Whispered Prayers of a Girl

I spin around, lean back against the counter, and look down at my socked feet. Wiggling my toes, I answer her as honestly as I can. “I don’t know. He wasn’t as cold when we left. But that could just be because we weren’t complete strangers anymore.”

“And how do you feel about him?”

It takes me a minute to answer. How do I feel about Alexander? That’s both easy and hard to answer. It’s also scary to think about. I’ve tried pushing him from my mind the last week, but no matter how hard I try, he’s there. It’s like he’s wormed his way inside and has grown roots.

“I don’t know. I like him. He’s quiet and reserved, but he’s also compassionate. I liked watching him with Daniel and Kelsey. It was like, although he wasn’t sure what to do with them, instinctually he knew. He was so patient with them. He’d take Daniel out to the barn to help him with the horses. And when he looked at Kelsey, I swear, Emma, it was like he was trying to absorb her pain.”

“Is he still as hot as he used to be?” she teases, then laughs.

“I don’t know how he used to look, but the man looks damn good now.”

She clears her throat before asking quietly, “He has scars, doesn’t he? From the accident.”

I feel bad talking about him like this, but it’s Emma. There’s no censure or disgust in her voice. Emma’s not like that. She never judges people by their outward appearance. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

“Yeah.” I blow out a breath. “The right side of his face has burn scars. He has them on his right arm as well. I can’t be sure, but I think there may be more. The scars wouldn’t matter anyway, no matter how bad they are.”

“I know. Are you going to see him again?”

Before I get a chance to answer, I hear a car door slam outside.

“I need to go. Jeremy and his mom had the kids over for lunch and they just got back.”

“Okay. But I want updates on the Alexander situation,” she informs me.

“There might not even be an Alexander situation to report back to you.”

I walk over to the door and pull it open. Dani

el, Kelsey, and Jeremy are walking up the driveway.

“True. But there might be as well.”

After promising to call her in a couple days, I hang up. I smile as the kids and Jeremy walk up on the porch.

“Did you guys have fun?”

I ruffle Daniel’s hair as he stops in front of me and hands over a Tupperware container. “We did and we brought you lunch back.”

Bending down, I kiss the top of his head. “Thank you.” I look at Kelsey next. “Did you enjoy your lunch?” I ask gently.

She gives a single nod and that’s it.

After thanking Jeremy for lunch, Daniel rushes off inside, I’m sure to pull out the video game. The boy would play 24-7 if I allowed him to. Kelsey follows him at a slower pace. I turn back to Jeremy after watching the kids go inside.

I hold up the container. “You didn’t have to bring me lunch, but thank you regardless.”

“You know it’s no problem. Since you couldn’t come yourself, Mom insisted we bring lunch to you.”

They invited me as well, but I had too much to do around the house. That, and I wanted to take the opportunity to have a few minutes alone. Since being snowed in with Alexander, my mind has wandered to him more times than I can count. It’s very distracting.

I smile. “Well, thank you. And thank your mom as well.”

“You got it.” He taps the railing before turning and walking down the steps. At the bottom, he turns back. “You need anything, even if it’s just for me and mom to take the kids for a bit, call us.”

“Thanks, Jeremy. I really appreciate everything you and Peggy have done for me and the kids.”

“It’s we that thanks you, especially Mom.” He looks over to his truck, then back to me, his expression mournful. “I was never able to give her any more grandchildren. Having Daniel and Kelsey around helps, since Benny’s all grown up.”