Time to Laugh Romance Collection Read online

  She shrugged. “That’s what Donna’s been telling me. She thinks I should do a ventriloquist routine for our Sunday school opening sometime.”

  Seth’s face broke into a smile. “That’s a terrific idea!”

  “Oh, I couldn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I stutter.”

  Seth chuckled. “Not when you’re really mad … or doing ventriloquism.” He snapped his fingers. “Do you realize that you haven’t stuttered once since we pulled into this parking spot? I don’t know if it’s the awesome sight of the lights on Narrows Bridge that has put you at ease, or if you’re just beginning to feel more comfortable around me.”

  Tabby contemplated that for a few seconds. Seth was right; she hadn’t been stuttering. For the first time all evening Tabby didn’t feel nervous. In fact, she felt more relaxed than she had all day. Donna and the day care kids were the only people she’d ever felt this comfortable around. Maybe Seth could be her friend. Maybe …

  Tabby grimaced. Who was she kidding? Seth was confident, good looking, and talented. He’d never want someone like her as a friend. In his line of work, he met all sorts of people. Probably had lots of close friends. She was sure none of them stuttered or turned cherry red every time someone looked at them. Why did she allow herself to hope or have foolish dreams? Would she spend the rest of her life wishing for the impossible?

  “Tabby, did you hear what I said?” Seth’s deep voice broke into her thoughts, and she forced herself to look at him.

  “Huh?”

  He rested his palm on her trembling hand. “You don’t have to be nervous around me. I’m just plain old Seth Beyers, fearful of eating sticky peanut butter.”

  Tabby swallowed hard. Seth’s gentle touch made her insides quiver, and she looked away quickly, hoping to hide the blush she knew had come to her cheeks. At this moment, she felt as though her mouth was full of gooey peanut butter. How could she not be nervous when he was touching her hand and looking at her with those gorgeous green eyes? She closed her own eyes and found herself wondering how Seth’s lips would feel against her own.

  “My fear may not affect my relationship with people,” Seth continued, “but it’s real, nonetheless.” He trailed his thumb across her knuckles, marching a brigade of butterflies through her stomach. “I’d like to be your friend, Tabby. I want to help you overcome your shyness. You have potential, and if you’ll let Him, I know the Lord can use you in a mighty way.”

  Tabby blinked away stinging tears. How she wished it were true. She’d give anything to face the world with confidence. It would make her life complete if she could serve God without fear or bashfulness—even if it wasn’t in a mighty way, like Seth was doing with his ventriloquist skills.

  “Will you allow me to help?” Seth asked.

  Tabby felt drawn to his compassionate eyes, and she sensed he could see right through her. I could drown in that sea of green.

  “Tabby?”

  She nodded. “I–I’m not expecting any big m–miracles, but yes, I w–would like your help.”

  For the next several days Seth’s offer of help played itself over and over in Tabby’s mind. When he dropped her off at the apartment that night, after pie and coffee, he’d said he would give her a call, but he never explained how he planned to help her. Would he offer to get her speech therapy? If so, that would never work. Her parents had sent her for all kinds of therapy when she was growing up. Nothing helped. There wasn’t a thing wrong with Tabby’s speech. If there had been, she would have stuttered all the time, not just in the presence of those who made her feel uncomfortable. It was her low self-esteem and shyness that caused her to stutter, and she was sure there wasn’t anything that could be done about it.

  “You’re awfully quiet today,” Donna remarked, pulling Tabby out of her musings.

  Tabby glanced over at her friend in the passenger seat. They took turns driving to work, and today they’d taken Tabby’s car.

  Tabby gave the steering wheel a few taps. “I was just thinking.”

  Donna laughed. “Thinking’s okay, as long as you pay attention to where you’re going.”

  “I am.”

  “Oh, yeah? Then how come you drove right past the church?”

  Tabby groaned as she glanced to the left and saw the corner of Elm Street. She cranked the wheel and made a U-turn.

  “Oh, great, now you’re trying to get yourself a big fat ticket,” Donna complained. “What’s with you this morning?”

  “Nothing. I’m just preoccupied.” Tabby pulled into the church parking lot and turned off the ignition.

  “Thinking about Seth Beyers, I’ll bet.”

  Tabby opened her mouth, but before she could get any words out, Donna cut her off. “I think that guy really likes you.”

  “Seth’s just friendly. He likes everyone.” Tabby didn’t like where this conversation was going, and she’d have to steer it in another direction soon, or they might end up in an argument.

  “I know Seth is friendly,” Donna persisted, “but I think he’s taken a special interest in you. You should have seen how upset he was when you ran into your room the other night.”

  “How about this weather? Can you believe it hasn’t rained in the last half hour? We’d better get inside before it changes its mind and sends us another downpour.”

  Donna clicked her tongue. “You’re trying to avoid the subject, and it won’t work. I have something to say, and you’re gonna hear me out.”

  “We’ll be late for work.”

  Donna glanced at her watch. “We’re ten minutes early. So, if you’ll quit interrupting, we still have plenty of time to talk.”

  Tabby drew in a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “Okay, get whatever it is off your chest. I really want to get on with my day.”

  Donna gave her a reproachful look. “What I have to say isn’t all that bad.”

  “All right then, let me have it.”

  Donna blinked. “My, my, you’re sure testy. It’s Seth, isn’t it?”

  Tabby remained silent.

  “I really do think the guy likes you.”

  Tabby wrinkled her nose. “You already said that. I think Seth’s the type of person who’s kind to everyone. It’s obvious that he takes his relationship with Christ seriously.”

  Donna raised her dark eyebrows. “And you don’t?”

  Tabby shrugged. “I try to, but I’m not outgoing and self-confident the way he is. I don’t think I’m a very good Christian witness.”

  “You could be, Tabby. You have a wonderful new talent, which you should be using to serve the Lord.”

  “I—I still don’t feel ready to do ventriloquism in front of a crowd.”

  “Maybe you need to take a few more lessons. I’m sure if you asked, Seth would be more than willing to help you.”

  Tabby drew in another long breath, and this one came out as a shuddering rasp. “He said he’d help, and I even agreed.”

  “That’s great. I’m glad to hear it.”

  “I’ve thought it over thoroughly,” Tabby said. “I like Seth too much to expect him to waste his time on someone like me.”

  Donna shook her head. “Now that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. If you like the guy, then why not jump at any opportunity you have to be with him?”

  “Aren’t you getting this picture? I don’t stand a chance with someone like Seth Beyers. He’s totally out of my league.”

  Donna held up both hands. “I give up! You don’t want to see your potential or do anything constructive to better yourself, so there’s nothing more I can say.” She jerked open the car door and sprinted off toward the church.

  Tabby moaned and leaned against the headrest. “Maybe she’s right. Maybe I need to pray about this.”

  Chapter 8

  Seth had been thinking of Tabby for the past few days. In fact, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. The other night she’d told him where she worked, and he had decided to stop by the day care
for a little visit. One of the fringe benefits of being self-employed was the fact he could pretty much set his own hours and come and go whenever he felt like it. Today, he’d decided to take an early lunch and had put a note in his shop window saying he wouldn’t be back until one.

  Seth pulled his Jeep into the church parking lot, turned off the engine, and got out. He scanned the fenced-in area on one side of the building. There were several children playing on the swings, so he figured that must be part of the Caring Christian Day Care.

  He ambled up the sidewalk, and was about to open the gate on the chain-link fence, when he caught sight of Tabby. She was kneeling on the grass, and a group of children sat in a semicircle around her, listening to a Bible story. The soft drone of her voice mesmerized him, as well as the kids, who were watching Tabby with rapt attention. She wasn’t stuttering at all, he noticed. It was uncanny, the way she could speak so fluently with these children, yet stutter and hang her head in embarrassment whenever she was with him.

  “And so, little ones,” Tabby said as she closed the Bible. “Jonah truly learned his lesson that day.”

  “He never went on a boat again, right, teacher?” a little red-haired, freckle-faced boy hollered out.

  Tabby smiled sweetly, and Seth chuckled behind his hand. She still didn’t know he was watching her, and he decided to keep it that way for a few more minutes.

  “Jonah’s lesson,” Tabby explained, “was to obey God in all things. He could have drowned in that stormy sea, but God saved him by bringing the big fish along in time.”

  “I wonder if the fishy had bad breath,” a little blond-haired girl piped up.

  Tabby nodded. “The inside of that fish probably smelled pretty bad, but Jonah was kept safe and warm for three whole days. When the fish finally spit him out on dry land, Jonah was happy to be alive.”

  “And I’ll bet he never went fishing after that,” said the freckle-faced boy.

  Tabby laughed softly. Her voice sounded like music to Seth’s ears. How could anyone so introverted around adults be so at ease with children? She’ll make a good mother some day, Seth found himself thinking. She has a sweet, loving spirit, and the kids seem to relate really well to her.

  Seth opened the gate and stepped inside the enclosure just as Tabby stood up. She brushed a few blades of grass from her denim skirt, and the children all stood, too.

  “It’s time to go inside,” she instructed. “Miss Donna is probably ready for us to bake those cookies now.”

  A chorus of cheering voices went up, and the kids, including those who had been swinging, raced off toward the basement door.

  Tabby started to follow, but Seth cleared his throat loudly, and she whirled around to face him. “Oh, you—you sc–scared me. I d–didn’t know you w–were h–here. How l–long have you–you been st–standing there?”

  Seth grinned at her. “Just long enough to hear the end of a great story. The biblical account of Jonah and the big fish is one of my favorites.”

  “It’s m–my favorite too,” she murmured.

  “You’re really good with the kids,” he said, nodding in the direction of the disappearing pack of children.

  “Th–thanks. I love w–working w–with them.”

  “It shows.”

  There was a moment of silence, as Seth stood there staring at Tabby, and she shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Wh–what br–brings you here?” she finally asked.

  “I came to see you,” he said with a wide smile.

  Her only response was a soft, “Oh.”

  “But now that I’m here, I think maybe I should follow the kids into the day care and see what kind of cookies they’ll be making.” Seth offered her a wink, and she blushed, dropping her gaze to her white sneakers.

  “We’re m–making chocolate ch–chip,” Tabby said. “We’ll be t–taking them to R–Rose Park Convalescent C–Center tomorrow m–morning.”

  He nodded. “Ah, so you’re not only a great storyteller, but you’re full of good deeds.”

  Her blush deepened, and she dipped her head even further. “It’s n–nothing, really.”

  “I think you’re too modest,” Seth replied, taking a few steps toward her. When he was only inches away, he reached out and gently touched her chin. Slowly, he raised it, until her dark eyes were staring right into his. “There, that’s better. It’s kind of hard to carry on a conversation with someone who’s staring at her feet.”

  Tabby giggled, obviously self-conscious, and it reminded him of one of her day care kids. “Wh–what did you w–want to see m–me about, Se–Se–Seth?”

  “I thought maybe we could have lunch and talk about something,” he answered, stepping away. “I saw a little deli just down the street, and I’m on my lunch hour, so—”

  “Th–that would be nice, but I’ve got c–cookies to b–bake,” she interrupted. “D–Donna and I w–will pr–probably be baking l–long after the k–kids go down for their n–naps.”

  Seth blew out his breath. “Okay, I guess I can call you later on. Will that be all right?”

  She nodded. “Sure, th–that will be f–fine. Do y–you have m–my ph–phone number?”

  “It’s on the invoice I made out for your dummy purchase the other day.”

  “Oh.” She turned toward the church. “I–I’d better g–get inside now. T–talk to you l–later, Seth.”

  He waved to her retreating form. “Yeah, later.”

  “You’re wanted on the phone, Tabby!”

  Tabby dried her hands on a towel and left the kitchen. When she entered the living room, Donna was holding the receiver, a Cheshire-cat grin on her pixie face.

  “Who is it?”

  “Seth.”

  Taking in a deep breath, Tabby accepted the phone then motioned Donna out of the room.

  Donna winked and sauntered into the kitchen.

  “H–hello, Seth,” Tabby said hesitantly. Her palms were so moist, she hoped she could hold on to the receiver.

  “Hi, Tabby. How are you?”

  “I’m o–okay.”

  “I’m sorry we couldn’t have lunch today, but I said I’d call later. Is this a good time for you to talk?”

  She nodded, then realizing he couldn’t see her, she squeaked, “Sure, it’s—it’s f–fine.”

  “Good. You see, the reason I wanted to talk to you is, Saturday afternoon I’ll be doing an advanced ventriloquism class,” Seth said. “I was hoping you’d agree to come.”

  Tabby twirled the end of the phone cord between her fingers. “I—uh—really c–can’t, Seth.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  She flinched, wondering if Seth could read her mind.

  “Tabby?”

  “I—I wouldn’t feel comfortable trying to do v–v–ventriloquism in front of a b–bunch of strangers,” she answered truthfully. “You know h–how bad I stutter. They’d probably l–laugh at me.”

  There was a long pause, then, “How ’bout I give you some private lessons?”

  “P–private lessons?”

  “Sure. We could meet once a week, either at your apartment or in my shop.”

  “Well …”

  “I’d really like to see your talent perfected. Besides, it would be a good excuse to be with you again.”

  He wants to be with me. Tabby squirmed restlessly. Did Seth really see her in some other light than a mere charity case? Could he possibly see her as a woman? An image of little Ryan O’Conner, the freckle-faced boy from day care, flashed through her mind. He had a crop of red hair, just like Seth. I wonder if our son would look like that?

  “Tabby, are you still there?” Seth’s deep voice drew Tabby back to their conversation.

  “Yes, I’m—I’m h–here,” she mumbled, wondering what on earth had been going on in her head. She hardly knew Seth Beyers, and fantasizing about a child who looked like him was absolutely absurd!

  “Are you thinking about my proposal?” Seth asked, breaking into her thou
ghts a second time.

  “Pro–proposal?” she rasped. Even though she knew Seth wasn’t talking about a marriage proposal, her heat skipped a beat. They’d only met a short time ago. Besides, they were exact opposites. Seth would never want someone as dull as her.

  “So, what’s it gonna be?” he prompted.

  She sent up a silent prayer. What should I do, Lord? A few seconds later, as if she had no power over her tongue, Tabby murmured, “O–okay.”

  “Your place or mine?”

  Tabby caught a glimpse of Donna lurking in the hallway. “You could come here, but we’ll probably have an audience.”

  “An audience?”

  “Donna—my r–roommate.”

  Seth laughed. “Oh, yeah. Well, I don’t mind, if it doesn’t bother you.”

  Actually, the thought of Donna hanging around while Seth gave her lessons did make Tabby feel uncomfortable. It was probably preferable to being alone with Seth at his shop, though. “When do you w–want to b–begin?” she asked.

  “Is tomorrow night too soon?”

  She scanned the small calendar next to the phone. Tomorrow was Friday, and like most other Friday nights, she had no plans. “Tomorrow n–night will be f–fine. I d–don’t get home till six thirty or seven, and I’ll need t–time to change and eat d–dinner.”

  “Let’s make it seven thirty, then. See you soon, Tabby.”

  Seth hung up the phone and shook his head. He could just imagine how Tabby must have looked during their phone conversation. Eyes downcast, shoulders drooping, hair hanging in her face.

  His heart went out to her whenever she stuttered. He felt a hunger, a need really, to help the self-conscious little woman. He wanted to help her be all she could be. Maybe the advanced ventriloquism lessons would enable her to gain more confidence.

  Seth turned away from the phone. If I work hard enough, Tabby might actually become the woman of my dreams. He slapped his palm against the side of his head. “Now where did that thought come from? I can’t possibly be falling for this shy, introverted woman.”

  Back when he was a teen, Seth had made a commitment to serve God with his ventriloquist talents. He’d also asked the Lord for a helpmate—someone with whom he could share his life and his talent. Since he’d never found that perfect someone, maybe he could make it happen.