Read Online Untangle My Heart (Tangled Hearts) by Maria K. Alexander - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Maria K. Alexander
Ads: Link
of orphans? That sounds a bit daunting to me, like something out of a Dickens novel.”
“Oh, come on. They’re just kids. You can’t tell me you’re afraid of kids.”
“Not afraid as much as uncomfortable. I’ve never been around kids much. I’m not sure I’d know what to say or do.”
“Just be yourself.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
****
Kate passed around more green and red construction paper so the kids at St. Vincent’s could continue to make a huge paper chain. While some were doing this, others were making snowflakes and bells and covering them with glitter.
The day flew by and Kate was surprised at how much they’d accomplished. After Edward had dropped her off at her parents’ house that morning, she helped her mom and sister pack up Vicky’s car with craft supplies and headed over to the church to meet up with Father Dave. With his help they’d set up the collection boxes for toys and food. Flyers were hung and would be distributed after all the masses over the weekend. Her mother had also arranged for volunteers to stand outside after mass on Sunday and take up a collection they would donate to the orphanage.
Kate smiled as she watched the kids hard at work on the crafts. They were so excited to help out. Lucas’s tongue slipped out of his mouth in concentration while he cut pieces of paper that would be used for the garland chain. He’d been shy when he first saw her again but now seemed more relaxed and playful.
Earlier in the day, she’d made arrangements with Father Dominic to have pizza delivered for dinner. Afterwards, they were all going to watch How to Train Your Dragon in the common room.
“Come on, Kate, let’s get a good seat,” Lucas said, pulling on her hand. “You’ll sit next to me, right?”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth at the look of excitement on his face. “Just as long as you don’t hog all the popcorn.”
“I won’t. I like mine with extra butter. How ’bout you?”
“Absolutely. Plenty of salt, too.”
They settled onto one of the couches while the other kids assembled and sat on mats and blankets that magically appeared. Father Dominic lit a fire in the massive stone fireplace and the glow of the fire cast warm shadows over the room.
Kate couldn’t help but study Lucas. He enjoyed the movie and laughed at all the silly parts. Kate loved the feel of his small and warm body cuddled up next to hers. It reminded her of evenings she had looked forward to having with Tony. Evenings she would never have. The longing for family, her family, overwhelmed her so much that she felt tears well in her eyes. She tilted her head toward Lucas’s and breathed in his sweet little boy scent. He glanced up at her and gave her the sweetest smile. And in that heartbeat, she fell gob-smacked in love with a six-year-old.
****
Edward stood at the back of the room and watched Kate with the little boy. It seemed right, them sitting close together, almost like mother and son. He frowned, not sure why he thought that or why it bothered him. But a small pang of what he could only describe as jealousy passed through him. He shook it away. Certainly he couldn’t be jealous of a child.
Although there was room on the couch next to Kate, he didn’t make his presence known and leaned against the wall until the movie ended. The room must have held close to thirty kids in addition to the adult staff. They all sat close to the television, which he figured was no larger than twenty-six inches and not even a flat screen.
The room was pleasant enough with an old stone fireplace that added to its character. Mismatched couches and chairs were pulled close to the TV along with several tables and colorful lamps.
When the movie ended, kids scattered everywhere, as though they couldn’t stand to be cooped up any longer. As he strode across the room, Edward watched Kate whisper into the boy’s ear right before he climbed onto her back.
She glanced up as he
“Oh, come on. They’re just kids. You can’t tell me you’re afraid of kids.”
“Not afraid as much as uncomfortable. I’ve never been around kids much. I’m not sure I’d know what to say or do.”
“Just be yourself.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
****
Kate passed around more green and red construction paper so the kids at St. Vincent’s could continue to make a huge paper chain. While some were doing this, others were making snowflakes and bells and covering them with glitter.
The day flew by and Kate was surprised at how much they’d accomplished. After Edward had dropped her off at her parents’ house that morning, she helped her mom and sister pack up Vicky’s car with craft supplies and headed over to the church to meet up with Father Dave. With his help they’d set up the collection boxes for toys and food. Flyers were hung and would be distributed after all the masses over the weekend. Her mother had also arranged for volunteers to stand outside after mass on Sunday and take up a collection they would donate to the orphanage.
Kate smiled as she watched the kids hard at work on the crafts. They were so excited to help out. Lucas’s tongue slipped out of his mouth in concentration while he cut pieces of paper that would be used for the garland chain. He’d been shy when he first saw her again but now seemed more relaxed and playful.
Earlier in the day, she’d made arrangements with Father Dominic to have pizza delivered for dinner. Afterwards, they were all going to watch How to Train Your Dragon in the common room.
“Come on, Kate, let’s get a good seat,” Lucas said, pulling on her hand. “You’ll sit next to me, right?”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth at the look of excitement on his face. “Just as long as you don’t hog all the popcorn.”
“I won’t. I like mine with extra butter. How ’bout you?”
“Absolutely. Plenty of salt, too.”
They settled onto one of the couches while the other kids assembled and sat on mats and blankets that magically appeared. Father Dominic lit a fire in the massive stone fireplace and the glow of the fire cast warm shadows over the room.
Kate couldn’t help but study Lucas. He enjoyed the movie and laughed at all the silly parts. Kate loved the feel of his small and warm body cuddled up next to hers. It reminded her of evenings she had looked forward to having with Tony. Evenings she would never have. The longing for family, her family, overwhelmed her so much that she felt tears well in her eyes. She tilted her head toward Lucas’s and breathed in his sweet little boy scent. He glanced up at her and gave her the sweetest smile. And in that heartbeat, she fell gob-smacked in love with a six-year-old.
****
Edward stood at the back of the room and watched Kate with the little boy. It seemed right, them sitting close together, almost like mother and son. He frowned, not sure why he thought that or why it bothered him. But a small pang of what he could only describe as jealousy passed through him. He shook it away. Certainly he couldn’t be jealous of a child.
Although there was room on the couch next to Kate, he didn’t make his presence known and leaned against the wall until the movie ended. The room must have held close to thirty kids in addition to the adult staff. They all sat close to the television, which he figured was no larger than twenty-six inches and not even a flat screen.
The room was pleasant enough with an old stone fireplace that added to its character. Mismatched couches and chairs were pulled close to the TV along with several tables and colorful lamps.
When the movie ended, kids scattered everywhere, as though they couldn’t stand to be cooped up any longer. As he strode across the room, Edward watched Kate whisper into the boy’s ear right before he climbed onto her back.
She glanced up as he