"Don't count on it," Joe said, coming up behind her. He tucked her under his arm and pulled her close to him.
Sharon glanced around to see if anyone had seen the possessive gesture. She was glad David had turned to speak to a friend, then her gaze met Celia's narrowed blue glare.
Wonderful, she thought, that woman is always right where you where you least expect her. Sharon murmured that she had to find her shawl.
Joe grinned and held it up, along with her purse. She finished her goodbyes and lead the way outside.
Before he started the car, Joe asked if she'd like to stop for coffee.
"No, I think I'd better get home," she said in a low voice.
He didn't try to change her mind, and she was grateful, yet a trifle irritated, too. What was wrong with her tonight? She fluctuated between relief and disappointment when he didn't act as expected. She had to remember he'd be leaving soon.
When they pulled up to the house, the place was dark.
"We beat the boys home after all," Sharon said, intensely aware of Joe's powerful frame next to hers.
"Don't blame me," he quipped. Reaching over, he took her hand in his large one. "I had a great time. Thanks for taking me." He traced her fingers with his lips.
How did he make such a simple action so seductive? "There you go again, as if I'd asked you out."
"Does that bother you?"
The look in his eyes was not a teasing one, and Sharon swallowed with difficulty. "It was fun, Joe. How did it compare to the singles clubs in the city?"
He sighed at her change of subject. "I've never been to one, so I wouldn't know. But I have a feeling I'd prefer Punk's music and Myrt's sandwiches."
The blinding glare of headlights and repeated honking heralded the arrival of her sons. With a deep groan, Joe got out of the car and went around to open the door for Sharon.
She had to force herself to sit still because Tom had long since foregone the everyday chivalrous gestures. Not that she'd minded, of course.
Joe held her hand again as she slid out, and when she stood, their faces were just inches apart. Sharon stopped breathing as she waited expectantly, forgetting they had an interested audience.
"Hey Mom, Joe, no necking on the curb," Luke called, and laughed at his own wit.
Sharon sighed. "Aren't children wonderful? Thanks again for a lovely evening."
He hesitated, then, "Good night, Sharon."
She didn't look back, but walked at a quick pace toward the house. David was waiting on the porch and studying her with a deep frown creasing his forehead.
She smiled. "Did you have fun?"
He shrugged, then asked, "Did you?"
"Yes, sweetheart, I did." She thought of the kisses, and brushed the memory aside. She was human, after all. Scarcely aware of the tune she was humming, Sharon went inside.
Luke grinned as if waiting for a recap of her evening.
She hated to disappoint him, but didn't feel like talking about Joe right now. "I'm bushed," she said. "I hope you had a nice time, boys. See you in the morning."
Without another word, she went upstairs to be alone with her thoughts. She had no doubt that a certain dark-haired man would dominate her dreams, and there was nothing she could do about it.
As Sharon laid in bed, it took little effort to recreate the warmth of Joe's arms around her. She tried to remember what he'd said before he kissed her; it was an unusual name. Someone he'd loved and never forgotten?
That thought made her shudder.
When they'd danced, she'd been oblivious to the other couples. She'd never considered herself a sensual person, but had trouble controlling those longings around the new man in her life. If she dared call him that.
The more she thought about it, Sharon grew troubled. She had to conduct herself the way a widow should and direct all her energies into raising her sons. When they were grown and settled into their own lives, then she could think about romance if she wanted.
Why couldn't she have met Joe Reardon a year or two from now? Besides, he'd be gone in a few months, and maybe he was on the rebound from a painful relationship.
Sharon turned over and pounded her pillow, determined to put Joe out of her mind. But as she drifted into sleep, her last thought was of his lips on hers, gentle with restrained passion. She moaned softly and called his name.
Chapter Six
Joseph heard her cry and lay staring into the darkness all through the night. Was he out of his everlovin' mind?! He'd started something he wouldn't be allowed to finish. Unless there was a way...
Sometimes guardians disappeared during a mission. It was something they all wondered about, but never discussed.
There must be someone he could talk to about the feelings that were tearing him apart. Surely he wasn't the only one to have this experience.
There had to be help for a lovesick angel...somewhere...
When Joseph began asking around, he figured he must've stumbled onto one of the Guardianship's greatest mysteries. No one had any answers for him, not even his closest friend, John Peter.
"Are you telling me you've never fallen in love with a human?" Joseph asked the other guardian.
John Peter hesitated, Joseph thought, but he said no. "That's not the way I feel about them; I'm not sure I even understand their kind of love," his friend explained.
There must be a giant flaw in his own personality, Joseph mused, shaking his head.
Of course, word of his quest got back to Serena, and he was summoned before her.
"Well, Joseph, what have you got to say for yourself?"
"There are things I need to know. I was just asking questions."
She tilted her head as if she didn't understand. "But why didn't you come to me?"
Joseph stared at a point beyond his superior as he pondered his reasoning. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "Sometimes you seem so far beyond me in your experience and wisdom." He thought he heard her sigh.
"That's not true. We're like the earthlings in that each individual experience is so unique, every living creature possesses a special knowledge that no one else has."
"What are you saying?"
She smiled. "What I've said all along, Joseph. You'll find your answers by living one day at a time, and by never losing faith.”
As he pondered what she was saying, Serena told him she had to go. "Thank you," he said simply. She hadn't judged him or admonished him for his weaknesses. He was still confused, but he understood he wasn't the only living being to feel that way.
Joe was going to bring Luke home from basketball practice the following Friday, and Sharon had invited him to dinner. She was nervous, even though her lasagna had never failed her yet. She'd fix a tossed green salad and garlic bread to complete the meal. Joe was bringing the wine.
She hadn't seen him much that week, and she'd missed him. Her excuse for inviting him was that he'd done so much for Luke. Her son was doing well with all the sports and Joe's encouragement. It had absolutely nothing to do with her own feelings.
She had the table set and the lasagna bubbling in the oven when she heard a car drive up. Caddy warned of the visitor with a low, rumbling sound from the front porch, then a loud, welcoming bark. Joe was early.
A slow smile spread across Sharon's face. She went to the door, dressed in turquoise slacks and a matching velour top.
But when she looked outside, she was surprised to see Paula, Melanie, and the younger kids coming up the walk. The furry St. Bernard scampered in circles around them. "Caddy, come here," Sharon called.
The pup stopped racing, but stayed where he was.
As Paula reached the porch, Joe pulled into the driveway with Luke. Sharon glanced at his car, then back to Paula. Her friend's face was wet with tears.
Sharon hurried to her. "Paula, what's wrong?"
Paula grimaced, as if trying not to cry anymore. "Ty and I had a bad argument. I...I...Could we stay the night?"
Sharon embraced her friend. "Of course you can, hon, come on in." Remembering Joe, she paused and glanced over her shoulder. He lifted his hands as if to ask what he could do to help.
"Joe, would you mind rounding up the kids and see that they're all fed? Luke and Melanie will help, and David should be home any minute."
He nodded and Sharon gave him a grateful smile, then returned her attention to Paula. Maybe she should have sent Joe home, but she needed him; they all did.
Paula was crying softly as Sharon lead her inside. She took her upstairs to the master bedroom, and the two women sat on the bed. "Do you want to talk about it?" Sharon asked.
"Can...can I have a handkerchief?" Paula said through her sobs.
Sharon went over to Tom's dresser and pulled out one of the oversized bandanna handkerchiefs he'd always used. She still kept his clothes freshly laundered and neatly arranged in his drawers, though she couldn't say exactly why.
It was time to stop it, she realized.
Paula dabbed at her eyes before speaking. "I told him I couldn't live like this anymore, being shut off from whatever was bothering him, and that we were supposed to be a team..."
"What did he say?"
"He thought I meant I was leaving him for good and began shouting. That's when I told the kids to get in the car."
Sharon's shoulders slumped. If Paula couldn't get Ty to open up, who could? Didn't he realize what he was doing to his family?
She kept her opinion to herself, however, and urged Paula to go on.
"I didn't come here because I want to leave him," Paula explained, drying her eyes, "I just needed to get away for the night."
Sharon could restrain herself no longer. "You'll stay as long as necessary, at least until you work things out."
Paula stared at her sadly. "I couldn't bear to lose him."
Sharon sighed deeply. "I'm sure Ty is feeling much the same. Will you talk to Father Simmons before you go home?" "I don't know..." Paula twisted the bandanna into a knot.
Sharon decided to bring it up again later, when Paula had calmed down. "What made you confront him?"
"He's been getting letters from his family in Norway, but wouldn't let me read them. I accused him of hiding something from me."
"What do you think it is?"
Paula shrugged. "I don't know, but he'll have to learn to trust me if he wants me back."
Sharon didn't know what else to say. "Want something to eat?"
"No thanks. If you don't mind, I'll just lie down for awhile." She glanced longingly at the comfortable bed. "Will you be all right with the kids?"
"Sure, and if you feel like a shower or bath, go ahead. Speaking of the mob downstairs, I'd better check on them."
Paula had already laid down by the time Sharon closed the door. The scene reminded her of the day of the funeral. She'd been too distraught to cope with all the people, and Paula had been her shield.
Life moved in strange patterns, she thought, praying that Paula's problems could be solved.
Before joining the others, she called the priest. When she told him the situation, he assured her, "I'll come by first thing in the morning."
Sharon wondered guiltily if she was poking her nose where it didn't belong, but Paula had come to her. She didn't want her friend to go home until she'd considered other options or had a chance to think things through.
When Sharon entered the kitchen, Joe was dishing up the lasagna, with one of her aprons tied around his waist. He had all the kids laughing uproariously with his imitation of a flamboyant television chef. David was pouring milk as Luke served the salad.