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A Mother to Love (Love Inspired)

By Gail Gaymer Martin

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Chapter One

Angie tripped over another box and muzzled her groan. Moving was the pits. She rubbed her shin, witnessing another nick to her already bruised and scraped body. She couldn’t forget she’d still be looking at her piled-high boxes without the help of her co-worker’s toting and lugging.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and she pulled away from her newest wound and planted a pleasant look on her face. “How are you doing?”
“I think that’s the last one.” Rick Jameson came through the archway, a faint grin on his
lips, nice lips she’d noticed recently. If they weren’t such good friends, she could easily fall for him
“You’re the greatest.” She opened her arms and headed toward him.
He stepped in and joined the friendly hug.
The flex of his strong arms rolling beneath his tee-shirt sent an unexpected sensation down her back. She drew in a breath, bedazzled by his exotic scented aftershave. “What are you wearing?”
He drew back. “A tee shirt and jeans?”
His questioning look and response made her laugh. “I meant your aftershave?”
His expression melted to a grin. He shrugged. “Jungle something. Why?”
“I love it. Flowers and foliage after rain.” She arched her brow. “Good choice.”
She didn’t care what it was named It smelled better than her cucumber melon moisturizer. She studied Rick’s expression, wrapped in his scent and cringed. She looked horrible, dressed in rags with only a swipe of lipstick and comb through her hair. “I’m grateful for your help, Rick.”
“Anytime, Angie.” He tweaked her cheek and tucked his hands into his pockets. “Anything else?”
She eyed the stacks of boxes along with another million things she needed to do, but she couldn’t ask Rick for more help. She motioned to a stack. “. I need to tackle these boxes myself. Most of it’s for--”
Her leg vibrated before her cell phone’s ringtone sounded. She drew it from her pocket and eyed the caller. “It’s my sister. I’ll call her back.”
He shook his head. “Answer. I can let myself out.”
She lifted a finger to stop him, wanting to enjoy his company just a little longer without using the time to work. She tapped the answer button and stepped into the kitchen. “Connie. Sorry I’m busy. I have a man here helping me at the new house, and--”
“A man? What’s he like?”
She cringed, realizing her mistake. “A friend. That’s all.” She rolled her eyes. One more offer to fix her up on a blind date and she would scream.
“Nothing serious?”
“Connie, no.”
“Good, because I’ve found the perfect man. He’s single, good-looking, a bit quiet, but--”
Her internal scream took flight. “But I’m not interested. I’ve told you a hundred times. Two-hundred times.” Before her sister said another word, she darted back to the living room doorway, her gaze on Rick. “Anyway, I’m seeing someone right now.” Her eyes captured his and riffled longing through her chest.
“You are.” The decibels ripped through her eardrum. “What’s he like? Is he good-looking? You can’t leave me hanging? ”
The thought of hanging sounded good at the moment──preferably Connie. “I have to go, Sis. Talk later.” She hit the end call button before her sister resisted further.
She puckered her lips releasing a stream of air. She gazed at Rick, her imagination soaring while she wished that they were… Impossible. They were friends.“Sorry.” She looked at his inquisitive face, and her heart skipped. “ Can I offer you a cup of coffee or something before you go.” She glanced over her shoulder at the boxes piled in her kitchen. “If I can locate the coffee maker.” She gave him a silly look.
He chuckled, a sound she loved to hear. . His smile and laugh always made her happy. She waited, hoping he would stay.
Rick eyed the boxes and grinned at her. “How many hours will it take? .”
She managed a feeble smile, her mind still clinging to her sort of lie. “I need the distraction.” She beckoned him into the kitchen and headed for the boxes.
“ Let me help.” His voice came through the doorway before he did.

”
Rick’s gaze followed her as she dug deep in a carton and, before she had a moment, he slipped the box from her hand while his eyes searched hers with a look that made her ache. She sensed he wanted to say something yet couldn’t, and it left her confused.
Without direction from her, Rick located the pot and the individual brewing cups and popped them into the machine. “Mugs?”
She waved her hand at the boxes. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
He shrugged and, in a moment, gave her a victorious look. “Viola.” He held the mugs in his hand, then placed a cup on the coffee maker and hit the brew button.
Though his look had sent her spinning, the question look had eased. She loved seeing him appear comfortable making coffee and being domestic. “You surprise me.”
“Why?” He glanced over his shoulder, then grasped the mug and brought it to her.
The scent of coffee eased her tension. “You look experienced in the kitchen.”
“It’s that or starve.” He popped in another cup and turned back to her. “It’s one of those things single men with a child have to do.” His eyes searched hers again before he smiled and turned back to the coffee maker.
His daughter hadn’t entered her mind. Though he’d mentioned Carly on occasion, Angie sensed he would rather not talk about his situation for some reason. “Coffee tastes good.”
He slipped onto a chair and set his drink on the table. “I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but the phone call seemed to upset you.” He looked away. “Sorry. It’s none of my business.”
She flinched, facing the exaggeration she’d told her sister. “You’re perceptive.”
His brow arched, and he waited.
“To be honest. . .” And this time she would be. “I’m tired of my mother and sister trying to fix me up with blind dates. I want to scream when they come to me with some trumped up idea of this wonderful single man who’s a bit quiet but he is very nice. Usually the guy’s main fun is bird-watching or reading. Nothing wrong with either hobby but it doesn’t make dating them sound particularly enjoyable.”
Rick averted his eyes until a laugh burst from his chest. He gave her a one shoulder shrug. “Are you telling me you’re not into the nice quiet bird-watcher type?” His words splintered through his chuckle.
Finally, Rick seemed like the man she knew at the office, and she needed the usual. She’d been thrown by the unexpected emotion that had arise earlier.“Laugh all you want.” The image struck her funny, until the crux of the issue struck her. “Today, to stop her, I ‘sort of’ lied.”
“How does one sort of lie?” He gave her a crooked grin.
“You can’t. I’m not much of a church goer, but I know right from wrong, and I feel awful.” She pondered her comment.
“Explain. Now I’m curious.”
His expression took the edge off her guilt. “I told her I was seeing someone.”
“Seeing someone? His face blanched and confused her. “Are you?”
She shook her head.
“Then it’s not a ‘sort of’ lie.”
“But I was seeing someone.” She motioned to the doorway. “I stood right there and looked at you. Get it? I was seeing--”
“Right.” He blinked before he add a disbelieving grin. “Got it. . .more than once actually.”
She gave him a poke. “You know the old saying about web of lies, right?”
Questions still hung in his eyes.
“Now my sister wants details. What he looks like, his interests, everything. Next she’ll want to meet him.” Her head spun with her concoction. “I have to tell her what I did.”
“But now, she’ll give you a little peace. No more blind dates.”
A blast of air shot from her lungs. “You’re right. It was worth the exaggeration. That’s what it was, right? Not a lie.”
“Whatever you want to call it.” He arched a brow again and took a long swig of his coffee. “I should get going.” He stood. “But don’t forget, Ang. If you need help, I’m willing.” He gave her arm a shake and rose. “I only have Carly on weekends. I hate the limited time with her, but that’s our agreement, and I avoid tension with her mother. It doesn’t help our relationship. For now, I’m stuck with short visits.” He tilted his head with a half grin, but she noted sadness beneath it. “Guess that gives you a look into my life.”
“At least you had been married once. Not me.” Her comment drew her back to unwanted places. “And you have your little girl. I know you love her more than anything. It shows.”
Though his face etched with curiosity, he manipulated it into a proud-daddy nod. “You’re right. I cherish her. And you saw how it was when my marriage ended.”
“Three years ago. That’s how long we worked together.” She thought back. “Or was it more?”
“Four, I think. You came to the office when Carly was almost one. She’s turned five and goes to kindergarten.”
“Really.” The years had flown past since they’d first met.
Rick stepped toward the doorway and waved. “I need to be on my way, but remember what I said.”
“I will.” She followed him through the living room.
When she stepped onto the porch behind him, he turned and gave her a hug. “I hope the rest of your unpacking goes well.” He added another squeeze, stepped down to the sidewalk and headed to his SUV in the driveway without looking back.
Her chest pressed against her lungs as she watched him back out to the street, still feeling his strong arms around her. After she gave a final wave, she drew her gaze from his car and stepped toward the door, feeling as if she’d lost something precious.
Pulling her mind back to her empty reality, she noticed a woman heading toward her from across the street.
Her curiosity rose as the neighbor stepped onto the sidewalk and strode up her driveway toward her with a grin. Angie smiled back, guessing the woman wanted to be the first to meet the new neighbor.
“Hi.” A container in one hand, the woman extended the other. “I’m your neighbor, Rema.”
She grasped the woman’s hand. “Angela Bursten. It’s nice to meet you.” Her greeting stretched the truth again.
“Welcome to Lilac Circle.” Rema released her hand and motioned toward the driveway. “Sorry I missed your husband. I look forward to meeting him.”
“Husband?” Heat rose up her chest as she understood Rema’s reference.
“I noticed him pulling away as I started across the street.” Rema eyed her and grimaced. “I assumed he was your husband.”
Angie drew back, managing a chuckle. “No. He’s a co-worker who volunteered to tote some boxes for me. No husband here.” The admission left an unwelcomed reminder, and yet Rick’s smile hung in her thoughts.
A questioning look flashed across Rema’s face, and Angie recalled Rick’s hug on the porch. A sigh slipped from her. She didn’t owe her an explanation and didn’t have one. Warmth spread through her, recalling the wonderful sensation.
Rema gave her a sympathetic look.
“Speaking of boxes, I have them stacked all over inside, otherwise I’d...” Her discomfort grew as she sought an amiable goodbye. “But I appreciate your welcome, and--”
“I understand.” Rema extended the container. “I brought you a little welcome gift. Homemade.”
Angie’s heart sank. “That was very thoughtful.” As she pulled the container closer, a sweet scent wrapped around her . Now she was on the spot. “And it smells delicious.” She glanced over her shoulder at the mess. “Rema, if you don’t mind falling over boxes, you’re welcome to come in.” She opened the screen door, motioning her inside.
Without hesitation, Rema slipped past and stood inside the doorway.
“Have a seat, Rema.” She motioned to the living room
Rema moved into the living room, and Angie placed the housewarming gift on a lamp table, knowing what she should do but unable to deal with it today. Angie eyed the woman, trying to think of something to say, but Rema saved her from worry.
“Did you notice the house for sale on the corner?” Rema gestured to the head of the street. “ We’ll be having another new neighbor soon.”
“No. Sorry, I hadn’t noticed.”
“A number of people have looked at the house. Spring seems a good time to sell.” Rema gazed into space as if she had something on her mind, and though uneasy, Angie
waited before trying to end their conversation and the visit.
As if awakening, Rema patted her lips with the napkin while curiosity grew in her eyes. “So why aren’t you married?” Her brow fluttered to an arch before lowering. “Divorced? Or are you widowed?”
Startled, Angie organized her thoughts. She could have said she was never asked, but that wasn’t something to share with a stranger. No matter, she still had hopes. Serious hopes but. . . She dropped the thought and shrugged. “I never got around to it, I guess.”
“I’m surprised. You’re very pretty.” Rema’s admiring gaze shifted to the window as a scowl rose on her face. “But you’ve made a wise decision.”
Angie waited for the punch line, but Rema’s expression underlined her seriousness. But not wanting to broach the sensitive topic, she manipulated the conversation back to Owosso. “Tell me about the town. I’ve seen a few of the lovely old buildings almost set back in time, and I spotted the Curwood Castle. It’s a historic town, I know, but what else is interesting?”
Rema’s face brightened, but Angie winced, realizing she’d just opened Pandora’s Box. She waved her words away. “Forget all that for now. I’m sure you have things to do, and I need to get to work.” She rose and stacked the dishes. “Thanks so much for coming. And thanks for this wonderful treat. I’m sure it’s as delicious as it smells.”
Rema took her unsubtle hint and rose. “You’re welcome. It’s nice to have a new neighbor so close. The last person living here was a crotchety old man who sat outside giving everyone the evil eye. You’re a welcome relief.”
“Tha-thank you, Rema. Hopefully we’ll have another friendly neighbor in the house for sale down the street.”
“I hope so.” She put her hand on the doorknob. “I’m sure we’ll be best friends soon enough.”
Angie didn’t know what to say, and when Rema stepped outside, Angie closed the door and caught her breath. She wanted to be neighborly without coffee klatches or hanging over the fence. She preferred being with her friends, people who meant something to her.
Rick’s image filled her mind. His friendship blossomed without effort, she if not for her lack of confidence in relationships, she might have given thought to him as more than a friend a couple years earlier Yet lately her feelings had strengthened even more since they’d been spending more time together outside of work.
The images flying into her mind throughout the day had gotten out of hand. She’d never known a man so thoughtful and caring. Though friends, he treated her as someone significant in his life. He made her feel like a woman and not a commodity. And yet, her hope fell flat when she thought about the corporation where they worked. The company didn’t look askance at employee romances, She shook the images from her mind as she recalled the work waiting her. She pulled back her shoulders and forced herself to head for the boxes. If nothing more, they were a distraction. She hoped.
* * *
Rick folded the completed file and slid it into his desk drawer before turning off his monitor. The clock hadn’t alerted him of the time, but his stomach had. He rose and rolled his chair under the desk, his hunger guiding him to the company lunch room. Though restaurants were nearby, he usually carried a lunch finding it more economical.
As he entered, he grinned at Angie already seated. He’d learned that her stomach and his intuition were often in sync. That wasn’t the only way they were in sync either. He faced that more and more. She’d grown as a friend and even more as someone he wanted to be with. So often she remained in thoughts and he didn’t want to let the images go.
She gave him a wave as he headed to the office refrigerator for his lunch bag. With the sack in hand, he settled beside her at the table, noting she had a sandwich of meat rolled in a lettuce leaf and a delicious looking muffin dripping with icing. The incongruity made him chuckle.
“What’s funny?” She grinned at her lettuce wrap and the muffin, as her eyebrow arched. “A welcome gift to Lilac Circle from a neighbor. I can’t let them go to waste.” She tilted her head toward the refrigerator. “And if you don’t think it’s too hysterical, you might enjoy the one I brought you.”
This time his brows lifted. “You did?”
She smirked. “You know I did.”
He hurried back to the fridge and found the muffin in a lunch bag with his name on it, touched by knowing she’d also thought of him.
With the treasure in hand, he settled beside and sipped from a juice box from his lunch bag. “I know. I was desperate.” He held up the container. “It’s Carly’s, but I’ll have another supply in the house before this weekend.”
“You’re a good dad, Rick.” She took the last bite of her lettuce wrap, her focus shifting toward the muffin. “I think I’ll get a coffee.”
She slid back the chair and headed around the corner to the counter that held the coffee urn. As she hurried away, he admired her trim figure, yet shapely in the best of ways. He understood how she stayed that way. She lived like a rabbit, eating veggies and lettuce sandwiches. The occasional sweet treat was rare for Angie.
The odor of strong coffee surrounded him before she set it on the table. “Smells like that stuff was left over from yesterday.”
She took a careful sip, her nose wrinkling. “The day before, I suspect.”
They both grinned while she pulled the wrapper off the muffin. He bit into his sandwich, watching her take a bite of the luscious looking treat. “That’s from a neighbor?”
She nodded, taking a moment to swallow. “Rema, to be exact. It was very sweet of her on one hand, but not convenient.” She lowered her head and brushed away her comment. “Anyway the muffins are delicious.” She swiped a bit of icing from the edge and licked her finger before looking up. “You may have seen her as you pulled away.”
He shook his head, recalling he’d only seen Angie standing on the porch, her eyes on him.
“The problem was the piles of boxes, and the house was a mess. And she was a bit odd.”
“Odd? In what way?” Rarely judgmental, her comment surprised him.
“She was pleasant enough but seemed sort of sad. More like depressed.” Angie’s face sank to concern.
He wanted to cheer her. “Some people are sadder than others.”
“And blunt.”
Anticipating her response, his grin grew. “Sometimes you’re--”
“No, I’m not.” She gave him a coy look. “Maybe a bit, but not like this. She asked me why I wasn’t married.”
He drew back, agreeing it was a very personal question. “How did she know you weren’t married?” He glanced at her finger, aware she didn’t wear a ring.
An uneasy expression slipped across her face. “She thought you were my husband.”
Her comment swept across him as a warm breeze. “Why would she think that?”
She gave a one shoulder shrug. “We hugged on the porch, I guess, but from her other comment, I still wonder.”
“Huh?” She’d stopped him though he did recall her hug. He admired Angie’s open affection, so different from Glenda’s. She’d gotten cool after they were married, and he never understood why.
“When I told her I wasn’t married, she said I probably made a good decision.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t you think that’s odd to tell a stranger?”
He did, but he sought an explanation. “I suppose it’s not if she’s divorced or in a bad marriage.”
“You’re right.” She thought at moment. “Anyway I didn’t pursue the conversation.”
“You didn’t. What happened to your inquisitiveness?” His own had peaked, curious how Angie had explained she was still single. He’d asked himself the same question.
She rested her elbow on the table and leaned closer. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll learn why. She told me we would be great friends.”
They both grinned, and she let the conversation slide. He didn’t like seeing Angie on edge. Her upbeat spirit had won his heart, and he’d befriended her for that reason, along with her ability to make the best of even bad situations. She found something positive in most everything. “Seeing your grin gave me an inspiring idea.” An idea that was sort of one-sided but she might like it. “Can you use anymore help this weekend?”
“Hard to tell, but I know I want to do some things in the yard once I’m done with emptying the boxes.” Her expression shifted to what appeared to be interest. “Why? Are you volunteering?”
“With an ulterior motive.” A guilty nudge hit his chest. He loved spending time with Angie, but he couldn’t tell her that. “I have Carly this weekend, and you’ve never met her. Since you’re out of the apartment now and in a house, I thought Carly might enjoy a yard to play in. I like to take her places, but I can never think of anything.”
“Rick, I’d love to meet her, and if we plant some flowers, she could help.”
“Are you sure? She’s only five.”
“Give her credit, Dad. Five year olds can do lots of things when you teach them.”
“I suppose.” He took his finger and dug into a hunk of the muffin. “This smells wonderful.”
“It is, but my hands are sticky, and I need to get back to my desk.” She jumped up, slipped her chair under the table and grabbed the lunch trash from the table. As she passed him, she gave him an elbow and leaned into his ear. “See you tomorrow, and Rick, I really look forward to meeting Carly on Saturday.”
She moved off behind him, and since others were in the room, he only nodded. He sensed that a couple of the guys figured he and Angie were a thing, even though the higher-ups discouraged coworker dating. If they only understood that a man and a woman could actually be friends without all the hanky-panky. The thought shivered down his back. Right now hanky-panky was off the list, but could he and Angie remain friends? And even more, did he want to be only a friend?
As the question struck him, reality sneaked in. Their work made it nearly impossible, but if he did get involved with a woman, Angie would be the only one that would interest him. No one could get to his heart as she seemed to do.
Get to his heart? Adrenaline shot through him with the impact of his thoughts. Speculation like that had to end. Between company policy and a friendship he valued, impractical emotions could put their relationship in jeopardy. And now he’d involved Carly.
He closed his eyes. It might be impractical and chancy, but the feelings were there. He had to back off or slow down. A weight struck his chest. Or throw caution to the wind and let things happen. He’d messed up by allowing himself to get involved outside of work. There they could be friends. In the world, friendships could grow and burst into something wonderful.
Carly might be his guide. If she appeared uncomfortable with Angie, then he would have little choice. His daughter needed security right now and as her father, he had to listen.
As his thoughts sank deep, the weight grew heavier on his heart.

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