Free Mixed Blessings by Cathy Marie Hake Page B

ask God to bless others. Tonight, his clear, sweet voice continued, “And God bless Mommy and Auntie Sandy and my fire truck. God bless Angel Daddy in heaven and—” he paused, cranked his head to the side and peeked with eyes rounded with adoration “—and God bless Mr. Peter and Brother. Amen.”
    Marie tenderly tucked Ricky in bed and avoided looking at the tall stranger, but she felt his eyes on her. Ricky’s prayer knocked him for a loop, and she should have known it would happen, but the last part almost tore her apart, too. She turned on the night-light and made her way out to the hallway before she had to slump against the wall.
    Peter came out, wrapped an arm around her and led her out to the patio. She melted almost spinelessly onto one of the battered lounge chairs. Before she could say anything, he asked softly, “When did you start praying for ‘Mr. Peter’ and ‘Brother,’ Marie?”
    She stared at her hands. “As soon as I knew.”
    â€œWe rated below his fire truck,” he said ruefully. “I guess I have my work cut out for me.”
    â€œHis fire truck is his all-time favorite.”
    â€œI noticed that when we played in the dirt today. He’s a joy, Marie.”
    Nodding, she made no effort to converse.
    He tested the webbing on the other lounger, then sat down. The plastic made an odd screech beneath him, but it held his weight. Silence swirled between them.
    Leaning forward so his forearms rested on his knees, Peter stared at her intently. “Marie, let’s make this work. You’ve been so gracious today. You even let me play with the boys all alone. You’ve even included Luke and me in your prayers. I scared you terribly yesterday. First impressions are hard to shake, and I don’t blame you for being wary. Believe me—nothing is more important to me than the boys. By that, I mean both of them. Give me a chance to prove that we can work together for their sakes.”
    â€œI’m not a gambler, Mr. Hallock. You want me to risk everything. I can’t—” her voice cracked, and she finished in a sickened hush “—do that.”
    â€œMaybe we need to think of this as gaining our new sons without losing our old sons. This doesn’t have to be a loss—not if we’re creative.”
    â€œI don’t believe in deluding myself. It’s much less painful in the end if I face facts early on.”
    â€œWhat facts?”
    â€œYou’re wealthy and powerful. I’m poor and very ordinary. In the passage of time, you’ll play those strengths against me.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œLuke is spoiled beyond imagining with every material thing a child could want. You’ll be able to do the same for Ricky. You can hire others to do chores and manipulate circumstances to your benefit. I have nothing to offer but my love.”
    â€œNothing is more important than that!”
    Tears streaked down her cheeks. “True, but you can offer that, as well, Peter Hallock. You love those boys, too. In the end, the scales won’t balance. I wish I wouldn’t have ever pursued this mess, because I’m going to lose everything now.”

Chapter Seven
    S he’d sounded so bleak and hopeless. Peter sat on the sofa and stared at Marie’s dilapidated home. The outside she’d dolled up with flowers and such, but the inside and patio showed the true age and wear. Though the cops from her husband’s station obviously pitched in, the place needed renovation that would demand far more time, strength and money than Marie had.
    The house was just like her—on the outside she seemed so composed and together, but inside she was only a prayer away from collapsing. How was he to reach out to her? After all she’d been through, he couldn’t fault her for her fears. He’d made her feel that she had to give up everything. He’d pressed her too