Coming Home by Audrey Stover Read Free Book Online

high
would fit in here," he said looking around.
    "Okay, well, I'm glad you brought these guys
here."
    He looked at her and smiled, causing her knees to grow
weak, "Me too."
    One of the boys called Craig over. He touched her shoulder
before moving away but the warm sensation stayed with her for a long time
afterwards. She silently hoped her staff was up to handling this boisterous
group; they usually didn't get such large groups in here.
    About a half hour later Susan was saying good-bye to the
group of kids. She could see why Craig liked to hang out with them. They were
great kids from what she had observed.
    "Thank you, it was delicious," one of the girls
said as she walked past Susan.
    "You’re welcome. Come again, any time." Susan
said with a smile. She had enjoyed watching Craig interact with the different
kids. He really seemed to have a knack with them. She saw him coming toward her
and she sub-consciously smoothed down her blouse.
    "Susan, you have made their day."
    She smiled, "I think it is you who have made their
day. They really seem to like you."
    "You sound surprised."
    She lifted her shoulders, "I've never seen you
interact with kids before. It was interesting."
    "Interesting?"
    She nodded her head, "I always knew you wanted kids, I
guess I just didn’t know how good you would be with them."
    "Well, these kids are awesome."
    "Yes, they do seem to be a great bunch."
    "You could come hang out with us sometime. We do
bonfires at the beach every Tuesday night," he looked at her hopefully.
    "I don't know. I'm not much of a bonfire person."
    "Well, you are more than welcome, just give me a call,
or just show up if you want. We meet at the first fire ring in Ocean Beach
around four and stay until we get cold."
    She nodded her head, "I'm not going to make any
promises, but thanks for the invitation."
    "I hope you come. It is a lot of fun."
    Susan just nodded her head as she watched him follow the
group of noisy kids out of her restaurant. She wondered why he had wanted to
see her today, but wondering just made her head hurt. It was probably nothing
more than him being friendly. He seemed to have that down to a T whereas she
felt her heart melt every time she had looked at him today.  She almost wished
he had stayed away. Almost. She knew that she wouldn't go to the beach. That
would just cause her heart to hurt more than she could bear. She couldn't put
herself into a position of being around him when she knew they could never
return to the relationship they had once had.  She just wished she didn't want
to.
     
    Craig laughed at the antics of the junior high kids as the
two teams raced to carry one of their teammates in a blanket to a spot further
down the beach. They were making quite a ruckus, but were obviously having a
blast.
    He turned around and his breath caught in his chest.  Susan
was standing there looking like she wished she could disappear. Two weeks had
passed since he had invited her to join them here. He had hoped that she would
come, but when she hadn't showed up at the last two, he didn't think she would
ever come. He loped up to her, "You came."
    She nodded her head, "I thought it would be a good way
to get out of the daily grind."
    "I'm glad. They are just finishing up a game," he
said as he nodded toward the group of laughing kids.
    "I saw. I don't think I've ever heard of that game
before."
    "I made it up."
    She just smiled at him.
    They walked to the bonfire as the kids all gathered around.
"Are you hungry or thirsty? We have lots of hot dogs and sodas."
    She shook her head, "No, I'm fine, thanks."
    "Come on, when was the last time you had a hot dog
roasted over a bonfire?"
    She shrugged, "I don't know."
    "Jim," Craig called to one of the boys coming
toward the bonfire. "Will you roast a hot dog for Ms. Johnson?"
    "Hey, you’re the lady that owns the bakery," a
girl said as she walked up to Craig and Susan.
    Susan just nodded her head.
    "I've told my mom and dad that they have to go