He hurried back in, finding the box and the packed bag just where she said.
As he left, he twisted the lock on the knob and pulled the doorshut. He didn't have a key to turn the deadbolt, but the doorknob lock should be enough. The weather certainly was not conducive to anyone going around trying to steal anything from the stores and businesses on Main Street. But stranger things had happened.
He hurried out into the gusting wind and blowing snow, opening the trunk and putting the bag and box in there.
He was completely frozen by the time he opened the door and settled down in his seat.
Olivia had the heater blowing on high, and the car had been running long enough that it was blowing warm air.
"That feels good," he said.
"I figured it would. Thank you for going back in and getting those things. It's freezing out."
"I think that must be why the wind is blowing so much. The temperature must've dropped thirty degrees since I went to bed, and that's only been a few hours."
"I think you're right. And the blowing snow doesn't help."
"No, it feels like ice shards cutting into my face."
He pulled out into the street, doing a U-turn and heading back to the church. The streets were deserted, with every business completely dark and no streetlights on. It almost looked like an alien landscape, dark, wind-swept, and cold.
"I'm gonna park as close to the door as I can. I can carry the boys in."
"I can get one of them. I think they're both awake anyway."
"I'm sorry. But I figured it was going to be pretty cold by morning. Especially with that wind."
"I'm glad you insisted. I really didn't want to come, and I was hoping that the lights would be back on and I wouldn't have to. There's just... I always feel like I need to do everything myself to prove that I can."
He glanced in the rearview mirror, meeting her eyes.
"But that's why I'm here. To help. And you letting me makes me feel like I’m doing my job."
"I'm glad it makes you feel good," she said, but there was still a note of sadness in her voice, like she wished that she was able to handle it.
"If your husband hadn't been killed, the two of you could do it together. But it's really difficult to be a single mom and do all the things that two people are supposed to do."
"You're a single person."
"I don't have children."
"That's true."
"He could be our dad," Aiden said, sounding hopeful and helpful at the same time.
Mark just about choked on his spit. Somewhere in the back of his head that thought had been going around. But Olivia had her own business, and he had promised God that he would marry a woman who would be able to help him with the work that he had to do. It wouldn't be fair to the people who hired him for him to bring a wife in that wasn't committed to working in the ministry as well. His job was the kind of job that both of them needed to be one hundred percent involved in.
"I'm sorry. They never knew their real dad. I talk about him all the time, but he's just pictures and stories. No memories."
Her voice came softly from the backseat as he pulled up to the door, wishing their conversation could continue. He was curious about her husband, and she hadn't mentioned anything in any of the other conversations that they'd had. But maybe once everyone was in and settled, and he was sure that he had done everything he could for the people of his congregation and the town of Mistletoe Meadows, maybe then they'd have some time to talk. He almost snorted. They would probably have time, but there would be no privacy.
He opened the door, hopped out, and then got Aiden from the backseat, still wrapped in a blanket, and carried him a few steps to the door. The fellowship hall was lit, a welcoming beacon amidst thedarkness of the town as the generator rumbled in the background and the wind whipped around them.
"I'm gonna run back out and help your mom," he said as he set Aiden down.
Aiden gripped the blanket close and nodded, but for once didn't say anything.
Olivia had not worked her way out of the backseat with Ethan on her lap, and he was able to reach down and grab Ethan.
