Carol Steward - There Comes A Season

Weary, she lay down, listening to the silence. Hers was not a quiet house. Her children were never quiet, Todd wasn’t quiet and the toddlers and preschoolers she watched certainly weren’t quiet. The silence surrounding her now was proof that nothing would ever be the same. She wanted to hear the laughter again, to see Todd chasing the kids through the house. She wanted to yell at all of them to settle down. “Oh, God,” she silently prayed, “please let me yell at Todd to grow up again. The big kid never got the chance,” she whispered.

Laura heard the faint drumming of raindrops on the roof, fast, then slow, then the splash of water as cars drove by. “How appropriate that you should make this a dreary, wet, good for nothing but curling up in bed day, God. At least you didn’t make it a beautiful, sunny, perfect fishing day. You explain to the kids why their father won’t be here to take them fishing anymore! You tell them who will answer their tough questions! You tell them who is going help them grow up, because I have no idea how to do all of this without him!” She pounded the tearstained pillow and shoved it under her head.

A few days later, Chad asked his mother, “Who will my new daddy be?”

Laura froze. “What makes you ask that?”

She could see Chad was surprised by her response and possibly a little embarrassed at his own question. “We talked about it in Sunday school.”

“They talked to you about finding a new daddy?” She felt a sudden chill.

“No, but ‘Lizabeth’s daddy is getting married, and I was just wondering if you would.”

“Sometimes parents do meet another person, fall in love and get married.”

“If you get married, will you still love us?”

“I won’t ever stop loving you. Getting married doesn’t mean parents will love their children less. God helps us make more love.”

Once they were home, Laura took Chad into her arms. “Chad, right now, I’m not ready to find you a new daddy. I have you three, and that’s all I need. I loved your dad a lot, and I’m not sure I can ever love anyone that much again.”

“If we ask God to help you, you can. I’ll help.”

How in the world could she deny a little boy’s prayers? God’s words of reassurance came to mind, “I can do all things through Him that strengthens me.” She sighed. “Thank you, love. I know that God could help, but give us some time, okay?” Laura hugged him gently—for his innocence, his honesty and his naive faith. Time would only prove Chad wrong. She loved her son dearly, and wished this was one lesson she didn’t have to let him learn on his own.

Later that night, she couldn’t help but wonder if there would ever be a man brave enough to accept her and her three children? Someone man enough to dim these memories of her past? A man strong enough to dare her to love again?

Laura Bates opened her front door. A tall man holding an adorable baby stood on her doorstep.

“Mrs. Bates? As in the child care provider, Mrs. Bates?”

She extended her hand to shake his, admiring the darkest brown eyes she’d ever seen. “Yes,” she said, uncomfortable being introduced as a married woman, but uneasy sharing her circumstances with strangers. “All the parents call me Laura. This must be Jacob.” She smiled, hoping to set the father at ease over his obvious surprise at her age. “Come in.”

Laura realized she was staring at him, and that their hands were still clenched. Todd’s only been dead four months. What am I doing admiring this stranger? She loosened her grip, shoving her hand into her pocket as she moved out of the doorway.

Bryan stepped into the living room. “I must admit, I didn’t expect someone so…young, Laura. My secretary led me to believe…” Bryan’s deep voice, which was shadowed with a Southern accent, trailed off.

“Vicky didn’t inform either of us very well,” Laura quipped. “I thought both you and your wife would be coming.”

Jacob squirmed in his father’s arms. Laura watched Bryan handle his son, his large hands seeming incredibly uncomfortable with this minute task. She noted a tan line on his left hand where a ring had recently been removed. Her gaze roamed up his arm to his broad shoulders and then to his face. She could see Bryan was tense. No wonder the baby’s cranky. Relax. She wasn’t sure if he’d heard her or was ignoring her comment. She let it go unanswered.

Two heads peeked around the corner and caught Bryan’s attention. “Are these your children?”

Laura pushed her curiosity aside and focused on the question. “Yes. Carrie is ten, and Chad is six. My eight-year-old son is playing with friends this evening. Please have a seat” Laura motioned toward an overstuffed chair.

Noticing his double-breasted suit, she wished that she had worn something nicer than blue jeans and a sweater. What should you have worn? A dress and heels? Get real Laura, this is how you always dress.

She watched Bryan scrutinize the room. He surely noticed the well-worn antiques, piles of children’s art overflowing from the rolltop desk, and jackets tossed beneath the coatrack by hurried children. He studied the family portrait hanging on the wall. It was a recent enough picture that one would assume just by looking at it that the same contentment existed in their lives today.

Before Bryan asked about her husband, Laura proceeded. She didn’t want to talk about that tonight. “We covered the basics over the phone, but I hope you’ve thought of more questions.”

Laura set a manila envelope on the table next to her as she tried to take her eyes off this surprisingly handsome man with a stern look on his face. Business, Laura. He’s here on business. And even if he wasn’t, Bryan is obviously nothing like Todd.

“Right.” Bryan shifted uncomfortably in the chair, switching the fussy two-month-old to the other leg. “How long have you been baby-sitting?”

“Mom doesn’t baby-sit. She’s a child care provider, ” Chad exclaimed as he entered the room. He walked over and sat with his mother while Carrie stayed inconspicuously around the corner.

“Chad, I’ll be glad to answer Mr. Beaumont’s questions myself.” She wrapped her arm around her son and kissed his forehead. “I’ve been a licensed child care provider for six years. And as you can see, I’ve had over ten years of mothering experience. I’ll be glad to give you references, Mr. Beaumont.”

“Please, call me Bryan.” He lifted Jacob to his shoulder and thumped the baby’s back. “Vicky’s recommendation is enough.” After Bryan tried unsuccessfully to quiet his son, Chad crawled over and made funny faces at the baby.

Bryan’s dark brown hair was cut conservatively, short in the back and stylishly long on top. Guessing by his appearance, his career came first. It wasn’t just the suit. The crisp white shirt, silk tie and fine leather loafers gave him a sophisticated appeal. Laura admired the shadow of his beard, and found herself wondering if he’d had a long day, or if he left it, enjoying the affect it had on women. Whichever the case, it worked.

“Maybe he has gas. How long ago did you feed him?” Chad said, offering his youthful expertise.

Bryan chuckled, and again, Laura found herself distracted by Jacob’s father. Her son’s forwardness was bound to get her into a fix if she didn’t do something to intervene.

“Chad, I’m sure Mr., um, Bryan can handle it. Why don’t you and Carrie go downstairs to play. We’ll be down in a few minutes to show him the playroom.”

One corner of Bryan’s mouth turned up. He reached out a hand to the youth and grasped his hand in a respectful handshake. “Thanks for the suggestions, Chad. Looks like my son would be in good hands here.” Laura watched her son beam with pride at Bryan’s attention. Chad and his sister raced for the stairs. “What kind of schedule will you put a baby on?”