Finding Love

CHAPTER 16

Getting to know each other

Michael could not keep his eyes off Ruth. She was simply breathtaking and intriguing. Ruth met his eyes and turned her focus on David. "I am so sorry," Ruth apologized after David ran into him. "It's okay," Michael said with a warm smile. He helped David up and gently brushed off his shirt. Ruth watched how gentle he was with David. "Sorry Sir," David said walking back to Ruth and holding her hands. "It's okay," Ruth said kissing David on the forehead. 

"Who is that?" David asked curiously looking at the grave behind Michael. "David, let's go," Ruth said putting a stop to her curious son's intrusion. Sometimes she wondered how a little boy was so wise beyond his age. "It's quite okay," Michael smiled. He would do anything to look into her gorgeous brown eyes. "That's my mother, she died about four years ago and every mother's day and on her birthday I put flowers on the grave to remember her," he said. 

"Aunt Ruth, that's like me," David beamed. "That's my mom and dad," David said pointing to his parent's grave. Michael's heart ached after hearing it and thought the boy was so brave. Ruth saw the compassion in his eyes and was touched by it. "Come on let me show you," David said. Michael's blue eyes met Ruth's asking permission before he went any further. She nodded and her name clouded his mind. Ruth suited her and he wanted to learn more. 

Ruth looked on watching her son take to this stranger. She did not even know his name. It's amazing to see David interact with someone, Ruth taught.  "David, it's time for us to go," Ruth said. All of this was nice but this man was still a stranger and David was giving him their life story. 

"It was my pleasure little man. And happy 5th Birthday," Michael said giving David a high five. David smiled from ear to ear. Michael turned with his gaze steady on Ruth. "I am Michael Cambridge," he said extending his hands towards her. "Ruth  Dawkins," she said extending her hand. Michael was a goner because he felt the warmth flowing from Ruth after their brief handshake. Ruth looked away from that intense blue gaze. "David Murray," David jumped up and down thinking this was a name game. Ruth giggled taking Michael's breath away. Michael chuckled too at David's declaration.  Ruth and David waved goodbye to Michael who knew this would not be the last time he saw them both. He needed a reason to see them again.

Reminiscing about the encounter 

Ruth put David to bed and read her bible for thirty minutes. She recalled the encounter with Michael at the cemetery. A smile curled on her lips remembering how nice it was to meet someone new.  Ruth's focus was so much on David that she did not have time to date. "This time it would be different," she reminded herself whispering a prayer. "If it is your will God, I will meet him again," she prayed. Ruth was intrigued by the handsome stranger who was amazing with David. She went to bed praying one day David would have a complete family to call his own.

Meeting again

"David, you look so handsome," Ruth teased brushing his hair. They were going to church and David did not like dressing up. "Thanks," he said under his breath. "You may see some of your friends at church and you can remind them about the party," Ruth said cheerfully. David's eyes widened and sparkled with interest at the suggestion. "Church is going to be so much fun," he started dancing. Ruth folded her arms and smiled. David Murray was way too much. But he was so adorable. "Let's go and have some fun," Ruth said and held his hands as they headed towards the car. On the drive, they drove singing and laughing at jokes. David was quite the comedian. Ruth was happy and blessed. She thanked God every day that she was chosen to raise this beautiful boy. 

When they arrived they were greeted by many familiar faces. Ruth interacted with several of the people from work and parents from David's school. "Ruth, how are you?" Crystal Storr said giving her a warm hug. Ruth embraced Crystal. She did not have a close friend after Serenity's death. So besides her mother and Malissa, Crystal was beginning to become a very good friend. She hugged David too. "You look nice," Crystal smiled admiring the yellow dress Ruth wore that reminded her of the summer's sunshine. "This old thing," Ruth said not seeing the beauty of the outfit. "Ruth Dawkins you are so lost when it comes to your beauty. If I had the figure you had I would be wearing dresses like this all the time," Crystal stated. "Okay, if you say so," Ruth replied. Crystal grabbed Ruth's arm when Michael Cambridge walked through the church doors. 

Ruth turned the opposite way not to draw attention to herself. What was he doing here? she thought. "He is so handsome," Crystal whispered to her. "He works with Johnathan at the law firm and helps out with the youth's basketball and football team," Crystal continued to share. Ruth was still in awe that she was encountering the same man from her thoughts. Johnathan walked over to them. "Hey Ruth," Johnathan said giving his wife, Crystal a kiss on the forehead. Ruth loved to see them together. Their relationship gave her hope for the future. "Hello," she said still a bit nervous from seeing Michael. Michael's eyes immediately met hers and his gaze lingered with a huge grin. Ruth smiled at him knowing she would have to explain to Crystal how they met. She saw Crystal's eyes lite up after realizing they had met. 

Michael was so happy to see her and David again. Before she could respond to  Michael, David saw Michael coming over. "Mr. Cambridge," David said running into his arms. Michael lifted him off the ground and hugged him. "It's good to see you again," Michael stated keeping his eyes steady on Ruth. Ruth could see feel Crystal questioning eyes taking all of this in. "Do you two know each other?" Johnathan asked curiously. Michael explained what happened at the cemetery. "The service is about to start," Crystal reminded everyone. As everyone walked into the sanctuary to take their seats Crystal whispered to Ruth. "I will talk to you later," she said curiously. Ruth sighed knowing Crystal would find this all amusing.

The praise and worship along with the preaching were powerful and moving. The minister delivered a message on the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. Many married and single persons received the word as it related to their lives. Michael listen attentively but at certain moments his eyes wandered to Ruth. He could not wait to hear her views on marriage, family, and children. He did not know her long but felt connected and drawn to her strongly. Her mother and stepfather walked over to give their love to her and their grandson. Ruth saw her mother questioning looks as well not wanting any of them to read anything into this. Ruth waited near the car as her mother walked with David to say hi to a few of his friends. 

Michael made his way toward her and Ruth knew she could not avoid him now. "We meet again," he smiled. Ruth's heart melted. She had noticed his blue eyes but now could see his dimples on this display. This man was too fine for his own good. Her heart was beating rapidly. "Yes we meet again," she smiled. "I see someone is extremely excited about his party," Michael announced. He was finding the words to say because his heart too was beating rapidly. "Very excited," Ruth said looking up at him. Michael was 5'9 and Ruth was 5'4 so she felt short standing next to him. But she could tell height was not an issue to him. "Ruth........ I know we just met. I don't want to come across as too hasty or anxious. Would you have dinner with me?" Michael asked feeling better that he got the words out. Ruth smiled. She remembered when Thomas was so quick to ask her out years ago. That did not turn out well. She knew Michael was not him but she could not go through another broken heart. She had to be sure about this.

Michael since her hesitation and knew right away that she must have endured hurt in the past. But he was not going to give up so quickly. "Or a walk in the park with David," he said. He just wanted her to be comfortable around him. "Michael, I can see you are a nice guy and David has taken so quickly to you. But I have not dated much for a long time and have to be careful when it comes to him forming attachments," she said. Michael wondered if she meant David or herself.

"How about a friendship?" he said holding on to some hope. He needed her in his life even if they moved slowly. As time moved on he knew it could develop into something else. Ruth pondered what he said and finally agreed, "Yes, a friendship I can do," she said. His blue eyes sparkled and Ruth smiled knowing she made him pleased. "Can I call you sometime for our friendship date?" he said keeping his eyes connected with hers. Ruth smiled as he emphasized friendship date. Ruth wrote her name and number down on a piece of paper and passed it to him. Their fingers touched prompting them both to look up. It was as if time stood still and they connected with that touch that was electrifying. Ruth had not felt something like that before even from the men from her past. It felt like everything was different with Michael and eventually she would know why.