Free Fair Catch by Cindy Roland Anderson Page A

Betsy was watching her with concern. She started over toward her, probably afraid Ellie was going to have another meltdown and run home.
    Taking a seat next to Ellie, she patted her hand. “Honey, are you worried about Thomas not taking Cade to California?”
    Her eyes darted over to find Nick watching her, his brow furrowed with worry. She sighed and answered Betsy. “I am. I haven’t had the courage to tell him. He’ll be so disappointed.”
    “Maybe at first, but once he knows you’re taking him he won’t care.”
    “True.” She shrugged. “I just wish my parents were here. I hate driving in a place I don’t know. If Dad were home he could come with me and do all the driving.”
    “Nick grew up in that area.” Betsy smiled like she’d just come up with a brilliant plan.
    Well, it wasn’t a brilliant plan. Ellie cast a scorching glare at Betsy. “Yes. But he’s not my dad.”
    “Let’s hope not,” Nick mumbled under his breath.
    Ellie turned her narrowed eyes on him. “I’ll be okay. I can do it on my own.” Her ex-husband had forced her to be independent.
    Nick rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortably. Poor guy. She bet he wished he could have a meltdown and run away. “I’m sure you can do it, but I have some pretty good connections. If you wanted I could get you and Cade set up like VIPs.” He looked at her earnestly. “If you’ll let me, I’d like to help.”
    Huh? His offer completely knocked her off balance. Why would he offer to help her? Did he see her as some charity case? Studying his face, she saw genuine compassion. Was he really this nice of a guy? She felt torn between accepting his help and trying to be independent.
    She found herself twisting a finger around her hair. “I…Can I think about it?”
    “Sure,” Nick said. “Just let me know.”
    “I will. Thank you.” The look in his eyes changed, making her stomach tighten. While she could still see the compassion there, she also saw something else. She stopped twisting her hair and tucked it behind her ear. Nick’s eyes followed the movement and she saw him swallow.
    “Well, good.” Betsy stood up and rubbed her hands together. “Now, who’s in the mood for dessert?”
    Ellie’s gaze involuntarily shifted to Nick’s mouth. Oh my . She was in the mood for something and, believe it or not, it wasn’t dessert. Scary.
    “I think I’ll skip dessert and go for a run.” She jumped up out of her seat. “Betsy, can Cade stay for a minute. I promise not to be long.”
    “Sure, honey.” Betsy eyed her suspiciously. Then her countenance brightened. “Nick, why don’t you go with her?”
    Ellie held back an eye roll. Betsy wasn’t very subtle. “If he wants to.” Her eyes flitted back over to Nick.
    His mouth was tilted up on one side. “You sure you don’t mind me tagging along?”
    Ellie almost laughed out loud. She bet Nick Coulter didn’t say those words very often. Most women would be more than happy to have him “tag along.” But he did sort of look eager, even if Betsy was practically forcing them together.
    “Of course not.” She took a step backward. “I need to change and then I’ll meet you out front.”
    The man shot her another one of his grins. How on earth was she supposed to make a decision with Nick by her side?
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Nick stepped onto his porch and closed his door. Out of habit, he scanned his surroundings to look for lurking photographers. He couldn’t believe he’d been here for nearly a week without so much as one person asking him for an autograph. He’d picked the perfect neighborhood to move in to. They weren’t name droppers and didn’t have the propensity to talk—leaving him free from the media.
    His eyes settled on Ellie’s house as he lunged one foot forward, stretching out his hamstrings. She was as skittish as a rookie football player. He had to find a way to put her at ease, especially if he took her and her son to