Page 14 of A Forever Home
“Yes, you are making it to your sons’ recital,” Roman finally said. “I’ll just call an Uber to come get you and take you there.”
She shook her head. “There aren’t Ubers in Somerset Lake. The recital starts in half an hour. What am I going to do?”
Roman pulled out his phone, tapped into the browser, and connected with the number of the first tow truck listed in the area. “Hello, I’m looking for a tow on the edge of town…Yes, I realize it’s after hours, but I’ll make it worth your while. But first I need you to drive my friend to the church in town. After that, I’ll need help getting my car out of this ditch.”
The man on the other line objected until Roman doubled the normal fee. It was Christmas, after all—who couldn’t use a little extra cash during the holidays? He gave the man the location and disconnected the call before looking at Della. “Your ride will be here in ten minutes or less.”
Her lips were parted. “Thank you for arranging the tow truck. I’ll pay, of course.”
“No, you won’t. This is my Christmas gift to you. Just enjoy your family tonight.”
Her eyes were still shiny, but she was smiling. Then, surprising him, she crossed the center console and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Roman. Thank you so much.”
His arms closed in around her, and he breathed in her sweet scent. “I should be thanking you.” How was it possible that they were only strangers? He felt like he knew this woman.
She pulled back and looked at him, her face only inches from his. “Why would you thank me? You’ve gone out of your way for me. Twice now.”
“You made me realize that I want a change in my life. A new job for starters. Maybe I want a closer relationship with my family too.” And maybe he wanted more than a pretend girlfriend. He didn’t tell Della that, though. She wasn’t an option, because they lived too far apart. It would never work. Some changes would be good, but he didn’t plan on changing his zip code for someone he’d known less than a day.
The tow truck’s headlights flashed as it approached.
“There’s your ride,” Roman said quietly.
Della suddenly looked sad. “Come with me.”
“I need to stay with the car. Besides, it’s your family. Your kids might not understand why their mom is attending their recital with a strange man.”
Della offered a faint smile. “True. It’s much more complicated when kids are involved.”
As opposed to when he’d introduced Della to his family.
“Will we ever see each other again?” she asked.
Roman shrugged, his shoulders feeling like lead. “I hope so.”
The tow truck flashed its lights again.
“You better go. After all this, it would be a shame if you were late to the church.”
She nodded. Then she leaned forward, gave him one more quick hug, and pulled away. She opened the back passenger-side door, retrieved her things from the back, along with the dog, and looked at Roman. “Goodbye, Roman. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Della Rose.” He lowered his gaze to the scrawny dog who’d managed to find herself a home tonight. “Merry Christmas, Jingle Bell.”
***
Della felt awkward walking into a church with an overnight bag and a dog. Even though she’d promised Jett she would be sitting front and center, she took the back pew to go unnoticed with Jingle Bell at her side.
Jingle was a good dog so far. She kept still and quiet and continually looked over at Della with soulful, sad eyes. Was she sad to see Roman go as well? Probably not, but that’s why Della’s mood felt deflated.
She and Roman had made a connection of some sort. They’d only known each other a day, but it felt like they had unfinished business. Della was tempted to pull out her cell phone and text him to make sure the tow truck had come back to get him, but the lights in the church dimmed and the first child for tonight’s performance walked out. Della absently petted Jingle’s head and watched, her thoughts on Roman until her own boys came out to perform a duet. She saw Jett search the audience for her. Della raised her arm to show him she was there. She would always be there no matter what happened, including divorce and delayed flight plans, a minor road accident, or a handsome stranger who might have become more.
Jett smiled and returned his focus to his acoustic guitar.
Della beamed with pride as she watched their festive song. Then the boys bowed and walked off stage with their instruments. She’d traveled all day to make sure she was here for those two very important minutes, and she would do it all over again if she had to.
When the recital was over, Della hurried out of the church with Jingle Bell and her overnight bag to avoid making a scene. She waited for her ex and his new wife to walk out with the kids. When Jett and Justin saw her, they came running.
“Mom!” Jett said.
