sank into her chair, stunned. What was going on? Joe was coming over, maybe he knew. She began to clear the table as she waited, needing to keep busy. Sharon didn't know if she could handle any more surprises.

At the quiet knock, she opened the door. Joe stood on the porch, his expression unreadable. "Hi, Sharon. Is Luke here?"

She shook her head. "After you called, he practically ran out of the house."

"May I come in? I wanted to talk to you anyway."

"Of course." She stepped aside.

"Did he tell you what happened at practice?"

"No." She rubbed her hands together.

Joe reached for her fingers, halting their movement. Sharon gazed into his eyes, realizing she expected him to have all the answers.

As Joe stared at Sharon, his fingers intertwining with hers, the impulse to put his arms around her was so strong his grip tightened.

She swayed toward him, and that was enough for his control to snap. He drew her close. Sharon seemed to melt into him and fit perfectly.

Joe kissed her soft, vibrant hair and allowed himself to dream the impossible.

Sharon trembled in his arms, then pulled away. Joe couldn't tear his gaze from her lips as he longed to taste their sweetness. Her attention drifted to his mouth and she shuddered again.

"Joe," she said softly, and he lowered his face to hers. It was just a whisper of a kiss, but enough to make him want more, much more, as she tried to put distance between them.