18

 

Joe blamed it on the fire.

Sitting on an overstuffed leather couch near the fireplace with the taste of hot chocolate and marshmallows on his tongue, he huddled with Lisa, brainstorming a children’s story idea.

Now, as Lisa typed ideas into his laptop and fired random thoughts at him, her cheeks flushed a rosy shade that seemed to add light to her already bright blue eyes. A warmth curled around his heart that left Joe feeling…well…romantic.

He couldn’t believe how passionate she was about his children’s stories or that she’d been lugging his laptop around in her backpack all day. Granted, it was a lightweight model. But still, her enthusiasm for his story ideas warmed him more than the fire and hot chocolate ever could.

Would he still feel this way without the fire crackling in front of them?

Yes. The answer came to him in a flash. He could be standing outside barefoot with no jacket in the wilds of Alaska, and he’d feel the same way.

The urge to kiss her was overpowering. He leaned toward her, studying her face. Her eyes, bright from the reflection of the fire, widened. Her face seemed to soften, as if she knew of his intention.

“Lisa,” he whispered. He leaned closer, but she put her palm out and sat up straight.

“Joe, there’s still something I need to tell you about.”

He groaned and sat back. She sounded so serious. He didn’t want to have a heavy conversation. “Let’s not talk right now.”

“We have to. Much as I want to kiss you, I can’t until we talk about this.” Her face pinched with worry, and she swallowed hard.

“Lisa, we’ve already talked about the accident. And the…” He hesitated because it hurt him to even say it, and he knew how much it hurt her as well. “And the baby. You’re not to blame. So we don’t need to do anything but enjoy the moment.”

“I lied to you,” she blurted out.

Lisa was the most honest person he knew. He couldn’t imagine her lying about anything. At a loss for what it could be, he motioned with his hand for her to continue. “About…?”

“You were right all along.” She muttered and looked down at her lap as if ashamed to make eye contact.

What was he right about? He recalled their last several conversations, and the answer came to him in a flash.

“Your reason for being here?”

Biting her lower lip, she nodded.

“I see.”

“It was exactly what you said. I hoped to get you to come home.”

He should be mad. If she’d told him yesterday, he might have been. But this was a new day. He was a new man. This was his opening.

“You don’t look angry.” Surprise lilted in her voice.

“I suspected.”

A picture of his son came into his mind, Cody’s eyes bright blue like Lisa’s, his eager, happy smile.

Joe knew then, Cody would want his parents to be together like they were at this moment. But he wouldn’t want it to be a fleeting moment. He’d want it to be forever. Joe did, too. And he didn’t feel panic, sadness, or guilt. Instead, he felt warmth and love, and the need to fix things.

Was it even possible? Yes. The love of the Lord surrounded him, filling him with peace and hope.

Before he could take the thought any further, the large double doors burst open and the group of hikers burst in, little Brandon proudly leading the way.

“Mr. Joe! We had the best-est time. You should have been with us.”

Joe looked at Brandon’s father who stood behind the boy, looking weary but content. Chad must have finally allowed himself to relax enough to enjoy his son. Joe was glad.

“That’s great Brandon. But I had a good time, too. I needed to stay here and take care of some things.” He looked over at Lisa and smiled. He wasn’t done taking care of things, and as soon as they were alone together, he’d make things right once and for all and hope she’d forgive him for even entertaining the thought of a divorce.

Brandon was at his side shaking his arm before he could even blink. “You gotta come, Mr. Joe. Please. You gotta see all the fishes I caught.”

One look into that small but earnest face made it impossible to say no.

He turned to Lisa. “Do you mind? I won’t be gone long.”

“I’d be upset if you didn’t.” The smile on her face warmed his heart as he followed Brandon and his father back out the door.