Ben's Bundle of Joy

“Maybe,” she replied, the one word full of questions.

Ben didn’t miss the disappointment in that one word. He felt that same disappointment in his heart.

But disappointment was so much easier to deal with than real pain.

Ben entered the Book-Stop, a combination bookstore and café located directly on the green in beautiful downtown Fairweather. Intent on finding a book on infant care, he smiled and waved at Frank Wren, the owner, and Maggie’s anxious husband.

“How’s Maggie?” Ben asked as he made his way to the long wooden counter where Frank was taking inventory of some paperbacks.

“Any day now, Reverend,” Frank said in his fast-clipped Minnesota accent. “My wife is ready to have this baby.”

“We’re all praying for you,” Ben told the nervous father-to-be.

But who could blame Frank for being nervous? After trying for five years to have a child, Maggie and Frank had just about given up, and then there had been complications throughout the pregnancy. This child was truly a blessing.

Frank nodded, then replied, “And I’ll do the same for you. How’s your little one?”

Touched that Frank had referred to Tyler as his own, Ben grinned. “He’s amazing. I’ve only had him a week, but I think he’s grown a few inches already. And that’s why I’m here, Frank. I need a book on babies.”

Frank chuckled, then pointed to a row toward the back of the store. “Got lots of those, but, Rev, they don’t make an accurate instruction manual for children. That’s what Maggie is always telling me, anyway.”

“She would know,” Ben said, shaking his head. “She’s certainly helped take care of most of the children in Fairweather. And now, her own. She’ll be a good mother.”

“That I know.” Frank pointed back to the shelf. “C’mon, let’s see what we can find.”

Ben followed Frank’s stocky, fast-walking figure to the back of the store. It was late afternoon and he had to get back in time to pick up Tyler from the church nursery. And see Sara, of course.

Like it or not, he was growing closer to Sara Conroy each and every day. Maybe because she was helping him take care of Tyler, and because they worked in the same building, they just naturally ran into each other. Maybe because he liked her, a lot. Maybe because she was pretty and charming and a straight-talker with no secrets to guard.

Well, maybe a few.

Sara was a complete mystery, a mystery that Ben found himself wanting to explore more and more. So he also found himself coming up with little excuses to visit the nursery.

Well, he had to check on Tyler, didn’t he? The little baby had become a big part of his life. And he looked forward to taking Tyler home each night, to cuddling with him in the big leather chair by the fire, to telling him stories of the Bible and God’s amazing work. A baby, Ben had found out, was easy to talk to, to share secrets with, to open up your heart to. And so was Sara Conroy.

What would he do when they were both gone from his life?

“How ’bout this one?”

Ben looked up to find Frank staring at him, a fat book in his hand.

“That one looks good,” Ben said, not even bothering to read the title. Didn’t he know Maggie was right? There were no concrete answers to raising a child.

“Of course, you have the best book of all already,” Frank told him as they headed back up to the front of the shop.

Still distracted by thoughts of Sara, Ben said, “I do?”

“You do. The Bible, Reverend. All you need to teach a child is right there.” Frank pointed to his own worn Bible, lying on a big desk behind the counter.

Ben patted his friend on the arm. “You’re right, Frank. And thanks for reminding me.”

Frank rang up Ben’s purchase. “Want a cup of coffee, some biscotti?”

“No, I have to go pick up Tyler.”

Frank grinned. “Well, tell her I said hello.”

Confused, Ben lifted a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Sara.” Frank winked. “Tell her I said hello. Maggie’s wanting to have the two of you over to dinner, but Doc Talbot told her to stay off her feet.”

Groaning silently, Ben could only smile. “That’s nice of Maggie, but Sara and I…we aren’t—”

“A couple?” Frank looked downright disappointed. “That’s not what I’ve been hearing.”

“Emma?”

Frank didn’t have to acknowledge his sources. Ben knew how much his well-meaning secretary had riding on this match. And it didn’t help that Betty Anderson backed her up all the way, and that they both watched a tad too intensely every time Sara and Ben were in a room together.

Not to mention Rachel and Morgan, Julianne and Luke, Warren Sinclair and lately, even Reverend Olsen—the whole town was way too involved in Ben’s social life.

Thank goodness the annual Fairweather Harvest Celebration was coming up in a few weeks—planning for that should keep them occupied. They all needed a distraction, to take the heat off his back.

Just as Ben started to leave, the phone rang, giving him that much-needed distraction so he wouldn’t have to answer any more of Frank’s pointed questions. While Frank spoke into the receiver, Ben glanced through the book he’d just purchased, then waved goodbye.

“Rev?” Frank dropped the receiver to come spinning around the counter on one foot. “It’s Maggie. It’s…the baby.” His eyes widened, his next words coming out in a breathless amazement. “The baby is coming.”

Ben went into action, since Frank looked helpless. “Come on. I’ll drive you. Where to? Is she at the hospital?”

“No, she’s at home. We’d better hurry.”

“Okay. I’ll call Sara from the car and tell her to meet me at the hospital with Tyler. We’ll get Maggie to the hospital.”