Falling for Her Boss. Bonnie Winn K.

Feeling ashamed of herself for the regret, she picked up her own purse.

      Cindy left a generous tip on the table. She acted so naturally that Tessa often forgot that Cindy came from wealth. As they drove toward what had once been Cindy’s home, Tessa guessed much of her inheritance had been spent on the children she took in.

      It didn’t take long to reach the neighborhood, which was just on the perimeter of Main Street in one of the oldest areas in the town. The house was an aged Victorian that wore its years well. Tessa could picture Cindy at home here, taking on a dozen tasks as she was wont to do.

      Children spilled out of the doorway like errant sunbeams. Tessa felt the tugging ache of knowing none would ever be hers. As a single woman, she understood the difficulty of adoption, reluctantly acknowledging that if possible every child deserved two parents. Certainly more than a lone parent who worked sixty-plus hours a week.

      However, it was nearly impossible to hold on to the pain as children rushed toward them, toward Cindy.

      “So many smiles!” Cindy greeted them. “Saturday smiles?”

      “Miss Cindy!” the voices chorused. Several hands tugged at hers. Tessa swallowed, wondering at these little ones who were so fond of her friend.

      The door stood open and slowly they traveled up the walk and inside. It was impossible to hurry with so many little bodies pressed close.

      “Who wants to run and get Miss Donna?” Cindy asked them.

      “Me, me!” was shouted as several headed toward the kitchen.

      “Do they all live here?” Tessa asked when there was a semiquiet moment.

      “No. Some are here for the day. It’s one of our programs to help single and/or working parents. And the full-time residents enjoy the company.” Cindy hung her purse on a tall coatrack in the hall.

      Tessa followed suit, noticing the exquisite detail in the moldings and woodwork. The floor appeared to be made of rare longleaf Texas pine. “This is just as pretty as you told me.”

      “You should have come and visited while I lived here,” Cindy replied. “It made a wonderful home.”

      “Do you miss it?”

      “Not really. I still see it so often. And my heart is with Flynn and the kids. Wouldn’t matter if we lived in a bamboo hut. Wherever they are, it’s home.”

      Genuinely glad for her friend’s happiness, Tessa didn’t feel any envy. Just puzzlement. Why did some people get it so right the first time?

      Cindy caught her gaze. “Something heavy weighing on your mind?”

      “Didn’t realize I was so transparent. Just wondering how some people choose the right person first time around.”

      “If you’re thinking of me, remember I was on a very twisted path for a very long time.” Cindy’s green eyes darkened. “I was basically in love with what should have been the worst person possible—my sister’s husband. I can remember that feeling of wondering if I’d ever be part of a couple. Seemed as though the whole world had paired off. Except for me. To me it looked as though I was going to have a lifetime of being alone. Don’t compare yourself, Tessa. Your situation is unique. You are unique. And that’s a good thing. I don’t know why the Lord has given you this challenge. I don’t know why He gave me mine, but I trust it’s for the best. Mine has turned out to be.”

      “My faith isn’t in question,” Tessa replied quietly.

      “Of course not! But sometimes it’s hard not to question what happens. I did.”

      Uncertainty seized her. “You did?”

      “Constantly.” Cindy’s eyes were steady. “I couldn’t understand why the Lord wanted me to be alone, to love someone I couldn’t have.”

      “You never said...”

      “It seemed so wrong. Julia was happy. I loved her. I didn’t want to do anything to change her happiness. But I couldn’t get Flynn out of my heart.”

      Tessa nodded, remembering the sweetness of her own romance when she was young. “Karl seemed so different at first. I never dreamed...”

      “Which is why you can’t stop dreaming. I don’t think you have to marry to be happy, but I do think the Lord has someone for you.”

      “Hiding in plain sight?” Tessa tried to joke.

      The determination in Cindy’s gaze didn’t waver. “Just might be.”

      Sounding like a thousand little footsteps, the kids returned. Cindy reached down to pick up the shortest child.

      “This little sweetheart is Sandy.”

      “Hi, Sandy.”

      The little girl looked at Tessa steadily. “Who are you?”

      Surprised at the child’s grasp on language, Tessa smiled. “Wow. How old are you?”

      “Four.”

      “We’ve had some challenges, didn’t we, Sandy?” Cindy responded, giving the child a hug.

      Challenges that had stunted her growth, no doubt. She looked no more than two at the most. Tessa swallowed, wondering if the little girl had been malnourished. Over the years, Tessa had donated small amounts to the home. It was what Cindy always requested in lieu of birthday and Christmas presents. It hit Tessa why supporting the home was so important. Immediately she felt guilty for her own self-pity. These kids had real problems. Problems that a move or new job could never fix.

      “Who are you?” Sandy repeated.

      “I’m Tessa.” She smiled, pleased when Sandy smiled back. “A friend of Cindy’s.”

      “Me, too,” Sandy replied with utter sincerity.

      A youngish woman swept into the room, holding a baby. Tessa guessed the little one was perhaps a year old. “Thanks for coming, Cindy. I’m sorry for the short notice.” She smiled in Tessa’s direction.

      Cindy made the introductions. “Don’t worry. We can’t control accidents.”

      “My daughter took a tumble,” Donna explained. “My husband’s with her at the ER and it looks as though her arm is broken. And she’s wanting Mommy.”

      “Of course,” Tessa murmured. “I’m free today and can help.”

      “Oh, that’s wonderful!” Donna exclaimed. “We have a lot of kids today, so all hands are appreciated.”

      “Donna’s one of our best volunteers,” Cindy said. “And we couldn’t manage without her. Today she should have had backup.”

      Tessa realized that taking the day to spend with her had been a real sacrifice on Cindy’s part. Shopping and tea didn’t rate on the same scale as helping children. “Oh.”

      “Normally I could handle it. Just didn’t expect a broken arm.” Donna untied her apron. “I’ll grab my purse and take off, then. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

      “I do,” Cindy replied. “We’ll see you on your next volunteer day if that works. Your daughter needs you. Flynn has the kids and they’re fine.”

      Tessa watched the exchange and an unexpected seed of determination sprouted. If these women could devote time to help the kids, she could, too.

       Chapter Four

      Tessa closed the book, finishing what must have been the dozenth one she’d read. In an instant another landed in her lap as a young boy handed her a Berenstain Bears book.

      “Another?” she questioned, having already read two tales of the bears’ exploits.

      “Uh-huh.”