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  She walked a few steps toward her bedroom and peeked inside. The full-size mattress looked inviting even without sheets, pillows, and a comforter. “I guess I better tackle carrying my clothes up.”

  The two friends hauled stacks of clothes up the stairs and into Jenna’s closet.

  Shawna and she plunked onto the couch, catching their breath. “You amaze me with the amount of stuff you can cram into that compact car.” Shawna shook her head and rolled her eyes.

  Jenna laughed then sighed, sinking into the couch cushions. Now the adventure would begin. Tomorrow, she would attend the worship service at the Community Baptist Church which now had her as their new Children’s Minister.

  Monday morning, she would officially inhabit her new office on the lower level of the church building near the preschool, after-school, and day camp areas.

  She shivered like a giddy school girl.

  * * *

  Ben lugged the last suitcase into his parent’s house, situated in a quiet neighborhood in North Myrtle Beach. They insisted he and the kids stay with them. He explained the arrangement need only be temporary until he could locate work. Of course, the house contained more than enough space to accommodate them. He and his three brothers and one sister had long ago moved out to start families of their own.

  If his mother’s excitement was any indication, he and his children would receive some serious spoiling over the next few months. Her eyes danced when they arrived. She escorted the kids to the kitchen where homemade cookies awaited.

  Later, after settling the kids in their new bedrooms and kissing them goodnight, he sat in the den with his father.

  “Son, do you remember Mr. Sinclair or Officer Sinclair?”

  “Yeah, the one who lives down the street, right?”

  “Yes, that’s the one. He’s really interested in talking to you about joining the police force.”

  “The police force?”

  “Yep, he said with a little training from the college and your experience in the Marines, he’d like to have you at the Police Department.”

  “Hm.” He hadn’t considered that. “Maybe I’ll pay him a visit next week.”

  His father nodded. “I think it’s worth checking into.”

  “I’m gonna turn in. I’m beat.”

  “Kids down?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, we barely finished our prayers before both of them passed out.”

  His father grinned. “I’ll see you in the morning. Worship starts at 10:30, remember?”

  “I remember, but…” He planned to sleep in as long as the kids would allow, but his father wouldn’t be pleased. “We’ll see you there.”

  “Good. Night, son. And, it’s great having you and the kids here.” He gave Ben’s back a thorough pat before heading up the stairs to his bedroom.

  His children needed to stay in church. He just didn’t look forward to taking them without Alyssa. He’d endured the funeral at their church in California, wanting all the while to flee from the weight of sadness pulling him down. His prayers to God for Alyssa’s safety had failed, and his trust crumbled. He wasn’t sure he was ready to worship the God who’d let him down.

  * * *

  After changing her dress three times, Jenna finally met Shawna at the apartment’s front door. Her roommate’s toe tapped up and down, and she made a dramatic upward sweep of her arm to glare at her watch.

  “I know. I know. Sorry. I’m ready now.”

  Shawna chuckled, shaking her head, and led the way out to her car.

  As they pulled into the church parking lot, Jenna’s stomach fluttered. Several scurrying families headed toward the church entrance. She shrugged. “Guess I’m not the only one.”

  “No, you’re right about that. I’ve never seen so many church people come in at the last minute. I think they have it timed to the second from their homes.”

  As they stepped into the foyer, the pastor welcomed her and immediately directed her to the Sunday School office. “Thought you might want Kenneth to show you all of our children’s classes. Kenneth is our Sunday School director.”

  “That would be great. Yeah.” She turned toward Shawna.

  Her friend nodded. “You go ahead. I’ll meet you back here for worship. Okay?” Her brows rose, and she peered directly into Jenna’s eyes. Her expression asked if she was comfortable being left or preferred her friend to tag along.

  “That’ll be fine.” She smiled to reassure Shawna.

  Each children’s class she peeked into sent more prickles of excitement through her body.

  “This is our four-year-old class. We have so many in the three-to-five age group, we had to split them into their own individual classrooms,” Kenneth said. He nodded his head toward the door and she poked her head inside.

  Ten little heads turned her way. She smiled and mouthed sorry to the young woman sitting in their midst. “Hello, can we help you?” The woman said in a sing-song voice.

  Jenna opened her mouth to apologize again for the interruption, but Kenneth stepped forward. “Sorry to interrupt, but this is Miss Jenna. She’s our new Children’s Minister.” He glanced at Jenna. “This is Miss Summer.” He grinned and swept his arm in an arc. “And all her little ones.”

  Several children waved. Some ducked their heads and averted their eyes in obvious shyness.

  She waved back. “Nice to meet you. I’ll let you get back to your lesson.”

  As she spun around she crashed into a solid chest. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I…” Any other words were lost upon looking into a pair of eyes the color of a tropical ocean.

  “My fault. We’re running late.”

  Realizing she still stood close, she stepped back. Breathe. Say something.

  Dark wavy hair framed a tan face. No wonder his eyes glowed. Her trance broke when he knelt next to a young girl. Her little arms encircled his neck. He pushed her back slightly and gazed into her matching eyes. “Now, you have fun here, and Daddy will come back to get you soon. Okay?”

  Her bottom lip eased out and twitched. He placed his hands on her little shoulders and put his face close to hers. “You can do it.” He kissed her forehead, stood, and shoved her gently toward the classroom.

  Jenna’s heart ached for the little girl. She knelt next to her and whispered, “You know, I was just visiting that class. It certainly looks like fun.”

  The little girl gave a barely detectable nod.

  Jenna leaned closer. “Wanna know a secret?”

  The little girl’s brows shot up and her eyes widened. She looked into Jenna’s eyes and nodded.

  “This is my first time here. I’m a little nervous. My name is Miss Jenna.”

  “I’m Avery and I’m four.” She stuck four stubby fingers in Jenna’s face.

  “Nice to meet you, Avery.”

  “I know.” With that the little girl marched into the classroom.

  Jenna stifled a laugh and stood.

  “Yeah, that’s my daughter,” the man said, shaking his head. He extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Ben Jacobsen.”

  She took his hand and shook, letting go reluctantly. “Jenna Campbell. I’m the new Children’s Minister.”

  “Oh, yeah. My mother told me about that. Welcome.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Actually, we’re fairly new here too, or rather my children are. Myrtle Beach is home for me.”

  “Oh, wait, Jacobsen—is your father the counselor?”

  Ben’s eyes widened. “Yeah, that’s right.”

  “My roommate, Shawna, works with your father.”

  His brows raised. “Hmm, small world.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I better run. I’ll see you around, Miss Jenna.” His grin captured his whole face, even making his eyes sparkle.

  She stared at his retreating form until jolted by someone clearing his throat. She turned and suddenly remembered Kenneth. She sighed and smiled. “Well, I guess we can continue our tour.”

  Kenneth still gazed in the direction B
en walked. “Poor guy. Lost his wife in a car accident, so he had to quit the military to raise his kids.” He sighed and shook his head. “Good man.”

  * * *

  Ben heaved a sigh, attempting to calm the dither he had worked himself into. How had Alyssa done this every morning alone?

  Thank goodness Dakota was already registered and knew where his classroom was located at Grace Christian School. Now he just needed to get Avery to the day care at church and rush to his job interview.

  As soon as he walked through the door, Avery leaped into his arms, wrapped herself around his neck, and buried her face in his shoulder.

  “Aw, come on, this’ll be fun.” He wiggled his shoulder, trying to coax her head up.

  She wasn’t buying it.

  “Hey, I can’t believe it. My new friend, Avery, is here.”

  Ben whirled around toward the friendly voice. “Miss Jenna?”

  Avery’s head popped up.

  Miss Jenna stepped closer and Ben found himself instantly distracted. Her light brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail and sported a bright red bow. The brown of her eyes resembled creamy chocolate. A subtle peach aroma wafted from her.

  “So, what do you think?”

  Oops, she’d been talking. “Um.”

  Avery wriggled down from his arms and grabbed Miss Jenna’s hand. She looked at him, smiling. “Well, I guess it’s settled. Avery will be my buddy today because this is our first day.”

  He mouthed a thank you and handed over Avery’s backpack. “I’ll be back to get you in a little while, okay?”

  “Okay, Daddy.”

  The two of them sauntered off, hand-in-hand. He snapped from his stare and glanced at his watch. Just enough time to make it to his interview.

  He dashed to his car, thinking how he not only looked forward to picking up his little girl after her first day, he hoped to see Miss Jenna again. Only to make sure her first day went well, too.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jenna walked at a steady clip beside Shawna. She inhaled the ocean breeze. Her feet left indentions in the cool, damp sand. “This doesn’t even seem like exercise here on the beach like this.”

  “Unfortunately, when you’ve lived here a while, you tend to take it for granted.”

  “Mmm, I hope I won’t.”

  “Your first whole week done. Do you think you’re gonna like it?” Shawna did an about-face, heading in the other direction.

  “I love it. I love the children. I even enjoy the staff at the church. Seems too perfect.”

  “It’s called being in God’s will.”

  Jenna shoved her friend’s arm and dashed toward the parking area. She bent over, inhaling deeply to catch her breath.

  Shawna unlocked the car and gazed at Jenna over the roof. “It’s Friday night. Let’s celebrate. I’ll take you to The Fish Shack. You like seafood, right?”

  “Yeah, I love it.”

  Back at the apartment, Jenna rushed through the shower. She brushed through her hair. Her normal Friday night would have been out with Peter. Wow, this was the first time she had thought of him since her arrival in Myrtle Beach. No guilt or longing. Her stomach knotted. How close she had come to marrying Peter Callahan. Obviously, he was not in God’s plan for her.

  She grabbed her purse and met Shawna in the living room.

  Shawna blasted Christian contemporary music during their ride to the restaurant. The friends sang along at the top of their lungs.

  The restaurant hummed with people. They sat near a window displaying a view of the water and a sinking sun in the distance.

  “Hey, ladies. What can I get you to drink?”

  Jenna’s head snapped from the view outside toward the familiar voice. Her breath caught in her throat and heat rushed over her.

  “Miss Jenna!” Ben leaned toward her. “Small world again.” He grinned.

  “Yes…you’re right. Umm... Oh, this is Shawna.”

  Ben pointed his pen at Shawna. “You’re the one that works with my dad.”

  “Yeah, he’s great, and I’m not just saying that because you’re his son.”

  Ben chuckled. “I believe you. He’s good at what he does.” He bent until he reached eye-level with Jenna. “Like someone else I know.”

  Jenna sensed more heat rush through her, most of it stopping in her cheeks. She smiled and shook her head.

  “Seriously, you’ve helped so much with Avery this week. I never thought she’d be excited about going to day care so soon. Thank you.” He patted her arm.

  A tingle ran up through her shoulder. “You’re welcome. She’s really irresistible.”

  Ben laughed. “She doesn’t lack for personality.”

  After obtaining their drink order and recommending entrees, Ben sprinted into action, serving his other customers.

  Jenna stared at him, admiring his outgoing manner with all his customers.

  “I bet it didn’t take you the whole week to fall for him.”

  Jenna jerked her head to face Shawna. “What? What are you talking about?”

  Shawna smirked and held a questioning stare. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

  More heat burned Jenna’s cheeks. She chewed her bottom lip and studied the silverware, afraid what her face might reveal. “Umm…” She glanced up.

  “I knew it. Spill.” Shawna propped her elbows on the table and leaned closer, lashes fluttering.

  “There’s nothing to spill.” Jenna shrugged one shoulder.

  “Jenna Campbell, I know you, and when that man started speaking, the evidence was written all over your face.”

  Jenna brought her hands to her cheeks. Was it that obvious to Ben too? Hopefully not. She dropped her hands into her lap and sighed. “He’s a nice man.”

  Shawna rolled her eyes. “I’ll get the details later. Let’s enjoy our meal. It is a celebration.” She smiled and arranged her napkin in her lap.

  How would she explain her feelings for Ben to Shawna when she didn’t understand them herself?

  * * *

  Ben slipped to the drink station, grabbing pitchers of tea and soda for refills. Had he imagined the pink tint in Jenna’s cheeks when he spoke to her? Down deep, he appreciated her for more than her help with Avery.

  Stay focused. He was trying to build a life with his kids. Working here at the restaurant, attending classes at the junior college, preparing for his position on the police force, and caring for Avery and Dakota, left little time for anything else.

  Was he attracted to Jenna because he missed Alyssa? Because that kind of relationship was gone? A shard of guilt pricked his heart. Were these feelings a betrayal to Alyssa?

  He shook his head and plastered on a smile. Darting between his assigned tables, he strived not to linger at Jenna’s. Still, amid all the people he had met since returning to his hometown, no one drew him like Jenna did.

  * * *

  Today marked the beginning of her fifth week as Children’s Minister. Jenna sped toward the church, running late after her early morning call from her parents. Stopping at a traffic light, she recalled the heartbreaking news of her mother’s breast cancer. Tears filled her eyes. When the light turned green, she pressed the gas. Her little car responded, leaving the other cars behind.

  The church entrance in sight, she pushed a bit harder, hoping to shorten her late arrival time. Suddenly, a burst of blue color and flashing lights caught her attention in her rearview mirror. Her pulse slammed into high gear. The lights shone from a police car, summoning her to pull over.

  She eased the car into the church entrance and waited. A dark uniform shadowed her window, and she put it down to face her consequences. As the officer leaned down to peer inside at her, both their mouths fell open.

  The officer’s mouth curved into a smile, and he leaned his forearm onto her car door. “Miss Jenna, in a bit of a hurry I see.”

  “Ben. I’m sorry. Yes, I am in a bit of a hurry. I’m late for work.”

  He leaned closer, studying her face. His smile
faded and his brow knitted. “Are you okay? You’ve been crying.”

  Jenna dabbed at her cheeks with her fingertips. Tears ran down her face, out of control. “I got some bad news from home this morning.” She paused. He probably had no time for explanations, but he remained silent. She met his gaze and felt compelled to continue. “My mother has breast cancer.” Her voice broke.

  “Jenna, I’m so sorry.” He ducked his head and leaned in closer.

  “Thank you. I’m not sure how much good I’ll do here today.” She gestured toward the church. “But I’m not sure I would do well sitting at home dwelling on it either.”

  “You should talk to the pastor. He’s really great in these situations.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.” She grinned. “And, about the speeding…”

  “Consider it a warning.” He winked and tipped his hat. “See ya later.”

  Her heart could calm now. Had her pulse picked up due to being pulled over or because of who had pulled her over? She silently scolded herself for staring at his retreating form in her side mirror. He did look especially handsome in his uniform. She rolled her eyes and sighed at being distracted.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ben dragged himself through the front door just in time to kiss his kids goodnight. Little girl giggles greeted him as he climbed the stairs.

  “Daddy, look what Nana did.” Avery spun around, her nightgown on backwards.

  Ben’s mother peeked into the hallway. “I’m surprised we got that wiggly body bathed and clothed at all.” She smiled and shook her head.

  Only a week remained of Ben’s training, then he hoped his police and waiter schedule would settle so he could be with Avery and Dakota more. He knelt and helped Avery turn her gown around. When her face popped through the collar, Ben kissed her nose. “There you go.” He leaned his forehead against his daughter’s. “Have you made Nana’s evening difficult?”

  “No, she hasn’t.” His mother’s voice echoed from the bathroom. “She’s an angel.”

  Ben stood with a hand on his hip. He studied Avery. “An angel, huh?”

  His daughter tilted her head back and planted on a toothy smile, lashes fluttering. If she only knew how that melted her daddy’s heart. “Come here.” Ben lifted her into his arms. “Let’s get this angel to bed.”