Walking into love

When Rachel spots a handsome crossing guard while walking her nephew to school, their instant connection is serendipitous!

- Wendel J. Potter

The chirp from the crossing guard’s whistle quickened the first-grader’s pace down the sidewalk between his house and the brick school on the corner.

“Come on, Aunt Rachel!” the little boy said.

Rachel chuckled at her nephew’s enthusiasm. She was so glad he was excited that school was back in session.

“The stoplight’s red, Liam. We always wait for the guard to wave us through.”

“Are you going to walk me to school every day?” Liam asked, tugging at her hand.

“Just this week. Then your parents get back—and next week, I start my new job!”

The crossing signal lit up, its white illuminated hand beckoning. The whistle tweeted three sharp blasts as the guard stepped into the crosswalk to meet the kids on the corner and escort them safely across.

“The new guard is cool!” Liam blurted, pointing at the tall, muscular man in the blue ball cap, his white shirt covered by a yellow vest.

“So I noticed,” Rachel said, her voice trembling slightly. She couldn't recall ever seeing a school crossing guard so young. He had to be in his early 30s, like her. For that matter, she had never seen one so darned good-looking. He was striking.

“I'll be back at three,” she told Liam, giving him a hug.

The guard froze for a moment, a small smile breaking across his smooth, handsome face. “Morning,” he nodded toward Rachel. Then he turned to shepherd the gaggle of kids toward the school.