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big boy!”
    He gave her a pleased grin, then he and Emily moved away from the door to allow her to enter.
    Clay followed at a safe distance, shutting the door as he gave the room a swift survey, trying to see it through Cate’s eyes. He spent so little time in the succession of apartments he’d occupied that he always opted for a small, furnished place—living room, efficiency kitchen, bedroom and bath. This was no exception.
    Until today, Clay had thought the place was fine, if a bit cramped. But suddenly he recognized all its shortcomings. Besides being small, it was too sterile. There was nothing personal in the place to distinguish it from any unoccupied apartment inthe complex. Nothing to suggest it was a home. Nothing warm and inviting. In other words, not the best environment for the children. Cate’s expression, however, gave no hint of her reaction.
    â€œWould you like some coffee?” he offered.
    â€œNo, thanks. But a glass of water would be great.”
    â€œMake yourself comfortable.” He gestured toward the living room.
    â€œI’d like to spend a few minutes with the children first, if you don’t mind. I brought an activity for them. May I borrow your kitchen table?”
    â€œSure. Help yourself.”
    Cate followed him toward the kitchen, and as he got ice and water, she sat at the small table. The kids watched with interest as she withdrew a small tape recorder, a pad of paper and a box of crayons from her large shoulder tote.
    â€œWhat’s all that for?” Emily asked.
    â€œI thought you might like to draw some pictures while I talk to your uncle.” She tore off some sheets of paper and spread the crayons on the table. “The lady on the tape will tell you a story about a farmer and ask you to draw some of the things she talks about. After the tape ends, you can show me all your pictures.”
    â€œEmily draws good,” Josh told Cate. “She drawed me a bird once.”
    â€œToday you’ll both have a chance to draw lots of different animals. And a tractor and a barn and a big stalk of corn. And the sun and rain that make it grow.”
    After settling the children at the table, Cate started the tape player and listened to the beginning with them to ensure they understood the instructions.
    From a few feet away, Clay watched, one hip propped against the counter. She had a way with kids, no question about it. Theyseemed to like and trust her. And she certainly knew how to keep them entertained. If they could work out a child care arrangement, he would be forever in Reverend Richards’s debt.
    And not just for the kids’ sake, he realized. Though he knew little about the woman standing a few feet away, he felt comfortable in her presence. Reassured, somehow, that things would work out. He found her as appealing as his niece and nephew did—on a lot of levels, he acknowledged, watching her soft blond hair brush the gentle sweep of her cheek as she leaned close to help Josh select a crayon.
    When Cate turned toward him, her slight blush told him she was aware he’d been staring. Not good, he berated himself. He needed her child care services, and making her nervous was not going to work in his favor.
    Clearing his throat, he pushed away from the counter and inclined his head toward the living room.
    He followed her into the adjacent room, noting as he took a chair at right angles to the couch that the volume of the tape was loud enough to mask their conversation. Add in the giggles of the children—a heartwarming sound he hadn’t heard before—and it was clear they would be able to talk in privacy.
    He was impressed.
    â€œGood idea.” He gestured toward the kitchen, keeping his voice low.
    â€œBased on what you said this morning at church, I had a feeling there might be some things we needed to discuss that you didn’t want them to hear. And it’s not wise to send such young children outside to