A Father In The Making by Carolyne Aarsen Page A

and walked out of what was left of her flower shop. Back to her children, waiting for her. Back to her real life.
    * * *
    â€œYou’re looking pensive,” Evangeline said as she dropped the last dish in the dishwasher. Supper was over. The children were all in bed and the house was quiet. “Are you upset that Nate didn’t join us for supper?”
    â€œNo. Of course not.” Even as Mia dismissed Evangeline’s prodding question, her hand crept up and touched her forehead where Nate had kissed her. She still wasn’t sure if she had imagined it or if it had actually happened.
    At the same time she was thankful he had stayed away.
    â€œBut something is bugging you,” Evangeline pressed, folding her arms over her chest in her “I mean business” gesture. “You’re all squirrely.”
    Mia realized Evangeline wasn’t going to quit and as she glanced at the carrier bag from Family Fashions, hanging from the stairs’ banister, she chose to home in on that. Distract her friend with the other thing that did concern Mia.
    â€œI don’t know what to think about the stuff Nate bought the kids,” she said. The bag not only held blue jeans, a couple of plaid shirts and a few T-shirts for the boys, it also held a couple of ruffly dresses. One in pink and one in green and half a dozen sparkling white Onesies and some sleepers.
    The boys were wearing the boots when they joined her and Mia had to pry them off their feet before bedtime.
    Evangeline gave her a sly smile. “Cut the tags off?”
    â€œBe serious. It’s too much. I don’t know what to do with it all. It makes me uncomfortable.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œIt’s like I can’t take care of my own kids.” Which was only part of her discomfort. The other was the shift in her and Nate’s relationship.
    â€œI’ll tell you what you’re going to do with those clothes.” Evangeline grabbed Mia’s hands, giving them a light shake. “Take them out tomorrow and let the boys wear them. Save the little dresses for the girls to wear to church on Sunday. You’re going to let this kind and generous man give your kids a gift.”
    Mia pressed her lips together, reining in her protests, realizing how ungrateful she sounded.
    â€œYou are allowed to let people do things for you,” Evangeline continued, laying one hand on Mia’s shoulder and giving her a light squeeze. “You would do the same for anyone else if they needed your help.”
    â€œBut that’s different—”
    â€œIt’s not different.” Evangeline cut her off. “Just because he’s a guy doesn’t change anything. He wanted to get your kids something. I know you have a hard time taking things. You’re so independent. But sometimes you have to let people give things. For their sake.”
    Mia realized the truth of what Evangeline said. She did have a hard time accepting help, let alone gifts. But still...
    This was Nate, not a member of her church or community.
    Yes, it was generous of him to give her boys these clothes, but tangled in that was what happened at her store when she leaned on him. When she felt his gentle caress.
    â€œYou still don’t think you should accept this, do you?” Evangeline said with a teasing smile.
    Mia’s innate sense of self-preservation kicked in. But weariness and exhaustion also clawed at her with a relentless hunger. She had few reserves left to carry the load she’d been lugging around since Al left her.
    â€œI’m scared,” she said quietly, the admission, spoken aloud, increasing the emotion. “I’m scared of what’s happened the past few days.”
    Evangeline, still holding Mia’s hand, pulled her down to the kitchen chair behind them and sat down across from her. “Of course you are. It’s been huge.”
    â€œIt’s not only the store,” Mia said, blowing out a