left.
Thirty minutes later, Darlene had some pork chops baking in the oven, and Brad joined her on the porch. He’d changed out of his work clothes and into a pair of long tan shorts and a gray T-shirt with a NASA emblem on the front. They’d taken the kids to NASA in Houston a couple of years ago. Brad was big into the stars and could rattle on about things Darlene didn’t understand. But she enjoyed the time they spent stargazing together, and out here in the country, it was quite a show on some nights.
Tonight, as they settled onto the porch swing, it was way too early for any space shows. The sun was descending on the horizon, and Layla looked like the movie star she once was, her silhouette on the horse pasted against an orange ball behind her.
Brad shook his head as they both watched her cross the field speckled with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes. “I still can’t believe Layla Jager lives next door to us.”
Darlene nudged him with her elbow. “Try not to swoon so much the next time you see her.”
Brad pulled her close. “You’re the only one who makes me swoon, baby. Only you.” He leaned down and kissed her in a way that made her feel like a teenager again.
Thank You, God, for Brad and for blessing our marriage all these years.
As Dave pulled out of the driveway, Cara stared out the passenger window, smiling. He thought about Brad’s offer to play golf sometime, and Darlene’s offer to watch Cara. He wasn’t ready to leave Cara just yet. Maybe as they got to know Darlene better, he’d feel more comfortable about it, but Dave knew Cara was a handful, and he didn’t want to discourage a potential friendship with Brad and Darlene. He’d been particularly impressed with Ansley and suspected their other children were equally as pleasant to be around.
Good parents. Good people. At least it seemed that way so far.
He eased back into his seat and stroked his chin. Cara was watching a group of Longhorns resting beneath an oak tree on the side of the road, so Dave slowed down. He watched Cara’s face light up, knowing he was a lucky man to have been blessed with someone as special as Cara. “God chooses special couples for special children,” Jules used to say.
Lord, I miss her so much.
He missed the laughter of family. Jules used to laugh a lot, even when times were hard. They’d started out with virtually nothing and lived in a small duplex in Dallas in the beginning. But they’d worked together to build their real estate business, then Cara came. She was their everything from day one, and Julie was a good mother.
Darlene reminded him of Julie today.
Brad is a lucky man.
Chapter Eight
“How do I look?” Darlene walked into the den dressed in the royal-blue Versace gown she’d borrowed from Layla. Brad and all the kids were munching on popcorn and glued to the television.
“Wow.” Brad sat taller, raising an eyebrow. “I think you better just stay home tonight. This little town isn’t ready for you, Dar.”
Darlene spun around, showing off her backless dress and hair pulled into a French twist, feeling more elegant than she surely was with her long drop rhinestone earrings. “So I look okay?”
“Uh, yeah.” Brad’s eyes were fixed on her. “You look gorgeous.”
Chad handed the popcorn bowl to Grace. “Mom. That’s just wrong. Moms shouldn’t look like that.”
“Be quiet, Chad.” Ansley walked up to her mother to have a better look, then whispered, “I think you look like a princess.”
Grace joined Ansley beside them. “Mom, you look beautiful.”
“That settles it,” Brad said with a mouthful. “You’re staying home.”
“Ha, ha.” Darlene picked up the small evening purse she’d found on sale last week. “Now, listen. There’s a chicken casserole on the stove. You might need to warm it up. And there’s a salad in the fridge.”
Brad stood up. “We’ll be fine.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek, knowing he’d mess up her lipstick if he kissed her on the mouth. “Just go and have a good time.” He leaned closer to her ear. “You do look hot, baby.”
“No mushy talk,” Chad yelled from his spot on the far end of the couch. Then he jumped up and went to the window. “Uh, Mom . . . there’s a limo pulling up.”
“What?” Darlene’s heart leapt as she went to the window. She’d only been in a limo twice. Senior prom and after her