“I know how you feel, little man,” Amanda sympathized. “The sun really saps it out of you, doesn’t it?”
“Why don’t y’all take naps,” Paul suggested. “I’m going to look at that toilet and see if we need any parts.”
“You promised to just evaluate. Don’t you be spending money I don’t have.”
“I know, I know.” He walked toward the back door. “Do you have a screwdriver?”
“I do. Drawer next to the fridge.”
She heard the back door slam against the frame. After brushing the sand from their things, she joined them inside.
Paul was already walking back into the kitchen. “It’s better than it was, but we can fix it right for less than twenty bucks.”
“I’ve got twenty bucks,” she said. “Let me get my purse.”
“No, I’ve got it. I have a couple errands to run anyway. I’ll stop by the hardware store and come back for dinner. A home-cooked meal has got to be worth twenty bucks.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m not broke.”
“It’s a fair trade,” Paul said. “I’ll see you in a little while. Text me if you think of anything you need while I’m gone.”
“Okay.” Her heart hitched as he walked out. “Come on,” she whispered to the kids. “We can all take a catnap on the bunk beds. Go grab my pillow, Hailey.”
They piled onto the lower bunk in a heap. She programmed her alarm on her phone, then set it to vibrate. With any luck the kids would nap longer and she could start dinner without them underfoot.
20
Amanda lay there unable to nap. Instead, all she could think about was Paul. She slid out from under Hailey’s leg and Jesse’s arm, wincing with every tiny movement and hoping she wouldn’t wake them. When her foot finally reached the floor, she let out the breath she’d been holding and tiptoed to the door. The loud hum of the AC helped cover the sounds from the creaking floor.
She closed the door behind her, then gave an enthusiastic fist pump. The quite time had refreshed her, and now she had a few minutes to herself.
In the kitchen, she gathered everything to get dinner started. Chopping, slicing, and mixing, she found that she was smiling for no reason at all.
She made the meat loaf extra large to ensure there was plenty for Paul and some leftover for sandwiches. The best part, in her opinion.
With a bowl of washed potatoes, she stepped out into the backyard and sat at the picnic table to peel them. Nothing like homemade mashed potatoes. They were always worth the extra effort.
Peeling and dicing them, she hadn’t even heard Paul until he was right next to her, at which time she screamed like a girl. The kids are probably awake now.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t. Just caught me off guard. I guess I was in my potato-peeling zone.”
He raised his hand. “Don’t let me interrupt that.”
“Kids are still asleep, unless I just woke them up with my girlie scream.”
“I’ll be quiet.” He carried his bag inside.
She watched after him for a minute. It was nice of him to take care of the toilet, but surely he had better things to do. She cut up the last of the potatoes and then went back inside to boil them.
She heard Jesse and Hailey talking to Paul in the bathroom. Clearly, her scream had done the trick. Too bad for Paul. It made her think of the sign at the service station that had different rates, like “Fifty bucks extra if you stick around to chat.” Daddy would have said they were being an “awful help.” It hadn’t occurred to her that it wasn’t a compliment until she was in her midtwenties. It was funnier now.
The kitchen smelled of meat loaf, barbecue sauce, and fresh herbs. She poured glasses of sweet tea and set the table while the meat loaf cooled on the counter.
Paul, Hailey, and Jesse walked back into the kitchen. “Toilet’s good as new.”
“Thank you.” She drained the water from the potatoes and began whipping them. “That’s great news.”
“We helped.” Jesse propped his hands on his hips.
She offered Paul a sheepish grin. “I bet you did.” She booped Jesse’s nose. “My favorite helpers.”
“They were better help than Jack would’ve been.” Paul looked like he wanted to swallow the words. “I’m sorry,” he mouthed from across the counter.
The words stabbed, threatening to take her voice. “No.” She tried to act like she’d barely noticed. “It’s fine. Probably true.” She set the meat loaf and the bowl of mashed potatoes on the table next to the gravy boat and broccoli. “Umm, yeah, you were always handier. But let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
She grabbed for the spoon in the mashed potatoes at the same time he did.
They stopped, a hot second hanging between them until he pulled his hand back. “Let me serve this up while it’s still warm. You can slice the meat loaf.” Her heart hammered as she portioned the food for the kids, then let Paul make his own plate.
They sat down at the dining room table. The kids sang the blessing, which always filled her heart with happiness. Their pure voices lifting praise and trusting in the Lord was a good footing, and that was important especially after what they’d been through. Life had a way of shaking you off your footing when you least expected, and that foundation was the only way to survive it. She peeked across the table and noticed Paul watching Hailey and Jesse with a grin on his face.
“Amen,” they all said.
“They are too much,” he said to Amanda. “Man, I’ve missed y’all.”
“I’m sorry about everything.” She placed her napkin in her lap. “My anger was misplaced. I was—”
“Don’t.” He raised his hand. “You were right. I let you down. I promised you I’d protect Jack. I shouldn’t have been so
