Unfailing Love (Heart Series #3)

19-Is this Your will Lord?

Josh walked into the kitchen after a quick shower and saw that she'd taken the casserole out of the oven and put it on the table.

The domesticity of the scene wasn't lost on him. He pushed aside the pang longing for what wasn't meant to be.

He kept hearing her saying, I never wanted anyone else. That pleased him more than it should. They'd only been with each other. Did she still feel that way? And if she did, was she ready to marry him?

His prayers so far had gone unanswered. He didn't know what to do, but if God intended for them to be a family, that's what would happen. He wasn't rushing this time, but he couldn't help but wonder if God's silence meant that his future was meant to be with Meredith.

Dinner smelled good, and his stomach let out a growl that had his face heating. He shifted, feeling out of sorts. "Hope I didn't take too long."

With a small gasp, Dani lifted her chin at the sound of her voice. The way she looked at him made his chest ache. He cleared his throat, feeling warm even though he'd put on athletic shorts and a dry-fit shirt.

"Not at all." She glanced away, a pretty blush on her cheeks. "Jacob was telling me jokes."

Tilting his head, he tossed a stern look at his son.

Jacob grinned. "Not the ones Uncle Tanner says. I only told her the ones you like."

"That's a relief." He made an exaggerated gesture of wiping his brow and sighing.

Jacob laughed and Dani smiled.

"Do you need me to come back in the morning?" she asked, picking up her purse from the granite countertop.

She seemed uncomfortable and he thought it had something to do with their gut-wrenching conversation before Jacob interrupted. She wasn't holding back. He'd give her that. Her honesty was as refreshing as it was painful.

"If you don't mind, I have a project I'll need to wrap up tomorrow." He frowned when she put her purse over her shoulder like she was leaving. "You're not staying for dinner?"

She wouldn't look at him. "I, uh, I didn't think. I mean I wasn't sure if—"

"Of course, you're invited. You cooked it. We'd like you to say. Sit down, please," He motioned to the table. "I'll get you something to drink. Sweet tea?"

"You remember. Yes, thank you." She clutched her purse like she was debating whether or not to make a run for it.

"Your addiction to the stuff would be impossible to forget." He tossed her a smile.

She nodded, seeming tense.

"Are you nervous, Dani?"

"What?" Her gaze lifted and she laughed. "No," she drawled.

"Cause you seem nervous."

"I told Mom she was invited, Dad." Jacob pointed to the table. "I even put out a plate for her."

"That was very polite of you, son. You did good."

Jacob beamed at the praise.

Stepping up to the table, he pulled a chair out for Dani and she stared at it like it might bite her. "You can keep holding that purse if it makes you feel better."

She glanced down as if suddenly realizing she had her purse against her chest. Sliding it from her shoulder, she tossed it onto the counter and it disappeared into a small wicker basket.

"Wow! Great shot!" Jacob was impressed. "Do you play basketball?"

Her mouth parted and she blinked at the basket like the shot had surprised her. "Only with coconuts. I was never as good as your dad."