Restoring His Heart

“And this is his soon-to-be wife, Shelby Russell.”

The elegant brunette smiled, but didn’t shake his hand because her hands were full of a pie and a basket.

“Hello. Could I get you to take one of these, please?”

Adam relieved her of the pie, setting it down on the only clear spot in the kitchen.

He turned around to find a little boy staring up at him. He had green eyes, sandy hair and a nose full of freckles. “Hello.”

“My name is Kenny. What’s your name?”

“Adam.”

“Like in the Bible.” Kenny frowned and wrinkled his nose. “There aren’t any Kennys in the Bible.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any,” Adam admitted.

“Are you the man who broke the gazebo?”

Adam’s felt a rush of embarrassment warm his face.

“Kenny.”

Adam glanced over at the boy’s father, who looked as embarrassed as he felt. No sense in trying to hide his guilt. “Yes, I am. I wasn’t paying attention and I wrecked it with my car.”

Kenny looked up at him with sympathetic eyes. “Sometimes I don’t pay attention. I get in trouble a lot. But it’s okay because my daddy loves me anyway. That’s what daddies do.”

A large knot formed in the center of Adam’s chest. It was hard to find his voice. Not all daddies. “That’s good.”

A young girl joined the boy. “Hi, I’m Cassidy. Aunt Laura is helping you fix the gazebo, right?”

“She is.”

“Good, because we like to hang out there a lot and now we can’t.”

Shelby Russell came and steered the children to the other room with instructions to set the table.

Adam glanced around the kitchen. Everyone was going about their business, not paying any attention to him at all. Suddenly, he wanted out. Away from all the warm and cozy nonsense. He tried to battle his impulse to flee. He wanted to go to his room to sort things out, but to do so would be rude. He took a step backward, seeking distance. Everyone seemed happy, even joyful. It couldn’t be real. Did every happy family act this way?

Angie Durrant caught his attention, motioning him to the kitchen. She handed him the bowl of rice and smiled. “Go put that on the table then tell the boys we’re ready to eat.”

He nodded, wondering for the tenth time how he ended up here. He’d never felt so out of place, so awkward, in his whole life.

Were they trying to rehabilitate him? Were they trying to make him feel the burden of his damaging their landmark? Or was it money? Did they think he would compensate them later for their kindness? The thought immediately filled him with shame. These people weren’t like the ones he normally associated with. The Durrants were people he had little exposure to.

Adam placed the bowl, then moved slowly into the family room. The guys were focused on the Saints football game. “Food’s ready.”

Matt turned and smiled. “’Bout time. I’m starving.” He punched his dad playfully in the arm. “Chow.”

Tom stood and tapped his grandson, Kenny, on the head. “Come on, kiddo.”

Adam followed them into the dining room, a strange tightness in the center of his chest as he watched the family come together. Laura smiled and motioned him to the seat beside her.

He asked himself again if what he was seeing was real. Probably not. They were all on their best behavior for his sake. Trying to put on a show. The way his parents did whenever they came home. Once a year his mother would parade out her best china and invite the crowd. They’d all smile, put on a display of family happiness, then the next morning, they’d all go their separate ways.