Bride in Training

“On the table there.” She pointed to the small dining table. Her eyes drifted from the arrangement to him. “Tell me about the dog.”

“I adopted her from Time for Paws, where Steph works.”

Her eyebrows raised. “From the shelter?”

Her tone let him know she hardly believed he’d obtained a dog from there. “Yes. She’s five, but her life expectancy is three times that.”

She gave him a motherly look and pushed the table to the side. “I suppose Steph helped you select this dog.”

He fought his growing anxiety. “No. I decided to stop on my way home from work and take a look. The part-time girl was there.”

“You mean Emily?” Hearing her name caused his pulse to skip. “I met her at the wedding. Very sweet.”

“I suppose.” His heel tapped against the floor, and he pressed his hand against his knee to control it.

His mother noticed, and he squirmed while she studied him. “Emily’s nice, don’t you think?”

He drew back and gave up on quieting his knee. He knew what his mother was getting at. If she were still living in her home, he would be invited to dinner once a week to meet some young woman who was the daughter of a friend or a friend of a friend. She believed God meant everyone to be in twos. Just like the ark. Hear that, Noah?

Martin gave up. When his mother probed for information, she knew how to do it. He’d run into the same technique as a child. He couldn’t get away with anything, but then, he rarely wanted to. As the oldest child with his parents’ full attention, he’d demanded much of himself, not wanting to disappoint them.

Emily became the topic of conversation for the next few minutes. He told her about his problem with Nessie, and how Emily had dropped by with the toys.

“That’s strange. Why would she do that?”

“I’d asked her about obedience training, and…” His cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

“Yes, I’m sure Emily would be happy to help.”

Knowing his mother, she’d never stop. Never did when he was a boy, and she wouldn’t now. Instead of trying to respond, he dug out the phone and flipped it open. His chest constricted. Emily. He stared at her number, then closed the lid. “Important?”

No. His stomach rolled. Yes, it was important. He wanted to know why Emily had called. “It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

He looked away. “I’m sure.” Then he rose. “Mom, what’s on your mind? Do you think every time my phone rings it’s some woman you can trap into falling in love with me? It’s not going to happen.”

“Martin. No one needs to be trapped. You’re a handsome man with a successful business, a lovely home, and a new dog.” She shook her head. “And I want you to have the joy of being a father one day.”

“A father?” He shook his head. “I need a wife first.”

“Now, that’s what I want to hear.” She rubbed her hands together. “Let’s work on that.”

Let’s? Martin leaned over and kissed his mother’s cheek. “I have to go, Mom. I’ll put that in your capable hands.”

She grinned as he turned away. He’d never get that idea out of her head.

Emily leaned against the shelter’s storage room doorway and clutched her cell phone. Calling had been a bad idea. Martin hadn’t answered, and though he might have a good reason, she suspected he didn’t want to talk to her. She’d pondered her behavior for the past three days trying to make sense out of it. When she’d sat in his lovely yard talking to him, she’d had an overwhelming feeling that she didn’t belong there. That was it.

Yet somewhere deep inside her, Emily wanted to apologize. How could he ever understand her behavior unless he knew her, and he didn’t. That’s how she wanted it. But then, when he pulled out his wallet… It had been too much.

A sound caused her to turn as Molly appeared in the doorway, looking slim again after the birth of her new baby Zachariah. Such a big name for a little boy. Emily glanced at her watch. “Is it that time already?”

“Brent came home early so I left him on diaper and bottle duty.”

“Good for you. Make him work.” Emily managed a smile. She shifted a dog food bag against the wall and uncoiled her back, then pulled up her shoulders and sucked in her belly to force her spine to straighten.

Molly eyed her a second, then put her fists on her hips. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just tired. I haven’t slept well for the past couple nights.”

Molly’s brows arched. “The past couple nights? Is that my fault, Emily? Don’t tell me you had a bad time with Martin. I shouldn’t have insisted you—”

Martin’s name shot through Emily like a dart. “No. He was fine.”

“Really?”

She nodded and looked away before Molly asked anything more. “I picked up a few things on the way to his house—a rawhide and a couple of other toys…and a clicker.” She’d forgotten it was in the bag until yesterday.

“I hope he paid you.”

Her pulse skipped again. “No. It—it was a gift.”

“A gift? Be careful. He could easily take advantage of your kindness. Martin can do that to people.” She slipped her arm around Emily’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “The Lord will put extra stars in your crown though. That was nice of you.”

Stars in her crown. Emily doubted if she’d have a crown. Getting into Heaven would be blessing enough. “He seemed different Wednesday.” In stockinged feet.

Molly squeezed her shoulder. “Steph gets along with him now.”

Martin’s image settled in her mind. He’s been friendly enough. “But people can also slip back into old habits.”

Molly nodded, but her expression had darkened, and it made Emily suspect she was thinking about Emily’s past. Shortly after she’d started working at the shelter, Molly had spotted the scars on her wrists. Even her watch and bracelet didn’t cover them completely. Molly had never asked for details, and she hoped it would stay that way. Emily pushed her thoughts aside and changed the subject. “We had a good day. Two new adoptions. Buster and Rosey are gone.”

“Wonderful.” She took a step toward the door before turning back. “How did the lesson go?”

“Lesson?” Her stomach twisted, fearing Molly would be upset if she knew Emily had walked out. “I gave him the toys and left.” She focused on Molly. “What’s wrong?”

“You.”

“Me?” She kept her hand steady as she pressed her index finger against her chest.

A grin slipped to Molly’s face. “You’re blushing.”

Emily pulled her hand from her chest and cupped her cheek in her palm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My face isn’t hot.”

Molly’s grin broadened. “You blushed when you mentioned Martin.” She faced her, her arms akimbo. “What’s going on?”

“What could go on? I’ve known him a week, and that includes today.” Her lips pressed together, but she forced them apart. “I don’t know where you came up with that dumb idea.” Yes, she found him attractive. Yes, he stirred some emotion, but…