“The empty one I passed on the way in here?”
“Yes that one.” She smiled. “Let me give you a quick tour.”
SATURDAY.
Guy didn’t know whether to embrace it or dread the full-time onslaught of hanging with his daughters. He loved them from the bottom of his heart, but they were a handful. They had some unspoken rule that one had to outdo the other in all forms of hilarity. While he didn’t mind the occasional giggles—who was he kidding, he loved the sound of their laughter—he objected to the manner in which they were caused.
Right now, he was mopping up the dish soap the girls thought would be fun to pour out onto the kitchen floor. Granted, the house would smell clean and the floor would be gleaming, but there didn’t seem to be enough water to soak up the soap.
Maybe if he took them to the park, mayhem would be kept to a minimum. If Holly’s daughter had been well, they would have gone anyway. Staring at the soapy floor, he let out a long sigh.
“Rebekah! Rachel! Let’s go to the park.”
“But we can’t move from time out!” Rachel’s voice carried from the stairs.
Guy knew if they sat there, they couldn’t get into trouble. Their timeout had turned out to be a way for him to breathe as opposed to a discipline tool. Right now, he needed fresh air and a way to run them until a nap was their only option.
Guy walked toward the stairs. They didn’t look contrite at all. Maybe it was time to put them in separate spots. “Time out is over. Go get some clothes and let’s go enjoy the park.”
“Okay, Papa,” they chorused.
A short while later, they arrived at the park. Kids were running around with endless energy while exhausted parents looked on from the benches. Guy nodded to a few parents as he made the trek toward the swings. Why they were separated from the rest of the playground equipment was beyond him. But hopefully, it would keep the girls busy.
He settled each girl into a swing before pushing them, alternating between each one. The blue sky and blooming trees began to wash the chaotic morning away. Freedom Lake was wonderful to look at in the spring time. His eyes scanned the parks patrons, always looking for anything suspicious. He couldn’t help it. The observation skill had been drilled into him to see the tiniest detail, even if he didn’t need his keen situational awareness skills, they still noted information to be ready in case a crime was committed.
Guy watched as mothers chased after their young ones. Elementary aged kids ran on the jungle gym, laughter and shrieks punctuating their fun. He turned his gaze to peer at the lake, which was nestled down the hill. He saw his bench, empty, and the call to sit on it reached out to him.
“Papa, push higher,” Rachel called out.
Duty calls. Guy turned and pushed her, then Rebekah. Their giggles drew a smile from him. He looked back at the lake and froze as he saw Michelle take a spot on the bench. At least he was pretty sure it was Michelle. Even though he couldn’t make out her facial features, his insides screamed out her identity. No one else had her graceful and classy stature. He wondered what bought her to the bench. Was she happy? Sad?
It had to be the latter. In the past, Michelle only went there when she was upset or meeting him. And since they hadn’t met for a secret rendezvous in over ten years, Guy was banking she was upset over something. People change though.
“But what if they didn’t?” he murmured to himself.
Before he knew what he was doing, Guy called out to her, in a voice that would carry and capture her attention. She glanced up and turned her face in his direction. He waved a hand in the air.
“Miz Chelle!” the girls cried out.
“Stop the swing, Papa,” Rachel cried out.
He slowed them down and watched as Michelle made her way up the hill. Rachel jumped off the swing and her little legs picked up speed as she raced toward Michelle. She scooped his daughter up and his heart beat strangely. Unidentifiable emotions swirled in his midsection.
Bekah followed sedately behind her twin, but her hug was no less exuberant when Michelle greeted her. She knelt down in front of the girls and their excited voices carried over the wind.
She’d make a great mother.
He stepped back. What in the world was he thinking? She wasn’t mother material. Was she? The care in which Michelle had shown when babysitting played over in his mind. Maybe he was wrong.
Finally, Michelle stood and took the girls by the hand as she headed his way. He gulped, trying to assuage the nerves that had suddenly popped up like a natural disaster.
“Good morning. Beautiful day, huh?” Her hesitant smile greeted him.
“Yeah, it is.”
“How long have you been in the park?”
“About ten minutes or so.”
“Oh.”
He stared at her, wondering what he was supposed to say and kicking himself for calling her name.
“Did you need anything?” She gestured toward the park bench.
He forced himself to calmly meet her gaze. “Just wanted to say hi. The girls are always asking about you, so I thought they’d like to see you too.”
“Yes, pway with us, Miz Chelle,” Bekah’s childlike speech was more endearing as she looked up, her eyes framed by black inky lashes.
No one could resist that look.
“Yes, you can push me and Papa can push Bekah.” Rachel stared at her as if it was a done deal.
“Nuh uh, Miz Chelle push me,” Bekah retorted.
“How about I take turns? Since you asked first, Bekah, I’ll push you first. Okay, Rachel?”
Guy forced down the laughter that welled up with one sour look from Rachel. She hated when others made fun at her.
“Fine,” she said primly.
“Come on, Peanut. Let’s go swing.”
They got the girls settled in
