Nobody's Baby but Mine Page 4

  Charlotte assumed a saucy pose and arched a brow. “Don’t goad them into action. The angels of the Haven see and hear a lot more than we realize.”

  Noah devoured the remainder of his pie, but grinned, attempting to find his way to that level of certainty. Spirits. Lingering. Hovering high above and tracking the lives and circumstances of mere humans.

  Fast as that idea dawned, Noah was forced to consider. Wasn’t that the truth of God? The truth of His love and grace? Guidance and grace and the protection of angels?

  So, he decided to take yet another step forward. “You mentioned wanting to go to church together tomorrow. I’d really like that if you still want the company.”

  “Sure. I’d love it.”

  “OK. Great.” Noah dipped his head, at a bit of a loss. He didn’t do one-on-one very often, and dated precious seldom—not that this was a date or anything, but the whole man-woman thing had always left him nervous and out of his element. Not that this was a man-woman thing. At all. Well, yet.

  But could it be?

  Inwardly Noah backslid and rechanneled his perspectives. As was always the case these days, his focus circled back to Dylan. “How has he been doing? At school, I mean.”

  A troubling silence went by.

  “He’s coping as best he can. I can tell he’s happiest when he’s with you.”

  Noah frowned. “I get the feeling there’s more to that answer than you’re letting on.”

  “I’m not overly concerned yet, but—”

  “But?” Noah ground out the word, tried to brace against trouble headed straight for him.

  “But let’s just say I’m keeping an eye on how he’s coping, because the incident at Babycakes isn’t his first. He’s got so many emotions rolling around inside him, and he might need some help learning to deal with them. That’s actually part of why I wanted to talk. Maybe, between the two of us, there’s a way we can help Dylan adjust.”

  “How so?”

  “I’d like to get your opinion on an idea I have about counseling Dylan.” While she spoke, Charlotte went to the coffee machine and extracted a couple pods from a chrome spinner stand. “Is regular coffee OK, or would you prefer decaf?”

  “Regular is good, thanks. What are you thinking?”

  She lifted a pair of bistro mugs from a nearby cupboard, which drew Noah’s attention to her hands and fingertips slicked by a glossy coat of pink nail polish. Why would he even notice such a thing? And why did the word charm keep drifting through his mind? She was casual and relaxed, but beautiful even when dressed in her current selection of white shorts and a dark green t-shirt. The mugs were dark blue, a catching contrast to the yellow plates. This lady enjoyed splashes of color and that intrigued him and left him wanting to know more about what inspired and drove her spirit to such deep layers of vibrancy…and empathy.

  Charlotte waited on the brewer, unaware of his perusal and a rapidly escalating attraction. “I’m thinking about instituting something subtle and unobtrusive when it comes to Dylan’s daily routine at school, something that would help him release steam and cope.”

  “What would that be?”

  “I’d like you to consider letting me counsel him two to three times a week as part of his regular class day.”

  The idea held promise. “How would it work?”

  “When I counsel kids who are facing a tough stretch at home, or at school, I simply have the teacher send them to my office at an appointed time that generally varies from session to session. I spend a half hour with them just talking or doing therapeutic exercises that would help them break free of negativity and anger and bitterness the likes of which Dylan has been dealing with all by himself ever since Jen’s death.”

  Noah fiddled with the empty plate in front of him. “I feel like I’ve let him down in that regard.”

  “But you haven’t. Not at all.”

  “Still, I feel like I should be doing better…doing more. I feel so bad for him.”

  She shook her head emphatically. “None of this is his fault. None of this is your fault, either. The best—the only—route to take right now is the one that will lead him to healing. That’s all any of us are after.”

  “Sounds like the counseling you talk about would be good for him.”

  “And there would be no peer pressure or nosey comments because it’s discreet, and no one would know what’s going on within the school except me and Dylan and Dylan’s teacher. What happened at Saturday Sprinkles made me realize how much he craves support. He needs the people in his life to step forward and help him own and deal with his emotions right now.”

  Noah ingested her ideas, and in his mind he traveled a road that might lead to better days for Dylan. “I’m in. I think it’d be great, and I appreciate your help. Very much.”

  “Then hopefully you’ll forgive me for being intrusive. Like I said, I care.”

  “You’re not intrusive. You’re honoring Jen.”

  A moment of silence hung in suspense between them, filling the air. Insight struck as her gaze lingered on his, and Noah realized she might not be doing this just to respect Jennifer’s memory.

  Fidgeting shyly with a wisp of hair, Charlotte turned toward the coffee maker when the machine finished spitting out its single-cup job.

  She handed over the mug and got to work on a second cup. “Do you happen to remember meeting Kevin Mitchell at the party?”

  “The groundskeeper. Yeah.”

  “I’m not sure what your job situation is, but I asked him if he needed any help around the complex. Did he happen to mention it?”

  “No.”

  Noah had intended to use the start of the workweek to pound the pavement and figure out a means to a living. He wasn’t overly concerned…he had lived the relocation drill at least a half-dozen times during his life, and he always landed on his feet. The offer from Charlotte, the ready assistance, helped tremendously, though. Sure, he had a comfortable stash of money saved, he provided only for himself, but he needed to find work within a month or two.

  The second cycle of coffee making burbled to a finish. Charlotte claimed her mug, returning to the breakfast-nook. “Kevin seemed eager to hear more about you. If you’re interested, I can give you his number.”

  Interested? Courtesy of God’s grace, and the stunning woman who sat next to him, Noah felt bombarded by life preservers filled with hope.

  “I can’t begin to thank you enough, Charlotte. I’m grateful you’ve taken me in like this. Dylan, too, of course.”

  The words stirred a visible glow, a sparkle in her eyes and a pink tinge to her cheeks that Noah wanted to cling to forever.

  “Enough said. I’m glad to help.”

  4

  That night, in the dream world through which he travelled, Noah sat next to Jennifer on the padded bench of the gazebo at Heart’s Haven. She was radiant, pulsing with an energy that swelled from the depths of a body that glowed soft and warm. Clear, luminous eyes spoke directly to Noah’s spirit.

  There were no wings. There were no trumpets. No dramatic chorus. There was only his sister, amplified by Spirit and love, sitting like normal in a comfortable and increasingly familiar spot. The aura of love was what struck him hardest. He felt her love as clearly as a heartbeat, and that fact soothed away the rest of what would have otherwise felt foreign and even disconcerting.

  This otherworldly Jennifer didn’t disturb him in the least. In fact, he craved her soothing aura which lent him a measure of rest within the joy, the contentment he sensed in her spirit.

  “I knew it. I just knew you’d throw your all into taking care of Dylan.” She conversed as though they had been sitting together for a while, sharing the break of a new day, the scent of hyacinth that carried on the air, the sweet but insistent chirp of morning birds. Sunlight burst across the eastern edge of the sky, painting the world all kinds of beautiful pastel colors.

  “I’m honestly not sure you knew what you were doing when you appointed me to be his guardian.
”

  Noah formed the words into a gentle tease; Jennifer responded with an easy laugh. “I knew exactly what I was doing.” But her smile melted beneath the concern he detected in her features. “I know things will be tough. Dylan is so shattered right now, and this is such a huge change for you—settling in one spot, committing yourself to the raising of a child in mourning. But you can do it. Lean in, Noah, and trust God’s pathway. You’re good. You operate from a point of such love when it comes to the people who hold your heart. Like me. And Dylan. And Charlotte.”

  Mention of the woman caused heat to rise. An unfamiliar need filled him, accompanied by a wish—a longing to somehow capture Charlotte’s heart forever. In dreams, he could confront himself fully—and honestly.

  “I can see it, Noah. I can feel it. You’re falling in love.”

  His heart tossed and thumped. “Within mere days? C’mon, Jen. As if. You know me, I’m as solitary as they come, and I’m happy to—” Just like that, honest confrontation was eclipsed by a very real sense of fear.

  “Not anymore, Noah.” Her interruption stopped his argument at once. “In a way, she’s been known to you forever.”

  He sighed in exasperation, but stretched his legs and rested an arm along the back of the gazebo bench so he could draw her tight to his side. She smelled of jasmine and rose. “Is that why you’re here? To badger me about romance?”

  “No, that’s just an added perk.” Jennifer rested her head against his shoulder. Noah watched the sun creep higher into the sky. “I’m here to let you know you’re going to be great for Dylan—and Charlotte. I know you’ve had your doubts, but you’ll see this through. I believe in you. That’s why I’m here. I want you to know that, and I want you to realize how special you are. Believe in yourself. Make your life happen, Noah. Make it happy. Promise me that.”

  Before he could answer, before he could issue the assurance she sought, the world dissolved and Noah came awake. He rolled onto his back when he realized Dylan stood next to his bed, calling his name, yawning and sleepy-eyed.

  “Church t’day?”

  Noah groaned and tilted his head to check the clock. Sure enough, his alarm was set to go off in another few minutes. “You bet, buddy.”

  “I’ll see Gracie a’church.” The words were mumbled and distorted by another huge yawn. Noah laughed, hauled his nephew over the edge of the bed, and gave him a playful toss into the center.

  “Gracie and Miss Emmy and Miss Charlotte. There’ll be lots of nice people.”

  Dylan bounced and smiled. “I like church.”

  “Me too, so we best get to it.”

  Overall, the exchange marked a great start to the day. Plus, Noah’s dream lingered, traveling next to him as he rose from the bed. Dylan padded back to his room and prepared for services. From his spot at the bathroom sink, Noah called out. “We’ll have breakfast after church. For now just wash up, brush your teeth, and get dressed.”

  “K’ Uncle Noah.” Another yawn and a drawer slamming accompanied that response. Noah grinned. It was going to be a good day. A God-centric day.

  A short time later, at Falls Tabernacle Church, Noah found himself tugged across the threshold and down the main aisle. Falls Tabernacle was a structure that featured white clapboard siding and a soaring, cross-tipped steeple. Inside, dark wooden pews shimmered beneath colorful bands of sunlight that streamed through the stained glass windows.

  It was a small-town worship site at its best.

  Charlotte sat toward the front with a group of people Noah couldn’t readily identify. Just behind her sat Emmy, Cade Magnusen, and Gracie. The instant Dylan spotted his friend, he charged to the spot where she sat, waving to him in welcome and scooching aside to give him a place to sit.

  Charlotte caught Noah’s attention and stood to join him in the aisle. “Care to sit with me?”

  Noah fussed with his tie, reluctant to pull her away from a friend or anything, but… “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I was hoping you might ask.”

  Charlotte slipped into the pew next to Dylan and Gracie. Noah took his spot at her side, noticing the way the kids bent their heads and whispered, paging through the hymnal to pass time.

  After an opening song and prayers, the kids were invited to children’s worship in an adjoining room. The idea of putting Dylan in a Sunday school setting caused Noah an instant of doubt, but Gracie nudged Dylan and prompted him to follow her lead. As they filed into place with a dozen or so other kids, Charlotte leaned close. “He’ll be OK. Gabe and Susanna Peretti are the teachers this week; they’re wonderful.”

  Gabe and Susanna were the pair Charlotte had been sitting with before his arrival. With a toddler of their own in tow, they stood and took charge of the group, leading them from the sanctuary. Dylan nibbled at his lower lip, casting a couple quick looks over his shoulder as he left. Noah gave him a nod and a reassuring wink.

  After services, a large group from church settled for breakfast at a trio of tables that had been pushed together by the wait staff at Oliver’s, a mom-and-pop style diner that operated from the ground floor of a two-story brick building on Main Street. Dylan chattered happily, filling everyone in on the story of Jonah and the whale and the ways Jonah learned to trust God and be patient. In the wake of Dylan’s enthusiasm, Noah experienced a rush of relief and contentment. Apparently Gabe and Susanna had done a great job bringing the day’s Scripture readings to life, and Dylan had behaved.

  “Here’s the picture I made,” Dylan concluded, waving his construction paper creation.

  “Mine, too! Mine, too!” Gracie added her drawing to Dylan’s, and the works of art were passed from hand-to-hand amidst comments full of praise.

  Noah engaged with the folks around him, but Charlotte kept nabbing his attention. Fresh and fantastic looking, she wore a white lace dress that skimmed her calves. A pop of color, so characteristic to her, came from the pink scarf she draped in a couple of big loops around her neck. Layers of fringe dangled; a restless urge struck Noah, tempting him to trail his fingertips against the twisty ends. Resolutely he kept his hands still. Instead, he leaned forward, enchanted, captured by her image as she conversed and laughed. He wanted to ask her out. Would Dylan be bothered by the idea of his uncle dating? What about sitters? If they shared some time, if they enjoyed it, would Charlotte be put off by a date or two that featured a five-year-old? Would…

  “Hey, Noah, it seems like the kids are having a good time. Why don’t Dylan and Gracie come back to my place?” Cade Magnusen’s voice sliced into Noah’s thoughts. “You could pick him up later this afternoon.”

  Noah fought an instinct to jump. Seriously, this business about angels had to be pure craziness—yet on another level, Noah came to believe some kind of divine intercessor listened in on his thoughts and transferred a wish for opportunity…an opportunity to spend some free moments with Charlotte…directly to his friends.

  “Know what, Dylan? We could play kickball! I can show you the games on my tablet! We can have a snack, and we can read stories! That’s what I do on Sundays. It’s so fun. Want to? Want to?” Gracie’s curls bounced as she squiggled. She latched onto Dylan’s arm, giving her friend a beatific smile.

  From there, a loud chorus of Please, please, please! split the air, coming from Dylan and Gracie combined.

  “I think that’d be great. Thanks, Cade.”

  Make your life happen, Noah. Make it happy.

  Jennifer’s dream-voice echoed while the loner that lingered in Noah’s spirit did battle against the connection that grew when he met Charlotte’s eyes. He leaned in…and fought a nervous tremble. “There’s a street fair going on in Huntington this afternoon. Would you, maybe, feel like paying a visit? Or, maybe we could catch a movie or something…”

  “I read about the street fair earlier this week. Sure. That sounds like fun.”

  ****

  Charlotte followed Noah to Heart’s Haven. They agreed to meet at Charlotte’s place following a clothing change and a quic
k walk for Yoda.

  As soon as Charlotte opened the front door, Noah was lovingly attacked by the spirited terrier who bounded and jumped while Charlotte tried in vain to wrestle him into his metal crate.

  “Yoda, you ornery little devil!” Charlotte crouched, boosting the dog into the cage from behind, but Noah stepped forward and rested a stilling hand on her shoulder. Charlotte blew a stray curl of hair from her cheek, looking up to find Noah with Yoda’s leash in hand. “Why don’t we take him along?”

  Charlotte blinked, warmed and charmed in an instant. “Really?”

  “Well, sure. He’d have fun, and this way he’ll get to spend some time with you.”

  In fresh air and sunshine, getting a nice long walk. Seriously. How cool was this guy?

  “Noah, you’re fantastic.”

  “Nah. Not really.” He crouched to latch the leash to Yoda’s collar. Full, enticing lips curved shyly while he scratched behind Yoda’s ears. The dog promptly collapsed onto its back and squiggled and panted, offering his belly for a rub as well—which Noah provided right on cue. “I just can’t stand the idea of this guy being cooped up and lonely all day while we go play.”

  Huntington was just a short drive from Angel Falls. Blue skies were dotted by cotton ball clouds, and the heat index crept upward as morning gave way to afternoon. Noah parked the vehicle in the lot at the municipal park, and Charlotte retrieved a knapsack that doubled as her purse and a doggie-care kit complete with a portable bowl and a couple bottles of water.

  The green space bustled, dotted by white canvas tents and wooden stalls. A number of tall, gnarled trees offered shade. Metal benches acted as rest stops enjoyed by a number of people who settled with their purchases, ice cream, or soda.

  Charlotte meandered, holding fast to Yoda while she occasionally bumped shoulders with Noah. What a wonderful way to spend the day, she thought, won over by the sights and hand-crafted merchandise. Paintings, photographs, and ceramics competed against display cases full of sparkling jewelry and decorative trinkets. Charlotte happily lost herself in tent after tent, enjoying the creativity and workmanship. Meanwhile, Noah wandered toward a pair of stalls that featured items made of wood like rocking horses, dishware, cars and trucks. Charlotte’s pulse reacted to the image of his long, lean fingertips glazing a path against the surface of a colorful batch of building blocks with raised lettering.