Page 19 of Season of Mercy
Cole had sometimes dropped Stevie at his parents’ when she’d had to work late. And then he’d disappear, so poor Stevie would have to wait until she got there and picked him up. Until one day she’d broken her leg, ended up in the emergency room, and had been unable to get him until the next day. She’d never forget her son’s tear-stricken face...
Her nose prickled, and tears burned at the backs of her own eyes. She squatted and hugged her little boy. “Really. Daddy and I are going on a date. And then we’ll come and get you. Because we love you very much.” She let him go and looked him in the eye.
“Okay.” Stevie nodded.
Her phone rang. She got it out of the pocket in her jeans and glanced at the screen.
Ethan.
Her heart skipped a beat. “Sweetie, I’m going to talk to Daddy.”
Stevie nodded again and occupied himself with another drawing.
“Hello.” Her voice was low.
“How is my beautiful wife doing?” Ethan’s voice flowed like honey.
She steeled herself against the warmth spreading inside her. Giving compliments was probably second nature to him. “Great. Got the flowers and the note. You know you don’t have to go to that extent. I’m already your wife.”
What was she saying? She loved it that he’d sent her flowers, was giddy with excitement that he’d asked her out.
“I thought it would make you glad.” His voice took on a sharp edge and then softened again. “I want to put that wonderful smile on your face. I want to share a meal in your company at the restaurant. I also have an even more selfish reason to do so.” He paused.
Mercy tensed. She knew it! Ethan had a secret agenda. “Yes?”
“Mamá Rosa threatened to do me bodily harm if I don’t bring you to her restaurant.” Ethan sounded dead serious.
Mercy heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s the selfish reason?” Just the thought of sitting opposite Ethan at the restaurant, looking into his eyes, seeing him smile only for her filled her with anticipation.
“Yep. By the way, if you’re okay with my parents babysitting Stevie, they’ll be on the way to our home soon.”
“Sounds good.” Mercy glanced around the guesthouse. She wouldn’t call itour homeyet. Was she stubborn for not moving to the mansion? She and Ethan had gotten it all backwards— first marriage, then dating.
Was God giving them a second chance?
“Thank you.” Ethan’s voice sobered. “And thank you for accepting my invitation. I do my best not to look at the past, so I only have one regret in life. I should’ve seen how incredible you are before Cole did. I should’ve asked you out when we were teenagers. You have no idea how much I look forward to seeing you tonight. See you soon,cariño.”
Mercy’s jaw slackened. It took her several moments to recover after the line went dead. Could it mean that Ethan had married her not just because of the auto shop chain but also because he truly liked her? But would that attraction last? Because from what she knew about Ethan, he’d been genuinely attracted to all his girlfriends. But it had never lasted more than a month.
Mercy pushed the thought out of her mind and headed to get Stevie ready.
Would Ethan reach out to her and hold her hand? Would he touch her face, ever so slightly, the way he’d done before? Would he even... kiss her again? Butterflies fluttered wings in her stomach.
She was falling for Ethan and didn’t know how to stop it.
Then her eyes widened in panic.
What am I going to wear?
Mercy chuckled to herself. If that was her biggest crisis right now, her life must be getting pretty good.
The question was, for how long?
***
ETHAN PULLED A CHAIRout for Mercy as he couldn’t tear his eyes off his gorgeous date.
“I’ll be back with your drinks.” The waitress left menus on the table and headed away.
