Read Online Tuesday's Child by Clare Revell - Free Book Online

Monroe, a plump deaf person, who loves ice skating even if I do fall over more than stay upright. And a lot of people think I’m fine the way I am. And Rachel is fine the way she is, too. Different doesn’t mean wrong. She’s one of God’s children, just like me.”
    Ben licked her hand, and she buried her face in his fur. “Yes, and you think I’m fine as well, you big softy,” she told him. He nudged her. Raising her head, she realized that Nate stood beside her. “How much did you hear?”
    “I heard enough to know why he’s giving you a hug.” Nate perched on the wall next to her and handed her a tissue.
    “Thanks.” Adeline wiped her face and blew her nose.
    “This world is far from perfect, you know that. If it was perfect, then Jesus wouldn’t have needed to have been born and died for us.”
    “I know, but maybe this creep has a point. Rachel’s whole life has been a struggle to be accepted, just like mine. And now, when she and I have made it and most people do accept us for what we are, this happens and everything gets turned on its head.”
    Nate touched her hand. “You are a beautiful woman with a lot to give. Don’t ever let anyone tell you any different. And Rachel is, too.”
    “But our hearing loss…”
    “It makes no difference to me or Dane or Jasmine or anyone who really cares about you or Rachel.”
    “Cares about me?” Did he just include himself in that sentence or am I reading too much into this?
    “Yes, cares. You have friends and family who do care, a lot. Don’t ever believe that you don’t. More importantly God cares about you. Remember first Peter chapter five verse seven. Cast all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you .”
    “That’s one of my favorite verses.”
    “Mine, too.” He held her gaze. “Right. Dane’s going to finish up here. He and a composite artist are going to get a computer generated description from Rachel and then go home. He’s using a text document to talk to her. How about you and I go back to my place and make those messy worms for Vianne?”
    A reluctant smile covered her lips. He was still prepared to cook for her, after everything that had happened. “You invite me to dinner and then expect me to help cook it?”
    His shoulders shook, and his face lit as he laughed. “Yes, because I’m mean like that and have no idea how to charm and date women properly.”
    Adeline laughed. Tension left her shoulders. It was nice to know there was still humor in the world, especially at a time like this. “Then it’s a good job this isn’t a date.”
    “It certainly is. And yes, I meant what I said about being friends. Come on. I even have something Ben can eat.”
    Ben’s ears pricked up and Adeline smiled. “Thank you. But don’t you and Dane want to discuss the case, follow leads and so on?”
    “There’s nothing more I can do tonight, but it will be full on in the morning. Maybe we could talk after dinner, once Vianne is in bed. I’d like to know a little more about you. But if you’d rather help me figure things out, then that would be good, as well.”
    “Sure, we can do both.”
    Nate stood and offered a hand.
    Burning heat shot through her hand as he hauled her upright.
    “Then let’s go. Messy worms await.”
     
    ****
     
    Adeline sat on the bar stool in the kitchen.
    Nate sure knew his way around the stove, and the meat sauce smelled heavenly.
    Thank you for bringing him into my life the way You did. Even if all we ever are is friends, then my life is blessed for that.
    Nate glanced at her. “What are you thinking? You have this enigmatic smile on your face.”
    “Just thinking how domesticated you look in your apron. The human side of the police force.”
    Nate smiled. “I try. Honestly, I never cooked much before Vianne. But you can only give a child so much junk food and frozen TV dinners. She bought me the apron a couple of Christmas’s ago when I managed to spill tomato puree down a white shirt and couldn’t get