Time to Love Again (16 page)

"Persistence pays off, stick with it." She encouraged.

Right, persistence. How much longer could he go on like this? He called her every day. Sometimes he got her answering machine. Louise had suggested giving a dinner party, but he didn't think that was a good idea. Something told him, Rose was going to be furious when she found out he questioned them about her. Not to mention how she'd react when she found out they were in cahoots.

He had learned a lot about Rose from Louise and George. It delighted him to learn Rose's kids also encouraged a friendship between them. Francis had paid him a visit before he left, thanking him for the helping his mother. When Stephen admitted it wasn't much, Francis thanked him for just being there.

"It's been a long time since my dad died," Francis said. "It's time my mother moved on with her life." They shook hands and Francis promised to be in touch. He had called twice from
California
to see how things were going. But when Stephen told him his mother wouldn't see him, though they talked almost every day, Francis urged him to continue his efforts. "She'll come around, you'll see."

He wasn't about to give up anyway. He wanted to know her better. Wanted to spend time with her. He had no idea where it would lead, but he didn't care.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Rose grabbed her jacket, jumped into her car, and pulled out of the drive, heading to the grocery store.

She went straight to the bakery section. She wanted something special and walked around looking for just the right thing. She decided on kolachky, little pastries filled with jam that she loved. She bought two dozen and left the store with a mission in mind.

Though she was angry with Stephen for asking Louise and George about her, she also thought it was sweet. Maybe he really did care about her. Anyway, she decided not to fight it anymore. Besides, something made Sarah continue to harass her, and she wanted to know why.

She pulled into the garage and detoured from her house through the back yard to Stephen's house. She thought about his eyes as she reached her hand to knock, hesitated, noticed the bell, and rang it before she lost her nerve.

Sarah opened the door, stepped back, and lowered her eyes. "Yes," she mumbled.

"Is your grandfather home?" Rose tried to put the child at ease with a smile, but Sarah refused to look at her. Stephen came to the door.

"Rose! Is something wrong? I'm sorry, have Sarah and her friends been bothering you again?" His voice registered concern.

"I'm sorry, no, I mean." Flustered, unsure how to continue, she remembered the box of bakery. She held it out to them. "Mr. Daniels, I brought a peace offering."

He looked startled.

"A peace offering?" Moving aside, he opened the door, and invited her in. "Hey, it's Stephen, remember."

Rose noticed Sarah had disappeared.

He offered coffee, and she accepted as she looked around the bright yellow kitchen. Snowflakes and a wreath hung in the window and Santa salt and peppershakers, along with a snowman spoon rest, sat on the counter.
Garland
decorated the doorway, adding a festive and warm mood. Pictures of a young couple with a magnetic frame and drawings, apparently by Sarah, decorated the refrigerator.

Stephen turned his back and while he prepared the coffee whistled a Christmas carol, just barely audible. Sarah came into the room, but stood off to the side and stared at her feet, kicking an invisible speck. She brushed her shoulder length curly hair out of her eyes, glanced at Rose, and lowered her head again.

The quick glimpse Rose caught of the large brown eyes shocked her. They registered anger, hurt, and sorrow far beyond her young years. Rose wondered where her parents were and what had caused this child, who looked so angelic, to hurt. Strange, Stephen never mentioned them.

"Sarah, you have homework." Stephen set a cup of coffee in front of Rose and held a mug of hot chocolate out to Sarah.

She opened her mouth as if to object, took the mug, glanced at Rose, then turned, and hurried out of the room.

Remembering her own kids and their dread of doing homework on Saturday, Rose sympathized with Sarah.

Stephen set his cup on the table, sat down, ran his fingers through his hair, and sighed. "I don't know what to do with her."

"Where are her parents, if you don't mind me asking?" Rose stirred sugar into her coffee a little too vigorously. Her hands trembled, her stomach knotted. What was she doing here talking to this man? She should be home in her own kitchen, drinking her own coffee. But she didn't want to go home to her empty house. She wanted, no needed someone to talk to. Someone to share her life with. It's time she admitted it.

Something about this warm kitchen with its Christmas decorations caused her to dread the thought of her empty house. She inhaled the rich aroma of coffee, relaxed a little at Stephen's smooth voice.

"Michael, my son, Sarah's father, and Lisa, his wife, are in the Army Reserves. They've been deployed to the
Middle East
. Lisa's sister lives out of town with four kids of her own, so I volunteered to stay with Sarah. They didn't want to uproot her from her school too, so it made the most sense." Stephen sipped his coffee, looked at Rose over his cup.

Rose saw the pain and hurt in his eyes. How horrible that both parents were gone. She hated the war, but knew there was no other choice. Unfortunately, young men and women were losing their lives. She couldn't imagine losing a child. It hurt bad enough to lose parents, spouse and a sibling, but to lose a child– that had to be the ultimate loss. She shivered at the thought and sent up a quick prayer for Stephen's son and daughter-in-law.

"Her parents write and call whenever they can, but Sarah doesn't understand why they both have to be gone." Tears formed in his eyes. One slipped down his cheek.

Rose felt an urge to wipe the tear away but resisted. She wasn't sure how he'd take it. Sure, Francis and Louise said he cared for her, but did he really? Was she ready to find out? All she knew right now was that she wanted to touch him. To comfort him. It had been far too long since she'd been around a man, and she was afraid to reach out now. What if he rejected her?

"It's been a long time since I've had to raise a child. My wife dealt with most of the problems with Michael. I'm not sure how to handle an eight-year-old. Her grades are suffering. She gets into trouble in school. The teachers are at their wits end. She's not a bad girl, but she doesn't participate in class. Half the time she doesn't do her homework and when she does, for some reason, she doesn't turn it in." A wrinkle in his forehead caused a deep crevice between his brows. He shrugged. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to burden you with this."

"Not at all." Rose sympathized with him. Raising kids, especially alone, took a lot of time and patience. She had seen plenty of kids from broken homes when she taught, years ago. "Sounds like Sarah is lonely and missing her parents. She's hurt and the reaction to hurt is anger. She's so young. She doesn't understand or know how to deal with it, so it comes out in misbehavior." Rose stopped– horrified she had taken the privilege of his confidences, and given her opinion.

She took a last sip of her coffee and stood to go. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interfered." She grabbed her jacket and turned toward the door. "Thank you for the coffee and don't worry about the kids in my yard, they aren't a bother. They really aren't hurting anything." She smiled. "In fact I kind of like the snowman."

"Rose, wait." Stephen stood, came toward her, and touched her arm. "Thank you, um, uh, for the bakery and for lending an ear. Most people I talk to don't understand. They think Sarah is a spoiled brat."

A shiver ran up Rose's spine from his touch. "That's nonsense, who says that?" She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot on the floor. "I can't believe anyone, knowing the circumstances, would think that. Who told you a thing like that?"

 
"Folks at the senior center– they don't understand the situation. You don't have to get so angry." He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and his fingers lingered for a moment then slid down her cheek and across her lips.

She shivered. She wanted him to touch her. Liked the feel of his hand as he caressed her face. She heard her own intake of breath and froze. Her pulse sounded in her ears. The raw desire in his eyes did things to her. Strange, wonderful things.

He brought his mouth down to meet hers, demanding what he wanted. She responded immediately. She moaned and threw her arms around his neck. Excitement rushed through her, taking her breath away. She was hungry and the taste of him made her want more.

His fingers tangled in her hair. Her heart pounded wildly. She slid her hand over his warm skin and pressed her lips hard against his, finally giving in to her needs, her desires. She melted against him.

She heard a sound, pulled away and saw Sarah slip behind the doorway. The little stinker had been listening to their whole conversation.

"She'll be all right, Stephen, just continue to love and support her." Rose could barely whisper.

She glanced at the doorway and Sarah peeked around the corner again. Heat burned her face. God, what had she done?

"I'd like to talk to you about this again. You don't know how helpful you've been," Stephen said.

Rose nodded, opened the door, and left. Her heart warmed by a man she barely knew and the prospect of seeing him again. She put her finger to her lips, still warm from his. Her heart danced. Was she falling for him? That kiss did things to her insides that she hadn't experienced in a long time. Too long. Maybe everyone was right. It was time to move on.

* * *

Stephen's heart had leaped at the sight of Rose standing at the door. He had seen the compassion in her eyes when he told her about Sarah and his son. He liked the way her brow furrowed and the way she squenched her eyes, even the way her lips pursed. This woman had a big heart. But he had already figured that out. She understood grief and pain.

He had liked the rise it caused in her when he told her that people called Sarah spoiled. The woman had a temper. She showed a lot of compassion after all. And a bit of fire. At least she finally showed some emotion. Maybe he was breaking through after all. He had noticed her shiver when he touched her arm. He couldn't resist kissing her and her discomfort when she saw Sarah hadn't escaped him. They hadn't done anything wrong. It was just a kiss. Albeit a passionate one. But Sarah had seen kisses like that on television. Nothing wrong with it. Besides, he liked it.

He had made progress. Rose had returned his kiss, wanted it as much as he had. Wanted more. He sensed the desire in her. He didn't know what caused the sudden change in her, but whatever caused it, he was glad. Sarah had been listening, he'd seen her shadow cross the doorway, but he didn't care. There was nothing to hide, and maybe she'd take a new view of Rose.

Finally, Rose showed some spirit. With a little lipstick and maybe if she fixed her hair, she'd be quite a good looking woman. Now, if he could just convince her to go out with him, or maybe come over for dinner. He had a feeling she'd be a big help with Sarah too. He closed the door and went back into the kitchen.

* * *

The snow crunched under Rose's feet. She walked back to her house, humming the tune Stephen had been whistling. Deck the Halls, that was it. Her heart felt light and her mood better than she remembered in a long time. She liked the new feeling. A new her to match the new things in the house. She heaved a sigh. Life was good and getting better. She almost felt like skipping. A giggle escaped her throat. Lord, it felt good to be alive.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sarah sat in her room and thought about Grandpa. While he held her and talked to her, his gentle voice caused her a moment's regret. She loved Grandpa and didn't want to be bad, but she missed her parents and couldn't understand why they went away. It wasn't Grandpa's fault, but she couldn't help getting into trouble. Besides this time, she did it to help him. She just knew the old lady would come to see him. She knew he liked her, he looked happy when he talked to her, but when they got off the phone he looked sad. She was glad when Mrs. Asbury came over.