Page 26 of Heart of a Hero

He jerked back slightly, and his mind raced to apologize, but before he could say anything, Karen’s radiant smile bloomed. A light blush colored her cheeks, and she reached over to squeeze his hand, the simple gesture sending a rush of relief and something deeper through him.

“See you tonight, Mark,” she said softly before turning and heading to her car.

His eyes followed her the entire way, still in a daze from the unexpected moment.

“Dad!”

Benji’s voice jolted him out of his thoughts, and he shook his head, trying to clear the Karen-induced fog. He jogged over to where the kids gathered, but his mind was already looking forward to six o’clock.

12

Karen stood in her bathroom and fiddled with her hair one last time. Smoothing her hands over her dress at her hips, she sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. She could feel the nervous energy coursing through her, though she wasn’t sure why. It had been a while since she’d been on a first date, but still, she thought,this shouldn’t feel so daunting.

“Mom, you’re gorgeous,” Olivia said. “Stop being so nervous.”

“That’s right, Mom,” Laura added in her typical gentle voice. “This is the age of woman empowerment. Dress for you, not for a man.”

Olivia snorted. “Is that why you spend so much time fixing your hair and makeup in the bathroom before school? For you or for Randy Sneed?”

“Oh, shut it!”

“Girls!” Karen admonished. “No fighting… especially not on a date night when I’m nervous, and you have all the makings of an epic pig-out party night while I’m gone.”

That had the girls quietened quickly. “Olivia is right, Mom. You’re gorgeous. Mr. Robbins will think you’re the prettiest woman in the restaurant.”

“I like him, Mom,” Laura added. “He was really nice, and I don’t mean just nice to us because you're going out with him. But with all the kids. He made sure to explain to the ones who hadn’t run before the importance of stretching. He and Mr. Redding had us divided into groups so the more experienced ones could go at our own pace while the younger kids were monitored more closely.”

Karen smiled as she caught her daughter’s gaze in the mirror. Her own nervousness seemed to fade, replaced by a growing sense of calm.

“Are you nervous, Mom?” Olivia asked, stepping closer to her other side so both girls flanked her. Her daughters were such a sweet combination of her and Jeffrey—so much so that she would sometimes find her lungs seizing with the memories of him holding each when they were born.

Her gaze moved from Laura to Olivia, and she slowly shook her head. “No, not really. A little earlier… yes. I look at the two of you, and I know that I had an amazing marriage to a wonderful man. And before he died, he gave me the two most precious gifts in the world. While I’m looking forward to a nice dinner with a man who interests me, I know that no matter what… I’m already so lucky.”

Her daughters’ arms wrapped around her in a warm hug, and Karen closed her eyes, breathing in their familiar scent. The doorbell ringing broke the moment, making them all jump. Olivia squealed, and Laura gave Karen a once-over before offering a thumbs-up. Karen blew out another breath, and the three walked downstairs. “Girls, let me answer the door,” she admonished as Olivia raced to the door.

“No, Mom. We need to do this properly.”

“Properly?” Karen barely managed to squeak out before Olivia opened the door with Laura right behind her.

“Mr. Robbins,” Olivia said with exaggerated formality. “Please, come in.”

Laura grabbed the back of Olivia’s jeans and gave a little tug so that both girls stepped back at the same time, allowing Mark to enter. Karen was standing slightly to the side, reaching for her coat.

His eyes twinkled as he greeted the girls, but then his gaze searched for Karen. When their eyes met, Karen felt a flutter in her chest, and a tingle seemed to travel from her spine all the way to her fingertips.

The look on his face mirrored her emotions—excitement, nervousness, and something softer, something that made her heart race.

“Okay, girls. You’ve said hello. Now, let’s not give him the third degree.”

Laura laughed and smiled at Mark as she moved back into the room. Olivia’s nose scrunched, and she said, “Oh, Mom, I was going to have a little fun.” She looked toward Mark. “I was just going to tell you to drive safely and have her back by curfew.”

Rolling her eyes as Mark laughed, Karen placed her hands on her hips. “Remember, girls, who bought you all those snacks?”

Olivia burst into laughter. “I’m just joking. I’m thrilled you’re going to dinner tonight, Mom.” She looked up at Mark. “I hope you guys have a good time, but I have to admit it’s nice that Laura and I’ll get to watch whatever we want on TV and can eat junk food!”

Mark smiled. “Benji’s with my dad right now, and I think they’re going to have the same kind of night. Whatever junk they can eat.”

The girls moved aside as Karen approached Mark, her breath catching slightly when he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Thegentle touch of his lips sent a soft sigh slipping past her lips, and her pulse quickened.

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