Wanted A Real Family(18)
He could help by having a real conversation with her, by assuring her he would never believe she’d set fire to her own house!
Instead she pointed to the carton she was attempting to fill. “Just grab some of each food group—vegetables, fruits, proteins—and put three or four in each box. It’s not a lot, but it will help. When I think about how The Mommy Club stocked my refrigerator after I moved in—” She stopped as her throat tightened and her eyes grew misty.
Jase studied her as if he was trying to figure something out. His scrutiny was unsettling and she tried to turn away, but he wouldn’t let her. His large hand capped her shoulder and nudged her toward him again. “We have to talk, Sara, but this isn’t the place.”
She wondered what he wanted to talk about. Maybe his father wanted to evict her from the cottage. Maybe Jase did. But she wouldn’t let him see her worry. She wouldn’t let him see that his opinion mattered...because it shouldn’t.
“You know where I’m staying,” she said lightly, and tried to smile. She thought he was going to say more, maybe give her a hint as to what he was thinking.
However, a couple came in and the man called to Jase. “How did you get roped into this? Connie convinced me she needed my man power.” The man and woman were both carrying grocery bags full of food. They set them on the table, then approached Jase and Sara.
“It’s a good cause,” Jase said. He quickly made introductions. “Tony and Connie Russo, this is Sara Stevens. She’s staying in our cottage. Sara, Tony is our wine-tasting host and Liam’s right-hand man. Connie teaches kids how to ride on their ranch.” He turned back to the couple. “I didn’t know you were involved with The Mommy Club.”
“I learned about it from one of the parents,” Connie explained. “We usually help with the food drives.”
“Teaching kids horseback riding must be such fun,” Sara commented. “I’d love to watch sometime. When I treat children, I often wish I had something other than the regular exercises, games and swimming to offer to them. Riding could teach them balance and self-confidence.”
At Connie’s raised brows, Jase explained, “Sara’s a physical therapist.”
“Who says social media’s the only place to link up anymore?” Connie joked.
They all laughed, and Sara began to feel more comfortable with the couple.
“I brought the crew cab today,” Tony said. “We could deliver some of these on the way home.”
“Where are the kids?” Jase asked.
“They’re with my sister,” Connie explained.
“How old are your kids?” Sara asked.
“Rena is nine and Marie is eleven.”
“You’re into dangerous tween territory,” Sara warned.
“Don’t I know it! Tony is the one who’s having a little trouble with that.”
Her husband held up his hand in a stop sign. “Oh, no. We’re not having that discussion in mixed company. If you want to speak to Sara about bras and ‘the talk,’ I’m going to head over to Kaitlyn and find out if she wants me to load up these filled cartons.”
Connie playfully punched her husband in the arm right before he hurried off. “He talks like he doesn’t want to be involved, but he does.”
“I’ll start stacking these by the door,” Jase told the women as he hefted a box into his arms and carried it to the other side of the room.
“The cottage on Raintree has been empty for a while,” Connie noted. “I got the impression Ethan didn’t want anyone but Liam and Jase on the property.”
“I’m only there temporarily. There was a fire and I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
“You’re that Sara Stevens. I heard the news spot on the radio. I’m sorry. It must be awful to lose everything.”
“Oh, but I didn’t. I have my daughter and she’s what’s most important.” Sara pointed to Amy who was laughing and giggling with one of the other kids.
“Were you Jase’s physical therapist when he returned from Africa?”
“Yes, I was. That’s how we met.”
“No wonder he asked you to stay at the cottage. I know he owes you a lot.”
Connie and Tony must be good friends with Jase if he told them about his therapy.
“He worked hard to get better. He doesn’t owe me anything.”
When Jase returned to Sara and Connie, he said, “I’m going to have to get going, too, but I can deliver some of these along the way, and the rest of you can concentrate on the summer lunch program.”
Sara was hoping he’d stay, that maybe they could start their discussion here even though he said it wasn’t the best place. But that wasn’t going to happen. Winery business was calling.