Loving Promises by Gail Gaymer Martin Read Free Book Online

She studied Dale’s worried face. His beautiful eyes were darkened with concern, the deep-blue color like a stormy sea.
    “I can’t thank you enough, Bev,” Dale said, breaking the silence. “Being an only child, I have no one to turn to, no one to be a sounding board for my thoughts, no one who cares. It’s nice having a person willing to listen.”
    Bev watched a faint grin form on his face as he gave her hand a final squeeze and drew it back to lift his coffee cup.
    “I suppose this seems silly to you. You hardly know me, and I’m asking for your help. It’s not like me. I usually handle things on my own.”
    She knew him better than he realized. In her opinion, he didn’t handle things well at all. “I’ll take it as a compliment that you trust me enough to ask,” Bev said.
    “You’re a nice lady, Bev. You’re a beautiful person.”
    Her pulse did another waltz up her arm, and the sensation irritated her. She didn’t want to react to this man’s attention—or any man’s, for that matter.
    “You’re beautiful inside and out.” His gaze washed over her.
    Bev didn’t know what to say. She sensed he was sweet-talking her, and it was working. Her stomach had joined her pulse, and the two danced a jig through her body until she felt unable to calm her emotions. She shook her head. “I try to be kind. Kindness looks beautiful.”
    “You’re that, too.” He reached for the carafe.
    She watched him add coffee to the cups, then take a sip as if his mind had flown off somewhere else. She needed the reprieve to calm herself, to get things back into perspective. Her emotions had been doing push-ups since Dale touched her hand.
    Bev eyed her watch. “I suppose I’d better get home.”
    Dale turned his head and checked the wall clock. “I didn’t realize so much time had passed. I still have that favor to ask.”
    “Favor? I thought you’d asked it.”
    “I had two favors to ask.”
    Two? She noted an uncomfortable look edging across his face.
    “This one is more personal,” he said.
    Personal? Her kids came to mind, and she girded herself for an argument. If he was going to tell her to keep her children away from his parents or how to raise them, she’d let him have it right now, no matter how sweet he was somewhere inside his hard head. “Is this about my children?”
    His head snapped upward. “No. Not at all.”
    No? She slipped her hands into her lap, embarrassed by her thoughts.
    “Ian Barry, an old high-school friend, invited me to dinner tomorrow night.”
    Hearing the name gave her a start. “I know Ian and Esther from church.”
    His face brightened. “You do? Great.”
    Bev had no idea where this favor was going. A proper hostess gift? What?
    “Ian suggested I bring someone along. I thought of you.”
    Bev’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s because I’m the only woman you know in town.”
    “No, I—”
    “I’m only kidding.” She lowered her gaze and looked into her cup while pondering the possibility. She’d been out of the social loop for so long. Too long, her mother thought.
    She let her response settle in her thoughts a moment before answering. “I like Ian and Esther. I’d be glad to go to dinner if my mom will watch the kids.”
     
    Bev heard her mother pulling into the driveway. Mildred had been out with another old friend, and Bev realized she was truly enjoying her retirement. “Did you have fun?” Bev asked when she came through the doorway.
    Mildred dropped her handbag onto the table and settled into a recliner. “I did. It was like old times. Seems nice to have so much freedom.”
    Bev’s heart sank, thinking of Dale’s request.
    “I stopped to look at an apartment today,” Mildred said, “but I didn’t like it. It was on the second floor.”
    Bev was grateful her fears of two women under one roof had gone unfounded. “Take your time,” she said, wondering how to broach the topic of Dotty. She finally took the roundabout way. “Dale Levin stopped