Page 35 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
I smile as the little girl hugs him excitedly then comes to stand beside me. She takes my hand right away, clearly not having the same trust issues as her brother does. “Otay, I’m weady.”
I feel my own smile spread. “Perfect. There are just two important things I need to know before we go.” She looks at me inquisitively and waits for me to ask. “Are you allergic to anything?” She glances at her brother who shakes his head. “Good. And the next one… what is your name?”
She giggles and before she can respond Christopher answers for her. “It’s Ruth Jean.” She frowns at me then shrugs. It’s obvious she doesn’t like the name, and I have to admit, it’s… unique.
“Well hello, Ruth Jean, my name is Faith and I am so very happy you are going to keep me company over some pie.”
She beams up at me excitedly, and I look over at Christopher who watches us with concern. I touch his shoulder as I walk by, “I promise I will take good care of her and we won’t stay too long.”
He nods before addressing his sister: “Be good for Faith.”
She rolls her eyes at him. “I always am.”
He smiles then ruffles her hair. “I know. I’ll see you later.”
After one last wave goodbye, we head outside into the bright warm sunshine and start walking toward Grace’s bakery, that’s only a block away. Ruth Jean keeps hold of my hand and I glance down at her with a smile.
“Tell me a little about yourself, Ruth Jean.”
“Otay. I’m six yeas owd and in gwade one. I have the wost name in the wold betause my mama named me after my gwandma. I tan’t say wots of wods wight, as you tan pwobably tell. I don’t have many fwiends, but dat’s otay betause dey’re mean anyways and I have Twistiphwor. He is my best fwiend and I wuv him a whole wot.” She looks up at me happily; as if she didn’t just list all the things she sees wrong about herself, except for her brother.
“Well, I can understand you just fine and I think there is nothing wrong with your name. It’s refreshing and unique.” She looks at me doubtfully, not believing me, but I ignore it and continue. “I also think it’s pretty special that you love your brother, he seems like a great big brother.”
She nods, “He’s de best. Otay, now yowr tourn.”
I smile and start the same as she did. “Well, I am twenty-four years old, almost twenty-five, my birthday is in a few weeks. I love music, singing and dancing. I am an only child. I always wanted a brother or a sister but my mom couldn’t have any more children after me. And…”
“Why not?”
I shrug. “I’m not really sure. I guess God intended it to be just me for my parents.”
She gives me a soft smile. “It’s pwobably betause yow’re special.”
Warmth explodes through my body at how beautiful this young girl’s heart is. “Has anyone ever told you how incredibly sweet you are, Ruth Jean?”
She thinks about it for a moment before answering. “Nope! Well, maybe Twistiphwor. When odder tids tease me he tells me I’m pwetty, and says not to wisten to dem.”
Hearing that no one, besides Christopher, has told her that has me curious about her parents. “I bet your mom and dad think you’re real special too.”
Her shoulders slump and she shakes her head sadly. “No. Mama weft Twistiphwor and me when I was just a baby betause she didn’t want us no more. And my dad… he’s not vewy nice wots of de time. Espesially to Twistiphwor.”
My heart swells with guilt and I feel terrible for bringing it up. Thankfully, she forgets about it quickly and her face lights back up as she spots the bakery.
“Is dat it?” She points excitedly to the pink and white, Victorian, gingerbread-styled bakery: ‘A Slice Of Hope With A Sprinkle Of Grace.’
“It is,” I reply just as excitedly.
Walking through the doors, I see only a few patrons sitting around having coffee and pie. Grace is clearing tables when she spots me. She rushes over with a friendly smile. “Faith, hi,” she greets kindly and embraces me with a warm hug, “I am so happy you finally came.”
“Thank you, so am I.” After she steps back I point down to Ruth Jean. “This here is my friend, Ruth Jean. Ruth Jean meet my new friend, Grace.”
Grace kneels down and shakes the little girl’s hand. “Well, hi, Ruth Jean. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Ruth Jean gives her a brilliant smile and shakes her hand politely. “You too, Gwace. I wike your name, and I weally wike your dwess.”
I watch Grace’s heart melt before she looks up at me. “Why thank ya, I like your name too.”
Ruth Jean doesn’t believe her, but before she can rush into a big explanation on how much she doesn’t like her name, I speak up: “We thought we would come and try some of the world’s best pie.”
Grace blushes at the compliment. “I don’t know about the world’s best, but my Mama sure had some amazin’ recipes. Come in and have a seat. Your timing is perfect, the lunch rush just left. I will bring y’all the special of the day. Do ya ladies like chocolate and raspberries?” Both Ruth Jean and I nod enthusiastically. “Perfect, go on and find a table. I’ll bring it right over.”
I let Ruth Jean pick our table, and we go sit in the corner, by the window that faces outside. I study the massive picture on the wall behind the counter, of a younger Grace and a beautiful woman that I am assuming is her mom. Above it in script reads: In Loving Memory of Hope Morgan. Katelyn told me Grace had lost her mom tragically a few years ago, and that Sawyer built this bakery for her in her mom’s memory.
“It’s so pwetty in here. It weminds me of de tandy house in Hansel and Gwetel. Do you know dat stowy?”
