by Jenna Mindel
“So how’d you and your mom get through it?”
Beth shrugged. “Church and friends, mostly.”
“Were you and your mom always churchgoers?”
Beth nodded. “For as long as I can remember.”
“That’s good. I want that for Corey. He needs to grow up in a good church and know how to live a Christian life. I’ve been a poor example for a man of faith. I put God on the back burner for a while.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “And now?”
“Now I want Him front and center.”
“Easier said than done, huh?”
Nick nodded.
“Don’t worry, you’re a better example than you realize.”
Her words soothed, and he clung to them. “I hope you’re right.”
“Your son’s a good boy, Mr. Grey. A little withdrawn maybe, but there’s a gentle politeness there, too. He tests the waters with kids in his class before putting himself out there all the way. I’d guess he gets that from you.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Perceptive woman. He’d learned the hard way that what glittered wasn’t always gold. Especially with Susan. She’d seemed so perfect in the beginning, but then they hadn’t really known each other. Once married, that became all too clear.
The ball game started, so Corey made his way back into the bleachers and sat next to Beth as if he belonged there. As if he belonged to her. But the boy smiled at him. “Thanks, Dad.”
Nick leaned forward. “For what?”
Corey shrugged. “Coming here.”
“You’re welcome.” He glanced at Beth.
She gave him a soft smile that made him rethink his comment about not getting involved. What Beth had said was dead-on. He needed to find ways to share fun experiences with his boy if he hoped to knit their torn relationship back together. Maybe even make it stronger.
Still, there was no doubt Beth’s presence had helped. Corey relaxed around her, and Nick wished some of that ease would rub off toward him. Maybe it would, in time.
For now, Beth made a good buffer between them. They needed her. In fact, they both might need Beth Ryken for a whole lot more than simply a reading tutor.
* * *
As the game wore on, Corey went back to playing catch with Thomas. Beth watched the clouds roll in and smother the sun.
She shivered. “This is why I don’t come to many early-season games. I end up freezing.”
“Here, use the blanket.” Nick scooted off their woolen cushion and helped her pull it up around her shoulders.
“Thanks. You want half?” she asked before she’d considered sitting that close to him.
He cocked one eyebrow at her as if she’d lost her mind. “No. I’m fine.”
Maybe she had, considering her speech about not getting involved. She wrapped the blanket tighter, and yet part of her was disappointed that he hadn’t taken her up on her offer. He’d be warm to lean against.
And Nick was a man of faith, he’d said. Maybe that was why she’d connected with him on a level other than simple attraction. They had God in common.
She’d meant what she’d said about not dating cops. Not that many had asked. A state trooper she’d met at a friend’s wedding had once asked her out, but she’d declined his offer. She’d made a personal vow never to marry a police officer. But in the case of the state trooper, there’d been no spark.
She glanced at Nick. A shiver of excitement shot up her spine that had nothing to do with the cold. Sparks didn’t begin to cover their mutual attraction.
Nick had admitted to finding her attractive. Sedate-sounding words, but she’d seen the fire in his eyes when he’d said it. As a woman, she found that look super gratifying. As a woman with a brain, she knew that look was as good as a red-flag warning.
Beth had few regrets in her life and she planned to keep it that way. Losing her father early in her teens made her realize how short life could be, so she played it safe. She thought long and hard before jumping in and weighed the consequences of each decision.
Her dad would never walk her down the aisle or hold her first child. Wonderful moments she’d miss all because what should have been a routine traffic stop ended with her father dead.
She glanced at Nick again. Falling for a guy like him could be the biggest regret of her life. If she let it happen. She wouldn’t deny the desire to help him with his son. If she could legitimately get Corey ready enough for a fighting chance in third grade, then she could step away.
“Hi, Beth.” Thomas’s mom climbed the bleachers to sit in front of them.
“Sandy.” She forced a smile that usually came with ease.
“And this must be Corey’s dad. Hi, I’m Sandy Clark.” She extended her hand along with a good dose of interest. “My boy’s been talking nonstop about his new friend, Corey.”
“Nick Grey.” He accepted her handshake.
“Welcome to the area. We’re going out for pizza after the game and would love it if you joined us. Thomas would be thrilled.”
Surprise registered on Nick’s face before he nodded agreement. “Thanks. Corey would like that.”
“Great. We’ll see you at Jemola’s Pizza and Wings. Beth knows where it’s at.” Sandy gave them both a big smile and left.
Nick turned toward her. “Please say there’s a Mr. Clark.”
Beth laughed at the panicked look in his eyes. “Yes. Well, no, not anymore. They split up last year and share custody of Thomas.”
“You’ve got to go with us,” Nick pleaded.
Beth tipped her head and teased, “Don’t tell me a tough guy like you is afraid?”
He nodded fast. “Did you see the glint in that woman’s eyes?”
Beth laughed again.
Oh, she’d seen it, all right, and her hackles had risen because of it. They shouldn’t have, though. Sandy Clark was a nice woman and solid mom. “You could do worse.”
Nick gave her a long look. “I could do better.”
Her heart pounded harder. She opened her mouth to remind Nick about how wrong for each other they were, but nothing came out. Diane’s advice to stay in teacher mode rang through Beth’s brain. Why had she said that, anyway?
He gave her a boyishly crooked grin that made her stomach flip. “Hey, all I’m looking for is friendship. No worries, okay? Come with us.”
“Okay.” Beth wanted to believe she’d agreed to go because of her weakness for pizza, but she knew better. Her weakness was all about Nick.
* * *
Once seated inside the pizza shop around a red-and-white-checkered table, Beth perused the menu.
“Pizza or wings?” Nick peered over her shoulder. “Which do you prefer?”
She fought the urge to lean back and into him. “Both.”
“Then we’ll get both.” Nick’s voice was low and soft.
Beth was an idiot to confuse an order of pizza and wings with an endearment, but somehow Nick had made it sound that way. She quickly focused on Corey. “What do you like on your pizza?”
Corey looked thoughtful and then confused. “Huh?”
Beth smiled. “What kind of pizza do you like?”
The boy shrugged. “Pepperoni, right, Dad?”
“That’s right.” Nick looked pleased with his son’s cheerfulness. “Good call coming here.”
Thanks to Sandy. Beth bit back jealousy. “Yeah, it was.”
“Hey, Beth, Mr. Grey.” Her school’s counselor stopped by their table.
“Hi, Diane.”
“Try their specialty pizza today. It’s barbecue chicken and awesome.”
“Thanks.” Why did Beth feel as if she’d been caught doing something wrong?
“I like pepperoni,” Corey said.
“You do? Well, that’s good
, too.” Diane smiled and then turned her attention toward Nick. “Looks like you guys are settling in.”
“We are.”
Corey’s attention was caught by the arrival of Thomas and his mom.
“Thanks for getting a table. This place fills up pretty fast after games.” Sandy slipped into a seat right next to Nick. “Hi, Diane, do you want to join us?”
Diane tapped on the tabletop. “Oh, no, my husband’s waiting for me in the car. Thank you. Nice to see you.”
“See you Monday.” Beth was glad Sandy had shown up. She didn’t need Diane thinking she and Nick were an item. Not so soon after being advised to stay in teacher mode.
Corey stared at Thomas’s mom but didn’t say a word.
Beth glanced at Nick to see if he’d introduce his son. When he didn’t say anything, she stepped up. “Corey, this is Mrs. Clark.”
Sandy smiled. “Hello.”
“Hi.” Corey’s voice was barely audible.
“Mom, can we have some quarters for games?” Thomas held out his hand.
Sandy dug in her purse.
Nick stood and placed his hand on Corey’s shoulder. “Come on, bud, let’s check out those games.”
The boys followed Nick to the corner by the door where an ancient pinball machine stood proud with lights flashing. There was also one of those claw machines packed with stuffed animals that begged to be played with and lost.
Beth watched Nick instruct the boys.
He might not realize it, but Nick was pretty good with kids. He didn’t try too hard to sound interested, nor did he talk down to them. Kids saw right through a patronizing tone.
“So, Beth, are you and Nick Grey seeing each other?” Sandy asked after they’d given the waitress their order while the boys continued to play.
“No.” Beth shifted. Seeing the gleam in Sandy’s eyes made her want to stretch the truth.
Sandy’s eyes narrowed. “Oh?”
Beth came clean, partially. “My mother watches Corey after school.”
“Ahh. Nick seems like a nice guy.”
“He is.” Beth’s impression of Nick had been way different than nice that day he’d showed up in her classroom. He had an edge to him. A good attribute for a cop.
Beth sipped her pop.
Sandy glanced toward the pinball machine. “So what’s his story? Divorced?”
“Widowed.” Beth figured that was common enough knowledge to repeat. Still, she didn’t like giving Sandy any pointers. Or encouragement.
“Awww, that’s too bad.” Sandy’s eyes had softened but they didn’t look a bit sorry. More like relieved that there wasn’t a Mrs. Grey lurking in the background.
“Yeah.” What else could she possibly say?
“Hey, Beth!”
Beth looked up to see her friend hurrying toward her. “Eva!”
They quickly embraced, and then Eva looked around the crowded restaurant. “Wow. Not many tables open.”
“Join us,” Beth said, and then glanced at Sandy to see if she’d mind.
“Adam is with me, along with Ryan and Kellie. You sure there’s room?”
“We’ll make room.” Sandy smiled and pulled a small table for two that was empty toward their larger one. She welcomed the additional people and yet Beth didn’t think it was about “the more, the merrier.”
Easier to corner Nick in a group. Really! What was wrong with her? If she didn’t want him, she shouldn’t care if someone else might.
Tamping down her venomous thoughts, Beth made the introductions as they all pitched in to help Sandy gather chairs.
“Hello.” Nick had returned with the two boys. He took the increased size of their party in stride, save for the raised eyebrow he gave her.
Beth did the honors. “This is Nick Grey and his son, Corey. They recently moved to LeNaro and Corey’s in my class.”
Eva reached out her hand. “And this is my fiancé, Adam, my brother Ryan and his fiancée, Kellie.”
After a quick round of small talk, everyone sat down. Beth noticed that Sandy had managed to scoot next to Nick again. She shrugged it off and concentrated on Eva. “You’re getting close.”
Eva grinned. “Two weeks until the wedding. I can hardly wait.”
“Me neither.” Adam brought Eva’s hand to his lips.
Eva brushed him aside. Her cheeks were pink but she beamed with joy.
“The cherry blossoms will be wide-open by then,” Ryan added with a look of such sweetness toward Kellie that Beth’s heart twisted.
She’d once had hopes of capturing Ryan’s notice, but Kellie was perfect for him. And Beth was happy for them all. Really, she was, but when would true love happen for her?
As if her eyes had a will of their own, she glanced at Nick.
He gave her that crooked grin that wasn’t much of a smile at all.
She smiled back. He looked bored out of his mind. From Sandy’s chatter or the table talk about cherry farming, Beth wasn’t sure. Still, meeting new people was good for him, considering his newness to town.
Eva’s smile grew wider as she glanced at Nick and then back at her. “So, Beth, have you thought about who you’re bringing to the wedding?”
* * *
As they left the pizza shop, rain poured from the sky with no sign of letting up. Under the red-and-white awning, Nick turned to Beth. “We’ll give you a ride home.”
She looked as if she might argue but nodded. Her house was only a few blocks away, but she’d be soaked through if she walked home.
He watched Beth wave goodbye to her friends as the two couples climbed into a huge blue pickup. They were nice people. Sandy and her son raced to their car, too. Beth was right about her; he could do a lot worse, but Sandy Clark held no interest for him.
Corey didn’t seem impressed, either. He’d barely spoken to the woman.
“Ready to run?” He clicked the remote to unlock his small SUV. He’d traded in his car before the move, after hearing about the winters up north. He looked forward to putting the four-wheel drive to use. Maybe he and Corey could learn to ski.
“Ready.” Beth reached for Corey’s hand.
His son took it as naturally as if he’d been holding hands with Beth forever. But then, she was his teacher. Little kids must be used to that sort of thing.
They made a dash for the car.
Beth pulled open the back door for Corey and waited while he climbed into his booster seat.
She slipped into the passenger side with a squeal. “Rain just dribbled down my back.”
They were soaked dashing for the car. And cold.
Beth shivered and then clenched her teeth to keep them from chattering.
“Corey, hand me that blanket,” Nick said.
“I’m okay.” Beth rubbed her arms.
“You’ll be home before the heat kicks in.” Nick wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. That small movement brought them into close proximity.
Close enough to kiss.
His gaze lingered on her full lips.
“Thanks.” She sounded breathless.
He leaned back fast. “You’re welcome.”
The air inside his car hummed with more than the drone from the defroster on high. The scent of rain mixed with the softness of Beth’s perfume had Nick’s brain reeling.
Friendship. He’d said that was all he was looking for, but it sure wasn’t all he wanted.
Nick glanced at Corey through the rearview mirror. The kid’s eyes were wide but not wise. His boy couldn’t possibly understand the currents of attraction swirling around them.
For Corey’s sake, Nick wouldn’t get involved with Beth. There was too much to lose if they suddenly broke up. Women could be vindictive when they wanted to be, and he woul
dn’t risk exposing Corey to any of that. Especially when he needed to concentrate on reading. The poor kid had had enough drama to last a lifetime.
Friendship. That was all he’d offer Beth until he knew his son had passed second grade. That was all he could handle until he knew for sure what kind of woman Beth proved to be.
Chapter Six
Sunday morning, Beth entered her small community church with her mom. Spotting Eva Marsh, Beth waved. And her friend made a beeline straight for her.
“Morning.”
“So what’s the deal with that redheaded guy who can’t keep his eyes off you?” Eva kept her voice secret-sharing low.
Beth shook her head. “I thought you’d decided to attend your brother’s church.”
“We are, but we still like to visit. I grew up coming here.”
Beth scanned the packed pews for her friend’s outrageously handsome fiancé. He chatted comfortably with a crusty old farmer named Jim Sanborn. Although Adam was now a full-time cherry grower, he didn’t fit that role today. Dressed in crisp gray slacks and a cotton sweater, Adam looked as urbane as when he’d first knocked on Eva’s door over a year ago. Beth had been her roommate then, and she’d coaxed Eva to give Adam a chance. Now they ran Marsh Orchards together and would soon open a bed-and-breakfast to boot.
Eva poked her in the ribs with her elbow. “So? What gives with Nick Grey?”
“Nothing gives. His son is in my class and my mom watches Corey after school.”
“And?”
“And that’s it.” That was all it should be.
“I don’t believe you.”
Beth never could pull one over on Eva. “He’s a deputy sheriff.”
“Oh.” Eva wrinkled her nose.
She knew Beth’s criteria. She also knew how much her father’s death had affected her. Eva had been a strong friend through the tragedy. If not for Eva, Beth didn’t know what she might have fallen into trying to cope with the loss.
“So...he’s off-limits.”
“Pretty much.” Beth knew what it was like to wait at home and worry. She’d seen her mother do it most of her life. When Beth was old enough to understand the danger her father faced on the job, she had worried, too.
