When Tomorrow Comes by Janette Oke Page B

it had something to do with that falling star that had just been lost forever.
    Laray called the next day. “Since you were so kind and invited me to supper last night, I thought I should take you and Danny out tonight. How about it?”
    It sounded appealing, but even as the words of acceptance were on her lips she wondered if she was being wise.
    “From now on I have the evening shift until your brother is back again. This would be my only chance.”
    That settled it. She could not turn him down.
    “That would be very nice,” she heard herself saying.
    “Good. I’ll pick you up about six. Sound okay?”
    “That will be fine.”
    Whether it was the fact that Christine did not have to busy her mind or her hands with supper preparations—or some other reason—it turned out to be a very long day.
    She fussed over what to wear. She didn’t want Laray to assume she thought this was an actual date . Nor did she wish to look so everyday that he might feel dinner out was unappreciated. At length she chose a black skirt and blue sweater. She left her hair down but clipped it back from her face. She knew it was Henry’s favorite way for her to wear it.
    She dressed Danny in a newer outfit, answering his many questions about why they were eating out instead of in the kitchen, laid their coats by the door, and prepared to wait.
    A few minutes before six, the telephone rang. Henry was just checking. How was everything going? Good. And Amber wished to speak with Danny.
    Christine handed the receiver to an excited Danny, who immediately launched into a full account of all of the good times he’d been having with Constable Laray. Christine felt her face getting warmer by the minute. It sounded dreadful.
    “And we are going out to the . . . the cafeplace. In his patrol car. Tonight. He said.”
    Christine did not know if she should ask for the phone again so she might explain, or simply to retreat in humiliation.
    When Danny did hand the receiver to her, it was Henry back on the line.
    “Sounds like you’re being well taken care of.”
    Christine felt her face flush even more. “Laray stopped by last night to see how we are doing. Supper was almost ready, so we invited him to join us. He and Danny played cars while I got the food on the table. Then we took a drive to show Danny the stars.”
    “Good,” said Henry, but Christine could not stop herself from hurriedly adding, “He offered to take us out tonight—as a payback.”
    “He has to pay back?”
    “No, of course not. But he . . . he thinks he does.”
    Christine heard steps coming up the walk. She didn’t know whether to mention the fact to Henry or hope he’d quickly hang up. Danny settled it for her.
    “He’s here!” he called loudly. “Constable Laray is here.”
    “He’s there now?” asked Henry.
    Christine put a hand to her hot cheek. “He . . . he’s just arriving.” Danny was already opening the door.
    “Good. I’ll speak with him,” Henry said. “Save me another call.”
    By the time the two men had finished talking police business, Christine had managed to get herself in hand. The flush had left her cheeks, and her hands had stopped their trembling.
    Still, she wished with all her heart that she had not accepted this invitation.
    At the small restaurant, she was careful to put Danny next to her on her side of the table. She soon lamented her decision. That put Laray directly across from her. She felt his eyes on her even when she was not looking directly at him.
    They ordered the pork chops with mushroom sauce, deciding it had the best chance of not being too spicy.
    Danny thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was obvious he was not used to eating out. When Laray gave him his own choice of dessert, he was almost beside himself. He finally settled for the strawberry ice cream on lemon pie. It sounded like a strange combination to Christine, and she shook her head as she watched the small boy dig in.
    “Well, maybe he’s discovered