The Deputy's New Family by Jenna Mindel Page B

and Corey come over for dinner?”
    Beth felt the smile on her face freeze. Her mother hadn’t said a thing about inviting the Greys for Sunday dinner. She’d been looking forward to an afternoon nap.
    Nick glanced at her. “Thank you, but I don’t think so....”
    Corey turned toward his dad. “Can we, please?”
    “I have more than enough, and homemade cookies are on tap for dessert. I made the dough this morning.” Her mom knew how to twist the knife.
    Nick hesitated.
    Because of her. And that would never do, not when Corey wanted to come over. She faced Nick. “You can’t turn down homemade cookies.”
    He gave her that crooked half smile. “What kind?”
    “Peanut butter.”
    “My favorite.”
    Hers, too. Beth smiled.
    He smiled back.
    Were they kidding themselves to think they could maintain mere friendship? Nick needed to make summer arrangements for Corey soon. Then they’d hardly see each other. Save for maybe Sunday mornings.
    Nick leaned forward. “I guess that settles it. We’ll be there.”
    Beth ignored the flutter of excitement that zipped through her. This was going to be a long six weeks until summer break.
    Throughout the worship service, Beth heard Nick’s deep voice singing the songs as if he knew them. Proof that he’d been a churchgoer, as he’d said. Not that she had any reason to doubt him, but hearing him sing reassured her all the same.
    When the kids were dismissed for children’s church, Corey hesitated.
    Beth leaned toward the boy. “You don’t have to go, but you’ll have more fun there than here. Do you want me to walk you down and then you can decide?”
    The boy nodded and took her hand.
    Beth glanced at Nick. “I’m going to go with him to check it out.”
    He gave his boy a reassuring nod. “It’s okay, bud. See what you think.” And then he looked at her and mouthed the words thank you.
    Maybe she’d overstepped her place, but Beth got the feeling that Nick didn’t expect Corey to go. And then Corey would miss out. She knew the children’s program director and her aides. They’d take good care of the boy and maybe he’d make more friends.
    As they descended the steps, Beth asked, “Did you go to church with your grandparents?”
    “Sometimes.”
    “Did they have stuff for kids to do during service?”
    Corey shook his head. This was clearly all new to him.
    They entered the noisy lower level and Beth introduced Corey to the teenage co-teacher. “He’s new to the area.”
    “Great.” The girl gave Corey a wink. “We’re going to have a snack first before we get started. Do you like animal cookies and juice?”
    Corey nodded.
    The girl offered her hand. “Follow me and I’ll find a place for you.”
    Corey looked at Beth.
    “I’ll hang out for a little bit if you’d like to stay.”
    That satisfied. Corey went with the teenager and squished in between a couple other kids at the table.
    After snack time and cleanup, it didn’t take long for Corey to join in their form of singing. Beth watched for a few moments while the kids moved and wiggled to match the words of the song amid giggles and laughter.
    Corey wiggled, too, and when he glanced her way, Beth gave him a wave and left for upstairs.
    The minister was already into his message when she slipped in next to Nick.
    He leaned close, sending a shiver through her. “He’s okay?”
    “Yeah, he’s doing great.”
    Beth tried to focus on the sermon. Pretty hard to do with Nick next to her. Everything about him seemed magnified in the space of the pew. Her gaze strayed to his strong hands resting on long jean-clad thighs.
    “God answers prayer,” she heard the minister say. “He doesn’t always give us what we want, but He’ll give us exactly what we need.”
    Beth closed her eyes as those words hit her hard and took root. God knew what she wanted—a safe man to love and make a family with. But what if she needed something else?
    * * *
    “Try this one again.” Nick had the sports page of