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Helping her good-looking neighbor was the least she could do even if he did have a perpetually crinkly forehead, as if always deep in thought about the trials of the world.
Somewhere along the line she’d become addicted to the softening of the planes of his face when she said, “Yes, of course, we’ll keep Chief for the night.”
But she wished she knew Jack Butler’s story, because it looked as though it might be intriguing. Here was a striking man who spent all his time at work or helping her. He’d singlehandedly fixed her car in the early morning hours. He never had a woman around, and someone who looked like he did often had more than one.
And then there was the furniture issue. She understood the first time she’d visited him that he’d only just moved in, and there’d been one stool in the kitchen. No table, no sofa. Two weeks later, the same story. She usually brought Chief back over after the dog had spent the night at her house, and she couldn’t help but notice.
If money were the issue, surely he could pick up some items at garage sales. They were held almost every weekend in the neighborhood. Even the second-hand store on Main Street had some nice furniture.
All in all, she’d have to say that Jack Butler looked as if he’d set up his life so that he could take off at any moment. And that might be a good thing for her, because she didn’t care for the way her heart raced every time she saw him.
Even if he’d flirted with her, he’d only been teasing. Certainly after his experience with Lexi, he’d never want to take on their baggage. Not that she could blame him. There was probably not a man alive who would want to take them on, and she would have to get used to being alone. That would be OK, because she had the Lord.
“Mom, can Chief please sleep on my bed tonight?” Lexi asked. “I’ll put an extra blanket down so he won’t get on my sheets.”
“I don’t know, Lexi. You might be starting up a bad habit that Jack won’t appreciate.”
Chief sat at attention, his eyes fixed on Lexi, as though he understood that only she had his best interests at heart. Then again, worries about spoiling him were a little shortsighted now since Lexi had been doing so from the moment she laid eyes on him.
“He won’t get spoiled if it’s only once. Please?” Lexi twisted her hands together in a pleading pose.
“Fine, but let’s not tell his master.” She patted Chief’s head.
“Yessss!” Lexi gave a little triumphant jump. “Look what I taught him. High-five, Chief.”
Lexi tapped his chest, and Chief raised his paw in the air to meet Lexi’s.
Happy girl, happy dog. If only it could be that simple for her.
A couple of hours later, Maggie peeked in the bedroom to find Lexi zonked out, a comfortable looking Chief resting his head on her hip. His eyes lifted as if to acknowledge her presence, but he kept his head down, no doubt hoping Maggie wouldn’t chase him off.
“My, aren’t you cozy? You certainly came into the right home. God sure blessed you, didn’t He?”
Maggie tucked the covers around Lexi and stroked her hair. At times like this, she was able to fool herself into believing that Lexi would still be her little girl for at least a bit longer.
“Thank you for loving her.”
She patted Chief’s head and his dark eyes stared up at her as though he could almost understand her words. God must have sent this furry creature to give Lexi such comfort.
The doorbell rang, causing Chief to raise his head and perk up his ears.
“Don’t get excited, it’s probably your master home early, and I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to let you stay.” Maggie closed the door to the bedroom.
When she opened the front door, Jack wasn’t behind it. Instead, Richard Bradshaw stood there, anger in his eyes.
Behind him, Paula pulled on his arm. “Richard, this isn’t the way.”
“What way is there when she won’t answer our calls?” Richard’s voice carried into the quiet night.
Maggie’s hands shook. She hadn’t seen Richard in weeks, which was the way she liked it. If he didn’t quiet down, the entire neighborhood would hear him.
“What are you doing here? It’s eleven o’clock at night, and Lexi is asleep.”
“We’re here for an answer. Paula called you almost two weeks ago about the art festival, and we haven’t heard a word.”
The art festival.She’d forgotten all about it, aided by the fact that she didn’t want to remember. Lexi had been settled and distracted from all things related to Matt for the past couple of weeks. And she’d seemed happy for the first time in a while.
“I’m sorry. It did slip my mind.” It was the honest truth, though she doubted Richard would believe her.
