Instant Father. Donna Gartshore

Three

      Charlotte tried to focus on setting up tables and chairs in the room where the literacy class was being held, but she was puzzled. She was sure that she had seen Paul and Tyson come in and start heading in her direction, but by the time she was finished instructing the volunteers, they were nowhere to be seen.

      Well, she would try to catch up with them later. They had a full house tonight. She noticed that the tired, rather bedraggled-looking woman and her young son, whom Bridget had asked about at Seth’s, were there again. They stayed close to the snack table, and she pondered approaching them to see if they wanted to join in any of the activities. But the last time she had done so, the woman had responded in a prickly manner that had set Charlotte back on her heels. Still, she believed that the church was open to all and guessed that they just wanted a place to be without being bombarded with questions.

      The little boy—if she remembered correctly, his name was Michael Cannon—had joined the other children for stories and games last week, but he hadn’t interacted much, and his mother had been anxious to leave as soon as the evening was over.

      Charlotte reminded herself to ask around to see if anyone knew more about them, and to pray for them.

      “Charlotte, can you give me a hand setting out the materials?”

      She snapped herself out of her musings to see Stephanie Winslow, a pretty young pharmacy assistant who worked at Dudley’s, holding an armful of books, sheets of paper and a box of pencils.

      “Sorry, Steph, be right there.” She hurried over to relieve Stephanie of some of her load.

      As the two women got things organized, other volunteers came through the door—Seth and Rena were there, Dudley and his wife, and a couple of teenage boys from youth group.

      “Good of you to come out.” Charlotte smiled at them.

      The literacy volunteer group worked mainly with immigrants who were learning English. Usually Charlotte loved interacting with the students. She loved their eagerness and willingness to learn and seeing the way their eyes would light up with pride and understanding when they grasped something. But, for some reason, on this particular night she couldn’t concentrate.

      Her thoughts kept returning to Paul and Tyson. She wondered where they had gone—if they had even stayed—and what activities they had chosen. She tried telling herself that she was only concerned for Tyson, but she had to admit that she was also worried about his handsome uncle. She wondered what had prompted him to come tonight when she had been so sure that he wouldn’t.

      But perhaps the biggest question was why did it matter to her so much? Was she already getting too involved, not only in her concern for Tyson but also by accepting Paul’s offer of help around her house? She was Tyson’s teacher and committed to helping him, but she didn’t want to risk too strong a connection knowing full well that she could be gone by the end of June.

      But asking herself those questions didn’t stop her from wanting to track them down.

      “Would you mind getting things started?” she asked Stephanie. “I have something I have to check on.”

      Stephanie quirked a curious eyebrow at her but nodded.

      “Thanks. I promise I won’t be long.”

      Charlotte stepped out into the main fellowship room and looked around. She spotted Tyson by the snack table, where he was exchanging wary glances with Michael. The latter boy’s mother was nowhere in sight, although Paul lingered close by, keeping a watchful eye on both boys.

      “Where’s your mom, Michael?” Charlotte asked. He looked surly and older than his years.

      “Went to read in the library. She said she needed quiet time.”

      “There are stories and games for you boys, if you like,” Charlotte said. She glanced at Paul, who looked ready to pounce.

      “If that’s okay with you,” she said to him. “Eugenie, from Seth’s café, is supervising the kids tonight. I promise she’s very good with them.”

      “Would you like to go, Ty?” Paul asked.

      “I guess...” the little boy said.

      Tyson looked uneasily at Michael, who shifted from one foot to the other and said, “I guess I’ll just go sit with my mom. I know I have to be quiet,” he said, answering a question that hadn’t been asked.

      As soon as Michael was gone, Tyson said with more conviction, “I want to go.”

      “I’ll show you where the room is.” Charlotte offered him her hand, which he grasped onto.

      Paul followed closely behind them. “What’s with that kid? Michael?” he asked in a low tone so Tyson couldn’t hear him.

      “I’m not sure,” Charlotte admitted. “They don’t live in Green Valley, and he’s not at my school. I get the feeling they haven’t had an easy time of it.”

      “Probably not,” Paul said. “I hope things work out for them, whatever the issue is, but I have to say I’m glad he’s not in your class.”

      “Why is that?” Charlotte asked.

      “Let’s just say, I know the type.”

      She turned a questioning face to him, but his was unreadable.

      Charlotte handed off Tyson to Eugenie. He soon had a book in one hand, a cookie in the other and a nose-crinkling grin on his face.

      “Have fun, sport,” Paul said to Tyson. “I’ll be right out here at...?”

      “At eight o’clock,” Charlotte said. “Eugenie will tell you when it’s time to go.”

      She knew she needed to get back to her group, but she wondered what Paul planned to do for the remainder of the evening.

      “Would you like to join our group?” she asked him. “The more the merrier.”

      As she extended what was meant to be just a friendly invitation, she suddenly realized how much she wanted him to say yes.

      * * *

      For one mindless moment, Paul felt like he’d follow the teacher and her bright smile wherever she was going. But then it struck him that, of course, she meant that he could come along and help teach. He felt his mouth quirk into an unamused smile. It didn’t help either that he still carried his discomfort from what he had overheard earlier.

      “When I came to see you about Tyson,” he began.

      “Yes?” Charlotte encouraged.

      “You said that it was important for us to work as a team.”

      “Which is true.” She tilted her head and gave him a puzzled smile.

      “So, why didn’t you happen to mention that you’re planning to go away?” In answer to her startled face, he added, “I overheard one of the volunteers.”

      “I’m only thinking about going,” Charlotte confirmed. She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. “I haven’t made a final decision yet, but even if I do end up going, it won’t be until after the school year has ended. I meant what I said, Paul. I have no intentions of leaving while Tyson is still in my class.”

      Paul studied her. It all sounded good, but only time would tell if her actions matched her words. He had been hurt and disappointed by too many people in the past. He wished her eyes weren’t quite so big and expressive and made an effort to gentle his tone. “I guess we’ll see how it goes, then.”

      Her shoulders relaxed a bit. “Okay, thank you. Would you like to join us?” She extended the invitation again.

      “No, thanks,” Paul said. “I’m more of a physical-activity type.”

      “There’s the basketball hoop outside,” Charlotte reminded him. “You could join your fellow