Family for Keeps & Sadie's Hero (27 page)

They worked side by side in silence for a few minutes. Again the feeling of rightness descended over Sadie. When she picked up a towel to dry the large trays, she watched Andrew wipe down her counter and thought how much he looked at home in her kitchen. That realization brought her up short. She sucked in a deep breath and held it until her lungs burned.

While she put away the trays, Andrew prowled the room, coming to a stop at her desk. He stared at the pad, then lifted it and studied it.

“Is this scenery for a play?”

She nodded, bending to push the last tray to the back of the lower cabinet. “I’m in charge of the Christmas play at church this year. I’m trying to come up with the scenery needed. As you can see, I’m not a good artist.”

For a few seconds a faraway look came into his eyes. “I used to be in stagecraft when I was in high school. I enjoy—” He bit off the rest of his sentence.

“You used to enjoy making scenery?” She straightened, facing Andrew.

“Yes. I used to like working with my hands. Something about it—” he paused, creasing his brow “—was comforting.”

“Well, then, do I have a deal for you. I don’t have anyone to build the scenery yet. I sure could use your help.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think—”

She walked to him and pressed her fingers across his mouth. “Please. Wouldn’t it be nice to see if you still feel the same way?”

He sighed, his breath fanning her fingers.

She dropped her hand to her side and waited. Suddenly it was important that he became a part of the Christmas play.

“Okay, if I can find the time.”

“Good. The first rehearsal is tomorrow afternoon.

You can come and get an idea of what we’re gonna do. Some of the high school youth group will be there. A few have volunteered to help with the pounding of nails. I just need a leader to direct them. And you have such good leadership qualities.”

He laid his arms on her shoulders, trapping her in front of him. “And you have such good persuasive qualities. I think I’m doomed.”

“We could always have real animals. That should be entertaining.” Andrew stretched his long legs out in front of him and relaxed in the chair in the recreational hall at the church.

“Not to mention messy,” Sadie said with a glance at him. “No, I think your idea of making animals would be better. With a cast of thirty first, second and third graders, I think that’s about all I can handle in any one day.”

“Okay, I can get some plywood and make animal cutouts, then have the high schoolers paint them. Didn’t you say Cal was a budding artist?”

She nodded.

“Think he could do a cow, sheep and donkey?” Andrew drew in his legs as a small child ran in front of him and leaped over them.

“Jared, no running,” Sadie called to the first grader. “Yes, Cal can handle that.”

“While he’s doing that, Chris and I can build the manger.”

“Then you’ll make the scenery?” Sadie sat next to Andrew.

“Yes, and I’ll definitely have the easier of the two jobs.” Andrew surveyed the large room filled with the thirty children waiting for Sadie to direct them. “Where’s your help?”

“Carol should be here soon.”

“It will just be you and Carol?”

“And now you,” she said with a grin as she pushed to her feet and started for the group of children.

“I didn’t say anything about working with the kids,” Andrew called.

Sadie kept walking as if she didn’t hear him when Andrew knew she’d heard every word he had uttered. He watched her gather the older children to her and begin giving instructions, her voice firm but caring.

A natural teacher. She’d make a good mother to his—He put an immediate halt to that thought, shoving the longing to the back recesses of his mind. He had no business visualizing any kind of relationship with Sadie beyond friendship. When the New Year came, he would be drowning in work. Right now, before the holidays, he had a reprieve—a very brief one.

For the next hour Andrew worked with the four high school students, who included Cal and Chris, making plans for the scenery. When Sadie announced play practice was over, the room erupted with children talking and laughing. They had been relatively quiet during the practice, which still amazed Andrew.

“I’ll get the wood, paint and supplies. We can start putting everything together next Saturday afternoon at two.” Andrew closed his pad, where he had written down the materials he needed.

“Mr. Knight, I’ll help you get them.”

Andrew started to say he could take care of it himself, but one look at Chris’s eager expression and he replied, “Sure. I’ll pick you up at noon next Saturday.”

“Great!” Chris leaped to his feet. “I’ll be a big help.”

As he hurried toward his mother, who stood in the doorway into the recreational hall, Sadie approached. “The least I can do is help, too.”

“Now you offer to help with the scenery.” Andrew looked skyward.

“I’ve been told I have great timing.”

Andrew threw back his head and laughed while thirty young children ran, walked and skipped out of the hall.

“Besides, I have the money to purchase the materials.”

“No, I’ll take care of it. Consider it my donation.” Andrew raked his hand through his hair and scanned the empty hall, silence prevailing for the moment.

He took a deep breath and caught a whiff of Sadie’s perfume. He thought of Ruth’s rose garden, and memories of the time they’d spent in New Orleans inundated him. The warning signs had been there. He’d never taken another person to his old homestead. Sadie had a way of working her way into his life without him even knowing it until it was too—

Whoa! He put a stop to that thought, too. He was in control. His emotions concerning Sadie were nothing more than friendship.

“Up for a cup of coffee? I don’t want to go home yet.” Sadie threaded her arm through his.

“Why?”

“My dad is over at my house talking with Mom. I figure I’ll give them some space.”

He covered her hand on his arm. “Are you avoiding your father?”

Her fingers tightened. “Yes. I don’t want to complicate the situation. They’re working on their problems. My presence might make things more uncomfortable.”

He would have given anything to have a family. He still missed his parents and sister after all these years. He usually didn’t allow himself to think about the past, but Sadie and her situation with her parents had forced the memories to surface.

“Have you ever talked with your father about how you feel?”

She halted her progress toward the door. “No, I wouldn’t know where to begin. And don’t tell me at the beginning. You saw how Thanksgiving dinner was.”

“I didn’t say it would be easy, but ignoring your feelings or keeping them bottled up inside of you can’t be good.”

“This from the man who has such a firm control over his own emotions.”

“But I don’t have a father I need to come to terms with.”

Her gaze locked with his for a few seconds before it slid away. “I’m afraid.”

“What could be worse than what you are going through now?”

“An out and out rejection.” She hung her head, her shoulders slumping.

He lifted her chin and peered into her eyes. “That’s a risk I think you should take. You told me your relationship with him changed after your little brother died. I know losing a loved one can change a person inside. Perhaps your father is suffering more than anyone knows.”

She heard the anguish in his words. She doubted he realized it. Through a blur of tears, she laid her hand over his heart, feeling the slow beat beneath her fingertips. “And you’ve got no one to talk to about what happened to you all those years ago.”

“There’s nothing for me to talk about.”

His heartbeat increased, negating his words. “Are you sure about that, Andrew? Maybe you should have a conversation with God. I think He’s the one you’re angry at.”

He stepped back, his expression closed. “I’m not angry at anyone.”

“You aren’t? Then why don’t you attend church? You used to. What happened?”

“Life. Work.”

“That’s a cop-out. If it’s important, you make room for it in your life.”

“I’m here now.” He gestured wildly at the foyer leading into the sanctuary.

“That’s not the same thing. When was the last time you spoke with the Lord?”

He took a bracing breath, visibly fighting for the control that was so important to him. “It’s not going to work, Sadie. You’re good at changing the subject when you don’t want to discuss something.”

“And you aren’t?”

One corner of his mouth lifted. “Yes, we both are.”

She grasped his hands in hers and held them up. “I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll speak with my father if you’ll come to church with me and speak with God.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “I’ll come to church with you, but I can’t guarantee anything beyond that.”

“It’s a start.”

“And how about your part of the bargain?”

“I’ll talk to my father.”

“When?”

“Soon. That’s all I can promise.”

“I can live with that.”

“Now, how about that cup of coffee and maybe a slice of pie, too?”

“If I hang around you too much longer, I’ll have to start watching my weight. I still have several goodies from last night.”

“You’ll just have to start exercising more.” Sadie linked her arm through his and started for the door, a lightness to her step. She liked the idea of him hanging with her—probably too much, if she wanted to avoid heartache. The problem with that was her heart was already involved, and she didn’t think that was going to change any time soon.

“Y
ou can stop laughing now.” In the church’s recreational hall, Sadie took another step back from the cow she’d put the finishing touches on.

Andrew pressed his lips together, but his eyes held merriment deep within them.

“But, Miss Spencer, you got paint all over you,” Chris exclaimed, not able to contain his laughter.

“Okay, so I got carried away. The cow is done. You and Cal are still painting the donkey.” Sadie pointed her brush at the plywood animal in question.

“That’s because this is gonna be a work of art. Right, Chris?” Cal dipped his brush into the bucket.

“Yeah, a work of art.”

“And what is this?”

Andrew burst out laughing. “I think if we turn it around we can paint the other side and no one will be the wiser. When are the children going to be here?”

“In a few minutes. You aren’t trying to get rid of me, are you?”

“Never.” The gleam of merriment in Andrew’s eyes brightened.

Sadie narrowed her gaze and directed its full force on the exasperating man. “My cow isn’t that bad.”

“I’ve never seen a brown and white one quite like that. The markings look like big polka dots.”

“It’s a Holstein.”

“They’re black and white, and their dots aren’t that round. Besides, I doubt a Holstein was in the manger the evening Christ was born.”

“Well, that will be the last time I offer you a little help while I’m waiting for the children to arrive.”

“Promise? I think I hear the children in the foyer. You’d better check.”

Glancing toward the door, Sadie cocked her head to the side. “I don’t hear anyone.”

When she looked at Andrew, he’d turned the plywood around to show the unfinished side, and all three of them had moved to stand in front as though that would block her view. She fisted her hands on her waist, screwed her mouth into a mock frown and tapped her foot against the tiled floor. “Do I have to remind you guys that I’m the director? Therefore I am in charge.”

Andrew stalked toward her, his brush still in his hand. She eyed it, then looked into his face, set with determination. She took a big step backward and came up against a chair. When he stopped in front of her, shem licked her dry lips and thought about making a mad dash for the door.

“If you stay, I can’t be accountable for my actions. I have this overwhelming need to paint a polka dot—” with lightning speed he lifted his hand and brushed black paint on her cheek “—here, to match your cow, of course.”

“Oh, you didn’t!” She brought her hand up to her face and felt the wet paint.

“He did, Miss Spencer,” Chris called, laughter in his voice. “Way to go, Mr. Knight.”

“Chris, don’t forget who your teacher is.” Sadie started around Andrew, stumbled into him, grasping his hand with the brush before he realized it and snatching it away. As quickly as she secured the brush, she wiped it across his face from forehead to chin then scrambled away.

Andrew spun. Chris and Cal’s laughter echoed through the recreational hall.

“You look like a zebra,” Chris said.

“No, Chris. He doesn’t have enough stripes—yet.” Sadie went to the bucket and immersed the bristles in the black paint. “But I wouldn’t want to be accused of not being authentic in my work.” She held the brush up and strode toward him.

Andrew’s eyes glittered. That should have been a warning to Sadie that she was in big trouble, but she was too elated at getting his brush that she ignored his stance, which spoke of a man ready to do battle.

Before she had a chance to raise her arm, he pinned it flat against her side. She couldn’t move. “I think I do hear the children.”

“Too late. Where do you want it?”

“What?”

“The stripe.”

“I—” She swallowed her words.

“Don’t care, do you?”

“Andrew, the children!”

His gaze trekked downward. “Have you taken a good look at yourself? I don’t think it will matter what I do.”

Sadie glanced at her old, faded jeans and gray sweatshirt. For the first time she noticed how much brown paint she’d managed
not
to get on the piece of plywood.

“Oh!” Her gaze slipped to Andrew’s face. “I was never a neat painter in school. My teachers were always complaining.”

“I can see why.”

The door to the hall burst open, and several children raced into the room. Sadie turned a pleading look on Andrew.

He leaned close until she felt surrounded by his scent. “This isn’t over, Sadie. Just postponed.”

“What are you going to do?” She moved an arm’s length away.

“I have to think on that one. In the meanwhile, I need to scrub this stripe off.” He casually walked past the people filing into the hall as though he wore a black line down his face every day.

But Sadie did see him tense when snickers erupted from the children he passed.
Oh, my, I’m going to have to stay out of his way.
She wondered how long it would take for him to forget about the stripe.

Then she saw several little girls pointing to her face and giggling behind their hands. That was when Sadie remembered the big polka dot Andrew had painted on her cheek. She hurried after him, saying to the gathering group, “I’ll be right back. Sit in the chairs and wait on me.”

Ten minutes later, with her face scrubbed, she entered the recreational hall to find the children running around the room and Andrew trying to calm them down and get them into their chairs. The dismay reflected in his expression told her more than anything that this man wasn’t used to being around six-, seven-and eight-year-olds. She stood by the door for a few minutes to give him a chance to subdue the masses.

After one seven-year-old boy knocked over a chair, Sadie took pity on Andrew and hurried forward, stopping next to him. Over the din he said, “Don’t ever leave me alone with them again.”

“I didn’t leave you alone. Surely a few children aren’t fright—”

“Don’t say it. I will readily admit I’m scared of anyone under the age of fifteen and I’m definitely out of my element.”

“With some practice you’d get the hang of it. You’re a smart man.”

“A smart man would have taken one look at the chaos and run the other way.”

Sadie laughed, put her two fingers into her mouth and blew a loud whistle that immediately got the children’s attention. They stopped where they were and faced her, the noise level down to a low murmur.

“That’s much better. Now I would like the shepherds to sit over here, the wise men here.” Sadie pointed where she wanted them. “Angels in this row and Mary, Joseph and the innkeeper in front.”

All the children dutifully made their way to their designated area.

“I’m amazed. They listened. Where did you learn to whistle like that?”

“My first year coaching. It’s a great way to get children’s attention. It’s one of many survival techniques that I learned early on.”

“Since you have everybody under control, I’ll just return to the scenery and correct a few things.”

Andrew left Sadie standing in front of the children and hurried to the half assembled scenery. After fixing Sadie’s cow, he peered up to see her working with the angels. With a smile on her face and a calm demeanor, she looked like an angel herself.

He watched her give them their instructions and marveled at how they listened to her when only fifteen minutes before they were wild. He had thought they had been incapable of settling down. Another thing he was wrong about. With Sadie he was discovering that a lot.

He started to return his attention to the crib he was constructing when he saw a little boy with tears streaming down his face run to Sadie. She knelt so she was on the child’s level and comforted him as he told her how he had bit his lip and it was bleeding. She withdrew a tissue from her pocket and dabbed at his mouth, her words low but soothing. The child calmed down and hastened back to his group.

Sadie Spencer would make a great mother and should have children of her own to love and care for. That thought popped into Andrew’s mind, and he couldn’t shake it, or the disconcerting feeling that washed through him. Picturing her with another man didn’t sit well with him, either. That realization sent his mild discomfort into a full-fledged panic.

He had no claim on Sadie, and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling he wanted to. There was no room in his life for a wife, and he couldn’t see Sadie as anything but that. Yes, right now he had more time than he usually did, but that was only because it was the holidays, and work at IFI slowed down. Once the new year came he would be so busy he would lose track of whether it was night or day.

Nope, he had no business even thinking of Sadie in any terms except as a friend. She might be mother material, but he wasn’t father material.

“Chris, I’ll tell you when to pull the curtains open.” Sadie paused by the young man and peeked into the audience to see if everyone was seated. Her parents and Andrew were in the front row. Her mother slipped her arm through her father’s and leaned over to whisper something into his ear. Her father smiled.

Her mother had returned to her own home a few days ago on the condition that they continue in therapy. Much to Sadie’s surprise her father had agreed, even coming to her house to help her mother pack and move home. Sadie hoped everything worked out for her parents, but she didn’t know if that was possible. Her father wasn’t having an affair; he was just consumed with his work. He’d never seemed in the past to be willing to make any changes. It had always been her mother bending to his will.

“Miss Spencer?”

A shepherd tapped her on the arm to get her attention. Sadie blinked and looked down. “Yes, Joey.”

He crossed his legs and screwed his face into a frown. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom
bad.
”

Sadie glanced at her watch and noted it was time to begin. “Hurry. I’ll wait for you to come back before we start.”

“I’ll be fast.”

She surveyed the stage to make sure everything was in place, including the cast. One angel scratched her head, and her halo fell to the side. Joseph pulled on his fake beard, and it caught on his chin. Sadie quickly corrected the problems, then stepped to scan the area again.

She encountered a solid wall of flesh.

Andrew steadied her. “I was sent back here to check and make sure everything was okay.”

“Who sent you?”

“Your mother. She remembers when she was the director of the pageant and figured you might need some help.”

“I’ve got everything under control.”

The second she said that, Joey raced back, yelling so loud everyone in the audience must have heard, “I’m done going to the bathroom, Miss Spencer.”

Sadie winced.

Joey slid to a stop but not before colliding with a cow. It crashed to the floor, dust flying everywhere. One of the angels jumped back and fell against a donkey, which toppled, causing a chain reaction. Sadie squeezed her eyes closed and listened to the falling scenery, flinching every time she heard another piece hit the floor.

Then there was total silence, not even a sound from the audience on the other side of the curtain.

Afraid to look, Sadie pried one eye open.

All the children stood amidst the fallen scenery with their eyes round as saucers and their mouths agape.

“I’m sorry, Miss Spencer,” Joey cried, tears coursing down his cheeks.

Practicing her deep breathing, she hurried to Joey and knelt in front of him. “That’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to do this.” She tried not to look at the chaos around her, but her gaze—as though it had a will of its own—skimmed over the mess. “We’ll put it right, and the play will go on.”

“Okay, kids. Pick up any pieces near you and stand them up.” Andrew strode among the children and helped where needed.

Sadie watched as the stage was once again transformed into a stable. She marveled at how efficient Andrew was in getting the cast to assist him. While Andrew was dealing with the cleanup, Sadie parted the curtains and quickly stepped out in front, raising her hands to signal for the audience to quiet down.

“There has been a slight delay. If everyone will remain in their seats, we should be starting very soon.”

“That sounded more like an earthquake struck,” a man in the back called.

“We had a minor mishap with no injuries.”

“Do you need any help?” her mother asked, her brow creased in worry.

“No, I have everything under control.” She crossed her fingers behind her back and hoped she was right.

When she looked backstage, the scenery and the children were standing in their proper place. “Okay, it’s time to begin.” She moved off the stage with Andrew and signaled to Chris to open the curtains.

As they parted, Sadie whispered to Andrew, “I thought you didn’t know anything about children.”

“I don’t, but I do know how to deal with a crisis.”

“You have the makings of a father,” she said without thinking, and immediately regretted the statement.

Andrew tensed, his expression shuttered. “You have to be around to be a father.”

Reverend Littleton cut the birthday cake for Baby Jesus, then handed the plate to the first child in line. Sadie poured the little girl a cup of punch. When she gave her the drink, Sadie’s gaze found Andrew in the crowd. The intensity in his eyes took her breath away. She nearly spilled the next cup. Determinedly she kept her attention on her task, but the hair on the nape of her neck tingled. If she glanced up, she would find Andrew looking at her. That thought disconcerted her but at the same time sent a thrill through her.

“The play was lovely, dear,” an older lady said as she stood behind her grandson in line for refreshments. “Of course, when I did it, Joseph didn’t forget his lines, and we used a live sheep.”

“Yes, Henrietta, I remember that sheep well. Didn’t it eat the hay in the manger, then baa the whole way through the play?” Robert Spencer asked, coming up behind Sadie.

The older woman turned beet red and hustled her grandson away with his drink and cake.

“You remember that?”