Free Promise of Tomorrow by S. Dionne Moore Page B

the hopeful note behind Frank’s playful words. “Then it’s settled. Alaina won’t mind, I know it. She loves Missy and Sam.”
    â€œYou’ve a good heart, Jack.”
    â€œYou concentrate on getting better.”
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    After Sunday, then forgetting about Alaina the night before, Jack felt every bit the fool for arriving on her doorstep with two children in tow.
    She opened the door immediately, and his anxiousness lifted at her look of pleased surprise.
    â€œWhy, Missy and Sam, what are you doing here?”
    Missy promptly broke into tears, and Sam shushed her.
    Alaina met Jack’s gaze with a question.
    He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
    She gasped in dismay, then stooped to take first Missy’s hand and then Sam’s and led them inside.
    Jack swept the room for any sign of Alaina’s mother.
    â€œShe’s not here. She’s downstairs finishing up an order due tomorrow.” Alaina pulled young Missy onto her lap and wiped her tears. She cuddled the six-year-old close and smoothed her ruffled hair.
    Jack placed his hand on Missy’s head. “How about I go downstairs and get some candy?”
    Alaina gave him a searching look.
    He winked and crouched to whisper into Missy’s ear. “I need someone to help me pick. Want to come?”
    Missy’s solemn, gray gaze stirred something in his heart. “Will my daddy die?”
    Jack rasped a hand down his unshaven cheek. Other than his initial fear that Frank had been outright killed, he hadn’t considered his friend might die from his injuries. Frank was older than most of the men, at thirty-three years, but his strength would be in his favor. But to offer the child hope and have things take a turn for the worse. . .
    Jack picked up Missy’s small hand and got eye level with her. “I can’t answer that question. No one can. But we can pray and trust and ask God to help us as we wait. Would you like to do that with me?”
    â€œAnd Sam and Miss Alaina?”
    â€œSure.”
    Missy scrambled off Alaina’s lap and dropped to her knees. Sam joined her. Jack and Alaina shared an amused look over the small heads. Missy tucked her hands together and looked at the ceiling. Jack got the feeling the child saw far beyond the stained plaster. Maybe even into the heart of God.
    â€œDo you want to pray, Missy?”
    She shook her head and pointed to him.
    The words came easily to Jack. When he said, “Amen,” he took the little girl into his arms, where her confidence failed her and she sobbed.
    Sam stood nearby, tears trailing a silver streak down his pudgy face. Alaina settled a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
    â€œWill Mrs. Sanford watch us until Daddy is better?” Missy’s words muffled against his shirt.
    Jack swallowed hard. “I was hoping Miss Alaina might spend some time with you while your father recovers.” His eyes pleaded with Alaina. “Your father said Mrs. Sanford was too old to watch you both full time.”
    He hesitated under Alaina’s steady gaze, ashamed to be asking her for a favor when so much still stood between them. I’m sorry , he mouthed to her.
    She didn’t smile, but her eyes traced along Missy’s back then over Sam’s head and down to his shoes. Her expression softened. “We can make a place for you two on the floor in my room.”
    Sam hugged her legs, and Missy smiled shyly up at her.
    Jack got to his feet. “Why don’t the two of you head down to the store and check out that candy display.”
    â€œYou want to kiss her?” Missy wanted to know. Her nose wrinkled as if the thought disgusted her.
    Jack laughed. “You think that’s so bad?”
    â€œDaddy kissed Mommy a whole lot,” she continued. “He loved her.” With that, she turned and headed down the steps.
    â€œHold on to the railing,” Alaina called after them.
    He caught her gaze. “Maybe a