Free Home is Where the Heart is by Christie Mack Page A

unwind from a long week of work, school drop-off and pick-up, and other kinds of duties residents of Yellow Valley were involved in.
    Cassie was sitting in a booth alongside Gabby and Nick, devouring a slice of her favorite pepperoni pizza and chatting together, while Nick was in the play area of the restaurant watching Jake play with the other boys on the team and talking to their parents when a tall figure came in through the front doors of The Palace, walked to the front counter, and ordered a pizza.
    After paying for his pizza, the children’s glee and exhilaration distracted him from his usual headspace, and he turned around, spotting someone he knew all too well.
    She was here. Everywhere he went, there she was.
    Now was his opportunity to see her again, weaving around endless tables and chairs in the dining area until he was standing behind the booth she and her friend were occupying. Both of their eyes flicked to him. She didn’t look pleased either.
    “Hello, Cassie,” he said. His eyes lingered on her momentarily for the first time since the night she pushed him out the door.
    “Jordan, you’re back.”
    Jordan nodded his head. “I am.”
    “But I got your text,” she stated confused.
    “Yeah, I know what I said, but I got as far as the airport and realized I couldn’t walk away again, not when I could have the opportunity to get to know Jake as his dad. I want to be a part of his life—if you’ll let me.” He said it like it was Cassie’s decision whether she allowed Jordan to be a part of his son’s life. If she didn’t, then she would forever be known as the bad guy.
    Gabby stayed silent, but Jordan caught her rolling her eyes like she couldn’t believe the bullshit coming out of his mouth and she hoped her friend wouldn’t fall for the crap he was feeding her.
    “Well, you are his father, and I would never intentionally cut you out of his life. You should know your son. He should be a part of your life. I’ve always believed in that,” Cassie replied, maintaining eye contact with Jordan. Of course, he should have known she wouldn’t be cold and heartless enough to keep him completely out of Jake’s life. Cassie wasn’t like that.
    At that moment, in a complete burst of get-up-and-go, Jake bounded toward his mother. “Mommy, Mommy! I’m hungry,” Jake exclaimed while placing his hands on the edge of the table and jumping up and down.
    Gabby gave a slight gurgle.
    Cassie slipped an arm around her son’s small, bouncing body. “Of course you are, baby. You’ve had a big day. I got you some yummy pizza and it’s your favorite—extra cheese.”
    Jake’s eyes grew wider, and his mouth turned into a smile. “Cool!”
    He sat down next to his mom and stuffed a mouthful of pizza into his mouth as soon as she set a slice in front of him.
    Jordan stared at the little boy, suddenly seeing Jake in a whole new way. He wasn’t just Cassie’s son, but he was his son too.
    He took in the sports uniform Jake was wearing, reminding Jordan of the times he too wore that same outfit when he was a child. He used to love playing baseball, and he guessed Jake did too, judging by the larger-than-life smile he was sporting on his little handsome face.
    Jake lifted his head up from the table, his eyes peering over to Jordan in a guarded way. “I know you,” he mumbled with food in his mouth.
    “Jake, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Cassie told him.
    “Sorry.”
    Once Jake finished the bite of food he was chewing, he continued talking. “I saw you talking to Mommy.”
    Jordan got down to his level, looking into his big brown eyes—eyes that were identical to Jordan’s own.
    “Yes, you did. I’m a friend of your mom’s.” His gaze wandered toward Cassie, and he caught her eyes shifting down to the table as she played with the topping of her pizza as a diversion.
    “Oh, okay,” Jake said happily, his shoulders bouncing up and down. “Do you know Gabby and Nick? They’re Mommy’s