A Mother to Love (Love Inspired) Read online

  When she checked Carly’s progress, she bent down and told her they were heading around to the front, where she would mark a few more places roses would grow.

  Carly seemed to love being trusted to work alone for a few minutes, and Rick joined Angie as she headed for the front.

  Rick kept his focus on the driveway as they walked. “Sorry, I seem to be a downer lately.” He continued to avert his gaze.

  “You’re not a downer. Everyone needs someone to talk with. You know my life isn’t perfect.”

  He chuckled. “But you handle it better. Anything new going on with you?”

  “Nothing new. It’s the same old problem. My mom called yesterday after you left. Well, really after Rema left.” She gave him a silly smile, trusting he’d understand. “As always, Mom repeated everything she’d heard from Connie.”

  “And now you’re dealing with your sort-of lie, right?” The tone of Rick’s voice harbored a laugh.

  She hung her head, wishing she could laugh with him. “I guess. She said she heard I was dating, and why didn’t I tell her?” After relating their conversation, she faced the inevitable. “But here’s the kicker. I told her I’d talk to her later because I’d been out all day with Rick picking out flowers and needed a shower.”

  He guffawed.

  Grinning, Angie jammed her fists into her waist. “So you already know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”

  “Who’s Rick? That must be the guy.” He grinned back. “Am I right?”

  “You know you are.” She rubbed her hand over her face. “So what do I do now? Do I create some guy named Rick or just confess?”

  “I could help out if you think it would work.”

  She tilted her head. “How?”

  “Number one, I am Rick. The real thing.” He patted his chest. “I could hang out here a little and pretend I’m your new—what do you call it?—love interest.” He studied her. “Unless that would make you more uncomfortable.” He searched her eyes.

  “Not at all, but I’d hate to trouble you, Rick. I’m a big girl and I can—”

  “I know you can admit your exaggeration.” He gave her a wink, forcing her to face her out-and-out lie. “But does admitting you lied help the original problem?”

  “Original?” She searched his face until it dawned on her. “You mean the constant pressure to go on a blind date.”

  “Right.” He shrugged and grinned. “But maybe that’s what you should do.”

  Though he’d managed a smile, she didn’t hear enthusiasm in his voice. He knew that wasn’t what she wanted. “Or I can keep saying no, but that does get tiresome.”

  “I’ve been hanging around here anyway, and I’m sure you’d like to end—”

  “No. No. I really enjoy your company. I told you that. Why would you say—”

  “Hold on. That’s not what I meant.”

  “What did you mean?”

  “I meant I’m sure you’d like to end the calls from your sister and mother wanting you to go on blind dates.” A sly look stole to his face.

  A nervous titter sprang from her. “You’re right, but I do want to emphasize it’s been fun with Carly coming along. I never thought I would enjoy being with a child, because I’ve always been self-sufficient and... I don’t know. I never felt motherly, but I’m learning some things about myself since Carly’s visits. I’m enjoying her so much. My sister’s kids are cute, but they’ve never ‘cottoned to me,’ as my dad would say. Plus they’re really spoiled, and I have a hard time with that.”

  “You have a hard time with that?” Rick pressed his lips together, still unable to hide his chuckle.

  “What?” She shrugged, a questioning look on her face. “Yes, I do like things my way, but does that mean I’m—” She held two fingers an inch apart. “Maybe I’m a tiny bit spoiled but not like Connie’s kids.”

  “You just have opinions that you value. Let’s call it that.”

  He knew her too well. “Let’s.” She grinned, loving his sense of humor. “I appreciate your offer very much. If it comes down to that I’ll let you know.” Her grin faded. “I hate using you, Rick. You might want to find someone, and then I’ll be in your way.”

  “You really think so?” His eyes searched hers.

  The look sent prickles down her arms. “Who knows? Surprises happen.”

  He stepped closer and slid his arm around her shoulders. “They sure do.” He gave her a squeeze and eased back.

  The possible meaning behind his comment caught her off guard. Certain she was wrong, she linked her arm to his and motioned toward the backyard. “We’d better see what Carly’s up to, and, anyway, I promised to teach her cookie baking.”

  “Tonight?”

  “I think I did.” She studied his expression. “Unless you have other plans?”

  “Plans besides eating homemade cookies? No. Nothing as important as that.”

  She tapped her forehead with her finger. “And I might even come up with something more nutritious for dinner.”

  “What’s more nutritious than homemade cookies?”

  He could always make her smile. “I can’t think of a thing.”

  They headed back to Carly, but amid the playfulness, her head was spinning with the turn in their conversation. Being more than friends could be a problem with their company watchdogs. But that might not have been what he was insinuating. Maybe her imagination had got away from her.

  Chapter Four

  Rick waited in the living room while Carly washed her hands and slipped into a fresh top. She’d done a good job keeping her pants clean. Outside, he’d brushed off the little bit of dirt, and she’d looked fine.

  When they returned to the kitchen, Angie also had changed into new pants and a shirt the color of the lilacs now enhancing the landscape on Lilac Circle. Angie looked great in the color. “Do you know who thought of planting the whole street with lilacs?”

  Angie swung around, her expression one of surprise. “I have no idea.” She tilted her head as if in thought. “But I know who might know the answer. I’ll ask the sweet man down the block. He seems to know the town, and it will give me another reason to visit him.”

  “You’re not replacing me, are you?” He flinched a little over the brash statement, but then covered his reaction with a grin. “We’d miss doing all your dirty work.”

  Tension slipped away when she grinned back. “Never. Cheap labor is hard to come by.”

  Relieved, he drew in the scent of dinner. “What’s that wonderful smell?”

  “Hand moisturizer.” She gave him a wink and motioned to the counter. “Slow cookers work miracles.”

  Carly skipped across the room and gazed at the pot. “How slow is it?”

  Angie muzzled a laugh. “Not so slow that we can’t eat pretty soon.” She drew Carly into her arms. “Are you hungry?”

  Carly glanced at him before she nodded.

  “Good, and we’ll eat faster if everyone pitches in.” Angie pointed toward him. “You’re our salad maker. Everything’s in the fridge.”

  “Where are your bowls?” He eyed the numerous cabinets.

  In moments Angie had pulled out a large bowl, a cutting board and knife, lowered the temperature of something on the stove and given him a poke. “Carly and I will set the table.”

  Carly’s eyes widened. “I get to set the table.”

  While he started to work, his heart swelled watching Angie set out the plates and silverware and asking Carly to put them around the table. She didn’t seem to care how she set it. The woman had a way with kids.

  In moments he had the semblance of a salad, and Angie had filled a bowl with brown rice for something. She’d never told him what was in the slow cooker, but he would know soon enough. They gathered around the kitchen table, his prid
e spiking when he noted that Carly had done a great job dispersing the dishes and silverware.

  “Would you like to bless the food?”

  Carly said the prayer again and the meal began. The mysterious entrée had been worth the wait, chicken breasts covered in a rich creamy Mexican salsa sauce. “This tastes even better than it smells.”

  Carly nodded, digging her fork into a mix of rice and chicken. “This is better than pizza.”

  “Whoa.” He widened his eyes, surprised to hear her admission. “Now, that’s a compliment.”

  They talked about the progress in the garden, the meal and the brochures Angie’s neighbor had brought over for her to learn more about the town. His heart warmed at the sight of the three of them seated together around the table as if they were a real family, each contributing to the subject matter and listening in turn.

  Pleasure glowed on Carly’s face. When they were alone, he often sank into thoughts about his frustration over wanting to be with Carly more and being unable to arrange it. Sometimes, Carly called to him, which helped him get out of his own head. But not today. The day made him long to be a real family again, to find someone who loved him and his daughter.

  He looked at Angie, his joy sinking. She had never given him an inkling that he was any more than a good friend. A wise decision, he had to admit, since he had no idea how their company would react if their relationship changed.

  For now, he would keep it light. And he would love every moment of it.

  “Here are some options.”

  Angie’s voice roused him. “That sounds dangerous.”

  “What’s options?” Carly looked from one to the other, her curiosity evident.

  Angie chuckled and patted Carly’s hand. “Two things we could do and you get to pick.”

  “I get to pick? Sometimes I get to pick with Daddy.”

  “Today I’m letting you make the decision.” Angie rose and got the brochure she’d left on the counter. “Here’s what we can do.” She opened the flyer. “We could go to Bentley Park.” She eyed him. “Do you know where it is?”

  He shrugged. “I think so. It’s on South Shiawassee Road.”

  “Do you know what they have at that park, Carly?”

  Her eyes widened. “Swings?” Her voice piped with excitement.

  “Swings and more. Lots more. It’s called a Playscape with a special place for children who are five years old.”

  “Me.” Carly nearly tipped over her chair.

  Her exuberance caused all three of them to laugh.

  “Don’t get too excited, Little Miss. Remember you have options. Choices.”

  Her grin faded, and she lifted her eyes to Angie. “What else?”

  “You wanted to bake cookies and I’m not sure we’ll have time for both.”

  She glanced at him as she spoke. “Can I bake cookies another day?”

  He tilted his head toward Angie. “You’d better ask our hostess.”

  “Can I?”

  Carly’s pleading expression made Angie bite her lip. “Certainly. I’d love that.”

  Carly slipped from the chair and twirled around. “I pick the play place.”

  “Playscape it is.” Angie rose and he followed, rinsing dishes and putting away the food before they left.

  His spirit soared as high as Carly’s but he managed not to twirl around as she had. Their lives had changed, and though his heart may have tangled in dreams, a special friendship meant just as much to him for now. He had to hold on to the complicated longing, but a dream was worth fighting for. He hoped the Lord had the same idea in mind.

  * * *

  Rick gaped at the Playscape, as did she and Carly. Angie had studied the brochure and the photo, but seeing the amazing children’s play area inspired her as she thought of the cost, work and love the community had shown for the children.

  Carly unlatched her seat belt before Rick turned off the engine. “Can I climb up the tower?” She grasped the door handle and bounded out almost before Angie could slide from her seat.

  Angie stood beside her and closed the door. “Don’t you think that’s high up?”

  She nodded, a smile glowing on her face. “But you can come with me.”

  “I don’t think so, Carly.” Rick’s voice sounded behind them. “See the train. It has a slide, too, and look right over there. What do you see?”

  “Swings.” She eyed Rick. “You said I could go high on the swings. Can I?”

  “I said I would push you.” He took her hand, his promise causing a worry line on his brow. “Let’s give the swings a try. Then we can decide.”

  “We have options.” She tilted her head and looked at them with a grin.

  Rick tried to cover his reaction, but Angie couldn’t. Apparently Carly had learned a new word.

  Angie followed them to the swings, noting only a few children were playing in the park. Since it was dinnertime and also getting later in the day, she suspected earlier in the afternoon the Playscape had been filled with children.

  Rick helped Carly onto the swing’s belt seat as she clutched the chains. A small push sent her sailing forward as she let out a squeal. “Higher, Daddy.”

  Angie caught Rick’s questioning glance, but she only gave a one-shoulder shrug. Rick needed to make his own decisions. Yet if she’d been really concerned, she would have verbalized it.

  “Here goes. Hang on.” Rick gave her a harder push, sending her farther into the air but not high enough to lose her balance. Her squeal frightened birds in the nearby trees, and as they watched them flutter through the sky their laughter joined Carly’s.

  Though she loved the swings, Carly’s interest in the tower won out, and she wanted to head for the slides. Angie eyed the platforms, which featured an enclosed tube jutting from the top level perhaps sixteen feet high while an open slide, safer for Carly’s age, projected from the lower level. A motherly instinct, only a hint at first, had grown into emotions she’d never expected. Carly was becoming more than Rick’s little girl. She’d wheedled into Angie’s heart and filled a hole she was startled that she’d kept hidden even from herself.

  Angie smiled when Carly chose the safer slide, doing as her dad had said earlier. The girl scampered into the black-and-red train engine and glided down the small yellow slide for younger children. “Look at that. She minded you without a flinch,” Angie said.

  But at the bottom, Carly rose and eyed the second-level slide in the tower. “Can I go down that one?”

  Rick shook his head. “This is the one for five-year-olds, Carly.”

  “Daddy, it’s for babies. I’m almost six.”

  Angie pressed her lips together to control her laugh, softened by the expression in Rick’s eyes. It touched her to see the love he had for Carly and the desire he had to keep her young. Sometimes she longed to have someone love her so unconditionally. Admitting her longing surprised her.

  Rick slipped his arm around Carly’s shoulders. “I think you’re right, sweetie.”

  He followed her to the tower, and she climbed the stairs. A moment later she appeared at the top of the first slide platform. She waited for a child in front of her to come down, and on her turn she sat and zoomed to the bottom, landing safely. “See, I’m big enough.”

  “Definitely.” He winked at Angie over his shoulder. “If you’re careful you can play here for a while, and Angie and I will sit right over there at that table and watch. Okay?”

  Carly didn’t wait to answer. She shot up the stairs and slid down again while Angie’s emotions swept her away. Was this how it felt to be married with children? The sense of having a loving family rolled through her.

  Rick slipped his hand into Angie’s and led her to the square table not far away where they could keep their eye on Carly without worry. His hand warmed her
s and the feeling seeped into her chest. She loved watching Rick’s interaction with Carly. Though she was a child, he gave his daughter a chance to express herself and treated her with a respect that she reciprocated. Children should respect their elders, but she’d witnessed some kids getting mouthy with parents as if they had a right. Teaching by example proved to be the successful way of helping children show manners and respect. That was how she’d been raised.

  When she slipped onto the bench, Rick released her hand and joined her. In a moment, his arm slid behind her back and the same warmth seeped through her. He moved his fingers across her shoulder as gentle as a caress, arousing emotions she’d tried to avoid. Sensations rolled down her arm, tripped her pulse and awakened her longing.

  Angie had never pictured herself raising children, not even one child. Yet today, once again, Rick’s gentle touches and Carly had opened the door wider. A child completed her in a way.

  Values and beliefs, knowledge and truth ended with death, unless someone else could carry on the legacy. The thought startled her. She blinked, focused on the tower and the slide.

  Carly shot down again, and Rick shook his head, seeming amazed. “She’s having a wonderful time, Ang. Look, she’s even made friends with that little girl.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I could kick myself for not taking her to a park or teaching her how to do things. I acted as I’d been raised. My dad worked long hours, my mom spent a lot of time volunteering at the church, and once I was old enough, I grew on my own, pretty much. Our family had dinners together most of the time. We went on a few vacations. Dad, on rare occasions, tossed me a baseball or helped me build a kite, but I did things with my friends mainly.”

  “My mom was hands-on.” Recent phone calls validated her recollection. “As she is now. She kept an eye on our every movement. She read me stories when I was little. I remember that. But I had friends or played with kids in the neighborhood when I was young. Not much different from you.”