The Christmas holiday was approaching. Amy was decorating the tall Christmas tree, waiting for Jack to return home from work. Josh was next door, playing with his new friend Timmy.

Her father and Harriet would be coming over for dinner tonight. Over the past several months, Frank had found Jack to be a wonderful son-in-law and was grateful to him for making Amy’s life so contented and blissful once again.

Amy felt as though she’d been blessed, what with all the good things that were happening to her. Perhaps Troy was watching over her and Josh, making sure they were well taken care of. That would certainly be his style. She smiled at that comforting thought.

Jack was quite a caring and loving man. Luckily he didn’t have lasting emotional scars from living so many years with that parasite of a woman.

Amy knew Jack loved her very much. It was funny, Amy remembered the day when she thought she’d never love again. Until she laid eyes on Jackson.

Sometimes she couldn’t believe that she was actually living in this incredibly splendid home. It was a replica of Green Gables, an estate that Jack had named Tara.

Embittered Nina had left town without a dime. The last they heard, she’d left her most recent lover and taken up with some oil baron in Texas. Good riddance. Hopefully he was loaded with health insurance!

Mrs. Jackson Sinclair, mused Amy as she placed the silver angel atop the tree. My dream come true. She stepped down the small ladder and stood back to survey her handiwork.

Just then Jack opened the front door. “Honey! Are you here?”

“Yes, I’m in the living room. Come see what I’ve done!” Amy announced fluffing at her dark blonde hair.

Jack came into the expansive room and saw the beautiful tree and his beautiful wife. What a happy Christmas this was going to be. To add to the warmth he felt, a delicious aroma was wafting from the kitchen.

He stepped up behind Amy and wrapped his strong arms about her slender waist. He kissed her hair and smelled its sweet vanilla fragrance. “Mmmm, the tree’s lovely, like you.”

“Oh you!” Amy giggled and squeezed his arms. “Company for dinner, remember?”

“Yep, and this is for you.” He pulled away from her and fished around in his jacket pocket. “Early present.” A small black velvet box sat in his palm.

Amy took it and looked up at him. She eagerly opened the box. Nestled inside on a swatch of black velvet was an incredible ruby ring. It was almost as large as her two-carat wedding ring.

“Oh honey,” she sighed. “It’s so pretty… just so pretty.” Tears immediately filled her eyes as she remembered the day Troy had taken her shopping and she’d spotted a ring just like this. Jack would never know how much this ring meant to her.

“Merry Christmas.” He kissed her deeply, gently maneuvering her a couple of feet so they were under the mistletoe in the doorway.

Later that evening, as Amy and Jack lay in bed after their evening of festivities, he asked her a question. “So tell me, sweetie. What was it about me that first attracted you?” He wrapped his arms about her, and she snuggled close.

With a smile playing on her lips, she replied, “Why, it was your polished shoes, honey! Those spit-shined black shoes. When I first laid eyes on you, it impressed me how much you cared for your appearance.  I wondered if you’d care for me that much. You know, put that much care into making us shine!”

Jack kissed her neck, and she snuggled even closer. “And?” Jack asked, grinning from ear to ear.

“So I wanted to find out about you, and I did. You turned out to be much more than I bargained for. My best friend became my hero.”

“I’ll love you forever, Amy. You’ve made my life complete.” Jack said sincerely. She turned in his arms for a loving kiss, as a distant rumble of thunder made her smile.

THE END

On the third day, just as Jack had predicted, the phone rang about 9:30 in the morning. Amy was cleaning her kitchen for the hundredth time to keep busy, and Harriet was making some cinnamon rolls. She was taking time off from work as well, so she could be with Amy.

Amy flew to answer the phone, catching it on the second ring. “Hello!” She pushed her hair out of her face in nervous anticipation.

“Amy Tyler. Good news! I have got your son in my sights at this very moment,” Herschel Prudot said through his cellphone.

“What? Where? Is he all right?” She felt Harriet’s arm snake about her shoulder and give her a squeeze.

“He looks just fine to me. I’ve got a call in to the local Sheriff’s Department here. FBI has been notified because they’re in Georgia-”

“Georgia!” Amy exclaimed. She and Harriet gave each other a flabbergasted look.

“Yes, Pine Mountain, south of Atlanta. They’re staying in a Super 8 Motel. It wasn’t too difficult to track her. She makes the same mistakes everyone does.

“But your boy appears fine. They just walked out of the motel room and are heading for the Denny’s next door for some breakfast. I’m going to go in myself for some flapjacks and get a better look at the little guy. I’ll keep you posted, but expect your boy home by this evening.”

Amy was sobbing with relief on the phone. She could barely get out the words of gratitude to this wonderful man.

“Oh Harriet! He’s fine! He’ll be home today!”

“I’m going to the mill and get your dad.” She raced for her car keys.

Amy called Jack right away. He was ecstatic and said he’d be right over.

Everyone gathered in Amy’s small home while they waited for the car to bring Joshua home. Amy had wanted to fly to Georgia and pick him up, but the FBI had been brought in, and there were procedures to follow. They assured her he’d be home before dark.

The dark blue sedan slid to a stop in front of the Tyler home. Amy held her breath until she spotted Josh’s small. dark head emerging from the backseat.

“Oh! Joshua!” Amy flew out the door and down the steps to her son. She ran her fingers through his unfamiliar dark locks and looked curiously at one of the FBI agents for an answer.

“Trying to change identities,” he said flatly. “Hopefully it will wash right out.”

“Mommy, I’m so glad to be home!” Josh hugged her tightly around the neck. Josh was ushered into the house and everyone had to touch and hug him. The frightening ordeal was over at last.

Amy held him tight as though she didn’t want to ever let go.

Finally she had to break away to get the whole story from the authorities and Mr. Prudot.

It seemed that Josh had told Katie all about their trip to Southport and what a terrific time he’d had with his mom. For some reason, Katie felt threatened, and it triggered a response in her mind that she was no longer the person whom Josh relied on for joyful times.

In her irrational state of mind, she began considering taking him away. Before she knew it, Katie found that she’d driven them across the state line, and then thought what the heck, she’d keep on going. She’d keep Josh for herself! They could change their identities and start a new life! Now she had the child she’d always wanted. California was her goal.

While they were eating their breakfast that morning, Herschel Prudot was ordering his and keeping a sharp eye on his two fugitives a couple of tables away. The blonde woman seemed intent on talking to the little guy and he was not paying much attention to her. He didn’t appear to have much of an appetite. As the woman talked animatedly, Herschel thought he saw the herky-jerky movements of a person not quite in control of their faculties.

By the time Katie and Josh had finished their breakfast, so had Herschel Prudot. He ate his meal with the usual gusto, paid his check, and was out the door as the two crossed the parking lot back to the motel.

The five agents were waiting behind the corner of the building. Just as Katie inserted the key into the door, they surrounded them.

Josh was frightened but snatched away by a female agent and comforted. Katie was taken into custody without incident. The ordeal was over now, and Amy had her son back! That’s all that mattered to her.

* * *

Jack stayed with Amy that night to make sure they were safe. Even though it was over, there was still an unspoken uneasiness that this precious closeness could be snatched away so easily.

Jack wanted so much to become a part of this family. Nina had finally moved out, moving in with her lover of the moment. Soon Nina and her lover would be moving out of town. Jack couldn’t wait!

In the end, Nina gave in and agreed to most of the terms Jack demanded. Once she realized she had lost the game—and Jack—she was as eager as he was for the divorce to be over quickly.

Jack sighed heavily as he tossed restlessly on the guest room bed. He visualized lovely Amy asleep in her room. Suddenly the door opened. “Jack?” Amy whispered in the dark.

He sat up. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” She paused. “Well, yes, there is something wrong.” Amy quickly ran to Jack’s side and pulled back the covers to crawl in. “What’s wrong is us being in two separate rooms.” She melted into his arms.

Herschel Prudot drove up to Amy’s house and parked out front. He looked at the one-story frame house and tried to get a sense of the woman who lived there. Herschel was good at his job, and this was an exercise he did on all of his potential clients. The place where someone lived told a lot about that person.

Amy answered on the first knock. She was startled to find a very large man filling up the doorway. Jack stepped up behind her.

“Mr. Prudot?” Jack said as he opened the screen door. “We’ve been expecting you. Jackson Sinclair,” he stuck out his hand. Herschel Prudot was the best P.I. from New Orleans. He had no doubts the man could find anyone. He’d even been on the cover of Time Magazine years ago.

Grabbing Jack’s hand in his large paw, Herschel said, “Good to meet ‘cha. And you must be the mother, Amy Tyler?” He was a gruff man with gentle eyes, who looked to be in his late fifties. For being so large, he moved quite gracefully. Amy showed him into the living room and had him take a seat on the sofa.

“We hope you can help us… me!” She glanced anxiously over at Jack, who just nodded.

“I’ll certainly do my best. Now this is what I’ll need….”

* * *

After Herschel Prudot left to check into the nearby motel and go over all the information he’d been given, Jack knew he couldn’t leave Amy in this state of mind.

“I’d like to spend the night, if you don’t mind. I can sleep on the sofa, or if you have a guest room…”

“Yes, I have a guest room, and I’d love for you to stay, Jack. I couldn’t bear to be alone right now. I haven’t even called my dad with the news. I should. I really should, but I don’t want to upset him. I just know Josh and Katie will be found without incident.”

“I know they will.” He stepped forward and hugged her. “Amy?” She looked up at him with the biggest brown eyes…. He could have gotten lost in them. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“Oh Jack,” she breathed out and leaned against his chest. “I’m in love with you, too. I have been ever since the day I met you!” There, her feelings were out, and she was elated he felt the same. But what timing! They should be savoring this wonderful moment, yet it was all clouded by Josh’s disappearance.

It felt so good to have a strong shoulder to lean on. Someone who could take over and protect her from the bad things. Amy had gone much too long without a man in her life.

At first Amy wasn’t sure if loving Jack was such a wise thing. She didn’t know if she could stand the pain if anything ever happened to him. Losing Troy in that way was the worst thing that had ever happened to her until now!

“I’ve been dancing around the issue, being such a fool. I just wanted to tell you what’s been in my heart.” Jack bent to kiss her forehead, and she raised her face. His kiss was tender upon her parted lips. She kissed him back, her head beginning to spin with the thrill of it. His kisses did that to her, transported her into another realm.

She broke away and sighed, leaning on his broad chest again. “Oh Jack…where is he?” she said with a break in her voice. “Do you think he’s all right?”

“I think he’s fine. Katie isn’t going to hurt him. From what I gathered, she loves him, Amy. She won’t be hurting him.”

“I want to believe you. But why did she take him? Has she really gone crazy?” Amy asked.

“Don’t know. Only she knows the answer. Look, it’s almost eleven. I’m beat, and I know you must be too. Let’s get some sleep, and we’ll be refreshed in the morning.”

“I won’t be sleeping very well….”

“I know, I know. But any sleep is better than none. Herschel won’t be getting on the case until morning. I predict he will have them back within three days max!”

“You think so? God I hope. Let me get the guest room ready, and we’ll go to bed.” She pulled away from him and headed toward the hall. She turned to face him. “Thank you, Jack, for being here.”

* * *

When Jack woke in the early morning, sleep still owned his vision and made it blurry, but his mind came suddenly alert. He heard Amy puttering in the kitchen trying to be quiet. He lay there and smiled, wishing she were his wife. She had said she loved him, too!

It had been difficult to let her go off to her bedroom alone last night, but making love to her was still something he would not do until he was divorced. He didn’t want to stoop to Nina’s level. Making love with Amy would have to be special…and she would be his wife.

Jack decided to get up and take a quick shower. He peeked out the window and saw clouds rolling in. Another storm was due.

By the time he came out to the kitchen, Amy was sitting at the table sipping coffee and chewing on a dry piece of toast. The stove clock said 6:45.

“Oh! Jack, you startled me!” Amy said clutching her throat. He’d been standing in the doorway just watching her until she felt eyes on her and turned around.

“I’m sorry. I was just watching you, wishing I could make you happy again.”

“Nothing will make me happy except getting Joshua home.”

“And I will do that. I’ll get him home for you. That’s a promise.” He crossed over to her and dropped to his knee before her. “I meant what I said last night, Amy. I do love you. And when the smoke clears from my divorce and Josh is back, I want to marry you.”

“What! Oh Jack, you’re asking me now?” She bent to kiss his mouth. What timing this man had! Thunder rolled, rattling the windows, and the sky cracked with fissures of fire.

Jack broke away first. “Will you?”

“Marry you? You bet I will!” She held his face in her hands as she looked into his eyes. “You know, this sounds crazy, but it seems every time I have a significant milestone in my life… a storm occurs. Is that a weird coincidence or what?” He hugged her about the waist in response.

All of a sudden the phone rang.

* * *

“My assumption is that they headed north. I’ve already done some phone work this morning with the FBI on Katie Dixon. She’s clean, but she has been seeing a shrink.” Herschel Prudot sipped his coffee.

“What?” Amy said, leaning forward on the table. They were in a small diner, meeting with Herschel as he ate a hearty breakfast and caught them up on his progress. As he talked, Amy glanced wistfully out the window, watching the rain patter against it in a steady rhythm.

Herschel was digging into a large plate of bacon and eggs with fried potatoes swimming in catsup. Jack and Amy were only having coffee.

Amy was impressed that Herschel had already gathered information on Katie. This guy was good! “I didn’t know Katie had problems, let alone seeing a shrink! Bill never said—”

“Oh, you think her husband is going to tell you everything going on in their marriage?” Herschel said with a chuckle that made his massive belly bounce. “I never trust anyone. I find out my own information. I’m meeting with someone at 8:30 who can possibly give me some direction, and then I will be heading out of town. I will keep in contact with you twice a day. More if I feel the need, but don’t expect to hear from me more than twice.”

“Okay. You may want to just call at Amy’s,” Jack said as he squeezed her hand. “She’ll be home.”

“Will do.” Herschel wiped at his mouth and sipped down the rest of his coffee. “Ma’am? Check please.”

“Okay, Mr. Prudot…er, Herschel. We wish you luck, and we’ll be waiting for your calls. Is this going to get out into the news?” Amy asked.

“Media is obsessed with misery, my dear,” was his answer. Jack and Amy stood and bid the large man good-bye.

Back out in the car, Amy said, “Three days, you told me? I kind of feel that you’re right. He must have been working at the crack of dawn. A shrink! If I’d known that, Josh wouldn’t have been in her care.”

“I understand that. By the way, we’re going right over to your dad’s so you can give them the news.”

“But I didn’t want to worry—”

“Worry them? Why do you insist on protecting others’ feelings? Josh is his grandson—he needs to know. He’d also want to be there for you. You can’t second-guess people, Amy. We’re going over there right now to let them know.”

The next day Amy told Jack all about their trip and about the flat tire incident. He didn’t like that very much at all. “Next time you two decide to go anywhere, I’m coming along.”

“I wish you would have,” Amy said coquettishly. She was getting frustrated at this halfway-dating game they were playing.

“How about I take you two to dinner tonight? I’ve missed you.”

“But what about Nina?” She couldn’t help throwing in that little dig. “You’re still married, and I thought—”

“Dinner. That’s all, Amy. I like being in your company,” Jack explained. How could he tell her that being apart from here was like tearing a piece of him away?  He sighed heavily. “Look. As I told you before, I care about you. I wish we could really be together, in that way, but you know how I feel. I have to wait until Nina’s completely out of the picture.”

“I know. I know. Okay, dinner will be fine. How about hamburgers? Nothing fancy.”

“I can’t believe you mean that. I’m so used to having to have the best of everything. If Nina didn’t have the best, we had nothing at all. You’re a breath of fresh air. You know, if I hadn’t met you, I think I would still be in that miserable marriage. I would not have known there were women as nice as you.”

“Jack! You’ve got to be kidding! You’re a very handsome man! You can’t tell me that you haven’t had a woman come on to you in all these years. What do you do, walk around with blinders on?” Amy said in astonishment, yet very impressed at his fidelity.

“No, not at all. I just never let myself even think about someone else. I’m a married man and that’s meant a lot to me. I don’t fool around. But now all that’s changed and meeting you gave me the courage to get out of this mess. I may be a psychologist, but I admit I don’t think clearly at times.”

“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry you’ve had such a miserable marriage. You deserve much better that that. But I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”

“I’m not a wimp—don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I strongly believe in marriage. For better or worse, and that’s why I stuck it out. But when I found out what she’d been doing behind my back, that was the final straw. Plus having you in my life made it easier to bear.” He bent to kiss her.

* * *

The following Friday evening, as Amy pulled up in front of Katie’s to get Josh, she noticed the house was dark. It was only 5:30 in the evening, and the sun was just beginning to set.

Amy got out of the car and walked up the steps and rang the bell. This was very odd. Usually Josh was waiting for her at the window.

Amy got no answer, so she knocked, loudly. Suddenly she felt panic starting to rip at her mind with busy little rat teeth. She flew off the porch and ran next door.

She pounded on the neighbor’s door until the old woman answered. “I’m a-comin’, don’t beat the door all to hell!”

“I’m sorry,” Amy gasped, suddenly out of breath with dread. “My little boy, he stays next door. It doesn’t seem as though any one is there! Did you see them leave?”

“The Dixons? No, I didn’t see Kate leave, but you do know Bill moved out.” The woman looked about seventy years old and weighed about seventy pounds soaking wet. She was wearing a raggedy old blue chenille robe and was barefoot.

“Moved out?”

“Oh yeah, I’d say it’s been about a month now,” the old woman said as she picked at a wayward wire on her screen door. “I’ve had the bronchitis for a while now and been staying in bed.     “My bedroom is right up to theirs and I tell you, I heard a couple of wing-ding fights going on in there! Weren’t no surprise to me when I saw him leave with a couple of suitcases. Haven’t seen his car around, so I ain’t stupid.”

“I didn’t know. Oh this is not good! I don’t know where she could have gone with my son. I’ve got to find her husband!” Amy turned and ran back to her car.

What to do, what to do! She should call her dad and Harriet. They’d know what to do. Or she could call Jack! He was still at work! She drove swiftly back to Green Gables.

“Jack! I need your help!” Amy said as she burst into his office.

“What’s wrong? You’re as white as a sheet!” Jack said, getting up quickly from his chair.

She explained all that she knew. She sat in a chair and tried to calm herself, but all her motherly instincts were on full alert! She was trembling like a live wire.

“Calm down, now. We don’t know that anything has happened. Where does Bill work?”

“At the mill on Rexford. I forgot which department, but they’ll find him. Unless he’s left already.” Glancing at her watch, she realized it was way past 6:00.

Jack was on the phone. Once he got through to Bill, he handed the receiver to Amy.

“Oh, Bill! Thank God I found you. Listen, I went to pick up Josh and the house was dark. Do you know where Katie could have gone?” She willed her teeth to stop chattering.

“Amy, didn’t you know we’d separated? I thought she would have told you. I just couldn’t take it anymore. She was devoting her whole world to Josh.

“I told her before I left that she’d better quit taking care of him. She said she would, but I guess she never did. I moved out and assumed you were taking him somewhere else.”

“What do you mean devoting her whole world to Josh? Why didn’t you tell me? This is not normal, Bill. Something’s not right! How long has this been going on?”

“About two months. I moved out four weeks ago—”

“God! Bill! Why didn’t you tell me? What do I do now? Call the police? Is Katie stable or what?”

“Amy, I don’t know. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it, but Katie said she was going to tell you to find another sitter. I’m sorry.”

“A lot of good that does now. I’ll be in touch.” She hung up. She turned to look at Jack and quickly recapped what Bill had told her. “Jack. What do we do now?”

* * *

Jack took her to the police station to file a missing persons report. The police wanted her to wait, since they didn’t have any proof a crime had been committed, until Amy mentioned the word kidnapping!

Okay, they would file the report under kidnapping. They put out an APB. Amy had a recent snapshot in her wallet, and they blew it up and made several copies to send around the state.

Jack held her tight and calmed her when it got too unbearable. Where was her beautiful son? Was he okay? Hungry? The thoughts raced through her mind like a video on fast forward.

Jack had meant to keep his distance emotionally from Amy until his divorce was final. That was the honorable thing to do. But he couldn’t stop himself as he watched Amy in the throes of panic. If only he could stop her pain. He felt so helpless! “Amy, if I can help in any way… I know! I’ll hire a private investigator!”

“You’d do that for us?” Amy asked, looking up at his face. Two police officers in the room agreed it wouldn’t hurt.

“I’d do anything for you and Josh. Let me make a call.” He pulled out his cellphone.

Jack finally returned from his trip. He got back to business and started straightening out all the papers and documents that had piled up in his absence.

Three weeks was a long time to be away. He hardly had time to speak to Amy what with his in-basket overflowing. Nevertheless, Amy managed to pop her head in his office to say a much-needed hello.

Jack, behind his desk, resisted the urge to jump up and rush to hug her tightly and kiss those luscious lips. Instead he just said hello right back, though he longed for some time alone with her.

“It’ll probably be a few days before I can get away to have that promised dinner,” Jack said.

“Oh don’t worry about that! I’ll always be there.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear. I’m sorry I’m so backed up here—” Jack started to apologize.

“Hey! That’s all right. You need to tend to business. Just let me know when you’re available.” Amy didn’t want to hear him make excuses. She just wanted a chance to be alone with him and tell him how she felt.

“Look, I gotta get back to work. It’s nice having you back,” she added meaningfully.

“See you later,” he said and resumed to his stack of mail. Boy, did he have a lot to catch up on!

* * *

“How’s it going at Aunt Katie’s, honey?” Amy asked Josh as they ate supper on the coffee table in front of the TV.

“Oh, okay. She colors with me, and we play games. She’s a lot of fun,” Joshua answered as he spooned creamed corn into his mouth.

“That’s nice. I wish I could stay home and play with you, but you know I have to work.”

“I know, Mommy. That’s okay. It’s because daddy went away, that’s why you have to work, isn’t it?” He turned his big brown eyes on her.

Amy looked at her son in amazement. She hadn’t even realized that he thought much about his dad anymore. “Yes, I suppose that’s right, honey. Mommy has to work to keep us eating.”

Joshua returned to the TV and started laughing at a comedian’s antics, not paying attention to Amy anymore. He was growing up, and one day he’d leave her. Go off into the world on his own. He was a clever little guy, and his laugh sounded so much like Troy’s.

Suddenly, Amy wanted to do something with him. Something exciting so he’d have childhood memories of fun times with his mother instead of always with Aunt Katie.

“Hey, maybe soon we can go over to Southport. Would you like that? Just you and me? Watch the large old ships and see the ocean?”

“Yeah, that would be cool!” Josh replied keeping his eyes glued on the TV. Josh loved movies of old ships and pirates, so this should be quite enjoyable for him, Amy thought. Good choice!

Okay, it was settled. She’d take them to Southport next weekend, and they’d spend the night in a fancy motel. It was time for a change of pace, and she could well afford it.

* * *

The week passed uneventfully compared to the week before. Amy had Jack over for dinner and  made a tuna casserole. Something simple yet scrumptious.

The three of them spent a quiet evening watching TV. After Josh went off to bed, Jack couldn’t wait to be alone with Amy.

“I really missed you while I was gone. Did you miss me a little?” he asked.

“Am I supposed to?” Amy teased. She had missed him terribly.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt if you did. I found I really did miss seeing you, Amy. It surprised me that I felt so strongly….” he trailed off. “I wish my divorce were over—”

“But it’s not!” Amy interjected. “I love having you over for meals and our talks. You’re great company for us. But to be honest, I don’t know where this relationship, if you can call it that, is headed! We’re not supposedly ‘dating’, but we spend time together—”

“I know. I’m sorry for being so obscure. It’s just that I don’t want to ‘get involved’ so to speak, not until Nina is out of my life. Does that make any sense?”

“Yes, I guess it does.” Amy wanted Jack very badly. How could any woman resist such an attractive, virile man?  What would it hurt if they made love before he was divorced? It was done all the time! Nevertheless, that was what Jack strongly believed in, so she doubted she could ever change his mind. She had to respect his moral values.

“Jack? I’m taking Josh out of town this weekend. We’re going to Southport.”

“How nice. Wish I could go along,” he lamented. He worried about her traveling alone with a young child on the interstate. But he had no right to ask her not to go.

“While you’re gone, I’ll put up that swingset,” he winked. It had become a kind of a standing joke between them. “We kind of put that on hold, didn’t we?”

“Yes, I guess we did. But the weather was so crappy and all. Anyway, about the trip, I kind of want to be alone with Josh. Bond with him, I guess,” Amy explained. She didn’t want to tell Jack her ridiculous fears of Katie taking all the credit for fun times with her son.

“I understand,” Jack replied. But all he really wanted to do was make love to her. They were sitting so close, only inches apart. He could feel her body heat against his bare forearm.

They didn’t move, each very aware of one another’s breathing. Amy was sure he could hear her heart beating wildly. She felt Jack move, and she turned her head.

His lips were right there, and in a moment, she found herself being kissed tenderly. This is so nice, she thought, as her mind swirled dizzily.

Jack broke away and stared into her eyes. “If you only knew how much I wanted you.”

“You do?” Amy was thrilled. “Like I’m more than a ‘friend’?”

“Yes, much more than a friend. But I’m sorry, I have to go,” Jack kissed her quickly. He didn’t think he could trust himself if he didn’t go right now.

“Well, this time I have to say I don’t understand, but I guess I have to agree. I only want you when I know you want me, with no restrictions on your part.”

“Thanks. You don’t know how difficulty this is for me. I guess it’s just the way I was raised. I’m an old-fashioned guy. What can I say?” he looked at her with those dreamy brown eyes, and Amy just had to agree.

“I think you’re a wonderful southern gentleman!” She hugged him. “Now you’d better go. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”

Jack kissed her good-night at the door, and then he left to get into his car. Thank God for the chilly night. It was almost as good as a cold shower.

* * *

It was a bright and sunny March Saturday as Amy and Joshua headed off to Southport. Amy gauged it as a five-hour trip with a couple of short stops for gas or munchies.

As they pulled in the community of Southport, Joshua cried out with glee as he spotted the many fishing boats and even a couple of replicas of pirate ships on the water. The harbor was protected by the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

It was a wonderful city, long noted for its quiet beauty and hospitality. Amy quickly found their motel and unpacked their shared suitcase, then they went off to explore and find some food.

They walked underneath the huge sprawling oak trees, which were beginning to bud. The trees lined the avenues leading to beautiful historic homes, which took Amy back to a gentler, friendlier period of time.

Even though Southport is a bustling city, the laid-back lifestyle still existed. Amy thought it might have been better to visit in the summer months. But it was still pleasant weather even though they had to wear their jackets.

Amy took Josh to a popular park called Waterfront Park. From there, they were able to observe large transoceanic ships from every country pass on their way up the Cape Fear River to the State Ports.

Amy snapped as many photos as she could for Josh’s growing photo album. She wanted him to have many memories of this weekend. He was awed by the magnificent vessels.

“Oh, look, Josh,” Amy said as she found a bronze marker as they were leaving the park. “Listen to this. History lesson for you.

`Although it is Victorian in appearance, Southport was founded in 1792, and its history predates its own creation. The Indian Trail Tree in Keziah Memorial Park is estimated to be over eight hundred years old and was used by the Cape Fear area Indians. Bonnet’s Creek was a haven for Stede Bonnet, The Gentleman Pirate, who operated in the area and was captured in the harbor during the ‘Battle of the Sand Bar’ in 1718.’ Cool, huh? Pirates! Indians!” Amy said with melodrama.

“Yeah, way cool! Can we go on a ship, Mommy?”

“I think we might be able to. Let’s go over to the Maritime Museum. We’ll see lots of history there.”

Joshua was enthralled. He’d always loved boats of any kind and never seen real ones up close. His eyes were as round as saucers.

The Southport Maritime Museum housed a collection of memorabilia pertaining to the vast nautical history of ‘The Lower Cape Fear’ area of southeastern North Carolina. Amy realized she should plan more trips like this with her son. Even though he was just five years old, he was enjoying this so much!

There was even a local net expert who had made a ten-foot model of a shrimp boat net for the museum. The old man happened to be at the museum and was giving a demonstration on how to knit a net.

Amy and Josh watched in fascination for quite a while before moving on to another display. Amy wished Jack could have joined them. Oh well, perhaps one day he would.

“Are you ready to eat dinner?” Amy asked. Her stomach was growling.

“Sure am. Why am I so hungry?” Josh asked as he finished a small bag of peanuts he’d been snacking on. And before that, they’d both been nibbling on trail mix.

“It’s the sea air!” Amy replied as she ruffled his hair. “Let’s go find a place to eat some proper food.”

* * *

After a dinner of seafood in a restaurant overlooking the ocean, Amy took Josh for a walk along the Riverwalk to visit the shops around the Yacht Basin near the Marina.

It was like another world to them, what with the smells and sights of the laid-back coastal life.

“When I grow up, Mommy, I want to live here. Have my own boat,” he said with five-year-old conviction.

“Maybe one day you will. Let’s go back to the motel and get some sleep. We’ll do more exploring tomorrow.”

Before Josh fell asleep in the double bed he was sharing with his mom, he asked her when they’d be heading for home.

“Aren’t you having a good time, honey?” she asked, worried that he wasn’t.

“Oh yeah. I love the ships and all. But I kinda miss my bed.”

“Oh, you!” She leaned over and kissed him on the head. “We’ll head back after breakfast. How’s that?”

* * *

The trip home turned out not as smoothly as Amy had anticipated. They were cruising along the interstate doing the maximum speed limit when a sudden jolt nearly jerked the steering wheel right out of her hand. She pulled over to the right side of the road and realized they’d just blown a tire.

“Are you okay? I wonder what caused that? The tires aren’t that old!” Josh was safely strapped in by his seatbelt.

“Mommy, when are we going to get home?”

“Not now Josh. Let me think a minute. I don’t know what to do here.” She dropped her face into her hands and willed herself not to cry. Oh I wish I had a man in my life. Someone to take care of me. Jack! Help me!

Now was the time to curse him for his chivalrous nature. By now he should be in her life, be there for her! Be the one she could count on!

“Mom-my! Why did we stop? Are we broken down?”

“Josh! We’re okay! Let me think about what to do.” She didn’t know if she should open her hood, start walking the few miles back to where she’d passed a service station, or just sit tight and wait for a Trooper.

There were nuts running around out there! And she had to think of not just herself but Josh. She was so stupid not to have a cell phone.

She decided to sit tight and wait. Josh sat next to her, and they didn’t say a word. Just waited for help and prayed.

She didn’t have to wait long. A long-haired young man pulled up behind her car and got out of his truck. She watched him in the mirrors, suddenly afraid. She cracked her window down a notch so she could hear him speak.

“Ma’am? Got some trouble with your tire?” he asked tipping back his baseball cap. She could see he had a good-sized wad of chewing tobacco lodged in his lower lip, but otherwise he was rather pleasant-looking. Not too scary.

“Um, yes. A flat. I’m waiting for a Trooper.”

“Well, you could do that, or I can change that tire for you. Up to you.” He stood there patiently waiting for her answer.

She really couldn’t sit here all day, and he seemed decent enough. “Well, can I pop the trunk and you can change it? We don’t have to get out, do we?”

“Sure, I can do that, and you don’t need to get out of your car.”

“Okay.” Amy popped the Toyota’s trunk and held her breath. Boy, she was taking a chance, but what choice did she have?

She could hear him banging around in the trunk for a few minutes, and then she felt the back end of the car rise up a little. She could see him in the side mirror as he worked diligently at changing the faulty tire. His wiry body strained with the effort of loosening the lug nuts. His T-shirt pulled up away from his jeans, and she could almost see his butt-crack. She giggled out loud with nervousness at this whole crazy situation.

“Are we going to go now, Mommy?” Joshua asked.

“Yes, once the kind man has fixed our tire.” She flicked another glance at the mirror.

About twenty minutes later, the man stood up and dusted off his hands on his jeans-covered rear. He replaced the jack in the trunk, putting in the blown tire as well, and she felt the lid slam shut, rocking the small car. He strolled up toward her widow. “All done, Ma’am. I put the old tire in the trunk, and everything’s back in place.” He looked at her expectantly.

What was she supposed to do now? Give him money? She reached for her purse.

Just at that moment, a state Trooper pulled up and flashed his red lights as he slid to a stop in front of her car. The good Samaritan gave him one look and quickly walked back to his truck without another word to Amy. He got into his vehicle and took off, giving a friendly nod to the officer.

“Any trouble here, Ma’am?” asked the Trooper as he walked up to her car, hitching his pants up along the way. He was a large middle-aged man with a no-nonsense look about him. He was so clean-shaven that Amy could have bet a week’s wages that he was completely bald beneath his Smokey the Bear hat.

She quickly buzzed down the window. “No sir. Not now. I had a flat tire, but that man who just left fixed it for me. I don’t know why he took off so fast.”

“Yeah, well, we’ve had a few attacks on women along this stretch of road, Ma’am. I’m glad you didn’t get out of your vehicle.”

“Do you mean to say that could have been him?”

“No, I don’t think so. It’s been reported that the suspect is driving a black sporty car. But I suggest if you ever get in this situation again, just wait for a Trooper like myself to help. Or get a cell phone.”

“Oh, don’t think I hadn’t thought about that! I certainly will, Officer. But I thought it was strange that the guy just took right off. I was just about to offer him some money or something.”

“Glad you didn’t do that! Nope, it’s best to sit tight. Help will arrive sooner or later. But do yourself and that little man a favor. Get a cell phone if you travel. It’s just not safe for a woman alone to be helpless.”

“Yessir. I will do that,” Amy agreed, and Joshua nodded his head as well. “We’re on our way home to Charlotte.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll let you get going now. I’ll be following for several miles to make sure you’re okay.”

“That would be great. Thanks again, officer.” Amy waited until he got into his patrol car, then she pulled out onto the interstate.

They finally made it home about 6:00 in the evening. What a wonderful weekend they’d had except for that flat tire! Joshua was so sleepy but still had a smile on his face as she carried him into the house.

Amy hoped he would always remember this trip as grew up.

When Jack made it to his hotel from the airport, the first thing he did was to call Green Gables and ask to speak to Amy.

He told her that he’d made the trip just fine and in essence talked to her as he would have talked to his wife. As they spoke, he rubbed his neck where he’d developed a crick from his unexpected nap on the plane.

He told Amy that Nina was still hospitalized but doing much better. She was under observation due to the suicide attempt. Jack told Amy that nothing would stop this divorce, and he couldn’t wait to get back home to have that promised dinner with her and Josh.

Amy told herself to calm down, not to get excited. That what she thought he was implying was what she’d only been dreaming about. He did care about her! Perhaps he even loved her!

Oh, she dare even think it!!! She didn’t want to jinx herself. Perhaps he was just being kind? No, she knew it was more than that. She’d just have to wait until he returned from his trip.

* * *

The second week Jack was away, Amy was wheeling Mrs. Goldman down to lunch. They were in the rickety elevator going down to the ground floor when all of a sudden, the old woman slumped in her seat as though she’d fallen asleep.

Sensing something amiss, though, Amy spoke to her. “Mrs. Goldman? Um, Mrs. Goldman?” Nothing. Amy pressed her fingertips against the frail neck. Nothing.

“Oh my God!” she whispered. “You’ve passed on to a better place, Mrs. Goldman. I wish you a safe journey and pray you join your sons.”

When Amy slid open the wrought-iron elevator door and called for help, Joseph was mopping a floor and came to her aid. They moved the old woman into the private library; then they called the nearby mortuary.

Amy would miss the old woman terribly. She’d become such a joy to talk to once they’d gotten acquainted. She had filled Amy with wonderful stories from her past, and Amy would never forget them.

They had a small service at the mortuary. Only the Green Gables staff showed up for her final send-off, which was better than nothing. There were no family members at all, even though a few had been notified.

After the simple service and back at work, Amy was saddened and tried hard to get into her work. She thought that would help take her mind off the old woman.

She spent some time with a couple of the other elderly women who’d also loved Mrs. Goldman. As they were reminiscing about old Mrs. Goldman, a sudden loud thump and bang were heard from the second floor.

Everyone jumped in fright and looked up at the ceiling.

“What was that?” asked Tilly Wickersham, an eighty-year-old resident.

Amy replied, “I don’t know, but I’d better call for help in case no one else heard it.” Amy walked over to the bottom of the staircase and looked up.

She didn’t really want to go up there alone because the second floor was reserved for the mental patients. However, she did want to know what was going on. Someone could be hurt.

Just then she noticed Joseph coming her way with Wally, another aide. Wally was a thin, nervous man in his twenties, with a sparse mustache and bulging Adam’s apple who resembled a startled trout. Wally’s eyes were huge as he and Joseph headed for the stairs.

“Excuse us,” Joseph said as they raced past her, taking the wide stairs two at a time. They’d heard the loud clamor from across the foyer.

Amy followed not too far behind in case she was needed to help in any way. It was a rare day when they heard loud noises coming from that floor, but when they did, it was usually trouble.

Joseph and Wally stopped at each locked door, Wally nearly bumping into Joseph’s broad back as they did so. Joseph would slide back the little panel at eye level and peek inside.

They kept going like that down the long dimly lit hall until about in the middle, when Joseph held up a hand. Amy stopped walking a few feet away from them and stood still. She didn’t think Joseph and Wally even knew she was there.

Amy had only been in the first two rooms at the top of the stairs to retrieve the patients for outdoor excursions, and Patty had always been with her. The rest of the rooms were out of bounds.

Joseph grabbed his ring of jangling keys and opened the door. Just as he did so, a small wooden chair came sailing out, catching the door frame, but not before parts of it struck Joseph in the face. He was not hurt, just startled.

“Okay, Bobby, that does it!” Joseph hollered into the room. He and Wally disappeared through the doorway. Amy stood still, not knowing what was going to happen next. It was quiet.

A few seconds later, she heard grunting and scuffling, and a few shrill curses now and then. She brought her hand to her mouth.

Bobby Danko was one of the patients Amy was never allowed to go near because he had a slight tendency to get a little out of control at times. Bobby half-crawled, half-fell out of the doorway. She recognized that he was the one whom she’d catch peering at her from his window now and then as she parked her car.

Joseph’s black hand snaked out and grabbed Bobby’s bare ankle. Bobby screamed bloody murder and tried to kick himself loose but failed. Joseph was a strong man.

Bobby’s eyes darted and landed on Amy. She cringed at the strange light in them. There was a look there that she didn’t care to see again in this lifetime. He grinned at her, revealing his little baked bean teeth.

Wally came stumbling out of the room and landed hard on Bobby’s back, knocking the breath out of him. A scuffle ensued, and in a matter of minutes the two men had Bobby under control. Amy slipped back down the stairs.

* * *

Later that afternoon, Amy had a chance to ask Joseph just what had happened up there. He told her Bobby had hallucinated that aliens had tried to abduct him once again, and he was fighting them off.

He and Wally had thought Bobby was calm after the chair came flying through. They’d entered the room, letting their guard down, since Bobby was standing passively, but then he surprised them by flipping out and trying to bolt.

Bobby kept repeating that Wally was ‘one of them’! Joseph was angry at himself because he should have been more ready for Bobby. He thought maybe they’d been a little off kilter due to Mrs. Goldman’s funeral.

“No excuse though,” Joseph had said. “Excuses get you killed.”

Amy was glad she hadn’t been needed. It was terribly frightening to see a person going so totally out of control, so totally losing touch with realiity, right in front of her eyes. By the time Amy picked up Joshua and returned home that evening, she was wrung out.

She fed Josh and had him take his bath, then put him to bed early. She needed some time alone to relax and think about the day.

Life was so precious. Losing your mind at such a young age like Bobby, who was only in his thirties, was just like dying in a sense. How terrible a fate to be dealt. She shivered and drew the comforter more closely about her slender frame.

She wished like crazy that Jack were back in town. Things would be much more bearable. What an awful day! She couldn’t imagine a worse one, but she was about to have unimagined problems that would make this day seem like a piece of cake!

As Jack got ready for bed that night, he re-lived the pleasant visit with Amy and her son. What an enjoyable time he’d had. He’d wanted to stay longer and get to know Amy a little better, but then Josh had gotten sick.

Oh what a mess! Jack had never experienced anything like that since he had no kids. He’d made his quick excuses and told Amy he’d come back tomorrow ‘to see about that swingset’.

He thought that was a cute excuse she’d made up. What man in his right mind would be setting up a swingset with snow falling all around him?

He smiled at his reflection in the bathroom mirror as he rinsed his toothbrush. A very fit, handsome man clad only in pajama bottoms. I’m in pretty good shape for my age, he thought proudly. And I deserve some happiness.

If only it were a year from now. Things could be so different!

“Jack?” Nina called to him softly from their bed. He wiped his mouth with a hand towel, shot one more glance at himself in the mirror, then flicked off the bathroom light.

Crossing over to the king-size bed, he crawled under the covers. Nina touched his chest with thin, cold fingers. “Jack?” she asked again.

With a heavy sigh, Jack turned his back to her. He’d better start thinking of moving into the guest room.

“Jack!” Nina said with a pout in her voice. “Why are you ignoring me?”

“Ignoring you? What makes you think that?” he answered.

She started trailing her nails gently across his back. “Make love to me…. please?”

“Nina!” he said through gritted teeth. “Knock it off! You know I’ve filed the papers, and you just don’t want to let go of the money. It’s not me you want! Do you think I’m stupid or something?”

Nina didn’t say a word, just closed her eyes and smiled in the dark. She loved it when Jack got upset. He was still in her bed. That could only mean he still wanted her. Why was he playing so hard to get? It wasn’t that she really loved him anymore, but he was held in such high esteem throughout the community.

She loved being Mrs. Jackson Sinclair but actually loathed the man himself. He was weak, held on to old-fashioned morals. That’s why she continually tortured him with her selfishness.

Jack abruptly threw off the covers, bounded out of the bed and stormed down the hall. He’d had enough!

After Nina realized he’d gone to the guest room, she just continued to smile.

* * *

The next day at work, Jack sought out Amy to apologize profusely again about leaving so abruptly. However, he assured her he’d had a wonderful time.

“I don’t blame you for bolting, Jack. Cleaning up a mess like that would scare anyone. Poor Josh. He’s okay today. I dropped him off at Katie’s, and he was feeling fine. He just ate too much of that delicious food!”

“I’ll be over tonight if you like. Bring dinner again?”

“No. I’ll cook up something terrific. A new recipe! 6:00?”

“You got it.” Jack left her to her chores, and he went back into his office, where a message was waiting from Nina. She rarely called.

He hesitated, thinking he might ignore it. Instead, he called.

* * *

5:30 the phone rang. Amy picked it up on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Amy, it’s me, Jack. I’m afraid I can’t make it. Nina’s in the hospital. It appears it was an overdose and it’s serious. The doctor said something about tranquilizers—”

“Oh my God! How is she?”

“I think she’ll be okay. They pumped her stomach. God, I’m sorry this had to happen. I couldn’t find you to give you the news before I left for the hospital. I should just leave her, but I feel like I have to make sure she’s out of the woods.”

“Of course you do! We can do this another night.”

“But I’m leaving day after tomorrow. I really wanted to spend some time with you before I left,” Jack said, gripping the phone tightly.

Flattered, Amy replied, “Don’t worry about it. We’ll have a chance for dinner when you get back.”

But you don’t understand! he wanted to shout. He wanted desperately to see her and to tell her how he felt about her. Three weeks would be like three years apart from her. But he couldn’t say all of that. Not yet.

“Yeah, okay. We’ll get together when I return. I will see you at work tomorrow though. We can talk then.”

“That’s right. I-I do wish Nina well, Jack. I’m sorry she did that.”

“Yeah, me too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He hung up. “Love you,” he whispered softly.

Amy was very disappointed. She’d made a great dinner and now she and Josh would have to eat alone. She could always freeze what was left of the Mexican casserole.

“Mommy?” Josh asked as he sat at the table eating is dinner. “Was Jack coming over tonight?”

“Yeah, he was going to, but something came up, and he had to change his plans. Do you like him honey?”

“Um-hum,” he nodded emphatically. “He’s nice!”

“Yeah… really nice,” Amy replied with a dreamy look in her eye. Mrs. Jack Sinclair. One of these days….

* * *

Jack was flying west to Dallas. He’d said his good-byes to Amy and even boldly gave her a hug right there in the foyer at Green Gables. But until he was divorced, he would not pursue her any further.

Visiting and having dinner was one thing, but to romantically pursue her was against his moral judgment. He had to be free and clear of Nina before he told Amy how he felt about her.

He often wondered why Amy hadn’t remarried. Well, one of these days he’d ask her about her desires and dreams. Maybe he could make them come true, and take that hint of sadness out of her beautiful brown eyes.

He closed his eyes and tried to visualize her at this moment, probably in the midst of taking care of someone. In a few minutes he actually nodded off to sleep with his head tilted at an uncomfortable angle.

* * *

Friday morning, Amy dropped Joshua off at Katie’s and went on to work. Katie had waved happily at the front porch as Joshua ran from the car to join her, her blonde hair catching beams of sunlight. Amy had waved back.

Amy thought Katie looked well lately. She seemed happier these days, even though she still rejected the idea of adoption. Poor Bill.

Bill Dixon was a thin, balding man who wore thick glasses. He worked at the mill in Charlotte, like just about everyone else in their community. He doted on Katie.

Amy and Patricia had been so happy for them when they decided to marry. They seemed a perfect couple.

Bill had spoken to Amy a few weeks ago and thought by now they would have an adopted son. He still held on to that hope. But Katie didn’t want to discuss it, now or ever.

* * *

Amy had a friend in Mrs. Goldman, the old woman who’d predicted her future with Jack and gave her the advice. They couldn’t sit out in the garden due to the winter weather, but they enjoyed sitting by the afternoon fire in the huge game room.

“I love my job,” Amy said wistfully as she stared into the flickering flames. “There are so many nice people here.”

“Oh yes, there are!” Mrs. Goldman declared in her quavering voice. “You don’t meet too many nice people anymore from what I read in the newspapers and see on the news. Sometimes I’m glad I’ve lived most of my life when there wasn’t so much trouble. It frightens me now to even watch those TV shows!” She laughed a little, but Amy could tell she was telling the truth.

“I know what you mean. I wonder what the world will be like when my son is out in it on his own. I will worry about him.”

“Of course you will, dear. I worried about my sons—three of them, you know. But I unfortunately outlived them all! It’s a terrible thing to outlive your children. Makes you wonder if God was paying attention!”

“Oh my gosh! I didn’t know! I’m sorry—” Amy put a hand on the old woman’s thin arm.

“No need to feel sorry. They passed away in their sixties and seventies. I’m pushing ninety-five, don’t forget! They had full lives. We weren’t that close anyway, and they lived across the country from me and my husband, Seymour. We lived in New York!

“Haven’t seen the grandchildren in years! All in California! All too busy with their own lives!” She waved her bird-like hands in the air.

Since Amy had started working here, Mrs. Goldman hadn’t had one visitor. “Yeah, people do tend to live in their own worlds, unfortunately. But still, it would be hard to lose a child.” Amy said wistfully.

Amy couldn’t even imagine being Mrs. Goldman’s age, let alone having a child who was in his sixties! That was truly unimaginable!

Jack was leaving town for his trip by the end of the week, and Amy couldn’t let him go without letting him know how she felt.

She went to his office and rapped lightly on the door.

“Come in,” he said.

Amy walked in and shut the door behind her. “Jack, can I ask a favor of you?”

“Why sure, Amy. What do you need?” It was so hard for him to play the part of the employer. He wanted so badly to take her in his arms and kiss her sweet lips. He cleared his throat and rattled the papers importantly in his hand. “Yes?”

“I was wondering if you’d help me assemble a swingset for Joshua. It’s his early birthday present, and I don’t think I’ll be able to manage on my own.”

“No problem! I’d be happy to help. When do you need me?”

“Well, I guess any time before you leave on your trip would be fine.”

“How old will he be? Four?”

“No, five. Not for a few months yet, though.”

“Hmmm. I’ll be there tomorrow evening. How’s that?”

“That would be great!” She smiled brightly. “I’ll see you then. Would you like dinner? I can whip up something-”

“No, don’t do that. I’ll tell you what, I’ll bring dinner. How’s that sound?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” She turned to open the door, then looked back. “Is around 6:00 okay?”

“I’ll see you then. And Amy….”

She turned back from the door. “Yes?”

“Thanks for asking me to help, and I’ll need your address.” Jack said with a smile.

Amy flew through the rest of the day feeling ten inches off the ground. Patty knew something was happening between her and their employer.

The whole staff knew of Jack’s crazy wife through the usual grapevine gossip. A few went so far as to wish out loud that a divorce was in the making and these two fine people, Jack and Amy, could get together.

* * *

The evening snowfall was just beginning. Light flakes clung to Jack’s hair and mustache as he stood on the porch waiting for someone to answer the bell.

The door opened.

“Hello there,” Jack said bending at the waist a little to get closer to Joshua. “Is this the man of the house?”

“Yes it it,” Joshua solemnly replied. “Are you Jack?”

Pleased he was already a household name, he replied, “In the flesh. I mean, yes that’s me.”

“Oh, hi Jack,” Amy said rushing up, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “I was in the kitchen whipping up—”

“I have dinner, remember?” he held up a large white shopping bag.

“I remembered. I was making a dessert. Stand back, Josh, and let him in.”

“It’s so cold out now, I don’t think we should even attempt to put that thing together.”

“Well, maybe we will, maybe we won’t tonight. Tomorrow’s another day. Hungry Josh? Like Italian?”

“Uh-uh,” Josh shook his head.

“You don’t like spaghetti?”

“Oh, spaghetti! Yea! I love it!” He jumped up and down like he was perched on a pogo stick.

“Okay, okay, settle down, honey.” Amy kissed him and sent him into the living room to watch TV while they prepared the table with dinner.

“I have a bottle of wine,” she offered. “It’s quite old, but—”

“It’ll do just fine unless it’s turned to vinegar. Let’s check it out,” Jack replied as he took the Styrofoam cartons out of the bag.

The wine turned out to be perfect, and so was the dinner. Dessert was a light chocolate soufflé.

As they finished their dessert, they could see from the dining room window that the snow was falling a little heavier. They decided to move into the living room to get more comfortable.

After Josh showed Jack all of his new Christmas presents, he lay down on the floor in front of the TV, and it wasn’t thirty minutes later, he was fast asleep.

After Amy had put him to bed, she returned to the living room and found Jack refilling her wine glass.

“It’s nice here. Cozy and warm. Look, you can see the snow falling in the moonlight. Pretty, huh?” Jack said, looking out of the picture window into the front yard.

“Yes it is. I love winter.”

“You have a nice place here, Amy. I wish my house were as warm.” He looked pensive for a moment. “And I don’t mean the temperature. You know, you’re a great friend to me. Easy to talk to. I see you’re wearing the little pin I gave you.” Jack had given all the women at Green Gables the same little angel pin. He gave warm mufflers to the men.

He didn’t dare give Amy anything special… yet.

Amy touched the silver angel on her sweater. “Yes. It was sweet of you to give us that gift. Now, tell me about your wife,” Amy asked as she took a sip of wine, curled her legs up under her and faced him. Friend? Was that all she was? Oh well, better than nothing. He was a good friend to her also. Yet she had hoped he’d had stronger feelings….

“I wouldn’t know where to begin. Things have been falling apart for a long time. I’m thirty-five years old now. We don’t have kids because Nina never wanted any. She considered herself too frail,” he looked at Amy and shook his head as if regretting the time wasted.

“Why didn’t you try counseling or something…I mean, since that’s your field of expertise.”

“Why don’t people do a lot of things, Amy. Maybe my heart just wasn’t in it. You see, there’s more to it. I found out that Nina has been having affairs. Many of them over the years.”

“Oh no! I’m so sorry!”

“Well, I’m over the worst of it now. It was tough for a while. I don’t condone infidelity. So, of course, I filed for divorce.” It felt good to have someone to talk to about this pain he’d been carrying around for so long.

“I don’t know what to say to you, Jack. But I have to tell you I had other reasons for your coming over here tonight. The swingset story was a ruse. I wanted to tell you that…” she took a deep breath and nearly though better of it. No, she had to go ahead and tell him. “I wanted to tell you how I feel about you.” She felt her cheeks flame up. Now was the time. Go, go, she repeated in her anxious mind. Jack was looking at her expectantly.

“Mommy?” Joshua was standing in the archway leading from the hall.

“What, honey?” She got up from the sofa.

“My tummy hurts. Spaghetti!” And he proceeded to throw up generously on the carpet.

The light gray sky promised snow would be falling before the day was out. How perfect for the day before Christmas Eve. The Green Gables Home was throwing their annual afternoon Christmas party for the staff and patients.

Surprisingly, Amy found herself alone with Jack in the kitchen. He was helping her prepare the cookies and punch. She decided to jump in with both feet. “So, is your wife coming this afternoon?”

Jack, busy with the raspberry punch, replied, “My wife? No. No, Nina won’t be joining us. Nina is not too well, Amy.” Jack ran a hand through his dark hair and turned to look at her.

She turned from the sink and looked back at him. Had she overstepped her bounds? She didn’t say anything else.

“My wife and I haven’t been…well…I guess you could say I’m about ready to file for divorce.”

Amy’s mouth dropped open. Why was he telling her this? Confiding in her. “Um, that’s too bad….”

“No, it’s not too bad, it’s only been too long! I should have divorced her years ago.”

A sudden bustling and the swinging doors flew open. “Come on, you two, let’s bring out the goodies,” Patty said cheerfully. “Everyone’s wondering where the punch is!”

Amy could have throttled her for her perfect timing. But she smiled and nodded in Jack’s direction. “We can talk later.”

The party was in full swing, with the patients and staff laughing and singing Christmas carols, just having a grand old time. Jack had had a fabulous lunch catered in. Money was no object with this facility.

A couple of hours later, Jack caught Amy alone once again in the kitchen. “I didn’t mean to lay my personal life on you earlier,” Jack said apologetically.

“Oh no, that’s okay!”

“I guess it’s just been building up inside of me for so long, and you’re such a warm and caring person, the floodgates just opened.” He shrugged his large shoulders as if to say what could I do?

Flattered, Amy didn’t know what to say. She didn’t think he’d even noticed her! But was her dream about to come true?

“It’s not easy living with a woman who’s a hypochondriac.”

“She is?” Amy replied, quite shocked at his continuing to reveal his life to her.

“Oh yeah… big time! Every other day it’s a new viral disease, or the big “C”… I can’t keep up! She’s healthy except for her mental attitude. Constantly believing you’re sick will certainly affect you physically.”

“Oh, I know that!” Amy agreed stepping closer to Jack. They were now inches apart. “But any time you want to talk, please don’t hesitate. It’s not good to bottle things up. Oh look at me giving advice to you, a psychologist!”

He looked down at her with his deep brown eyes. Amy thought she was going to lose her breath. If she dared to think it, he might be wanting to kiss her!

“Well, you two are in here again!” Patty said bursting through the doors once again with a grim look on her face. “Jack, I hate to tell you this, but Annabell is gone. Passed on. She just slipped away as Mary was in her room singing her a carol. I’m so sorry.”

Jack took off for the third floor. Amy looked at Patty and shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going on, Patty, but I think he likes me! I’d better go see if I can help with Annabell.”

* * *

Late in January, Jack Sinclair needed to leave for Dallas, Texas. He had to meet with lawyers on business, regarding his taking over a couple more nursing facilities in the midwest. Aunt Annabell had left him Green Gables free and clear of any debt, but now he was interested in adding to his holdings. His trip would entail going to Dallas, then visiting the sites. In all, he would be gone for at least three weeks.

He hated to go because that would mean he couldn’t see Amy Tyler every day. The day Jack had first met that young woman, he’d felt drawn to her. Of course, being married, he couldn’t reveal those feelings, but he’d come to know she was the most incredibly warm, beautiful woman he’d ever met.

Not that Nina, his wife, wasn’t beautiful—she most certainly was. Her long blonde hair nearly reached her waist when she didn’t have it pinned in the perpetual twisted chignon. Her blue eyes were enormous and limpid.

But beauty is only skin deep as they say, for Nina was as hateful a woman you would ever have the displeasure to know. Jack actually dreaded going home in the evenings, never knowing what kind of imagined illness Nina was going to spring on him or what kind of mood she would be in.

It wasn’t that Nina was bedridden. No, not at all. In fact, Nina had her share of extra-curricular activities…which Jack had just recently found out about.

He’d already started divorce proceedings, and he hoped this time away would smooth some of the rough edges of his life. His only regret was that he’d miss Amy. Once the divorce was final, he’d be free to do something about this situation.

Nina Baldwin had married Jackson Sinclair for his money. It was a known fact in their social circle. Nina had come from the wrong side of the tracks, but her beauty had given her access to places she otherwise would never have been able to reach. She and a friend had crashed a fraternity party one evening. When Nina laid eyes on the pre-med student, she set her cap for him, pulling out all stops with her womanly wiles.

Eager to get his degree out of the way, Jack had immersed himself thoroughly in his studies and, as a result, hadn’t dated very much. That left him highly vulnerable to Nina’s manipulations. He was quite flattered to find himself the object of this beautiful young woman’s obsession.

Marriage was inevitable. However, once Jack’s career and reputation as a fine psychologist was made, life for him was never blissful again.

Yes, Jack was truly going to miss the cheerful young woman he longed to see every day. Amy was the only bright spot in his otherwise dreary life.

Amy tossed and turned in her bed. Opening her eyes, she saw that the clock read 2:35. She sighed and willed herself back to sleep. She was having the nicest dream…. Jackson Sinclair. His face floated through her mind like a gauzy shadow.

Her heart started to pound, and her breath quickened. He was so flawless! His dark eyes so deep and humorous, his white teeth flashing from underneath that full mustache as he spoke. Everything about him was perfection!

It took another hour of tossing and turning before she finally fell back asleep.

The following Saturday, the three women, Amy, Katie, and Patricia, got together with their kids for lunch. Joshua and Jaime were over in the play area of the Chucky Cheese Pizza Palace.

After Amy told the tale of Joshua’s escape from pre-school, Katie made the offer that she would love to watch him. After all, she was like an aunt to Joshua. Amy thought about that for about a minute. Katie was so good with kids, it was unfortunate that she couldn’t have any of her own. She’d finally found out through extensive tests her inability to conceive was due to extreme endometriosis, which had rendered her sterile.

Her husband, Bill, had suggested adoption, but Katie would not hear of it. She either would have one of her own or none at all.

One afternoon, Katie had invited Amy and Josh over for a BBQ. Bill had caught Amy alone in the kitchen and confided in her that he was certain one of these days Katie would come around to the adoption plan. Katie was too good with children and had so much love to give, it had to happen eventually.

Now Katie was offering some of that love to Josh. “Well, sure!” Amy answered Katie cheerfully. “That would be great! I’d feel better knowing Josh was in your company, and he likes you so much.” The girls all toasted that decision with their Pepsis.

* * *

Amy had told just about everyone at Green Gables that she was going to marry Jackson Sinclair before she turned thirty. She was joking to them, of course. Or was she? Her co-workers all laughed and said, ‘In your dreams.’

But deep down, Amy knew what she was saying was going to come true. She didn’t know when or how, but that feeling was there, even though he was married. Just as strong as when she met Troy.

Nevertheless, each of her co-workers did wish the best for Amy. She was sweet and pretty and still without a man in her life. If she believed she’d marry the handsome Mr. Sinclair, then more power to her. Stranger things had been known to happened.

A month later, Joshua was doing well at Katie’s, and she seemed to enjoy his company very much. Josh didn’t miss his little friends from pre-school at all. Katie still hadn’t sought out adoption, but Bill was confident she would…eventually. So for now, she gave a lot of her love to now-four-year-old Joshua. He’d be starting kindergarten next year.

Amy could now notice traces of Troy in Josh’s little face. He had her blond hair, but those dark eyes and that little tilt to his smile…Troy all over again. That made her love him all the more. The ache in her heart for Troy was beginning to dim.

* * *

It was a bright mid-morning. Amy was wheeling a patient down the walkway for a chat in the garden. Jack Sinclair was coming quickly around the corner. He smiled and stopped when he saw her. “Amy! How is it going?”

“Fine. Just fine. Isn’t it a lovely day? My father and his new wife just got back from Las Vegas, where they got married! I’m so happy for them. They’re such a cute couple.” She batted her long lashes at him, trying to appear coy.

“Well, congratulate them for me. I’m on my way to see Aunt Annabell. Not doing too well as of last night.”

“Oh I’m sorry to hear that. I should get up there to see her.” Amy hated to think of the frail woman upstairs who barely resembled the robust Annabell who’d hired her. Life could be so cruel.

“That might not be a bad idea. She may be nearing the end. I’ll talk to you later. Bye Mrs. Goldman,” Jack said to the tiny, passive patient enveloped by the roomy wheelchair. He flashed a special smile to Amy and went on his way.

“Darn! Mrs. Goldman, I must be doing something wrong. I never have been able to flirt. There must an art to it,” she sighed as she shoved the wheelchair into motion and they continued down to the garden. “And I’m definitely out of practice.”

Old Mrs. Goldman surprised her by turning in her chair and saying in her shaky, aged voice, “Little lady, you just be your sweet self, and that man will come around. Trust me. You don’t need any fancy-dancy stuff to get a man’s attention. If that man doesn’t recognize that you’re a prize, then he’s not the one for you.” Her red-lipsticked grin wrinkled her face up even more.

“Well, thank you Mrs. Goldman.” Amy laughed. “I’m sorry for laughing, but that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak! But I’ll certainly hold you to your word!”