A Matter of Destiny (6 page)

Sharon paused at the door, thinking how nice it was to have him around. She'd better not get too used to it. "You can supervise the table setting, if you want."

That should keep him out of the kitchen where his presence would keep her in a constant state of confusion.

"Yes, ma'am." He sniffed the air again. "Those pies smell great. Come on, boys, let's get to work. The boss has spoken."

Sharon's heart turned over as she went into the other room. He could make her feel happy, and it scared the hell out of her. She didn't want to feel content again...that's when something bad would happen to change everything.

The festive mood continued throughout dinner, with Joe teasing the boys about how much they ate, while he put away several helpings himself. Even David joined in the small talk.

"I'm stuffed," Joe said, after the second piece of pie. He pushed back his chair and struggled to his feet. He began to stack the dishes.

"I'll do that," Sharon said. It hurt too much to continue the pretense, like they were a family. After all, he was single...and attractive. It just wasn't right.

Joe stood firm. "I insist."

Sharon glanced at her two sons. "David and Luke will do them."

Luke groaned, but David was silent. He wanted Joe to leave, Sharon thought. He's remembering his father, and so should she.

But as she said goodbye to Joe, she told him softly, "I'm glad you came."

Joe understood her dilemma. "Thank you for the delicious meal. I owe you one."

At the look on her face, Joe knew he shouldn't have assumed they'd get together again. Things weren't solved that easily here on earth.

Sharon's grief was too raw, and the boys might feel his presence was an intrusion. Maybe Luke didn't mind, but it was obvious David did.

He knew he'd overstayed his welcome. Joe said goodnight, carrying with him an unbearable sense of loneliness. How did human beings play out their lives with such intense emotional experiences and limited ways to cope?

He'd dealt with varying degrees of grief down through the centuries and still felt inept. Patience, he realized, was a quality he needed to practice.

As Joe drove back to his small apartment, he remembered how he'd felt, looking around the table at Sharon and her sons, almost as if...

He shook his head. Forget it, he told himself, then thought about the laughter they'd shared over dinner and missed his turn.

Paula called that evening to ask if Sharon had heard anything. Sharon knew she should have let Paula know, but hadn't wanted to phone while Joe was there. Her friend might jump to conclusions.

"I'm sorry I didn't call right away, Paula, but we had company..." She hurried on before her friend could ask who. "The school offered me a job in the cafeteria, and I've decided to take it."

"That's great, but what happened to the receptionist position?" She sounded puzzled.

A touch of irritation stirred in Sharon. "You won't believe it. Celia Moran got that job." There was a moment's silence on the line. "Paula, are you still there?"

"You're right. I don't believe it. How did you find out?"

Sharon hesitated. "Joe, I mean, Mr. Reardon told me."

"Oh, when did you see him?"

"He brought Luke home after football practice." Sharon hoped Paula wouldn't ask for any more details. It wasn't that they were dating or anything, but it might look like they were to her friend.

"Hmmm," Paula murmured, obviously mulling over this news.

"Celia Moran. It figures she'd waltz into something like this."

Sharon went on to explain she'd be starting her new job right after Thanksgiving break. They talked a little more without Paula mentioning Ty. Sharon hoped that meant things were getting better between her friend and her husband.

As she turned from the phone, she wondered if Celia knew Sharon had applied for the same position. Most likely.

In the long run, it would probably work out for the best, working with Esther Olson rather than the secretary who'd snubbed her.

What a day, she thought, so full of ups and downs. Funny how most of the ups seemed to occur when Joe was around.

What was it about him, besides his startling good looks, athlete's body, drop-dead gorgeous smile...stop right there, she warned herself. This simply isn't right.

Sharon called her parents the next morning to tell them about her job offer, and discussed plans to drive down to Haden Lake for Thanksgiving.

She didn't want to observe the holiday at home. In the meantime, she'd have to decide what clothes to take, who would keep an eye on the house, and what bills to pay.

Sharon also wanted to talk to Esther and ask what would be expected at work. Somehow, she'd manage to avoid Celia completely so the woman wouldn't have an opportunity to gloat.

As the days passed, Sharon grew increasingly concerned about the Banners. Every time she called, Paula made an excuse to get off the phone. She was afraid things weren't going well after all.

One afternoon, she decided to drop by and see for herself.

As soon as she got out of the car, she heard Ty's voice raised in anger. "Leave me alone, woman. You don't understand." The front door opened. Ty started to say something else, but snapped his mouth shut when he saw Sharon. He turned back to Paula and said, "Your friend's here."

Sharon had always thought she was his friend, too.

The look of despair in his eyes belied the rudeness of his manner. "Is Paula home?" she asked, forcing a smile as if she hadn't heard anything.

He lowered his gaze and mumbled, "Yeah, she's home. Go on in."

Brushing by her, he went down the steps, climbed into his truck and drove away.

Sharon knocked and Paula came to the door. When she saw who it was, she reluctantly stepped aside. Her eyes were red.

Sharon was embarrassed and knew Paula was, too. Maybe she should've waited until Paula came to her. Sitting down, she figured it was too late now.

"I haven't seen you lately. How've you been?" Sounded banal, but she tried to act like nothing was wrong, if that would make Paula feel more comfortable. But it wasn't necessary.

Paula sat across from her and buried her face in her hands.

"Sharon, I'm so scared."

Sharon reached over and touched Paula's arm. "It's not getting any better?" There was no reason to pretend any longer.

Paula shook her head as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I love him so much. I don't want to lose him, but he won't talk about what's bothering him. I don't even think he loves me anymore."

"I'm sure that's not true, Paula. Why don't you and the kids stay with me for awhile? Maybe that will give Ty a chance to think things through."

She'd spoken impulsively, but realized it was a good idea and might even induce Ty to patch up their marriage.

At that moment, Ty returned and came inside. The tension in the air was so thick, Sharon knew she had to leave. "I'll talk to you later," she told Paula. "Goodbye, Ty."

Paula didn't walk her to the door. Sharon's heart grew heavy as she climbed into the car. Poor Paula and poor Ty. There must be something she could do.

Maybe Father Simmons could stop by the Banner place... But Sharon knew it was up to them to seek help. She drove home, carrying a desperate feeling for them all.

During the next week, Sharon saw Joe only briefly the few times he brought Luke home from practice. She missed his steady presence more than she cared to admit.

One word came to mind when she thought of him...trust. He was someone she could trust.

She didn't know why, maybe it was the warm understanding in his dark eyes, so that whenever he looked at her, she felt special. Was it wrong to feel that way? She didn't allow her thoughts to go any further than that.

Life was complicated enough already.

At Joe's suggestion, Sharon did attend the next Friday night's game with David. The stadium lights and bright blue and gold of the cheerleaders' pom poms added to the air of excitement that captured the spectators.

Luke beamed when he saw them in the stands. He said something to his coach, and Joe's gaze followed Luke's until he spotted them and waved.

Luke was thrilled to be part of the football team, and Sharon noticed a lightening of his dark moods lately. She still worried about injuries, though.

She turned to David. "Want a hot dog?"

"No, thanks."

Sharon wondered where his thoughts had been. "Aren't you hungry at all?" They hadn't had time to eat before leaving home.

"No." David stared at the field. Sharon shrugged and turned her attention to the spectacle before her, with her mind on her older son.

Why were his moods so changeable? Every time she thought he was opening up a little, he withdrew again. It tore her apart. She struggled to forget her problems, at least during the game.

The teams were exercising at opposite ends of the field. When the announcer called the starting lineups, the home crowd cheered at an ear-splitting level.

An official blew the whistle, and it was time for the kick-off.

It was cold out, but Sharon was warm with anticipation. It wasn't easy to keep an eye on Luke through all the scrimmages and tackles, but she was soon caught in the spirit of the night and cheered along with the rest of the crowd.

Every so often, her glance strayed toward the sidelines and the tall, dark-haired man so intent upon the action. She could see how tensed his muscles were, even from this distance.

What was it about him that drew her? Sure, he was handsome, but she'd never measured a man by his looks alone. She knew she wasn't ready to become involved with another man and maybe never would be. She simply enjoyed having him for a friend.

Just keep telling yourself that, she chided inwardly.

Melanie, Paula's daughter, came over and sat down next to David, but after a brief heated discussion, she got up and left.

"What did Melanie want?" Sharon asked.

David avoided her gaze. "Nothing."

Sharon was tired of his attitude, but restrained her temper. This wasn't the place for a showdown. She wanted to be patient, but was rapidly running out of her short supply. Worse yet, she didn't know who to turn to concerning him.

Her father's image flashed into her mind. That was it. She'd talk to him when they went down for Thanksgiving. It gave her some small hope.

After the victorious outcome for the home team, David and Sharon were leaving the stands when someone took hold of her arm. It was Joe.

She smiled up at him, breathless at being so close to him after a whole week. "Good game, coach." He wore a broad grin, showing his perfect teeth, as the wind ruffled his dark hair.

His eyes shone with excitement. "Did you see Luke's interception?"

"Of course! Didn't you hear me yelling?"

"Matter of fact, I did notice a slightly hysterical mother in the stands." Their gazes locked until David cleared his throat.

Joe turned to him. "How about coming out with the team for pizza?" His invitation included them both.

Sharon tossed David an inquiring look, but he shook his head.

"No, thanks."

Sharon's forehead lowered into a frown. She wanted very much to go, but wasn't sure about leaving David alone in this strange, brooding mood.

"Come on, David, let's go. It'll do us both good."

Joe waited patiently, his expectant glance going from Sharon

to her son.

David hesitated, then said, "Why don't you go, Mom? I'll be fine."