Free Fair Catch by Cindy Roland Anderson

the table and took a seat next to the pastor. His plate contained twice the amount of food as Owen’s. “If your wife keeps feeding me like this, I’ll have to contribute to your grocery bill,” Nick teased. “With me around, you’ll never have any leftovers.”
    Owen laughed. “Betsy cooks like this every night whether the fridge is overflowing with leftovers or not.” He winked at his wife. “Cooking is one of her passions.”
    Betsy sat down next to her husband, her eyebrows arching up. “But you’re my first passion, dear.”
    Owen leaned over and pecked his wife on the lips. “Don’t I know it.”
    Nick let out a low chuckle, his gaze drifting over to Ellie. She was smiling now and watched the couple with complete adoration. Her eyes flitted to his, the smile remaining on her face.
    Then her smile faltered, a look of concern crossed her features as Cade darted to the table, claiming the seat next to Nick. “Cade,” she said. “Come over here and let me cut up your chicken.”
    “I can do it.” Nick didn’t wait for her okay and started cutting the chicken into bite-size pieces.
    Her hands were already stretched out toward her son’s plate, but she slowly pulled them back. “Thank you.”
    Dinner progressed with most of the conversation centered on Cade. He reminded Nick of Tigger as he bounced in his seat, unable to sit still. By the time he polished off his dinner, Nick was sure the child had already burned the calories from the meal.
    “Mom, can you push me on the swing?” Cade popped up out of his seat.
    Ellie had hardly touched her plate, but she started to rise. Betsy stopped her. “I can push him. You sit there and finish your meal.”
    Owen scooted away from the table. “I’ll help.” He winked at Ellie. “I know how to do underdogs.”
    * * *
    Apparently the Stewarts weren’t going to leave them alone this time, but were giving them alone time.
    Thanks a lot, Ellie thought grumpily.
    She kept twisting her hands nervously and couldn’t bring herself to look at Nick, but she could feel his eyes on her. Unable to bear the silence a second longer, she looked up. He appeared amused and seemed to enjoy watching her fidget. Just what did he find so funny?
    “Did you have a good weekend?” he asked before she could say something.
    How did she answer that? Since most of her weekend consisted of thinking about him and…thinking about him. “It was okay.” Her face flushed as if he could read her mind. She lowered her head to study her hands again. “Did you have fun on your trip?”
    “No.”
    Her head shot up.
    The corner of his mouth lifted. “It was mostly business.” He winked. “Not very fun.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry.”
    His blue eyes held her gaze. “But I got to see my parents and that was nice.”
    “Oh. That is nice.” She sounded like an idiot. Since when had she turned into such a poor conversationalist?
    “Mom,” Cade called, interrupting her stilted dialogue. “Look how high I’m flying. I’m just like Buzz.”
    Ellie was about to tell him to be careful when Cade asked, “Will I get to see Buzz Lightyear when Daddy takes me to Disneyland?”
    Daddy wasn’t going to be taking him and she still hadn’t told Cade the news. “Um, I don’t know, baby. I hope you’ll get to see him.” Why did Thomas put her in this kind of fix?
    “I’m not a baby.” Cade laughed and instructed Owen to push him higher.
    No, her little boy wasn’t a baby, but he was growing up without a father. She watched him laughing, so carefree. One day he’d know what Thomas had done. Would he feel just as betrayed as her? Her eyes burned and she blinked them rapidly, determined not to cry. Her life wasn’t supposed to be like this. She never once imagined being a divorced single mother.
    “You okay?” Nick’s voice was soft.
    She forced herself to smile and gave him an answer that wasn’t entirely true. “Yes.” She couldn’t hold his gaze so she shifted her eyes back to Cade.