The ringing of the bell signaled the end of story time. “OK, boys and girls, gather up your things and wait for your bus to be called.”
Becca turned to put the book back on the shelf when a skinny pair of arms circled her waist. She looked down into Noah’s enormous brown eyes.
“Miss Kelly, I love you. I wish you were my mommy.”
Becca’s eyes filled as Noah scampered out of the classroom to catch his bus. What a sweet boy. She’d read the registration papers on each of the kindergarteners two weeks ago, just before school began, so she knew Noah’s mother had passed. Poor little guy. All kids should have a mother. She’d have to be careful not to play favorites, but he was such an easy child to love.
On the walk home, she drew near to the bookstore. It called to her, and not only because of the delicious aromas wafting out of the store. The new owner was far too tempting. He’d taken over a few months back, and Becca had discovered the newly-done store on her way home the first day of school. It was the most inviting place she’d ever been. She’d stopped in several times in the last two weeks and perused the shelves, watching the owner interact with the customers, building up the courage each time to talk to him when she ordered her coffee. Today would be different. Today, she’d find out his name.
Taking a deep breath, Becca strode into the store and inhaled deeply. Coffee and blueberry scones, mixed with the scent of books. Smelled like heaven. Becca glanced at the café counter. He stood there, laughing with a customer, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. Tall, with curly dark hair, he nearly took her breath away. She blinked hard and ducked behind a row of books. This was not like her. She wasn’t one to have crushes like this, but his laugh melted her insides.
When the customer walked away, Becca moved over to greet him. His eyes lit as she approached.
“You’re back,” he said, a smile spreading across his face.
“You remember me?” Becca said.
“I’ve noticed you every time you’ve come in this shop for the past two weeks,” he said, then grimaced. “Sorry if that sounds creepy.” He scrubbed a palm down his face. “It’s just that I’ve hoped to talk to you on more than one occasion, but either I had other customers, or…”
“I’ve wanted to talk to you, too,” Becca said.
“Well, there’s no one else here now,” he said. “I’m Josh, by the way.”
“Becca.”
“Would you like a scone?” Josh asked. “Don’t tell anyone, but for you, it’s on the house.”
Becca nodded, and for the next several minutes, she and Josh sat at a table drinking coffee and sharing a melt-in-your-mouth scone until a customer came to the counter.
“I should go,” Becca said. “Thank you for the scone.”
“Will you come back?” Josh asked.
“I will.”
****
“What’s on your mind, Becca?” Rachel asked. “You look deep in thought.”
Becca turned toward her best friend as they walked through the park. “I think I’m falling in love with two different guys.”
“What? How is that possible?” Rachel asked. “I know you’ve been crushing on the bookstore guy, but two guys?”
Becca laughed. “The other one is five years old. Little Noah, in my class. I love all my students, but there’s something so special about Noah. His mom died when he was two, which is probably why I have a tender spot in my heart for him. I think about him almost as much as Josh.”
“Is Josh the bookstore guy?”
“Yes. We finally started talking. Rachel, I think he’s interested in me, too.”
“That’s so exciting,” As they approached a bench, Rachel gestured toward it. “Here. Let’s sit for a minute. I want to pray with you.”
The two women sat and Rachel put a hand on Becca’s shoulder. “God, You put a calling into Becca’s heart to be a wife and a mother. We know these are good gifts You desire for your children. Please guide Becca toward the man you have for her, and if it is Your will, please grant her desire for children. Help her find a godly man who will love her, cherish her, and lead her closer to You. Thank You for our friendship, and please help us both become the women You want us to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Becca echoed Rachel’s “Amen” and leaned back and sighed. “You’re such a dear friend. Thank you. I’ll keep you posted. But for now, we better finish our walk, because I have back-to-school night tonight.”
“Are you nervous?”
“It’s always scarier talking to a room full of adults than a room full of 5-and 6-year olds,” Becca said. “It is nice to meet the parents of the kids I spend all day with, though.”
Later that evening, Becca stood at the front of her classroom, smoothing the front of her dress as the parents came filing in in groups of twos. Just before the principal’s voice came on over the loudspeaker, Josh sauntered in. His eyes widened, but then he threw her a disarming grin. Becca’s heart dropped. Had she misread everything? If he was here, he was a parent of one of her students, which meant he was married. She turned away for a moment, squeezed her eyes shut, and mumbled a hasty prayer for strength to get through this talk. By the time the principal had finished her welcome, Becca was ready to go.
After finishing her speech and showing the group of parents around the classroom, the bell rang to signal their time was finished. The parents would now tour the school and talk to the gym teacher, the art teacher, and the other specialty teachers. One by one, the parents filed out of the room, introducing themselves. Finally, only Josh was left. He lingered in the back of the room.
“You’re Miss Kelly.” Josh’s deep voice was warm and kind.
Becca’s voice, on the other hand, trembled. “Yes…”
Josh moved closer. “I can’t believe it. For the last two weeks, I’ve heard about you every day. My son loves you so much. I can see why.”
Becca stepped back. This was no way for a married man to speak to her. “Thank you, Mr…..”
Josh’s forehead wrinkled, then understanding passed across his features. “Davis. I’m Josh Davis. Noah is my son.”
Becca stared at him in disbelief. “Then you’re not married,” she said, then clapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean…”
Josh took another step forward. “No offense taken. We lost Jen to cancer three years ago. It was a terrible time, but God got us through it. Jen made me promise that I would find someone else. She insisted Noah needed a mother. She was right, of course, but I haven’t dated since she passed. I hadn’t really thought it. Then Noah started telling me about Miss Kelly, and how he wanted her to be his mother, right around the same time I noticed this beautiful women stopping in my bookshop, apparently on her way home from spending the day with Noah.”
The heat rose in Becca’s cheeks. He thought she was beautiful? “I admit, I’m quite taken with Noah as well.”
“What about his dad?” Josh asked, only about a pace away from her now.
“Maybe I’ve been stopping by the bookshop for reasons other than the books,” Becca said.
“Miss Kelly, would you do me the honor of joining us for dinner tomorrow night?” Josh asked. “I can cook more than scones.” His grin lit up his face, and Becca couldn’t resist.
“I’d love to.”
Matthew 7: 7-10
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
God, You created marriage and families. It is a good gift to be in a marriage and to raise children in a godly home. Thank you for the blessings of love, both as a spouse and as a parent. Help us to treat our families with love, compassion, and understanding, and to spend time together in Your Word. So often families are busy running to and fro. I pray that those reading these words will take the time to reflect on the amazing blessings their families are, no matter what stage of life they find themselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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