A Season of Angels (Angels Everywhere #1)(18)

“But—”

“Listen, please, and when I’ve finished you can say what you wish.

“Take the love you and Jeff shared and place it in the most tender part of your heart. Treasure the few short years you had together as a precious gift God gave you and then offer it back to Him in gratitude that you found such a special man to love.”

Tears rolled unchecked down Jody’s cheeks. She’d assumed the well was dry after spending the night looking through the photo album, but they returned fresh and hot, streaming down her face.

“In my heart I know Jeff wouldn’t have wanted you to grieve this way.”

“I know that too,” Jody whispered, struggling to check the emotion. She’d wanted to be strong when she spoke to her mother, but it took only a few words for her to realize how weak she actually was.

“Meeting other men, even marrying again, doesn’t mean you have to stop loving Jeff,” her mother continued.

“I don’t think I could ever stop loving him.”

“I understand that. It would be impossible for me to stop loving your father.”

“It is time for me to start dating again, isn’t it?” Even as Jody made the suggestion, she couldn’t help wondering if she was doing the right thing. It didn’t feel right, but then nothing had from the moment she’d received word Jeff was gone. It seemed as if her world had been knocked off its orbit and would never right itself. Now her mother and her son were saying different. There was a new life waiting for her and the possibility of finding love again, if she were willing to put the past behind her and march forward.

“It’s past time,” her mother told her gently. “I’m sure you’ve been asked out over the years. You’re a beautiful young woman.”

Jody nodded, twisting a tissue with her hands. “Glen Richardson surprised me last week with an invitation to dinner. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to tell him.”

“I don’t believe I’ve heard you mention his name before.”

“He’s one of the attorneys at the firm. I don’t work directly with him, but it seems we continually bump into each other at the copy machine. It’s become something of a joke.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Heavens, Mother, I don’t remember. I made up some ridiculous excuse, but he said he’d ask again and he probably will.”

“And when he does?” her mother prompted.

“When he does,” Jody said, clenching the tissue in both hands, “I’ll . . . I’ll promise to think about it.”

“Jody Marie Potter!”

Jody laughed and relaxed against the back of her chair. “Oh, all right. One date, just to test the waters.”

Her mother smiled broadly, looking downright pleased with herself.

The phone was ringing when Jody let herself into her house later that same night. Setting down her purse, she hurried into the kitchen and caught it on the fourth ring, just before the answering machine took over.

“Hello,” she said, her voice shaking with breathlessness.

“Jody?”

The voice was strangely familiar. “Yes?”

“This is Glen . . . Glen Richardson. I hope I didn’t catch you at an inconvenient time.”

Jody’s shoulders sagged against the wall. “No. I just unlocked the door and had to run to catch the phone.”

“The funniest thing just happened. I was thinking of calling you and for the life of me, I couldn’t find your number. Then I walked into the kitchen and found it attached to the phone. Heaven only knows how it got there. It seemed fate was telling me to give you a jingle,” Glen said, sounding confused even now. “And to think I caught you just as you walked in the door.”

“I just got back from visiting my mother.”

“I suppose you’ve already had dinner.”

“I’m sorry, Glen, but we ordered Chinese take-out.” He sounded so bewildered that she almost felt sorry for him. “What are you doing, sitting home alone on a Friday night?”

“My best gal turned me down for a date.”

It took Jody a moment to realize he was talking about her, leading her to wonder what excuse she’d given him earlier.

“I was thinking I should suggest a deli sandwich and a couple of sodas for the next time we meet at the copy machine. Larry Williams warned me that you don’t date often.”

Often. The last time she’d gone out with a man, she’d ended up marrying him. Jeff had been persistent too, she remembered, unwilling to take no for an answer. He’d wooed her carefully and when they’d fallen in love, it was the kind of love that was meant to last a lifetime. She might marry again, even give birth to another child, but she’d never stop loving Jeff. This was her vow, to his memory and to the extraordinary love they shared.

“Jody?” Glen said, interrupting her thoughts.

“I’m sorry, I got distracted.”

“I know it’s short notice and all, but how about a movie? I understand there’re several good ones playing. How would you feel about that? I could meet you at the theater if that’d make you more comfortable,” he added, rushing the words together in his eagerness.

So soon. It was happening so fast, much faster than she’d expected. Much too soon, long before she was ready. Then she remembered her mother’s words about placing the love she shared with Jeff in the most tender part of her heart. She didn’t know what to make of him finding her number pasted on his telephone.