Page 4 of A Heart of Little Faith
“Yeah,” Anne said slowly. “What about it?”
“Well, we can discuss how easy it is to install and to use. When we release the patch, we emphasize how easy it is to fix errors in the product and that…”
“…drives our message home!” finished Anne. She whooped with excitement. “Lil, I think your idea just might work.”
That evening, Anne stuck her head in Lily’s door. “Go home to that sweet girl of yours.”
Lily grinned. “My thoughts exactly. Dinner and bedtime stories. There’s nothing better than that.”
“I bet Samantha’s brother could tell you some lovely bedtime stories.” Anne’s cunning grin lingered as she left the office and Lily glared at her friend’s wide back.
She fumed as she packed the last of her things. “Bedtime stories, indeed,” she muttered. She exited the office in a huff and attempted to ignore the flutter in her stomach at the thought of a deep voice whispering, “Once upon a time….”
By the time she reached her apartment later that evening, she was close to her breaking point. Subway delays due to police activity, line transfers due to construction, and a sudden rainstorm without an umbrella added an hour to her commute home, leaving her later, wet and more frustrated than ever. Breathing deeply, she took the elevator to the fifth floor, glanced with longing across the hall at her own apartment and knocked on Samantha’s door.
Samantha opened the door.
“Sam, I’m sorry I’m late.” The words tumbled out of her mouth as she rushed inside. “Thank you so much for taking care of Claire. You know I can juggle three things. It’s the fourth one that’s the killer,” she rued.
“I told you not to worry about it, Lil. Claire is fine, and I love having her here.” She shut the door and followed Lily inside.
A peaceful aura emanated from Samantha’s apartment and Lily could almost feel her muscles relax as she entered and inhaled the potpourri-filled dwelling. Painted in soft lavender hues, the one-bedroom apartment reflected the artistic nature of its inhabitant. Light sisal rugs covered dark hardwood floors, while multicolored tapestries accented comfortable, oversized sofas and chairs. Black and white family photos covered the walls, and green plants and bright flowers provided extra color. Large unadorned windows overlooked Tompkins Square Park in the distance. Although thick, well-insulated glass windows muffled much of the sound outside, it was still possible on a quiet day to hear the traffic from the streets five floors below. Today was not such a day.
Even before she entered the living room, Claire’s giggle pierced the typical silence of her friend’s apartment, and the telltale popping sound of “Trouble.” Wondering who Samantha had subjected to her mercenary daughter, Lily entered the living room. The sight stopped her dead in her tracks.
Gideon.Of all the men to meet while I look like this, it has to be him.
“Claire,” she whispered, but neither Claire nor Gideon heard her. Her daughter was too busy giggling uncontrollably. Her brown curls bobbed as she bounced around in excitement. Lily’s mouth dropped at Claire’s ease around Gideon. Since her father died, Claire’s contact with men was limited. Lily rarely dated and Claire tended to be shy around strange men. Not so with this man.Hmm.
He turned around and nodded at Lily. “Hello.”
The sound of his voice, that one little word, made Lily’s stomach go all jiggly inside and she swallowed as Gideon’s gaze roved from her wet, raggedy hair to her water-sloshed shoes.
“Hi there.” She couldn’t deal with him now. Not in front of Claire. She took a deep breath and tried not to panic. Lily found Samantha standing behind her, smiling.
“Lil, can I get you something to drink?” asked her traitorous friend.
“No, Claire and I have to get home for dinner, and we’ve imposed on you and Gideon enough,” she said. “C’mon, Claire, we have to go.”
This time, Claire heard her. “Oh, Mom, let me just finish this game, please?”
“Why don’t you stay here for dinner, Lil? It’s no imposition at all.”
Lily rolled her shoulders and shook her head. After the day she’d had, she could not face another sparring match with Gideon. “Thanks, but I’m exhausted and just want to get home and put my feet up. Maybe another day. C’mon, Claire. Finish the game quickly so we can go.”
She followed Samantha into the green-accented galley kitchen. A Venetian ceiling fan provided light and air flow. Boxes of herbal teas sat on the counter, and Samantha boiled water for her favorite: green tea with ginseng.
“I didn’t realize your brother was over.” Lily asked, shaking her head no when Samantha offered her a cup. “I hope I didn’t ruin any plans you two had.”
“He was coming for dinner, so I invited him over early when I heard I’d be watching Claire. He loves kids. They’ve been playing all afternoon.”
A sexy man who loved kids. Now her insides were even more jiggly. Maybe she’s somehow stumbled on the right man. “Oh wow. I’d really better go rescue him.”
“Leave them be, Lil. Seriously, they’re fine. He’s having a ball with her.”
Lily entered the living room and despite her misgivings, smiled. Claire danced around waving her arms in the air, while Gideon groaned, supporting his head in his hands. Lily sympathized. Six-year-olds had neither empathy nor tact when it came to winning. She should know. The two of them spent hours every weekend playing this latest passion. “Claire, honey, what are you doing?”
“I’m beating the pants off Gideon, Mommy,” she yelled with a grin.