Page 32 of A New Chapter

Chapter 17

Emma arrived at Zack’s house at exactly six o’clock. Clutching a bag from A New Chapter in one hand, she rang the doorbell with the other.

She heard Gracie’s voice yell, “I’ll get it!” followed by the sound of her feet pounding across the floor. When Gracie flung the door open, Emma melted. She hadn’t expected such an enthusiastic greeting. Plus, Zack was standing in the background looking all kinds of wonderful.

“Come on in,” Zack said, beaming.

“What’s in the bag?” Gracie asked.

Zack shot Gracie a disapproving look, but her curiosity kept her from noticing.

“This is for you,” Emma said and handed Gracie the bag.

Gracie eagerly tore into it and pulled out the Little Critter book When I Grow Up. Her face lit with excitement, and she exclaimed, “These are my favorite!”

“What do you say to Miss Emma?”

“Thank you, Miss Emma. I love it!”

“You’re very welcome. I love Little Critter books too.”

Gracie raced off to the living room with her new book, and Zack motioned to Emma to follow him into the kitchen. The table was already set for three, and a pot of noodles bubbled on the stove. Zack had also prepared a salad, and there was a fresh loaf of bread on the counter that had come from the local bakery.

“Wow, first breakfast and now this. I’m going to get spoiled.” Emma said.

“Don’t count on it. This is about the extent of my culinary expertise. Most nights, we eat cereal or something microwavable.”

Zack’s back was to her while he stirred the noodles, and Emma felt a pang of empathy for him. She didn’t have any other friends who were single parents, and she suddenly realized how difficult it must be. He worked full time and took care of a house and a four-year-old, yet he never complained. He had such a positive attitude, and Emma admired that about him.

“I could cook for you sometime,” she ventured.

Zack turned toward her. “I didn’t mean for you to feel sorry for me, Em.”

“No. It’s not that at all. I just thought that since you’ve cooked for me, I could return the favor sometime.”

Zack stared at her for a few beats and then said, “Sure. That would be great.”

Just then, Gracie ran into the kitchen and asked if dinner was ready.

“Almost,” Zack said. “Why don’t you ask Miss Emma what she would like to drink?”

“I made lemonade,” Gracie suggested.

How can I refuse? This little girl is absolutely adorable. “Lemonade sounds perfect,” Emma replied.

Once they were seated and Zack had dished out the macaroni and cheese, Gracie said, “I get to say the prayer.”

Zack nodded and held out his hands to Gracie and Emma around the small table. Emma swallowed hard as she slipped one hand into Zack’s warm, masculine grip and reached out her other hand to Gracie. Gracie’s small, soft hand rested gently in Emma’s while she said the prayer.

“Dear God, please watch over me and Daddy and Mommy and Papa and Nana and Miss Emma. And please tell Robby to stop pinching me on the playground. Amen.”

Emma couldn’t contain her laughter, and thankfully, Zack and Gracie followed suit.

“Does Robby pinch you every day?” Emma asked.

“Yes,” Gracie replied vehemently before stuffing her mouth with a heaping spoonful of macaroni.

“When I was in kindergarten, there was a boy in my class who used to pull my hair all the time. Sometimes, boys do things like that.”