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  He shook his head. “Ashlee rode home with one of her friends and there was a car accident. I’m sorry, I need to go.”

  “Oh no, is Ashlee okay?”

  “She said everything checked out at the hospital, but I wish someone had called me earlier.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Carolinas Medical Center.”

  “Well, that’s not far from here. You can get there in ten minutes, easy.” I looked at his face. “Why don’t you let me drive you? You look distraught.”

  He shook his head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  I grabbed my keys. “I would feel better if you let me. My car is probably closer.”

  Maxwell looked like he wanted to protest again but followed me out. In ten minutes, we were on our way. I’m not sure what prompted me to interject myself into their family emergency, but helping Maxwell felt right.

  We arrived at the hospital, and Maxwell inquired about his daughter. Someone led us to a room with the curtains closed, and Maxwell rushed to his daughter.

  His daughter seemed smaller in person, but I’d only seen her from far away at church on Sunday. Her hair was braided and pulled up high in a ponytail. Ashlee had her dad’s eyes which were now fixed on me.

  “Dad, who’s that?”

  I cringed as Maxwell turned to face me. Why did I do this again? I should have stayed in the waiting room. It wasn’t like I was family.

  Maxwell’s smile brought me some comfort.

  “This is Donna Madison. She’s coming to eat with us on Sunday, remember?”

  Recognition entered her eyes. “Oh yeah, you and dad were best friends. I have a best friend who’s a boy too.”

  Maxwell raised his eyebrow. “You do?”

  “Yes, Ricky?” The tone of Ashlee’s response implied her father should have already known this.

  Still frowning, Maxwell patted his daughter’s hand. “Okay. How are you doing? Where’s the doctor?”

  “I’m fine, Dad, ready to go home. Mrs. Lancaster’s car is messed up in the back, but we didn’t get a scratch on us.”

  Maxwell nodded. “As soon as I find the doctor, okay?” He turned to me. “Can you stay with her?”

  I nodded. Sure, I could stay with a girl I hardly knew. But I’ve known her father most of my life. I stepped into the room and sat down in the chair. I knew, even at fourteen, she had to be shook up from the event.

  “I’m so sorry this happened to you. You must have been scared.”

  She peered at me, her eyes taking me in head to toe. “I was at first, but when I realized I wasn’t hurt, I was okay. I’m just worried about Mrs. Lancaster. She was pretty upset with the guy who ran into us.”

  “I can imagine. So, your dad says you’re the cook?”

  Ashlee smiled. “I learned a lot from my mom. I used to do a lot of baking with her. She also taught me how to cook rice, chicken and other stuff like that too. Dad’s a pretty good cook too. He just works a lot sometimes.”

  “I see.”

  Ashlee found her phone and we ventured off into silence.

  Maxwell showed up to break the awkwardness. “The doctor signed your discharge papers. We can get you home,” he said to Ashlee.

  As we headed out of the hospital towards my car, Maxwell turned to me. “You can drive me back to the garage and we can take it from there.”

  “Sure, not a problem,” I nodded.

  Once we were in the car, Maxwell placed his hands on my arm. “I really appreciate you being here with us today. You went out of your way.”

  Conscious of Maxwell’s hand on my bare arm, I looked over at him. “That’s what friends are for, Maxwell. Let me get you to your car.” I peered over my shoulder. “I’m sure Ashlee is ready to get home.”

  I glanced in my rearview mirror as I drove and noticed Ashlee was watching me. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or worried. She accepted that I was her dad’s old friend from childhood. Would Maxwell’s children accept a different type of relationship?

  Once I entered the parking garage, Maxwell guided me to his SUV.

  While Ashlee situated herself in their vehicle, Maxwell leaned towards my driver’s door. I rolled my window down.

  “Thank you, again. I’ll see you on Friday.”

  I smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  I floated on cloud nine the entire way home, elated that Maxwell was looking forward to our date on Friday. I was too.

  It was Sunday afternoon with Maxwell’s family that had me worried.

  Were we doing too much too fast?

  5

  Friday night was all I expected and more. Growing up, Maxwell had been a huge Star Wars fan so it seemed fitting that we would watch Solo. He reminded me of a big kid.

  After the movie, Maxwell dropped me off at my house and walked me to my porch. I turned to him. “I enjoyed my evening with you.”

  He cupped his hand under my chin. “I did as well.”

  Before I knew it, Maxwell’s lips were on mine.

  We were kissing. Maxwell and I were K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

  He moved back, but not so far that I didn’t feel the warmth of his body. “I’m really glad we connected again. I missed you.”

  I gulped, not expecting this proclamation. “I missed being around you too, Maxwell.”

  He winked. “Sleep tight, Donna. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

  I smiled back. “I’m looking forward to the feast.”

  He laughed as he turned to head back to his SUV.

  Once inside, I sprawled across my couch, and for the longest time, I held my fingers over my lips. Then I prayed. I prayed Maxwell and I were moving in a direction that wouldn’t leave either one of us heartbroken.

  Sunday arrived quickly and unlike Friday night, the pending occasion felt more like a test as I drove towards the Anderson home.

  My thoughts plagued me all weekend. What if I failed to get along with his kids?

  Maxwell greeted me warmly at the door with a hug. The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the living room was how different it appeared from when I came here as a child.

  “You weren’t kidding about the renovation. I mean it feels like the same house, but it looks totally different.”

  Maxwell’s face beamed. “It does. I decided to knock down that wall so when you walk in you can see clear back to the kitchen.”

  I nodded. “I like it. The open concept works well.”

  “Make yourself at home. Ashlee is in the kitchen and the boys are upstairs. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

  “Great.” I watched as Maxwell joined his daughter in the kitchen. Whatever they were cooking smelled delicious.

  I walked around the living room slowly, glancing at the photos on the shelf above the fireplace. My eyes fell on a photo frame of a woman I vaguely remembered meeting years ago.

  Alison Anderson was very pregnant with Ashlee during Maxwell mother’s funeral. When I walked over to give a condolences hug to Maxwell, his wife had glanced at me. He turned to introduce us.

  “This was my dearest friend growing up.”

  That was how he introduced me to his wife. And, Alison had smiled at me like she’d known me all her life. I could tell then she was a remarkable woman. No wonder Maxwell couldn’t give up his ring. He loved her. She was the mother of his children.

  Suddenly, I wondered if I should be here in Maxwell’s home.

  I heard my name and turned around. Maxwell was standing with his two sons next to him. He smiled. “These guys are probably a lot taller than you remember.”

  I cleared my throat, forcing back the emotions that were trying to overtake me. “The last time I saw these two, they were toddlers. Now, let me guess,” I pointed to the young man wearing glasses, “you’re Adrian.” I swung around and pointed to the other boy. “Alex.”

  The boys nodded.

  Maxwell beamed at me. “You ready to eat?”

  “Yeah, did you need my help?” I offered.

/>   “We got it.” Maxwell pulled out a dining room chair. “You can grab a seat here.”

  I sat and watched as the Anderson family brought dishes to the table. Roasted chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese and biscuits.

  I was overwhelmed. “Wow, you guys went all out. Your momma would have been proud.”

  Maxwell grinned. “I agree. This was her kind of eating.”

  I was expecting us to eat in silence, but Maxwell bantered back and forth with his kids. I ate and watched, surprised that I felt comfortable joining in their conversation and laughter.

  Despite protests, I helped clear the table and stacked the dishes in the dishwasher. By the time I shut the dishwasher, I turned to see that Maxwell and I were alone in the kitchen.

  “I didn’t scare the kids off, did I?”

  He shook his head. “No, they all have their own worlds they wanted to get back to. I insist that we all eat together. It’s the main time of day I can get a sense of what’s going on in their world.”

  I nodded. “I noticed your no phones rule at the table.”

  “Actually, that’s a rule Alison had. I used to be as bad as the kids, checking emails at the dinner table.”

  Silence fell on us. For a brief second, I felt like Alison was in the room with us. At least the memories of her were. Her family. Her rules.

  Maxwell interrupted my thoughts. “Why don’t we sit outside on the patio?”

  “Sure.”

  I followed him outside, also not recognizing the patio. “You really did a lot of work out here. I remember when all of this was grass.”

  “I wanted a place for any of us to bring friends over and hang out.” Maxwell looked pensive. “Are you okay? You seem quiet.”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond, but then I remembered this was the man I grew up with and told everything. Well, mostly everything. I never really told him how I felt. “I’m good, this was good. I have to say I wasn’t sure... I mean about meeting the kids. I’m assuming that it’s good for them to meet an old friend.”

  Maxwell shook his head. “You are so much more than just an old friend. It was important to me for them to meet you. You were a big part of my life for so many years.” He looked at me. “I never stopped thinking about you over the years.”

  Now was the time. Now or never. “Did you know how in love I was with you back then?”

  Maxwell gawked at me. “What? No. I always thought you thought of me as a brother. I had the biggest crush on you growing up. I figured I wasn’t smart enough for you or something.”

  I frowned. “Really? Well, I thought you didn’t think I was one of the cool girls.”

  He laughed. “You were always the coolest. I could tell you anything and you wouldn’t hesitate to set me straight.”

  I was in shock, not even sure what to say next. How come neither one of us realized the depth of our feelings back then?

  Maxwell looked off into the yard, his eyes not really focusing. “Before she died, Alison told me to move on. That I needed to be happy.” He turned to me. “I wasn’t sure if I could move on. I had a great relationship with Alison, but I always had something special with you. I’m praying we can see where this goes.”

  He held out his hand.

  For a minute, I forgot to breathe. Then I remembered what I’d been praying for and how I had sensed in my spirit it was time for a change.

  “I can’t wait to see what’s next for us too.”

  I grasped his hand, filling the warmth of love that spread between us, awed and grateful by the sense of God’s timing.

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  Thank you for reading this Victory Gospel Short. Please consider leaving a review online.

  If you are familiar with my books, you know I usually write mysteries and suspense. I decided to try out writing romance in short form. I have to say I’ve been enjoying writing these short stories.

  Would you like more of this short story?

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  About the Author

  Tyora Moody writes romantic suspense and mysteries with sassy women sleuths. When Tyora isn’t working for a literary client, she enjoys reading, spending time with family, binge-watching crime shows, catching a movie on the big screen, and traveling. To contact Tyora about book club discussions, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.

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