by Lisa Jordan
She glanced at the long, tanned fingers that were nicked and callused from his years on the river.
“What are you frustrated about?”
His quiet words snagged a tender piece of her soul. She longed to release the pressures in her chest by letting the words tumble out, along with a good cry. But she had to hold it together. People depended on her. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes as she brushed her fingers through the sun-warmed grass.
“What’s going on, Nat? You can talk to me.”
She eyed him, looked at her father and son once more and then returned her attention to petting Daisy, who had crawled into her lap. “The surgery was supposed to help Dad get better, but he just seems to be more tired than usual. I came home to help run the business, but being here...” She glanced at Evan again. “It’s tough. My dad has always been my strength and now he has to depend on me. Running the kennel and training dogs together created a special bond between us. I developed severe anxiety after we came to live with Ted...I mean, after we moved to this house. Dad used the dogs to bring me comfort.”
“He certainly has a way with animals...and people.”
“The kennel became our special place. With his recent heart attack, it made me realize how precious our time together really is. A lot of things are changing as my parents get older. I need to be here for Mom, Dad and Aidan.”
And you.
But she couldn’t voice that.
Evan moved over to Natalie and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He drew her into his embrace, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I understand what you’re going through, Nat. After the tornado, I felt a lot of the same emotions. Anytime you want to talk, I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
She breathed in the scent of soap clinging to his warm skin and longed to rest in the strength he seemed to be offering. But she couldn’t allow herself to depend on him again. Even though he mentioned building a house, once his shoulder healed he’d probably be heading back to his paddling life, leaving her to pick up the pieces of her broken heart once again.
He tipped her chin and looked at her with those incredible blue eyes. “What you have with Coach won’t be wasted. You can carry on his legacy by using the skills you’ve learned to offer that same kind of care and comfort to others.”
His words, spoken with warmth and tenderness, nearly unshackled her heart.
Would it be so bad to lean on Evan? Even for a short time?
That would mean trusting him. While she longed to unburden her feelings and emotions, a part of her couldn’t forget the past and the heartbreak she’d felt when he walked away.
She couldn’t risk that again, no matter how much she wanted to believe he wasn’t going anywhere.
Evan pushed to his feet once again and held out a hand to her. “Come on, let’s take the dogs for a walk. I promise to listen to what you say about loose leash training, too.”
Natalie smiled in spite of herself and put her hand in his, allowing him to pull her up. “Let me tell Dad where we’re going and grab Aidan so Dad can take a rest. I’ll put Daisy in her crate while we’re gone so she can take a nap.”
Ten minutes later, they walked down the narrow dirt road that cut through the Bishops’ property and led into the woods hemmed in by tall trees and thick grasses. Daisies, buttercups and purple sweet peas dipped and waved as they passed. Birds swooped from branch to branch calling one another. Squirrels and chipmunks skittered across the dirt road and raced up the trees.
“It’s peaceful. I like to walk the dogs we board back here. It’s away from the distractions of walking them in town.”
“Want to know a secret?”
Natalie eyed Evan. “Okay...”
He grinned and touched her elbow, then pointed ahead. “Up ahead where the road veers to the left, instead of following that path, let’s go to the right.”
Natalie shielded her eyes with her hand to see where he was suggesting they go. “But there’s no path.”
“Maybe not a beaten one like this, but there used to be a trail—Ben and I made it. And it leads to the farm. I haven’t seen the path in years, but let’s be a little adventurous. Do you trust me?”
The weight of his question slugged her in the chest.
Did she trust him?
Once they reached the spot where the path split, she stopped, eyed the overgrown area and glanced down at her denim shorts and blue flip-flops. “I’m not exactly dressed to go traipsing through a jungle.”
Evan raised an eyebrow as his eyes skimmed over her legs. He grinned. “I think you’re dressed perfectly fine.”
Her cheeks warmed.
“Hey, Aidan. Wanna go on an adventure?”
Aidan stopped and looked at Evan with his familiar scrunched-up face. “An adventure? Where?”
“Through the grass—I want to show you something.”
Aidan looked at her and she gave a slight nod. He returned his attention to Evan and shrugged. “Okay.”
Evan held out his hand and Aidan took it. No qualms. No reservations. Innocent trust, expecting Evan to have his best interests at heart.
Natalie could take lessons from her son.
She pulled her phone out of the back pocket of her shorts and snapped a picture of father and son walking through the grass, making a path for her to follow. Toby stayed at Evan’s side.
She hurried after them. A moment later, the trees opened and gave way to a small clearing and the sounds of babbling water. A worn footbridge stretched across a narrow stream.
Evan unclipped Toby’s leash. The dog bolted down the bank and lapped the water.
“Cool!” Aidan dropped Evan’s hand and raced toward the bridge.
Evan reached out and caught him by the shirttail. “Hey, buddy. Slow down. That bridge isn’t very safe.”
Aidan stopped at the edge of the bridge. “Can I cross it?”
“Not until I check it out. It hasn’t been used in years. The boards are worn and need to be replaced.”
Natalie reached the creek bank and shaded her eyes to look beyond the water. “What’s on the other side of the creek?”
“The farm, specifically my property. This is a narrow section of Arrowhead Creek that cuts through our land. Ben and I made the footbridge when we were in middle school so we could get to each other’s houses faster.”
“How did I not know that?”
“You’re not the only one who can keep a secret.” Evan kicked one of the uneven boards on the bridge with the toe of his shoe. “We could easily cross without it except during the rainy season when this section of the creek swelled.”
Aidan sat on the edge of the bank with his hands behind him. “Mom, can I play in the water?”
“No, honey. That bank’s pretty steep, and you can’t swim.”
“But I can see the bottom. The water’s not very deep.”
“Not today, Aidan.” Her voice firm.
Evan scowled at her. “What do you mean he can’t swim? His grandfather’s the county swim coach.”
Natalie held up her hands in a back-off gesture. “I’m well aware. Aidan’s not ready.”
Evan glanced at their son, then back to her. “He’s not? Or you’re not? You have to loosen the apron strings a little, Nat, and let the kid live.”
“What if he gets hurt? What if something happens?”
He took two steps toward her, his back to Aidan, and reached for her hands. “You are not in this alone anymore. I’m here to help both of you. Between Coach and me, we can teach him to swim. Water is in the kid’s veins, remember, Ms. State Champion?”
She shook her head and stared at her toes, trying not to think about how Evan’s touch made her feel. “That was a lifetime ago. But you’re right—he does need to learn. Maybe once Dad is allowed to go back to work.”
“I can teach him.”
“What about your shoulder?”
“My sling comes off in a few days. I’ll start physical therapy, and I’ll be as good as new.”
And heading back to his first love—the river—and leaving them behind.
Natalie forced a smile, thankful her sunglasses hid the sudden wash of moisture across her eyes. “We’ll see.”
Stepping away from Evan, she crossed the grass to sit next to Aidan. Better to get in the habit now of keeping her distance from the man whose presence scrambled her insides rather than fall in love with him all over again and pick up the pieces later.
Or was she too late?
In the short time Evan had been back in Shelby Lake, he’d taken up residence once again in her thoughts and dreams. Part of her wanted more, and another part was too afraid to invest because she knew what would happen when he walked away.
Chapter Six
Evan was a failure as a father.
Somehow, he needed to help Aidan calm down. All of his tactics had failed. Beyond seeing his twin niece and nephew while home, and hanging out with his teammates’ kids, he didn’t have much experience with children.
How did other parents manage meltdowns?
He glanced at his sport smartwatch. Seven minutes and four seconds.
That was how long Aidan had been screaming since he woke up to use the bathroom and found Evan instead of his mother in the living room.
When Nat called an hour ago and asked him to come and stay with Aidan while she drove her parents to the ER, Evan didn’t even hesitate. He’d jumped in his truck and headed over the hill.
Apparently, Coach had gotten dizzy, fallen and cut his head on the bathroom counter. After Evan helped load him into Nat’s SUV, he’d cleaned up the counter and floor.
Then Aidan woke up, which spiraled into a meltdown.
Evan reached for the kid curled up in a ball on the floor between the couch and wall. “Hey, buddy. Let’s watch Daniel Tiger.”
Livie and Landon loved Daniel Tiger, the animated show that had followed in Mister Rogers’s footsteps.
Aidan slapped at Evan’s hand. “No! I hate Daniel Tiger! I want my mom.”
“Your mom will be back in a little while.” Evan eyed his watch one more time.
Eight minutes.
“Where is she?” He sniffed and wiped his nose on the hem of his shirt.
“I told you—she had to run an errand with your grandma and grandpa.”
“I wanna go, too.” Fresh tears trailed down his face and dripped off his chin.
“I’m sorry, buddy, but you can’t. Your mom will be back soon. For now, you’re here with me.”
“I don’t like you.” Aidan scrambled to his feet, raced to the front door and threw it open.
Evan tried not to let the words spoken in fear and frustration jab him in the throat.
Less than two steps behind him, he wrapped his arm around the boy’s waist and hauled him back before Aidan could escape barefoot into the dark.
Alice, the Bishops’ collie, barked, jumped off the couch and pranced around them. Barking sounded from down the hall—Daisy, crated in Nat’s bedroom.
Great. Let’s get everyone wound up.
Aidan tried to wriggle out of his grasp and pounded his small fists against Evan’s chest and neck.
Careful not to trip over Alice, Evan carried him back to the couch, trying to ignore the fire igniting in his shoulder, and sat, cradling his son against his chest.
His son who wanted nothing to do with him.
Evan tried to remember how his brother Tucker handled his twins’ fits, but he was drawing a blank.
Wait a minute—what was that ridiculous song Mom used to sing to them before bed when they were kids?
Evan hummed a few bars of the tune from his childhood as it started coming back to him. He sang about going to the animal fair with baboons combing hair and sneezing elephants.
Aidan’s rigid body relaxed in Evan’s arms.
He sang about a monkey next to a skunk, and Aidan giggled. Evan stilled a moment and then launched into the song a third time with more gusto and exaggeration, creating his own words that didn’t seem to make sense.
By the time he started at the beginning once again, Aidan pushed away from his chest and sang along with him.
Still holding the child in his arms, Evan brushed Aidan’s hair off his forehead and thumbed away stray tears from his cheeks.
“Are you really my dad?” Aidan looked at him with questioning eyes.
“Yes, I am.” Evan looked down at the child’s sweet and innocent face.
“Okay.” Aidan sighed and shifted in Evan’s arms, resting the back of his head against Evan’s chest. He rubbed his tired-looking eyes and smothered a yawn. “Can I watch Daniel Tiger now?”
So much for not liking it.
“Of course.” Evan leaned forward, picked up the remote and flipped to the home page that listed the streaming channels. Clicking on one, he scrolled until he found the show Aidan wanted.
Once the yellow-and-brown-striped tiger wearing a red sweater started singing, Aidan relaxed in his arms. Within minutes, he was snoring softly.
Evan shifted into a more comfortable position and settled back against the throw pillow, his arms wrapped around his son. Alice jumped up next to them and rested by Evan’s hip, her paws tucked under her muzzle as she watched them.
He exhaled slowly.
He’d done it.
He’d managed to quiet his son’s screams with a silly song. He should carry him to his bed where he could sleep comfortably. And he would. In a minute, maybe. For now, though, he had five years to make up for.
Evan adjusted Aidan in his arms and closed his eyes for a moment.
A hand touched his shoulder.
Evan’s eyes shot open to find Natalie standing over him, looking tired and something else he couldn’t quite describe. Anxious, maybe?
“Hey, sleepyheads.”
Her gentle tone stirred something deep in his chest. He smiled and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger.
As he tried to shift Aidan’s weight, a flare of pain spiked through his shoulder. He sucked in a sharp breath.
Nat reached over to remove Aidan from his arms, her fingers grazing across his chest.
Aidan’s eyes fluttered. “Mommy.”
“Hi, baby.” Her quiet whisper brought a smile to Aidan’s face.
“You came back.”
“Of course. I will always come back to you.”
“Good.” He closed his eyes as she carried him down the hall.
Evan stood, scrubbed a hand over his face, then smoothed down his hair. He winced as his shoulder tightened. He straightened the pillows and folded a knitted afghan he had tossed over Aidan.
Nat returned to the living room and smothered a yawn. “Thanks for coming at the last minute.”
“Of course. How’s Coach?”
“He ended up with four stitches, and they’re keeping him overnight for observation for a mild concussion and a possible reaction to a new medication his cardiologist added recently. It could explain the fatigue and lack of energy he’s been experiencing lately. Mom decided to stay at the hospital with him.” Her voice caught and she pressed a fist to her mouth.
“Come here.” Evan wrapped an arm around her and drew her to his chest. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “What can I do to help?”
“You’re doing it now.” Her words were muffled against the fabric of his T-shirt. “Dad asked if Ben was meeting us at the hospital. That’s when Mom became more concerned.”
Evan lifted a hand to brush her hair off her face. “I’m sorry, Nat.”
She cupped her hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thanks. I’m sorry Aidan woke up. I figured he would have stayed asleep. How was he?�
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“He freaked out when he realized you weren’t here. But we handled it, and he fell back to sleep.”
“I hope he wasn’t too much for you. He can be a little difficult at times.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“How’s the shoulder?” She ran a gentle hand over his sling.
On fire.
He shrugged. “It’s fine. I should get out of here so you can get some sleep.”
The last thing he wanted to do was leave, but it was the right thing all around.
Nat stepped out of his arms and reached for a tissue from the box on the coffee table between the matching couches. She wiped her eyes, wadded it up and stuffed it in her front pocket. She walked him to the door. “Thanks again, Evan.”
“Anytime.” He wanted to lean over and kiss her. Instead, he gave her a wave and stepped into the darkness.
After opening the truck door, Evan slid behind the steering wheel and leaned his head against the headrest.
He might not be Father of the Year, have Tuck’s parenting skills or even his father’s wisdom, but he had managed time alone with his son without any permanent damage.
Maybe there was hope for them after all.
He knew one thing, though—he wasn’t about to give up trying.
* * *
After helping Natalie out the other night by caring for Aidan, Evan needed to learn how to connect with his son.
Now that Coach had been home from the hospital for a couple of days, maybe having lunch together would give them a chance to catch up. And maybe his former mentor could give him some parenting tips.
Evan pushed through the smoky glass door at Joe’s Diner, pocketed his keys and tucked his sunglasses onto the neck of his royal blue T-shirt. He scanned the busy dining room to see if Coach had arrived.
He’d offered to pick him up, but Coach said the walk to the diner would be good for him.
Scents of grilled meat and salty french fries shot straight to Evan’s gut, making his mouth water.
Spying an empty booth, he passed the counter, waved to Isabella, his brother’s fiancée, and snagged an empty booth that overlooked the parking lot.
