Page 15 of Wish You Faith (Christmas Sweethearts #1)

If Mom knew Jesus Christ, she might be less prone to worry and depression, no? Christ could be her living hope. Thinking of that reminded Evan of Phil Wickham’s song, “Living Hope.”

Maybe he could send Mom a link to the song. Not that he had expected Mom to listen to Christian music. She wasn’t interested in anything Christian and refused to go to church with Connor and Evan except at Christmas and Easter Sunday.

Outdoors, the temperature dropped some more as they walked toward Rosie’s car.

“Want me to drive?” Evan asked.

“Why?”

The question took Evan by surprise. “What do you mean?”

“I’m just curious about your thought process.” She handed him the car key.

“My thought process?” Evan came around the car to open the passenger door for Rosie.

“I can do this myself.” Rosie put one foot in the car. “I mean… Thank you.”

“You’re not used to someone opening and closing car doors for you and driving you around, are you?”

Rosie shook her head slightly. “I’m the one driving Mom around, and I’m the one closing the doors for her.”

“Then this evening is my treat.” Gently, Evan closed the door and dashed around the car to the driver’s side. “Shall we find a parking spot near Piper’s Place?”

“Yes, that’s a good reference point. Since we’re going there anyway, it makes sense to find some parking spaces near it. The fireworks should be happening across the street from the restaurant.”

Evan found Piper’s Place on Google Maps. “Fifteen minutes from here.”

“Let me see when the fireworks start.” Rosie was on her phone, tapping. “Nine o’clock. I think we’ll make it.”

Evan quickly adjusted to the Toyota. “Glad this is not a stick shift.”

“I can only drive automatic.” Rosie put on her safety belt.

“Me too.” He backed the car off the driveway. “What else do we have in common? What are your hobbies?”

“I love to read.”

“Same. What genres do you usually read?”

“I prefer re-reading the classics,” Rosie said. “I don’t know how many times I’ve read Jane Austen’s novels. I think more times than I’ve read Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South .”

“So you would’ve stayed home and watched the drama with your mom tonight if you hadn’t gone to the skating rink?” Evan drove more than the speed limit through the Savannah squares.

“Not necessarily. I’ve watched the drama adaptation countless times.

When Mom was in the hospital, I’d read the novel to her because it’s her favorite novel.

So I know the story inside out. As for tonight, I didn’t know the neighbors were coming over.

Mom sometimes does spontaneous meet-ups like that. ”

“Do you like to be spontaneous too?”

“Well, changing plans tonight was a bit spontaneous,” Rosie said. “I’m usually more likely to plan ahead of time. You?”

“I like planning too, but sometimes I end up winging it. Like this evening.”

“Yeah.”

More things in common between the two of them.

“Oh, the fireworks will be fun, though,” Rosie said. “We can watch TV anytime.”

Evan was glad that Sonya had decided to stay home and not be the third wheel. Then again… “Are you okay with just the two of us going out this evening?”

“Did you think I’d have preferred to have Mom with us?” Rosie asked.

Evan didn’t know how to reply to that. No, he did not want Sonya to go with them. At the same time, he did not want Rosie to feel uncomfortable being with him. Then again, she didn’t seem to be so. After all, she considered him a friend and treated him as such.

“Truth be told, I haven’t gone anywhere without Mom for a long time. Even at work, she’s with me three mornings a week. I don’t mind because we had a big scare with her cancer. It could return at any moment.” Rosie’s voice cracked. “I must cherish the short amount of time we have left.”

“I’m sorry I brought it up.”

“No big deal.” Her voice returned to normal. “To answer your question, it’s nice to get away on my own for a couple of hours. I was starting to feel guilty for leaving Mom alone at home tonight—until I saw Dottie and Marcella. Mom will be fine for a couple of hours, and I get a mini break.”

Evan nodded. “Even caregivers need care.”

“I know, but I don’t have time to worry about myself. I don’t know how much time God is giving Mom. I pray that Jesus will return soon so that Mom doesn’t have to suffer the final days of cancer eating her up.”

“I’m sorry.”

“When she’s gone, I’ll have plenty of time to do whatever I want, but I know I will miss her very much. So while she’s here, I sacrifice all my free time for her.”

“Spending time with your loved ones is important.” Evan wondered what Rosie’s love language was. Quality time, perhaps?

“I don’t go out much, I don’t party at all, and I don’t date,” Rosie added.

I don’t date.

What did she mean? What was she trying to tell him?

“So what is this evening to you?” Evan asked carefully.

“Hmm... I would categorize it as two new friends going to River Street to see the fireworks and have some desserts. How do you look at it?” Rosie smiled.

Friends? There she went again.

How could he tell her that he wanted more without scaring her off? This could potentially be their first date night in a future retrospection.

A date night?

He cleared his throat. “I thought we might get to know each other.”

Rosie fist bumped his upper arm. “Well then, may this be the start of a good friendship.”

Please let there be more.

But he didn’t say it.