A Mother's Love

“He said to tell you thank-you, but he had to get home.”

“Oh.” She shifted uncomfortably; then, realizing she was keeping him outside, forced down her fears and stepped back. “Come on in.”

He nodded, a gentle smile on his face. “Thank you.”

He sniffed, and his mouth shifted into a wide grin. “That smells good.”

Maggie actually blushed. She was glad she’d gone to the trouble to add meat “Thank you. It’s not much. But I hope you like it”

Jake smiled at her. “I’m sure it will be delicious.”

She returned his smile. She couldn’t help it. Despite her wariness around men, she liked Jake. He had a warmth about him that she hadn’t seen in other men before.

Old bitterness reared its ugly head. After everything that had happened, she had at least expected her church and her family to support her. Yet they hadn’t Not one person had had the guts to stand up with her. Nor had a single person comforted her. Every single one had blamed her for what had happened, believed her a liar, a Jezebel, a Mary Magdalene….

“I’m sorry. Come on in. I have juice, milk and water to drink. I was just about to make up some tea, though.”

He smiled. “Tea sounds fine.”

“It’s herbal,” she warned, a hint of defiance creeping into her voice.

He frowned and walked forward. She stiffened, not sure what he was going to say. He floored her when he took her hand and stroked it

“I’m really sorry about my surprise out there. My only excuse is that I was so captivated by your face I never looked lower.”

She burst out laughing. “Now, there’s a line I’ve never heard.”

His smile returned, his eyes sparkled. “Be that as it may, I can only beg your forgiveness.”

Ruefully Maggie shook her head. “I’ll forgive you if you set the table.”

She pulled out two plates and silverware and handed them to him.

Jake easily arranged the table, noting the layout with a discerning eye. This woman was low on funds. He’d been in enough houses before to tell. The cabinets were bare, with nothing hanging on the wall to hint at permanence. And her clothes were probably secondhand since they didn’t fit her very well.

He felt guilty eating a meal she had prepared. He wondered if she had enough food. But he wouldn’t ask her. Jake didn’t know her well enough and wouldn’t stick his nose in unless he felt directed by God.

Besides, he still had the idea for a job that might work. But first, he had to put her at ease. He didn’t know why she was so worried, unless pastors just made her nervous.

“Have you lived here long?” he asked, taking the hot pot of noodles from her hands and setting it on the table.

“Thank you,” she said, and turned back to the stove to finish the sauce. “No. I moved in here two months ago when I came to this area.”

He nodded. “Here, let me help you,” he said, lifting the pan with the sauce in it from her.

“I’m pregnant, not helpless,” she muttered.

He grinned. “Consider it chivalrous. As long as there’s someone here to lift for you, why do it yourself?”

“I don’t want to turn into a lazy housewife,” she returned, sitting down.

He smiled, but his eyes were serious as he said, “I doubt that’d ever happen.”

She put her napkin in her lap.

“Do you mind if we pray?” he queried.

Surprised, she lifted her eyes. “Not at all.”

He watched her wariness finally fade, and she bowed her head.

After a quick prayer, they served up their plates.

“So, what about this job?” she asked.

Jake felt guilty for keeping her in suspense when he saw how interested she was, though she tried to hide it. “It’s here in town.”

“Not in Baton Rouge?”

He shook his head. “No. My secretary just quit….”

“Your secretary?”

Jake saw he’d surprised her again. “I guess I didn’t explain enough earlier. That’s why I inadvertently splashed you. I was talking on the phone and had just found out Shirley quit. I have no replacement and no idea who to hire. I need someone who has good bookkeeping skills, as well as secretarial skills. The person would also need to know about lumber and building and things of that nature, if possible. You see, we’re undertaking a major building project for the inner-city youth and I’m the one who is spearheading the project.”

“What project?” she asked.

“A large recreational center, a place where kids can go and be safe.”

She nodded. He could see the cautious hope in her eyes. “I think I could handle the job. But what about references?”

Holding up his fork that had spaghetti on it, he said, “This is reference enough.”

“I’m serious,” Maggie said, frowning. “I don’t have any references. I can’t get any. Why would you consider hiring me without them?”

He wondered if Maggie realized how negative she sounded. Patiently he explained, “Any woman who is trusting enough to fix a stranger a meal simply because he helped her out is reference enough with me. In my opinion it tells me you aren’t totally self-absorbed and that you care.”

She stiffened. “You’ve drawn a lot of conclusions from one simple act of kindness.”

“Maybe God is prompting me, too,” he quipped.

She didn’t return his smile. He cleared his throat “The hours would be full-time. Of course, with your condition, we could certainly allow time for rests and doctors appointments. And the last person who helped me also ran the children’s programs and assisted me on Saturdays with the kids.”

Puzzled, she asked, “Just what type of job is this? Lumber, kids, children’s programs? Do you treat your entire staff this way?”

Jake stilled. He’d told her what his job was, hadn’t he? Surely he wouldn’t have forgotten something so important that would put the woman at ease immediately and stop her from worrying about him being some rapist “Didn’t I tell you what I do for a living?” he asked.

Caution immediately returned, dominating her small round face, and she set her fork down. “No, you didn’t”