A Wife For Ben. Cheryl Wolverton

You go to church,” Sunni said, and started to cut up her son’s food.

      “Yes. Down the road in Zachary, actually.”

      “We’re not into church or religion,” Sunni confessed. “I guess I’ve never thought about it.”

      She couldn’t believe Sunni had never been to church. “Never?”

      “Well, we’ve been to a couple of funerals. But my husband and I were married by a justice of the peace. I’ve never been to Sunday service.”

      Ben interrupted. “Our grandmother didn’t get out much.”

      “Speaking of which.” Sunni cut in. “Do you have any friends we can call? Someone who might be worried about you?”

      Stephanie filled her daughter’s plate, making sure to add some corn, Katie’s favorite, and then took a bite of the green beans she’d dished up for herself. “I guess I’m like your grandmother. I don’t get out much—just work and church. I don’t really get involved in church, not since…well…” She glanced at her daughter and changed the subject. “I know a few people in the business in Baton Rouge that I should contact, I suppose. They’re businesses I do contract work for on a regular basis.”

      “What do you do?” Sunni asked.

      Stephanie found herself relaxing as she sensed Sunni’s genuine interest in her.

      “She’s into graphic designs and Web pages,” Ben said, tearing off a piece of roll and popping it in his mouth.

      Well, that was close, Stephanie thought, smiling at Ben.

      “I also do Internet advertisements, as well as other things,” she added.

      “Ben, you should get Stephanie to design a Web site for your business,” Sunni said excitedly.

      “I’m in discussions on that very subject,” Ben retorted, grinning.

      Ben seemed so easygoing with his sister, al lowing her to rattle on, interjecting when he had a chance. He had obviously been very close to his sister growing up.

      Sunni was a little older than her brother. The wrinkles around her eyes gave that away. Although she also had smile wrinkles around her mouth, her blue eyes sparkled with fun. Her short brown hair had some gray in it.

      She didn’t look much like her brother, except for the smile.

      “Your husband is offshore?” Stephanie asked, turning the topic from her to Sunni.

      “Do you work, as well?”

      “Oh, no. I’m a full-time mom. I used to work in banking, but I love staying at home,” Sunni said proudly.

      “That’s why I like working out of my home,” Stephanie murmured, feeling a sudden connection with the woman.

      “Isn’t that true. Being at home during the developmental years is so important. It’s tight sometimes, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

      Ben chuckled. “I’m not sure how she does it.”

      “Oh, you’re just too uptight around kids, Ben. You need to learn to loosen up and have fun.”

      Stephanie could tell by the look on Ben’s face he had no idea how to be fun around kids. “I’ll stick with my buildings, thank you, sis.”

      Sunni rolled her eyes. “You’d think after six years he would be used to kids. Of course, he works so much he rarely sees my angels.” Sunni managed to look down her nose at her brother. “I’ll break him of that one day.”

      Katie giggled.

      Stephanie smiled at her daughter, trying to picture Sunni and her brother standing toe to toe as Sunni railed at him for always working. Stephanie couldn’t picture it. Ben would tower over Sunni.