A Mother For His Twins. Jill Weatherholt

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СКАЧАТЬ reached for his arm. “Use your manners, son.”

      “Sowwy.” He put the treat back onto the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth and fidgeted in his seat.

      “Yeah, Daddy, Miss Kelliher has a twin sister.” Tyler took a sip of his water. “But they’re not identical like us.”

      Growing up, Nick remembered Joy wishing she and Faith were identical. Her twin was good in math while Joy struggled. She always thought it would be nice if Faith could take her place on the days they had a test. “Yes, I know.”

      The boys looked at each other with crinkled brows. “How?” they asked in unison.

      Nick wasn’t ready to tell the boys that, once upon a time, he and their teacher had had plans to marry. “Miss Kelliher and I grew up running around in our diapers together.”

      The twins covered their faces and giggled.

      “That’s funny,” Jordan said. “I like huh.”

      “She’s really pretty.” Tyler spoke up. “Don’t you think, Daddy?”

      Nick hesitated.

      “Yeah, Daddy, don’t you think so?” Jordan asked.

      Nick’s heartbeat quickened. Their mother and Joy were both the most beautiful women he’d ever known. Different in their own ways, but the one common denominator was their loving and compassionate hearts. His stomach twisted at the thought of Michelle suffering in silence from complications of Crohn’s disease. He should have noticed. Since she’d passed away a year ago last November, the guilt had gnawed away at him each day, but more so at night.

      Nick shook off the negative thoughts. “Come on now and finish up your ice cream so we can get your supplies.”

      The boys exchanged a quick glance.

      Nick watched Jordan as he pushed his bowl aside. He hoped bringing his boys back to Whispering Slopes wasn’t creating more anxiety over their mother’s death.

      Thirty minutes later the bell on the door chimed as Nick and the boys entered Buser’s General Store. Nick’s heart warmed. Just like One More Scoop, it was as though time had stood still. The scent of cinnamon swirled in the air. He’d always loved the swizzle candy sticks sold in the giant jar. The sound system played a continuous playlist of songs from the 1950s. He smiled when he spotted a young boy and girl, probably in high school, sharing a cream soda at the counter. How many times had he and Joy sat in that same spot, excited about their future?

      He turned when the door tinkled. The trip down memory lane came to a screeching halt.

      “Miss Kelliher!” All smiles, Tyler and Jordan sprinted across the room.

      Nick swallowed hard while he observed the obvious attachment budding between the boys and their teacher. This concerned him. What if he didn’t secure the job as principal? Would he once again uproot the twins? Could he stay in Whispering Slopes and be happy just teaching? He’d worked hard to obtain his master’s degree, at the expense of his family. Of course, he needed to focus on keeping his own attachments to Joy in check, too. But that could be difficult since their classrooms would be directly across the hall from each other. He’d never imagined when he’d applied for the open teaching position that she’d be working at the school they’d attended together. One thing he did know: she wasn’t going to be happy when she learned he’d be interviewing for the principal position. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d be applying. After all, her father had held the job for most of his career.

      “We came to get everything on your list,” Tyler called out. He flashed the sheet of paper as the group walked back toward Nick.

      Her long brown tresses hung straight to the middle of her back. She quickly tucked a stray strand behind her ear. “I thought you’d stop by after your ice cream. That’s why I came.”

      “You did?” Nick couldn’t imagine why she’d want to see him, especially after he’d surprised her earlier at the school. It was obvious she wasn’t thrilled to have him back or that she’d be teaching his children. Who could blame her? As far as she knew, he’d never tried to make contact after his father moved their family. But he had. She just didn’t know because, unbeknownst to him at the time, his letters had never been mailed. More than anything, he’d wanted to call Joy and explain, but his father didn’t want anyone in Whispering Slopes to know their dark secret. Although almost a man, Nick had been torn between his loyalty to his family and his hometown sweetheart. But earlier today, Joy had been a professional and kept her emotions in check in front of Mr. Jacobson. Now, when she looked in his direction, her brow arched, making her look tenser than earlier...if that were possible.

      She reached into her camel tote bag and pulled out two red mittens.

      “My mittens.” Jordan gave a questioning look. “Why do you have them?” He reached inside of his coat pockets.

      “I found them on the floor of the coat closet in my classroom.”

      Nick noticed the tears in his son’s eyes. “Are you okay, buddy?”

      Jordan’s hand shook as he reached for the mittens. “My mommy made these for me,” he sniffled. “I’d be sad if I evuh lost them.”

      “How did you know they belonged to Jordan?” Nick asked, but then he remembered.

      “His name is sewn on the inside of each one.” Joy looked down at Jordan and smiled. “Obviously your mommy was smart. She knew how easy it is to lose track of these.”

      Was. The boys had told Joy about their mother.

      Jordan slipped his tiny hands inside each mitten. “I’ll nevuh forget them again. I pwomise.”

      Nick rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know you won’t, Jordan.” Although the boy had almost outgrown the garments, Nick knew how special they were to him.

      “Let’s go check out the candy aisle, Jor!” Tyler motioned for his brother.

      Jordan turned to Joy. “Thank you, Miss Kellihuh. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost these.” He gave his teacher a quick hug around the waist and took off toward the treats.

      Nick’s heart squeezed as he turned to Joy. “Thank you for making a trip over here.”

      Her smile was warm. “It’s on my way home. Besides, we can’t have his little fingers freezing. It can get really cold here, especially in the morning when they’re headed off for school.”

      She seemed nervous. He remembered how she used to blink her eyes repeatedly when she was in an uncomfortable situation. “That’s thoughtful of you. Speaking of... The boys told me how you helped them get over their first-day-of-school jitters. I appreciate that,” he said with hopes of making their encounter a little more comfortable.

      “It goes with the territory of being a teacher.”

      “You’re obviously great with children.” He glanced at her ring finger, wondering if she’d gotten married, but it was bare. Still, he couldn’t help but ask, “No doubt you have several of your own by now?”

      He watched as her shoulders stiffened and both brows crinkled.

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