Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart Read Free Page B

switch
from Scottie to her.
    She wore a blue and white flowered sun dress
with a low-cut neckline showing off her figure.
    She looked up, and smiled, noticing how tall
Jim was as he stood by the fence. He’s at least six feet. His gorgeous, light brown eyes peered keenly at her, creating heat
in her under his scrutiny. Sarah noticed his slim build, light
brown hair, and shoulders as wide as the day is long. As an
attraction to Jim grew inside her, Sara forced herself to look
away. She had no energy to deal with a man now. Laura and Scottie
took front row in her life. Men could wait, even Jim. Still she
returned his warm smile.
    “Scottie, why don’t you help Jim clean up
the mess,” Sarah suggested while folding paper napkins to place
next to each plate.
    “Not necessary. Just a little spilled dirt.”
He righted the pot and scooped up some dirt with his hands.
    Sarah threw hamburgers and hot dogs for the
children on the grill. She spied Jim cleaning up the dirt. A twinge
of guilt gnawed at her. They had been living next door to Jim for a
month already. Night after night, she cooked on the grill, feeding
the children on the back porch. Jim stayed out of sight when they
were eating, he didn’t hang around, hinting for an invitation. But
she knew he ate alone most nights. Sometimes she’d see him through
her living room window, eating on a tray in front of the television
by himself. Though shyness kept her from making the first move, it
didn’t seem neighborly not to invite him over to eat with them. It’s the least I can do after Scottie knocked over his pot. She took a deep breath and walked over to the fence.
    “Hi,” she said, putting her hands in the
pockets of her jeans, then taking them out again.
    “Hi. Don’t worry about this, no harm done.”
He waved his hand over the pot of spilled dirt. “He’s got quite a
strong foot there. Looks like he could be a good soccer
player.”
    “He was…he is. I’ve signed him up to play in
the Kiwanis league in September.”
    “He’d make a good midfielder.”
    “Seems the least we could do is invite you
to join us for dinner. Just burgers and dogs on the grill, I’m
afraid.”
    His gaze raked over her body, bringing color
to her cheeks.
    “You don’t have to.”
    “I know…I’d like to. Won’t you join us?”
Sarah stared directly into Jim’s eyes. The look on his face stirred
up a heat in her belly.
    “Great! I hate eating alone.”
    “Good. Come on over.” Sarah motioned with
her hand.
    “How about some tomatoes from my
garden?”
    “I love home-grown tomatoes.”
    Sarah flashed a sweet smile at him. She
picked up a plate of raw meat and walked over to the grill. He
yanked five tomatoes off the vines then hopped over the low
fence.
    “Cool…Jim,” Scottie said, bouncing the
soccer ball.
    “Can I help with the grilling?” He moved
over to the grill and stood so close they were almost touching.
    “No, thanks. I’ve got it,” she said,
stopping a second to catch her breath. “Laura, would you bring out
the drinks, please?”
    “Mom! Can’t you see I’m in the middle of a
conversation?”
    “I’ll go,” Jim volunteered.
    “Its Laura’s responsibility…right Laura?”
Sarah said, staring at her daughter.
    “Okay, okay.” Laura righted herself in the
chair, pushing slowly to her feet. Her gaze remained glued to her
phone’s screen while she sauntered into the house.
    “What have I forgotten? Oh, ketchup,
mustard...”
    “Can I at least bring those out?” Jim asked,
moving toward the back door.
    “Thanks. Laura will show you where they
are.” Sarah threw two more hotdogs on the grill.
    She was efficient, making a mental checklist
of everything for dinner while flipping the burgers then putting
the buns on to heat.
    “Dinner, everyone!” Sarah tucked the last
hot dog into a bun, nestling it in with the others on the platter.
The children took their usual seats. Jim held out a chair for
Sarah, who glanced at him for a second like