Bekah’s eyes widened and she stepped closer. “A weal tea pawty?”
How could she not find these girls adorable? “Yes, a real tea party.”
“Do you have the dishes?” Rachel asked with her hand on her hip.
It took all her effort not to laugh at the little girl. Was she really only three? “I sure do. Everything is outside waiting for your arrival.”
“Let’s go.” Rachel marched forward, heading for the patio door.
Michelle offered her hand to Bekah, who readily accepted it. She held the little one’s pudgy hand and cleared her throat. All of a sudden it mattered if the girls liked her or not. Was it because they were Guy’s?
Rachel stopped short and Michelle almost knocked into her. The little girl turned and looked up. “You have a princess garden?” she whispered.
“Isn’t it wonderful?”
“I love it,” Rachel said.
“It’s pewfect,” Rebekah exclaimed.
They walked outside and sat down at the little table. She had added a pink and purple checkered tablecloth to her childhood table. The floral-patterned tea set came from her childhood as well. Why she still had it she didn’t know. Then again, she had a lot of her old toys still boxed up. Maybe her subconscious had been waiting for the moment she would need them again.
Or God knew.
She blinked, not ready to go down that rabbit trail.
“Okay, ladies—
“No, Princess Bekah and Princess Rachel.” Rachel met her gaze, a look of authority on her face.
“Sorry, Princess Rachel. Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, thank you Princess Miz Chelle.” She held out a teacup primly.
Michelle poured as Bekah giggled, watching the exchange. She turned to the other twin, the teapot still extended. “And you Princess Bekah?”
The little girl nodded and held up her cup, though her hands shook with laughter. Next, Michelle filled her own teacup, and then placed a shortbread cookie on each of their plates. She picked up her cookie—
“No, Princess Miz Chelle. We must say grace.”
Heat infused her face. “I’m sorry, Princess Rachel.” The little girl was going to give her a run for her money.
“That’s okay. Hold hands.”
She held their hands and bowed her head.
“Deaw Lowd, thank You fow ou’ tea pawty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
She looked up stunned by Rebekah’s eloquent delivery. “That was beautiful, Bekah.”
Rebekah beamed at her and then took a bite of her cookie.
GUY LOOKED AT THE REARVIEW mirror for the umpteenth time. Should he turn around? Would the girls be okay? Would Michelle? He rubbed the back of his neck. Guy had never seen her interact with any kids. Granted the last time he hung around her, they were on the cusp between childhood and adulthood themselves.
Meeting Charlene had ushered in a new chapter in his life. Guy had happily forgot any and all girls of his past, but being back in Freedom Lake brought back memories. Memories of whispered dreams in the dark of the night. Of kisses shared, the ones that heated the blood and made all rational thought leave. The memories were strong enough he had begun wondering if he had done a disservice by breaking up with Michelle.
What would their life look like if he had stayed in Freedom Lake? He blinked. Don’t get sucked in by that line of thinking, man. No matter what, the past was that. Rachel and Rebekah needed him to be here. In the present. In the now. Alive and willing to live. But he knew he was giving only a bare portion of himself. He just couldn’t seem to climb out of the pit he had fallen into.
And on days like today, he was comfortable in it. He knew Evan would try to pull him out and Guy appreciated his efforts. But he so badly wanted to curl inside of himself and blank out the world. He stared at his turn signal. It would take a slight push for it to switch sides and direct him home. Away from the temptation of fun. Away from his responsibilities. Away from his mistakes.
“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
“I don’t deserve Your grace,” he whispered.
Maybe he just needed a vacation or simply make the decision to leave the melancholy mood. Guy turned left, toward Evan’s home. Tonight was about having fun. Pretending to be carefree in the midst of a storm he couldn’t battle. And tonight was not the time to talk or think about God’s Word either.
In no time, he parked in front of Evan’s home. The yellow country-style home seemed to smile at him. The sun shined in the blue sky, a sign of the lengthening days. He glanced around noting, the traces of life returning from the dead of winter.
Spring had been Charlene’s favorite season, but all he saw were irritants and horrid reminders of his isolated life. “Come on, Guy, you need to shake the blues off. Hang with the boys and pretend you’re all right.”
He nodded and knocked on the door ready to fake it until he made it.
“G-man,” Darryl shook his hand and pulled him in for a hug and back clap.
Oddly enough, the back clap was lighter than the one at Bible study. “Hey, D, what’s up?”
“Nothing much, man, nothing much. Come on in. Ev’s trying to grill some burgers and brats for us.”
Scary thought. “Can he grill?”
“It’s not going to taste like mine but it’s passable.” Darryl looked at him. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around since you moved back. We’ve been swamped at the office. But I’m glad you’re back. We missed you around here.”
“Thanks, D, I appreciate that.”
“Cool,” he said with a goofy grin. “Don’t be a stranger. And make sure if you ever need a pediatrician, you bring the girls to my office.”
He nodded. “Deal, man.”
Guy followed Darryl out back and stopped short, shocked at the deck that greeted him. It looked like every man’s dream. There was an outdoor kitchen and island with a grill. “Nice setup, Ev. How’d you get a
