A Very Special Delivery

the way to make this awkward evening easier for her.
    “Ethan’s a nice guy,” she answered simply.
    “I didn’t know until last Sunday that you two were dating.”
    Molly sighed. She’d tried to convince herself that what she and Ethan were doing was not dating, but everyone else called it that. Might as well stop fooling herself.
    “Oh, here they go.” Lindsey sat forward in rapt attention as two men took center court for the tip-off. “Look, Jade. There’s Daddy.”
    The game commenced in a crazy mix of camaraderie and competition. The Wild Bunch’s fans did the wave and stomped the wooden bleachers hard enough to vibrate the entire gym. As Molly had expected, Ethan was a good athlete with a deadly three-point shot that kept Crossfire in the game.
    At the half, with the Wild Bunch leading by five points, Ethan came up into the stands. Wiping his face with a towel, he plopped down beside Molly. Sweat plastered his shirt to his skin.
    “You doin’ okay?” he asked.
    “Fine.” And she was. Though several people had come by to talk, no one had mentioned Zack or Chloe. “Your team is hanging in there.”
    “Closest we’ve ever played the Wild Bunch. You must be our lucky charm.” He tossed the towel over one shoulder. “Would you like a Coke or something?”
    “You look like you could use one.”
    “You got that right.” He hitched his chin toward the spot where Cass, flanked by two other girls, held Laney on her lap. “Let’s grab the baby and head to the concession stand.”
    Molly followed him up the steps. Laney saw them coming and began to bounce and chatter, stretching tiny hands toward Molly. Her chest expanded with love for Ethan’s child.
    “Hey, wait a minute. What’s with this? You don’t love Daddy anymore?” Ethan pretended hurt, but Molly could see he was pleased.
    Snuggling the soft, warm body against her chest, Molly had to admit she was pleased, too. Carrying Laney, they headed to the lobby area.
    Molly’s plan to remain quiet and inconspicuous went out the window as they stopped over and over again to chat and laugh and joke about the crazy, unorthodox game. Ethan and his child were people magnets, and the community drew her back into the fold as if she’d never left.
    Slowly, the awful weight of worry lifted from her shoulders. She had assumed the church sided with Chloe and hated her, but no one here was judging or condemning her. Here, at least, she could experience the warmth and joy of being part of a family, even if it wasn’t the one she hungered for.
    * * *
    The spring evening was dark and cool by the time the game ended and they made their way to Molly’s place. Ethan’s heart was full. Tonight had done some good, he was sure of it. After the initial ice had been broken, Molly had seemed to enjoy herself, and he’d not only been glad, he’d been proud. In the good-natured atmosphere of a ball game, she’d gone from tense and anxious to heartrendingly grateful for the warm acceptance of the church members. It wasn’t the same as reconciliation with her sister, but the plan he’d formulated with James was off to a good start. One step at a time, he would gradually push Molly forward.
    In the glow of the dash lights, he admired the side of her face as she leaned over the seat to appease a tired and cranky Laney. The curve of her swingy hair brushed her chin and danced around her pretty mouth.
    He thought of the last time he’d kissed her, that day when he’d told her about Twila. He’d known then that Molly was important to him and to Laney.
    He wasn’t much. Probably had no business getting involved with a decent girl like her, but his heart told him this was right.
    He turned into the gravel drive and pulled to a stop in front of her house. The porch light glowed yellow as it had that first night months ago when he’d stumbled into her house out of the freezing cold.
    He hadn’t realized then, but he did now. He’d been out in the cold emotionally at the time. He’d stopped trusting women, afraid they were all like Twila. But time with Molly, seeing her care for others, including him, had warmed his frozen, aching heart. Oh, she hadn’t said she cared, but he was certain she did. He could feel it in everything she did. Even tonight, moving outside her comfort zone because he’d asked had proved that she cared.
    Killing the motor, he turned in the seat. “I had a great time.” He made a silly face. “Even if we did lose again.”
    She