“No, I was going to do that,” I said, pointing to the pieces he had strewn about on the floor. “You and MJ can go spend the day somewhere.”
“Daddy said if we all worked on it, we could go to the beach later. Together.”
Miles looked up at me expectantly. “If you’d like to, that is.”
“Oh, well. Sure, if you’d like. Okay, then let’s get to work.” MJ clapped her hands and squatted down next to Miles, starting to organize the multiple bags of screws and bolts. I handed him the drill and tool set, and we began working, relieved there was no awkwardness after our last flirty encounter. As usual, there was a natural ease between us.
“That didn’t take as long as I thought,” MJ said happily as we stood the desk up and Miles lifted it into position. “I’m going to grab my swimsuit and change in the bathroom.”
Usually, the idea of a swimsuit would have triggered my nerves like a loud horn. But in the past two days, since my encounter at the loft, something significant had changed.
“Hey, I know we sprung this all on you. You probably don’t have your stuff to go to the beach and with traffic it would take you forever to go back to the city to get it,” Miles said, pulling me out of my musings. “Will you be comfortable in what you’re wearing?” he asked, pointing to my jeans and blouse.
“Actually, I have a beach bag packed in my car,” I answered with a shrug. “Since I made the decision the other night to start exploring the city, I brought it with me, intending to hit the beach out here when I was done for the day. Works out perfectly.”
He smiled, picked up the tools, and said, "I’ll go pack us lunch and get ready. Feel free to use the guest bathroom to change.” He lingered, watching me, probably wanting me to mention our near kiss, but he was going to have to make the next move. I lacked the courage. A few moments later, he stepped out of the room.
MJ will be there, silly. There will be no kissing.
“No kissing,” I echoed on a whisper.
His head popped back in so quick, I jumped.
“What was that?” he asked, with an impish grin on his face.
“Nothing, nothing.” I ignored him and bent to choose a neon blue piece of chalk from the box. Dragging the ladder with me to the chalkboard wall, I stepped up to write something special for MJ.
As I wrote in my best calligraphy handwriting, Miles stepped back in and read from behind me.
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139. That’s beautiful. She’s going to love it.”
I twisted, looking down at him, dusting off the chalk dust. “It’s a special verse for me, and I wanted to share it with her to remind her of her worth, something I’ve had to remember recently.”
Holding his hand out to help me get down even though we both knew I didn’t need it, he said, “You’re a very special woman, Vicky. Thank you for this.” Looking around the room, he added, “For all of this.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me. MJ has stolen pieces of my heart. It’s my pleasure to make her feel special.” He was still holding my hand when MJ’s bathroom door opened. He let it go slowly, pulling the ends of his fingers from mine as she entered the room.
“Let’s go, you two slow pokes,” she said excitedly. When she looked up and read the words I’d written, she smiled. “I love that.”
“Remember them always, sweet girl. There’s no one in the world quite like you. God created you and your beautifully curious mind and everything about you to perfection,” I said, my arms opening to hug her, which she did so willingly.
“I’m so glad you’re here with us,” she said, her words muffled against me.
I looked at Miles, whose eyes had a sheen to them.
“I’ll go get ready,” he said quietly and left the room.
“I need to grab my stuff from the car. Be right back,” I told MJ, who looked at the words again.
“Vicky,” she said before I reached the door. I turned around to face her with a smile. “I wish, I wish Mom saw me the way you do.”
It was hard to stop the smile from slipping, but it stayed.
“I’m sure she does. Who could think otherwise of you? You’re perfect, like the verse says. Perfect and wonderful. I’m sure she knows that,” I said as I crouched down to look at her face. She was everything that verse meant. Her ever-present ponytails were a little lopsided right now, no doubt from the urgency of her changing clothes. I straightened them and caressed her cheek.
She nodded and wiped away a tear that rolled down her freckled face.MJ was so mature for her age, but at this moment, the little girl missing her mother was all I could see.
“Thanks again, Vicky. I think you’re fearfully and wonderfully made, too.”
