She snapped her fingers. Oh, I remember! Just that Jarrett Ross wasnt the only man Gram and her friends mentioned. There was also prolonged discussion of one of Crystals cousins, an accountant named Greg Tucker? Your mother cant imagine why someone who would be such a good provider is still single.
Possibly because Greg hates kids, Cole guessed. Well, hate may be too strong a word. But not by much. From what Cole had seen when the Tuckers were together en masse, Greg barely tolerated his legion of nieces and nephews. He was a completely illogical match for a single mom.
I definitely cant get involved with anyone who dislikes kids. Lukes challenging enough to people who are crazy about them. She pressed a hand to her forehead. Lord, that sounded awful. I didnt mean... I know he didnt make a stellar first impression on you, but deep down hes a good boy.
All kids make mistakes, he reassured her, remembering his own scalding embarrassment when he was called into the principals office to discuss Alyssas marker-on-the-bathroom-wall misadventure. Even a cops kids.
Kates laugh was hollow. Thats exactly what Luke is.
He swung his gaze to her in surprise. Your ex-husband is a policeman?
Was, she corrected softly. My late husband was a policeman.
He was too shocked to respond. Why hadnt his mother mentioned Kate was a widow? I
There they are. She gestured toward the left of the barn. The two kids sat with their heads close together as they looked down, too focused to notice the approaching adults. As Cole and Kate got closer, the breeze carried Alyssas exclamations of delight.
Its perfect! she cried. Except it needs wings.
Luke chuckled. First you said you wanted a horse, then you said unicorn. Now a Pegasus? Whats next, a whole herd?
No. I just want one winged unicorn. But shed look better if she was glittery. Do you have any sparkly crayons? she asked hopefully.
Hell, no.
Coles eyes narrowed at the kids language, but Kates fingers on his forearms stopped his intended reprimand. He glanced up, his annoyance fading in the wake of her beseeching expression.
Besides, his little girl was already taking the teenager to task. You arent supposed to say the H word. Unless youre at church and theyre talking about the Bad Place.
Sorry. Ill try not to say it again, Luke promised.
Thats okay. Sometimes my daddy says it, too.
Kate snickered, and Cole gave her a sheepish smile. Busted, she said softly.
Lukes head shot up. Mom?
Hey. She stepped away from Cole, putting an almost comical amount of distance between them.
Cole remembered the boys hostility yesterday when hed seen the two adults smiling at each other. How long had it been since Lukes father died? As someone who was still close to both of his parents, even as an adult, Cole couldnt imagine what that loss was like for the kid.
We were just coming to get you guys for lunch, Kate said. Whos hungry?
Me! Alyssa shot up as though she was spring-loaded. Although Luke showed more restraint, his eyes gleamed at the mention of food.
Both kids hurried back toward the house.
Be careful, Cole called after his daughter. Her flip-flops werent any better suited for hiking across rolling pastureland than Kates sandals were. He glanced down to check for swelling or a limp. Hows your foot? You didnt twist your ankle, did you?
Im fine. Just a little embarrassed. I reacted badly when you tried to keep me from falling. I didnt mean to be ungrateful. But its been so long since...
A man had touched her? At all? Cole hadnt exactly swept her into his arms for a passionate embrace. Did you lose him recently? he asked in a murmur, as if his regular speaking voice would make the question disrespectful.
She shook her head. Couple of years. But Ive been so busy trying to keep Luke out of trouble that time gets distorted, if that makes any sense.
It does. My ex-wife left when the girls were babiesshe decided she wasnt cut out for small-town life or trying to take care of two infants. There are odd moments when our being a whole family feels like yesterday, but other times, it seems like a different existence, altogether. Like remembering a past life.
Kate nodded, looking relieved by his understanding.
Neither of them spoke again until they were close enough to breathe in the spicy aroma of grilled sausages.
Cole?
Her soft voice brushed over his skin like a warm breeze. Hmm?
If Gram starts another recitation of the towns Most Eligible Men, will you help me change the subject? Please. I know her intentions are goodshe worries about me being lonelybut Im not ready to date.
After dozens of frustrating conversations with his mom about his own love life, or lack thereof, he empathized all too well. In fact... He stopped abruptly. Maybe the two of us can help each other. I have a radical idea.