Stopping Traffic (A Back to School Romance) (Love at The Crossroads) Read Online Free Page B

ironic that Candace had to come into the office to be considered for a promotion, but so many tasks were done via virtual assistant. Although it felt good to be away from her home office, she dearly missed hearing her daughter’s chatter when Candace instructed her to be silent so she could get some work done. 
    The lunch break came without Candace realizing she was hungry. The cafeteria was massive with a dining room that boasted three sets of buffet bars: fruits, salads, soups, fried and baked entrees. After filling their trays with their selections, Solae chose a cozy spot in a far corner. Once they blessed their food, Solae tackled her salad. “Do you think you’ll like it here?”
    Candace nodded. “It feels weird not to have Lindsay close by. I wonder if this is what empty-nesters feel like when their children grow up and move away. My baby is just in kindergarten.” Shaking her head, Candace enjoyed a mouthful of chicken and wild rice soup. “Do you think I should get Lindsay a cell phone just in case she has an emergency?”
    Solae almost choked. Reaching for her bottle of water, she took an unladylike swig. “You’re kidding, right? If there is an emergency, the school will notify you. Girl, if you don’t cut them strings and let Lindsay grow and explore her world, then I will unfriend you from Facebook.”
    Humph. Her best friend might be Lindsay’s godmother, but Solae hadn’t experienced the bond between mother and child. Wasn’t worrying the norm? Plus, Candace wasn’t convinced that the world was all that safe to explore, especially after her husband was killed while simply walking across the street. No dangerous lifestyle, bad habits or health issues—just going from corner A to corner B.
    Once lunch was over, Candace’s first day breezed by quickly. She left work to fulfill her afternoon role as crossing guard. “Lord, will this get easier, or will I always be afraid? Help me Jesus,” she whispered as she got into her car and drove away. Surprisingly, the second shift was without incident—no more fire trucks—and she felt more in command.  Candace felt like she was walking in victory as she strutted to her daughter’s classroom to retrieve her and go home.
    Lindsay was a ball of energy. “Mommy, my teacher let me collect the pencils today and tomorrow I’ll…” Lindsay rambled on until they got home and continued as Candace prepared dinner. She had never seen her daughter so happy. Lindsay talked non-stop about her teacher and what she learned in school and the many new friends.
    Maybe being away from the little chatterbox during the day wasn’t such a bad idea after all. By week’s end, Candace had settled into her positions as account executive assistant and crossing guard. She had to admit that her school duty was forcing her to face her fears, and in Jesus’ name, overcome them. At her desk, snapshots of her and Lindsay littered her cubicle. She smiled at the pictorial timeline of her life with Lindsay
    “Ouch!” Candace blinked. One thump on her head was followed by another one on her shoulder. Whirling around, she blocked her face with both hands from the peppermint ball attack. Candace was learning that it was Solae’s choice of ammunition when she was trying to get her attention. “Stop it.” She laughed. “What is your problem?”
    “Well, I thought I was having a conversation with you until I realized you had zoned out on me and I was talking to myself.” Solae scooted her chair out of her cubicle, across the carpet and rolled right into Candace’s, bumping her chair.
    “Now that you’ve got my attention, what do you want?”
    Solae shrugged. “Actually, nothing. With the computers down and since I left my reading material at home, I thought I’d annoy you.” She grinned and lifted a brow. “So are you getting the hang of standing on the corner?”
    “Funny.” Candace stuck out her tongue. “Some of the older children want me to dance in the street like