Page 25 of Asher's Assignment

“It’s lying to your family, isn’t it?” he said softly.

She released her lip and nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, we’ll do what we can to limit our interaction with them. I’m not sure we can avoid dinner, but maybe I can fake a work emergency to get us out early.”

“Maybe we’ll figure out what’s going on and you can go home before it even happens.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Although, part of him hoped that wasn’t the case. Now that he was here, he didn’t have much desire to leave.

Ten

The light tinkle of a little boy’s laughter drew Esther’s attention. She glanced up from helping Daphne with her Bible craft to see Bryant King giggling at Asher, who had a streak of glitter on his face. Asher’s tongue poked out from between his teeth as he attempted to line up the holes and poke yarn through them. The booklet Esther had the kids make looked tiny in his big hands.

He aimed a bright smile at Bryant as the piece of blue yarn slid through the holes. Esther’s heart stuttered as she took in the sight. He was so gentle with the kids. And hands on. When she explained the craft, he’d rolled up his sleeves and jumped right in to help. It really wasn’t fair that a man so pretty was also so kind. She needed to resist him; there was no future for them—not that he’d even give her a second look—but he was making it damn hard.

Movement at the door brought Esther out of her thoughts. She looked over and saw Leila Kite come into the room and frowned. What was she doing here? She didn’t have any children.

The woman glanced around the room, quickly zeroing in on Asher.

Ah. It suddenly made sense. One of the moms must have mentioned Esther’s helper.

A predatory smile slid over Leila’s face.

Esther looked at Daphne. “Excuse me a moment, sweetie.” She stood, heading Leila off before she could get across the room. “Hi, Leila. What can I do for you? Did you come to help the kids with their Bible study craft? You’re a little late if so. It’s almost time to pack up.”

Leila paused, her smile turning down as Esther stepped into her path. “Oh. Um, no. I came to welcome our new member.” She tipped her head toward Asher.

“He’s just visiting.”

“I still believe we should make everyone feel welcome here.”

“I agree. But he’s busy helping Bryant. You wouldn’t want to interrupt a child learning to love Jesus, would you?” Esther knew she was playing dirty, but she didn’t care. Leila wasn’t here to help. She was only here to make a play for Asher, and it was an interruption Esther’s class didn’t need. And while she also knew it was rather un-Christian of her, she didn’t like Leila Kite. The woman came to church because her family expected her to, not because she truly believed. And she never missed an opportunity to flirt—with single or married men.

“I’m sure you can wave and maybe say hello as we leave later.” Though Leila and her family would likely be long gone before Esther and Asher left. They still had to clean up the room after the kids rejoined their parents.

“But—”

Esther walked forward, extending an arm to turn Leila around. “You should go find your parents. They’re probably getting coffee to go, I imagine. I need to help the kids finish their projects before their parents arrive. Thanks for stopping in. Next week, come earlier. I never turn away help when we’re in the thick of crafting.” Plastering a wide smile on her face, she ushered the woman out the door.

Leila tossed a glare over her shoulder but left without incident.

Esther puffed out her cheeks as she released a breath. Some women had no boundaries.

Turning around, she went back to help Daphne, but the girl had figured things out herself and was putting the finishing touches on the front of her booklet. Esther glanced around, looking for anyone else who needed help tying their pages together. This group was rather young and hadn’t mastered that skill yet, so she helped a couple more, then clapped her hands to get their attention.

“Everyone, put your last stickers on and color your last spots. Your parents should be here any moment.” Most of the parents visited in the lobby for a few minutes after the service before they collected their children.

While the kids added more stickers and colored in the last of their pictures, Esther started gathering the yarn and construction paper they didn’t use.

“Thank you for saving me.”

She glanced back at Asher, who’d come up behind her while she sorted the paper by color into the file organizers on the shelf. “Oh. You’re welcome. Leila’s an opportunist and only interested in you because you’re pretty. Besides, I didn’t want her disturbing my classroom.”

That crooked smile that made his dimples pop made an appearance. The glitter decorating his cheek only enhanced his adorableness.

“You’re a good teacher, Essy.”

“Because I don’t want interruptions?”

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