Page 33 of Sean
She squeezed her eyes shut.Who was she trying to kid?She wanted all of those things, but she also wanted to be the one to show Sean that his life hadn’t ended.That he could find love again.That the last year didn’t have to define his future.
That was the thing about lying to yourself—the truth always stood right there beside the lie.And the truth was that she’d have none of those things with Sean and Jace if she followed her dreams to Arizona.
But also, she might not have those things if she stayed here.
Monica leaned her head against the steering wheel, her prayer a whisper.“Jesus, You know my heart.I want a husband and a family and all the things that come with them.But I don’t want to get ahead of You.I really felt like You were opening this door to Arizona, now I’m not sure.I know You have a plan for my life.Could You please let me in on some of the details?”
A tap on the window had Monica’s eyes popping wide.Her hand flew over her heart as she whipped her face toward the window.
Sean stood on the other side of the glass, Jace already strapped into the stroller.
How long had he been there?She was grateful for the glass that separated them.If he’d heard her prayer...
He didn’t...he couldn’t have...just breathe.
Monica took the advice and filled her lungs with cool air.She exhaled all the uncertainty, focused on the moment, and opened her door.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.”Sean took a step back.“Were you asleep?”
She climbed out of the car.“No...just daydreaming.Have you been here long?”
“Nope.Just got here.”
Monica stooped down beside the stroller.“Hello, handsome.You ready to run?”
Jace clapped his hands and answered her with a long string of indecipherable gibberish.
“Really?”She looked up at Sean.“Wow.I’ll take it to my grave.Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“You’re gonna tell me that you understood that?”
Monica stood.“Of course.Didn’t you?”
Sean’s raised brows invited her to continue.
“Sorry, I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
“You’re both goofy.Are you ready?”
Monica looked back down at Jace.“Will he be warm enough?”
Sean pulled a windscreen into place over the baby.“Absolutely.”
“Then catch me if you can.”Monica sprinted across the grass and onto the track.
“Cheater!”Sean called behind her.
She was several yards away before she slowed her pace and allowed Sean to catch up.
“I wasn’t aware we were racing.”
“Just having some fun with you.”She nudged him out of the way and took over the stroller.“I’ll push while you catch your breath.”
Sean surrendered control.“I like you, Monica Jenson.You’re full of surprises.”
Monica kept her eyes straight ahead as every nerve ending in her body sprang to life.Oh, she could give him a surprise, all right.
The next hour was a combination of running and jogging, which left little breath for conversation.They took turns pushing Jace, and when Monica took a look through the windscreen after the first two-mile lap, she saw that he was sound asleep.
