“He had to go, but he’d call me back. Two minutes later, he showed up in the parking lot, wanting to know. He happened to be passing nearby when I called.” Kelly’s face glowed. “And…we’ve decided not to tell anyone.”
“Oh.” Anna understood but felt deflated from temporary excitement.
Kelly smirked. “Except those closest to us. We’re having another girl.”
Anna squealed, jumped up, and hugged her best friend. “I knew it. Girls are the best. Boys are too. Babies are just so amazing.”
“Aren’t they? The technician told me she looked perfect and was growing right on track.”
“Praise God!” Anna pulled away and smoothed her shirt. “Have you told your family?”
“Not yet. We’re waiting for Mom and Dad to get home tomorrow so we can tell everyone at once. Without Reagan, or the entire world will know by Sunday.”
A chuckle tickled Anna’s throat. “She told me while she was here Saturday that you had an appointment to see the baby on Tuesday, and that Tommy has a wart on his foot. I think you’re being generous giving the world until Sunday to know.”
Kelly erupted into laughter. “You’re probably right.”
The awkwardness of the Jack conversation dissipated, as they fell into a natural conversation about their lives, for which Anna was grateful. She’d soon talk to Jack, however, because she didn’t care for the secrets. She understood his reasons for wanting privacy, but his brother and sister were two of the most trustworthy people she knew. Why wouldn’t he want them to know?
Chapter Five
“I have other plans, tonight,” Jack told Lauren Morgan.
“Maybe another time.” She tossed her long blonde tresses and sashayed out of his office.
Jack ran his hands through his hair. There wouldn’t be another time, at least not with Lauren. He had a reputation for dating often and rarely the same woman, but he also made it a rule to never go out with a coworker. Office relationships rarely turned out well.
Besides, Lauren wasn’t his type. She liked to party. A lot. Her idea of a good time was drinking until the bars closed. That wasn’t his scene. People seemed to equate his aversion of commitment to a loose lifestyle.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
He didn’t live a perfect life. He’d messed up now and then, had plenty to repent of over the years. But he tried to live a life that honored God. His faith was important to him, but people overlooked that part of him which frustrated him.
He had depth. He had conviction.
He simply hadn’t met anyone he cared to be in a serious relationship with.
Was that such a crime?
Would they rather him date and marry a woman for the sake of settling down? Surely that was the catalyst for many a divorce.
The sound of his foot tapping against the floor made him realize he was getting aggravated for no reason. He’d let his mind wander, when he really needed to focus on work. Spring break was in full force across the nation. Grace Harbor, known more as a family destination, didn’t have the influx of college students many beach towns experienced, but the week before and after Easter would bring many families to the area.
Shoreline Souvenirs, the company who employed Jack, worked with the town of Grace Harbor to host multiple events the week leading up to Easter, including an egg hunt for children. His favorite activity, however, was the townwide scavenger hunt that the local churches also helped conduct. At each location, participants would hear a part of the resurrection story. There had been initial pushback from some within the community at first, but after several years, the events had become popular even with those who didn’t claim faith in Christ.
He typed an email to his assistant, instructing him to send out reminders to all the businesses supplying filled eggs for the hunt. They had to be turned in a week prior to ensure there were enough. Once Jack had a final total, Shoreline would add more to make sure no child left without a basketful.
The remainder of the workday passed in a flash. When the clock struck five, he tidied his desk and prepared the area for what he would need when he returned Monday. If any issues arose over the weekend, he’d take care of them from home.
For now, he had to run. Anna was coming over for the evening, and they were going to compare notes. Due to both of them having busy weeks, they hadn’t been able to dig as far as they wished, but hopefully, between the two of them, they’d have a lead or two.
He’d offered to cook, but she’d made a good point that they would accomplish more by ordering food ahead of time and eating while they worked. Since she was doing him a favor, he refused to let her pay, and he’d pre-ordered gyros, feta salad and fried kibbeh to grab on the way home. On afterthought, he added a gallon of the restaurant’s special Mediterranean blend iced tea.
When he arrived home, he set up a workstation at his table, where they’d have all they needed. His laptop, an extension cord for hers, pens, pencils, notebooks, plates, napkins, plasticware, cups. Anna would bring a few books on history that may or not be helpful.
A non-family female hadn’t been to his house in, he didn’t know how long. Not that Anna’s opinion mattered, but he glanced around the common rooms. If he had to describe his home, he would call it functional. His furniture—sofa, recliner, table, chairs, singular end table, and entertainment stand, all came as a wholesale set, most of which he put had to assemble. The nondescript shades of gray blended into his walls with the only pop of color, a houseplant Kelly had insisted he needed.
Vastly different than Anna’s apartment, which despite her obvious efforts to cleanup, still appeared…lived in. Remembering the book he’d found with his back, he laughed. He enjoyed Anna’s place, clutter and all. Her personality, which he’d not before considered, reflected in her living area, and he’d felt at home. Maybe his own space could do with more personalization.
