Dipping In A Toe Read Free

closet.”
    At the excited note in Sadie’s voice, I turned and spotted her holding out an ivory crinkle-fabric skirt with swirling silver accents. “That’s nice but shorts are more practical.”
    “But the sparkles are pretty.” Her lips puffed into a pout as she jiggled and twisted the hanger. “Listen…it swishes.”
    The fabric did hang nicely. Her hopeful tone pierced my heart, but the wobbly smile was what did me in. She was trying so hard to make up for the punch accident. Besides, what woman could resist such a feminine sparkly skirt? “Sadie girl, it’s perfect.” I crossed the short distance to where she stood. Oh, please let there be one in my size .
    Twenty minutes later, I turned into the Pizza Palace driveway and thought I spotted a tall, blondish man at the entrance. By the time I found a parking place, I was sure I’d imagined one particular man had been waiting for our arrival.
    Preparing for the arguments I’d heard on several other occasions, I turned, wallet in hand, toward the middle of the car and looked at my kids. “Okay, gang, what’s our deal?” I held up two bills.
    Adam unlatched his seat belt and cracked open his door, his lanky body already halfway out of the car. “Ten dollars each in tokens.”
    Being on a budget sucked, especially since the practice was a new one. One more aspect of being a single parent.
    Dylan had been more spontaneous—his philosophy was to live in the now and let the future take care of itself. He’d thought we had plenty of time to build up our nest egg—not the greatest plan for a family man.
    Now these decisions were mine to make. In my heart, I knew the budget lesson was a good one. One they’d carry through the coming years. “And what happens when those are gone?”
    “Then we watch.” Sadie inched forward in her seat, her gaze fixed on the restaurant’s entry door. She looked back at me and waggled her head. “And no begging.”
    “All right, game plan is set. Give me a high five.”
    We slapped open palms and I ignored Adam’s muttered “too lame.” I knew I was stretching this family tradition but after Dylan’s passing, I’d vowed to keep their lives as unchanged as I could—at least on issues within my control.
    Only moments later, we were surrounded by the rich scents of baking garlic, tomatoes and cheese, and the shouted greetings from our friends inside the restaurant. I waved to several people, looking for an empty space where we’d fit among the tables overflowing with people, food, and drinks.
    Husbands not present pool-side at the meet were now paired with their wives, making me feel even more like an outsider. Families sat together in booths or around tables as self-contained units. Familiar youth materialized, as if from thin air, and pulled my kids off toward the arcade room, leaving me on my own.
    Her hand waving me closer, Christy scooted toward the middle of her seat in the booth containing her family. “Come on, Jessa. We’ll scoot tighter and make room.”
    “No need, Christy.” A deep voice behind me sounded. “I saved a space for Jessa at my family’s table.”
    A warm hand rested on my lower back, making me jump. “Oh, really?” I glanced over my shoulder and connected with Rick’s intent blue-eyed gaze. I was to meet his family? My heart beat a bit faster.
    “I knew you’d be alone the moment your kids hit the arcade.” With gentle pressure, he moved forward between the occupied tables. “This way, you’ll have someone to talk to.”
    Warmth from his hand seeped through my tank top. For just a second, I savored the special sensation, that protected feeling, that had been missing from my life but then stepped away. This man made me feel too much too soon. “That’s okay. I can find my own—”
    “Sorry.” His body stilled and he ran a hand through his hair, tousling the thick strands. “I sure mixed those signals, didn’t I?”
    One look at the surprise widening his eyes and I felt the pinch