Loving Promises (4 page)

His mother ignored his question. “It’s just sad when a young woman has such burdens. She should be enjoying life and sharing it with a husband.”

“Seems like she should be concentrating on those kids before one of them gets killed.”

“Dale, I can’t believe you said that.”

The disappointment in his mother’s voice caused him to regret his comment.

“Where’s your compassion?” she asked.

“I have compassion. I think they need a firm hand. And love,” he added before his mother became upset again.

“Love is the answer,” Dotty said.

His mother’s eyes said more than he wanted to hear. She was conspiring, he guessed, working on a romance. His heart ached. She’d wanted grandchildren so badly, and he’d let down both his parents.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked, rather than plowing any further into a discussion about Bev.

“I suppose. It’s getting a little chilly.”

He stood, released the brake on her wheelchair and
shifted it around. Bev looked their way, and he lifted his hand in a wave. She barely responded.

“You should tell Bev we’re leaving,” Dotty said as he moved her chair along the sidewalk.

“I already did.”

For a moment no one spoke until his mother, like a person who loves a song and keeps singing it over and over, started the topic again. “Bev needs a good husband—a man who’ll love her and the children. Someone raised as a believer who can be faithful. Marriage is a wonderful experience when it’s between two people whom God meant for each other.”

What could he say that he hadn’t already said? God had meant his father and mother to marry. They were a perfect couple. One of a kind. Dale didn’t question that. But in his heart, he sensed the Lord was leading him to remain unattached. No troubles. No heartache.

Anyway, he’d make a lousy parent.

B
ev looked up as Annie DeWitt poked her head into the Loving Care playroom. “Dale Levin’s here to see you.” Her voice rose above the clamor of the children, and she gave Bev a conspiring smile.

Dale? Her pulse skipped for a moment before she realized something must be wrong. Bev’s voice lodged in her throat as she brushed away Annie’s insinuation with a wave of her hand and rose from her crouched position. “Don’t start that, Annie.”

Bev stepped over a toy truck as she headed for the doorway. “Can you keep an eye on things until I can send in someone else? It’s almost time for me to leave anyway.”

Annie took over, and Bev hurried to the front door, searching Dale’s face for bad news. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Dale drew back, his expression becoming apologetic. “Nothing. I didn’t realize I’d frighten you.”

Relief washed over her followed by surprise. “Then why are you—”

“Impetuous, I suppose.”

His grin rallied her pulse back to a skip.

“I recalled your saying you worked here, and I had a couple of things to talk over with you.” Dale shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his gaze surveying the room. “Is this a good time to talk?”

Addled by his sudden appearance, Bev calmed her thoughts and glanced at her watch. “I’m off in a couple of minutes, and my mom has Kristin today. That would probably be better.”

He agreed and remained by the door.

As she walked away to say good-night to her employer, Christie Hanuman, Bev asked herself what she was doing. She was absolutely loony to build a friendship with Dale. She knew it, but something pushed her forward despite her reservations.

She hurried not to keep him waiting, and in minutes, Bev followed him outside and down the steps.

Dale gestured toward the highway. “How about Dee’s Grill? It’s right up the road. That is if you have the time.”

“Fine,” she said, her bewilderment growing. She pulled her car keys from her handbag. “Is this about your mother?”

“In part. But I also need a favor.” He gave her a wave and headed for his car.

In part? A favor? His response unsettled her worse than not knowing at all. Bev climbed into her car, rolled onto the highway and, in moments, aimed her car into the small parking lot of the grill. Dale pulled in beside her. She exited the car and followed him to the entrance.

Inside they found a booth and ordered coffee. Bev felt puzzled and worried that he’d learned bad news about his mother.

In a moment the waitress returned with their drinks and a carafe. Dale thanked her, then settled back. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I should have called you.” He gazed at his coffee cup, and for the first time, Bev noticed his nervousness.

“You’re welcome, but what’s this about? Is your mother—” She paused, realizing she was moving into a sensitive area.

Her comment seemed to catch his attention, and his gaze settled on hers. “Mom’s the same. What I really need is your help.”

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity soaring. “Help with what?”

“My mother’s care.”

“You want me to take care of your mother?”

He shook his head. “No. Not you. How about your mother? You know Dad isn’t willing to admit Mom into a facility.”

“Yes,” she said, only imagining how she might feel in his shoes. “It would be a difficult decision.”

Dale’s downcast head bobbed with agreement. “I don’t want that either.” He raised his eyes and gave her a direct look. “But he doesn’t want to hire anyone either because he doesn’t want to hire a stranger.” He released a ragged sigh. “So I’ve been thinking about your mother.”

“I noticed your look the other night. I had the same thought, but I don’t know about that, Dale.”

His hopeful look faded. “She’s a nurse and has spare time. Mom mentioned she’s been dropping by for visits. Do you think she might be willing to help my dad?”

“That’s up to my mom. When she came to Loving, she stressed that now she had time to enjoy her retirement and renew old friendships. I’m not sure she’d want to give up that freedom.”

Her expression must have jarred him. Dale’s look sank to discouragement. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but they seem like such good friends. Your mother wouldn’t be a stranger in my dad’s eyes.”

Bev’s heart ached for him and the sad situation. Dale’s ill-humored behavior softened in her thoughts as she listened to his concern and love for his family. Underneath his gruffness was a soft-hearted man. He needed to open up and let it out.

“When my mom said those things, she didn’t know about your mother, and she hadn’t run into your dad yet.
That might make a difference. I could suggest it to her. Would that help?”

A look of relief spread across Dale’s face. “If you would, I’d be eternally grateful.” He leaned across the tabletop, slid his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze.

The warmth rushed up her arm and prickled down her back. She searched his eyes, amazed at the depth of emotion she saw. He was bound so tightly with restrictive behaviors Bev wasn’t sure Dale even knew the feelings were there.

A thought traveled through her. She wanted to know this man, to see his potential as a loving person, to know why he held himself aloof from showing his feelings. More than once, she’d observed his compassion and his fear. He tried to conceal them even from himself, but he couldn’t hide them from Bev. She’d spent years obscuring her own secret hurts. She was a master.

His hand remained on hers, and Bev didn’t move. How long had it been since a man had touched her hand in such an intimate way? She couldn’t remember. She studied Dale’s worried face. His beautiful eyes were darkened with concern, the deep-blue color like a stormy sea.

“I can’t thank you enough, Bev,” Dale said, breaking the silence. “Being an only child, I have no one to turn to, no one to be a sounding board for my thoughts, no one who cares. It’s nice having a person willing to listen.”

Bev watched a faint grin form on his face as he gave her hand a final squeeze and drew it back to lift his coffee cup.

“I suppose this seems silly to you. You hardly know me, and I’m asking for your help. It’s not like me. I usually handle things on my own.”

She knew him better than he realized. In her opinion, he didn’t handle things well at all. “I’ll take it as a compliment that you trust me enough to ask,” Bev said.

“You’re a nice lady, Bev. You’re a beautiful person.”

Her pulse did another waltz up her arm, and the sensation irritated her. She didn’t want to react to this man’s attention—or any man’s, for that matter.

“You’re beautiful inside and out.” His gaze washed over her.

Bev didn’t know what to say. She sensed he was sweet-talking her, and it was working. Her stomach had joined her pulse, and the two danced a jig through her body until she felt unable to calm her emotions. She shook her head. “I try to be kind. Kindness looks beautiful.”

“You’re that, too.” He reached for the carafe.

She watched him add coffee to the cups, then take a sip as if his mind had flown off somewhere else. She needed the reprieve to calm herself, to get things back into perspective. Her emotions had been doing push-ups since Dale touched her hand.

Bev eyed her watch. “I suppose I’d better get home.”

Dale turned his head and checked the wall clock. “I didn’t realize so much time had passed. I still have that favor to ask.”

“Favor? I thought you’d asked it.”

“I had two favors to ask.”

Two? She noted an uncomfortable look edging across his face.

“This one is more personal,” he said.

Personal? Her kids came to mind, and she girded herself for an argument. If he was going to tell her to keep her children away from his parents or how to raise them, she’d let him have it right now, no matter how sweet he was somewhere inside his hard head. “Is this about my children?”

His head snapped upward. “No. Not at all.”

No? She slipped her hands into her lap, embarrassed by her thoughts.

“Ian Barry, an old high-school friend, invited me to dinner tomorrow night.”

Hearing the name gave her a start. “I know Ian and Esther from church.”

His face brightened. “You do? Great.”

Bev had no idea where this favor was going. A proper hostess gift? What?

“Ian suggested I bring someone along. I thought of you.”

Bev’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s because I’m the only woman you know in town.”

“No, I—”

“I’m only kidding.” She lowered her gaze and looked into her cup while pondering the possibility. She’d been out of the social loop for so long. Too long, her mother thought.

She let her response settle in her thoughts a moment before answering. “I like Ian and Esther. I’d be glad to go to dinner if my mom will watch the kids.”

Bev heard her mother pulling into the driveway. Mildred had been out with another old friend, and Bev realized she was truly enjoying her retirement. “Did you have fun?” Bev asked when she came through the doorway.

Mildred dropped her handbag onto the table and settled into a recliner. “I did. It was like old times. Seems nice to have so much freedom.”

Bev’s heart sank, thinking of Dale’s request.

“I stopped to look at an apartment today,” Mildred said, “but I didn’t like it. It was on the second floor.”

Bev was grateful her fears of two women under one roof had gone unfounded. “Take your time,” she said, wondering how to broach the topic of Dotty. She finally took the roundabout way. “Dale Levin stopped by Loving Care today.”

Her mother’s head flew up like a startled bird. “Really? Something wrong?”

“No. Dotty’s the same.” She lost her courage and
segued to a different topic. “He asked me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

“A real date? I’m thrilled.”

“Not really. It’s a favor.” She explained the situation and hoped her mother wouldn’t try to make something of it. “I need a baby-sitter if you’re willing.”

“Certainly I’ll watch the kids,” Mildred said while a coy smile rose to her lips. “Are you sure this is a favor and not a date?”

Bev held up her hand. “Don’t start matchmaking, Mom.”

“Dotty and I both think you’d make a great couple. Don’t push the idea out of your head, Bev. You just never know.”

Before Bev could respond, her mother shifted forward on the edge of her chair.

“Speaking of Dotty, I went to see her today. She’s not doing well. My heart breaks for the whole family.”

The topic gave Bev an opportunity to introduce Dale’s request. “Me, too. Al could really use some help.”

“I know, and that’s why I’m thinking I should offer to take care of Dotty.”

Bev tried to hide her surprise. “Dale’s been trying to get Al to hire someone. I’m sure they’d be grateful.”

“Not hire. Volunteer.”

Volunteer? “But that’s a tremendous commitment, Mom.”

Mildred eased deeper into the chair and nodded. “I
know. I’ve been praying about it, and I read something in the Bible the other day that made me think about this.” She rose. “Let me get it.”

Her mother hurried from the room while Bev sat, amazed at the turn of events. More of God’s work, she guessed. Yet she worried about the volunteering part. Certainly her mother could use some extra money to keep her independence and help with her living expenses.

Mildred returned, carrying the Bible. “It’s in Philippians.” She fingered through the pages until she located the passage. “Here it is. ‘Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.’” She lowered the Bible and looked at Bev. “That really spoke to me.”

“It’s easier said than done.”

“Yes, in some ways it is.” She paused, her gaze drifting across the room. “Al and I were talking the other day and laughed about a pact we’d made each other years ago that we’d always be friends, and even if we were apart, if we needed each other, we’d find a way to be there.”

“Mom, you said that when you were kids.”

“I know, but we made a pact, and see what the Lord has done? He’s guided me back to Loving so I could keep my promise, just like the Lord kept His.”

“God is different than people. I know the Levins need help. Dale’s said the same, but I don’t want you to
say you can do something that you can’t. What I don’t like is your volunteering. It should be a paid position.”

“That’s my decision, Bev. I don’t need the money. Your dad left me well-cared for, and my retirement benefits are fine. That’s not my concern. What I pray is before I commit to anything, I want to make sure I can handle the responsibility.” Mildred looked at her with thoughtful eyes.

Bev reprimanded herself for her reaction to her mother’s wish. Bev had promised Dale she’d help, and now she’d tried to discourage her mother. Her promise had been an empty one. But why? The answer struck her. She feared her mother would get so busy with the Levins she’d forget about looking for an apartment and lose her interest in the children. Bev’s reaction had been selfish.

“I know commitments are difficult,” Mildred continued. “You have the kids and so you don’t do much for yourself.”

“I have since you’ve been here. It’s given me more time for myself.” The truth of her admission poked at her.

“I look at you and wonder what’s going to happen. You’re so tied up with the kids you have no life of your own.”

Bev saw it coming again.

“No husband. You’re too young to be alone.” She lowered her eyes. “It’s not just me, Bev. Dotty would like to see you and Dale get together. She so wants to know he’s happily married before—”

“Mom, we’ve already talked about this. I find Dale an intriguing man. I like many things about him, but he’s not crazy about kids, and he has no interest in marriage. Anyway, he’s just not my type.”

“What is your type?” her mother asked.

Bev gazed at her while the question rolled around in her head. She closed her eyes, almost ashamed that she no longer saw Jesse’s face. The vision she saw was Dale and his haunting eyes.