Page 10 of Sean
She laughed and bid her friend goodbye.Once Randy left for service, Monica sat with the baby.“Who’s this little guy?”
“Jace Conklin, Alex and Hunter’s grandson.Their son Sean just got back into town last night.”
Monica snuggled the boy closer.“He’s a cutie.I can’t wait to meet Sean and his wife.”
“Just Sean,” Mac said.“His wife died the night Jace was born.Such a sad story, but it looks like Sean is doing a great job with the baby.”
“Oh, how horrible.”The baby squirmed, and Monica realized that she’d tightened her arms around him in a reflexive action.She forced them to loosen.“It’s OK, baby, it’s OK.”
“Yeah.”Mac crossed the room and plucked Jace out of Monica’s arms.“Some things don’t make any sense.”
The rest of the morning was a steady round of diaper changes, toy arguments, spilled juice, and cookie crumbs.Monica’d had her fix of babies for the day and wasn’t at all sad when parents began to trickle in after service.
She had Jace on her lap again when a handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard and solemn brown eyes stopped in the doorway.He nodded to the little boy.“Was he good?”
“A perfect angel.”Monica met him at the door and held out a hand.“You must be Sean.I’m Monica Jenson.I’m in charge of our little operation.You’ll see me in here a lot.”
Sean took her hand in his.“Good to meet you.”He let go and turned his attention to his son.“Let’s go, buddy.”
The baby lunged for his father, and Monica stepped back, watching while Sean gathered Jace’s belongings.Her hand tingled where he’d held it, and her heart was lodged in her throat.The reaction was so abrupt and unexpected that she could only nod when Sean lifted a hand in a parting gesture and walked out the door.
Monica’s gaze followed the duo until they turned the corner while she shook the hand that still tingled from the contact.
Girl, get a hold of yourself.He just lost his wife.Arizona’s on the horizon.You need to keep your eye on the prize.
But despite her internal scolding, her heart continued to pound.
Chapter 3
Sean spooned a healthyportion of mashed potatoes onto his plate and ladled gravy over the top.His mom had gone above and beyond with Sunday dinner to celebrate his first day home.In addition to the potatoes and gravy, there were golden chicken fried steaks, his favorite pea salad, and caramelized carrots.“This all looks great, Mom.I appreciate the trouble you went to.”
Mom looked up from fixing a small plate for Jace, who was seated next to her in a highchair, banging his sippy cup on the tray and babbling in anticipation.She sent a quick smile across the table.“Thank you, sweetheart, but it’s never trouble to cook for my men.I enjoy it.”
“Yeah, so she says,” Benjamin said from his place next to Sean.“But it’s been a long time since she loaded the table with allmyfavorites.”
“Oh, don’t be such a baby.”Kinsley, Benjamin’s very pregnant wife, leaned forward to look past her husband and catch Sean’s eye.“He never met a chicken fried steak he didn’t like.”
