Catching Serenity (40 page)

She reached for his hand
. Raising it to his lips, Jackson planted a soft kiss on her open palm and felt her pulse escalate. That pleased him, too. The slight breeze sifted through her long hair, tousling it. A couple walking down the street with their dog waved and called out greetings.

Serenity
’s long lashes fluttered on her cheeks, and it started his heart pumping harder. It really didn’t take much.

“
Surely you can do better than that.” With one finger, she traced the side of his face. Oh, the things she did to him without even trying.

Jackson
pulled her close, so close he felt the contours of her body. Not the best idea. Stepping back an inch without making it seem like he was rejecting her—far from it—he kissed her. He kept it purposely soft, quick and sweet but couldn’t seem to disengage from it. Although he didn’t deepen it the way he wanted, it was unlike any kiss he’d ever experienced. For his sanity, he couldn’t give into the overwhelming passion he felt for her.

I love you more than you know, Serenity.
It was on the tip of his tongue to say the words. He felt pretty sure she’d reciprocate.
Be patient.
It’s not the time.
Leaning his head on hers, he held her tight before releasing her.

“
Save me a spot on your pew for the service tomorrow?” he asked from the walkway.

She nodded with a sweet smile.
“I’ll be there.”

No doubt about it. For the first time in his life, he was
completely in love, in every part of him—mind, body and soul.

~
CHAPTER 41~

When
Serenity stepped inside the front foyer of the church the next morning, she barely had time to get her bearings before Maya barreled into her, throwing her arms around her legs and hugging her tight. “Serenity! You came for Sunday school!”

“
Don’t run the pretty lady over, Maya,” Charlie said with a chuckle, pulling her into a warm hug. “Good to have you join us.”

“
What a nice welcome,” Serenity said. “Good morning.”

Maya tugged on her hand.
“Dr. Ross is teaching my class. You’ve gotta come!”

Serenity raised
a brow and glanced at Charlie. That was a surprise. She wondered why Jackson hadn’t said anything. “I thought I’d sit in with the ladies’ class, if there is one.”

Charlie gave her a curious smile.
“I’m a greeter this morning. Do you mind taking Maya downstairs to her classroom?”

“
Not at all. It’ll be my honor.”

Maya slipped her small hand in hers and pointed to the back of the choir loft.
“We go through the door up there and then down some steps.” The little girl tugged on her hand when they reached the bottom of the stairs and led Serenity past a number of classrooms. Several ladies waved and a couple of the men nodded as they walked down a long hallway.

“
Here it is.” Maya dropped her hand and skipped inside a bright, colorful classroom.

Following her, Serenity stopped short. Familiar brown eyes met hers and the corners crinkled, prompting her heart to do a silly little flip flop
.

“
The pretty single ladies meet upstairs, Miss McClaren.”

“
Thanks. Guess I’ll go find it,” she said, pivoting on her heel. Jackson moved beside her in an instant, taking her by the shoulders and turning her around to face him.

“
Not on your life. I’m thrilled you’re here. Stay.” Like Maya before him, Jackson took her hand and led her to the back of the room where a woman pulled crayons and papers from a cabinet. “This is Karyn,” he said, releasing her hand. “Her twins, Trevor and Traci, are in this class. Karyn, this is my friend, Serenity.”

The red-haired woman pushed bangs away from her eyes and gave her a weary smile.
“Nice to meet you. That’s a really cool name you have.”

“
Thanks. Can I help you do anything?” Serenity watched as Jackson moved back over to the circle of chairs and greeted more children.

“
Everything’s under control for now,” Karyn said. “If you want, you can help get the snack together after the lesson. For now, sit and listen. Jackson gives a really good lesson and the kids all love him.” She stifled a yawn. “I’m sorry. Don’t mind me. My youngest is teething and I was up and down with her last night. We’re both cranky this morning.”

“
Okay, it’s time to start our lesson,” Jackson said, motioning for the kids to join him in the circle.

“
I’m going to rest over here at the table.” Karen laughed. “If you see me dozing off or if I start to snore, give me a little nudge.”

The children scrambled into chairs.
“Come sit by me,” Maya said, patting the chair next to her with a big smile.

Serenity sat down, praying the kid-size chair would hold her.
“I feel like Goldilocks trying to squeeze into Baby Bear’s chair.”

“
Hold on a sec,” Jackson said, retrieving a bigger chair and bringing it to her. Murmuring her thanks, she took her seat. Jackson picked up his Bible from a table and sat across the circle from her in another “adult size” chair. Serenity hid her smile when two girls scooted their chairs closer to him and gave him adoring grins. Glancing around the circle, she counted thirteen children.

“
We have a very special guest with us today,” Jackson said after the kids settled in their chairs and most of the chatter subsided. “This is Serenity McClaren.”

“
What kind of name is Serenity?” That from one of the girls next to Jackson.

“
It’s a
be-au-ti-ful
name,” Maya said, bobbing her head.

“
Serenity means calm and peaceful,” Jackson said. “The word ‘serene’ means the same thing. If you met a queen, you’d bow or curtsy and address her as ‘Your serene royal Highness.’ It’s a title of honor and respect, and that’s how Jesus wants us to treat everyone. Why don’t we go around the circle and everyone tell Serenity your name? I’ll start. I’m Jackson Ross, and I’m your substitute teacher today while Mrs. Cooke is in Virginia helping take care of her new grandbaby. Trevor and Traci’s mom, Mrs. Raeborn, is our helper today.” Karyn waved from the nearby table. As they went around the circle telling her their names, Serenity hoped she’d remember them all.

“
If you have your Bibles, open them to the Book of Exodus,” Jackson said, giving them the chapter and verse.

“
Here, I’ll share with you,” a girl named Emilee said, placing her Bible on Serenity’s lap.

Glancing down and seeing it opened to the passage, Serenity felt her cheeks burn. Why hadn
’t she remembered to bring her Bible? Her breath caught when Emilee rested her curly head against her arm, looking up at her with trusting dark eyes.

“
Maya, why don’t you read for us?” Jackson asked. Serenity suspected most of the children either knew how to read or could at least follow along. Emilee ran her finger across the page as Maya read. Jackson helped out a couple of times when Maya stumbled over a few names, but she did an impressive job.

“
Great job reading. Now, what’s this story about?” Jackson said.

“
Moses!” Erik said.

“
It’s about Miriam, too,” Traci said, seeking out Karyn for her approval.

“
You’re both right,” Jackson said. Serenity watched as he managed to draw all the kids into the discussion. When Maya suggested they act out the story of Miriam placing her baby brother, Moses, in the bulrushes, Jackson agreed. “Great idea.”

Maya ran over to the small play area and dug around in the toy box, tugging out a small basket. Pulling out a baby doll, she placed it inside the basket, and accepted the blanket Amber offered.

“Hey, that’s a boy baby. No fair, Maya. You can’t put a pink blanket on him!” Trevor jumped up, grabbed the blanket and tossed it aside. Snatching the blanket from the floor, Amber glared at him.

Serenity suppressed her grin and Karyn shook her head. Jackson asked the children to proceed with their playacting. A few minutes later, he finished the lesson with some final questions.
“Why do you think Miriam did what she did?”

“
She wanted to keep Moses safe,” Trevor said.

“
That’s right,” Jackson said. “And why do you think she wanted to keep him safe?”

“
Because she was his sister and she loved him,” another little girl—the one she thought was Nikki—said.

“
Exactly.” Jackson nodded. “When you love someone, you want them to be happy. My brother caught a baseball once signed by my favorite White Sox player. Chad gave it to me because he knew I’d treasure it more than he ever would. Moms and dads, brothers and sisters,  grandmas and grandpas, they all do nice things for us, too.”

“
Gram took me to the American Girl store in New York,” Amber said. “She took Molly to the doll hospital because her eye sort of lost its color.”

When Jackson shot her a
Help me!
look, Serenity nodded. “I’ve heard about that doll hospital.” She tried not to show her surprise when even the boys strained forward, listening. “When Molly came back home, was she wearing a hospital gown?”

Amber beamed and nodded with enthusiasm.
“She had a balloon, and her eye’s all better now. They even fixed her braids since my little brother messed them up.”

All the children took that as their cue to speak up at the same time, their voices raised in excitement.

“I helped my mom make cookies even though I hate cooking. It’s for silly girls,” a boy named Ian said. He scowled when Maya and Amber protested.

“
I gave our dog a bath last night. Does that count?” Trevor asked. Traci rolled her eyes and punched his arm. When he yelped like a wounded animal, Karyn moved in to corral the kids, silencing them with a stern look.

Emilee
’s comment was swallowed by more animated chatter all around the circle.

Jackson raised his hand and the room quieted in seconds.
“That’s better. Emilee wants to say something and we all need to listen.” He nodded at the shy girl. “Your turn. Go ahead.”

Emilee twisted her hands in her lap and looked at Maya. It tugged at Serenity
’s heart when Maya gave Emilee an almost imperceptible nod. “My grandpa doesn’t remember so good anymore, and my grandma is always with him. She feeds him, takes him to the doctor, reads to him and works puzzles with him.” She shrugged. “Stuff like that.”

“
Emilee, your grandmother does what Miriam did for Moses, too.” Jackson made sure he had their attention before continuing. “Soldiers fight for our country so we can be free.” His eyes met hers briefly. “Teachers help us learn. Doctors keep us healthy. Firefighters and policemen keep us safe. And, most importantly, boys and girls, Jesus loved us enough to give His
life
for us. I want you to think of something you’ve done because you love someone. Now, think of someone who’s done something for
you
. It can be anybody, it can be anything. Close your eyes,” he said. “Time to thank Jesus for giving that special person to you, and thank Him for loving us enough.”

“
Thank You, Jesus, for loving us enough,” the children said in unison. Jackson must have taught them this before, but their chorus of young voices—so earnest and sweet—was incredibly precious. Serenity glanced around the circle as the youngsters bowed their heads and listened to Jackson’s prayer. Such a sweet, trusting faith they shared.

“
You okay?” Jackson worked beside her a few minutes later, pouring juice while she measured Goldfish crackers into plastic cups.

“
Fine, but incredibly humbled.” Continuing her task, she avoided eye contact. “These kids have such an amazing purity of spirit. I wish...”

“
What do you wish?” Jackson’s voice was gentle as he worked beside her.

“
Liam was very close in age to Maya. He’d be in this class.” Serenity blinked back tears and met Jackson’s gaze. “I like to think I would have brought him here.” She sniffled when he brushed a wisp of hair away from her cheek, his fingertips lingering. “How I wish he could be here.”

“
Me, too,” Jackson whispered.

“
We need to tell Serenity as soon as possible.” After arranging to meet Clinton for Sunday brunch after the church service, Jackson kept his voice low as they talked. Serenity had excused herself and gone to the ladies room. “Should we enlist Charlie or Deidre?” He stopped at the expression on the older man’s face. “Do they already know?” 

“
Charlie doesn’t know yet, but I think you’re right where he’s concerned. Elise called Deidre yesterday and told her everything,” Clinton said. “She’s having lunch at their house today.”