“Was it a good one?” Chloe looked at her as she sank back into the sofa cushions.
“It was about turning despair into praise...” she waved a hand in the air. “I think I have that right.”
Jo chuckled and stuck her tongue out at her. She loved her friends, even the constant teasing and ribbing they sometimes gave her.
Chloe took a deep breath. “Thanks, Michelle. That’s something I should remember. I was hoping he would want to meet me or at least get a DNA test confirming it, but he didn’t want anything to do with me. He told me not to call him ever again.”
Michelle turned away, hoping to hide her wince. She felt bad for her friend. She knew how much she wanted to find family.
“But that’s okay. I’ve gone this long without an earthly father, I can go longer.”
“Doesn’t mean it still doesn’t hurt.” Jo whispered.
“It does, but eventually I’ll bounce back.” Chloe tugged on a curl. “I have to.” She sighed and sat up, glancing at Jo and then Michelle. “Enough melancholy. Tell me what’s new? Anything I missed?”
Jo gave a sly smile. “Well I thought it was interesting that Michelle sat next to Guy in church.” Jo stared her down.
“What?” Chloe exclaimed.
Michelle froze, her face heating up. It was probably bright red. Or rather, as bright red as her complexion would allow. Why had she told her friend that bit of information? She should have kept it to herself.
“Spill,” Jo demanded.
“There’s nothing to spill. We ran into each other in the atrium. We agreed to sit next to each other. End of story.”
“I don’t know, sounds like you’re hiding something,” Chloe said in a sing-song voice.
Jo smirked.
“Thanks a lot, Jo Ellen.” She rolled her eyes and then faced Chloe. “We had a thing in high school and maybe I wonder if we could rekindle it. But whatever Jo says, don’t listen to her. She thinks everyone needs to have a happy ever after now that she’s in love.”
“You two dated?” Chloe’s head swiveled back and forth between her and Jo. She looked like a bobble head. “Why am I the last to know?”
“And since when are you thinking of rekindling the relationship?” Jo asked.
“Wow, look at the time. I think I need to rest for work tomorrow.”
“I don’t think so.” Chloe said demurely.
Her friends stared her down.
Seconds that felt like minutes ticked away as she passed her comfort zone and entered into the tortured stage. She clasped her hands together on her lap trying not to fidget, hearing her mother’s old instruction ringing in her head. Michelle, ladies never fidget when uncomfortable with the truth.
But what truth? Chloe was merely staring at her. And Guy...well she had no truth to share at the moment.
“It’s not over.” Chloe looked her in the eyes. “Lay the truth out now and it will be.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What are you talking about?”
“I have no idea, but I heard the words as clear as day in my head and spoke them.”
She eyed her friend, a light shiver going up her spine. Jo was the only one who knew. She glanced at Jo who quickly shook her head. She hadn’t told? Then why would Chloe say that?
Michelle got up, needing to do something, anything but focus on the words her friend had said. But she couldn’t help but wonder if it was a message from God.
THE GIRLS HAD LOVED church. They had talked nonstop all the way home, through lunch and dinner, and until Guy finally tucked them in. Now the blessed peace of quiet surrounded him. Instead of watching a game, he contemplated his next steps.
He stared at his cell phone. He’d been holding it for a few minutes now, wavering back and forth. But the little voice in his head wouldn’t be quiet. He took a deep breath and pressed the dial button. He hadn’t needed to put the numbers in because they were still there from when he first picked up the phone.
“Guy?”
Michelle’s voice rang loud and clear, if not a little hesitant. “Hey, Michelle.”
“Hi.”
Silence met his ears. “I was just calling to...um...see how you are.” He closed his eyes feeling like a moron.
“I’m fine. You?”
He pulled the ring out of his pocket. It was now or never. “Will you go on a date with me?” He paused, holding his breath. Would she remember?
“I’d thought you’d never ask.”
Guy closed his eyes, but a grin broke out on his face. She remembered the words he’d said when he first asked her out.
“For real or are you just reminiscing?” Her question hit him hard.
Didn’t she know when he was teasing? A lot of time has passed, Pierre. “I’m for real. Evan agreed to watch my girls. Of course, he’ll most likely wrangle Jo to help out. Regardless, my Saturday is free and clear.”
“Then my answer stands.”
He grinned. “Great. How about I pick you up at five? We can head into the city.”
“Five’s perfect.”
He smiled. He knew she liked to eat earlier. The woman had a high metabolism, and he didn’t mind. The twins had him eating dinner early anyway.
“See you then, Chelle Belle.”
“Night, Guy.”
He ended the phone call and stared at it. She said yes. Warmth filled his chest.
“Papa?”
He turned and saw Rachel standing in his doorway. “Hey Peanut, what’s wrong?”
She padded over, her bare feet making a slight noise against the hardwood floors. She climbed into his bed and he held his arms out. She snuggled closer, laying her head on his chest. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Really? Why not?”
“I was thinking about Mama.”
He closed his eyes. The girls rarely asked about their mom. But when they did it was like a stab to his heart. He’d never be their mother no matter how much he was there for them.
“What about her?”
“How much did she love me?”
This, he could answer. “Very much. She used to sing to her belly all the time. She read you stories every night. She
