Free Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield) by Lacey Wolfe Page A

again, she’d gotten a call from the school that Gunther had gotten into an argument with another child, which resulted in a fight. Only this time, her son threw the first punch, which wasn’t acceptable, but it was so hard to punish him when deep down she knew he was defending himself.
    “I said I was sorry.” Gunther sat down at the small wooden bench. “He kept calling me names about my hair. I couldn’t help it. I just got so mad, I hit him.”
    “You could’ve walked away and told the teacher. We’ve talked about this.”
    He licked his cone. “I was standing up for myself.”
    She’d give him that, but not verbally. A person could only take so much before they reacted. Unfortunately, her child was at that point. When she’d spoken with the principal earlier, they’d decided on bringing the school counselor in.
    “Are you making any friends yet?” she asked.
    “I talked to a boy at lunch who likes to play Minecraft like me.”
    “That’s a start.” She smiled. “You two will be good friends in no time.” She sipped through her straw. She’d opted for a milkshake instead. Less mess.
    “Good afternoon,” a deep voice said from behind her. She knew just whom it belonged to as she turned and smiled.
    “Hi, Cody.”
    “Ice cream. Must be a special occasion.”
    Gunther snickered and Lily rolled her eyes. “It’s not.” Having ice cream was just an excuse to sit and talk with her son about everything going on in his life.
    “I don’t want to interrupt, but I wanted to say hi.” He stepped back.
    “Stay,” Gunther chimed in, which Lily found really odd. Most likely he thought if Cody stuck around, they’d stop talking about school stuff.
    “Oh, no. I don’t want to impose.”
    Sucking in her lip, she stared at how good he looked in uniform with the sun bearing down on him. “Gunther suggested it, might as well get a snack and join us.”
    “If you insist.” He flashed a sexy smile before going into the ice cream shop.
    She slurped her milkshake and her son stared at her. “What?”
    “Is he the one you’ve been on the phone with in your room?”
    She’d totally forgot about the paper-thin walls in her mom’s house. “Yes, we’re friends.”
    “It’s okay if you’re seeing him. Dad said he’s dating again.”
    Heath was dating? Wow, he’d never said anything , not that she cared. “We’re getting to know each other.”
    He shrugged and went back to his ice cream. Gunther wasn’t easily fooled. Heck, she’d tried to fool herself and that hadn’t worked.
    The last few evenings, she and Cody stayed up having phone conversations when she thought her son was fast asleep. They’d talked about their childhoods, favorite foods, movies, just the basics, but the time was coming when she’d have to open up more. That meant telling him about caring for her mother. Cody seemed like it wouldn’t bother him. He was close with his sisters, even though it seemed like they drove him bonkers most of the time.
    Footsteps sounded from behind her, then Cody slid onto the bench next to her.
    “I had no idea they had half-price cones from two to four every day.”
    “Seriously? There’s a sign in the window.” Lily pointed.
    Cody glanced back then shrugged. “Guess I should pay more attention.”
    “Guess so.” Gunther bit into his cone.
    “How’s school?” Cody asked.
    Perfect question, but Lily decided to sit back and see how her son answered.
    “It’s okay,” Gunther said, focusing on the cone.
    “It’ll get better. It’s hard being the new kid, especially in a small town like this.”
    “That’s what mom keeps saying.”
    Cody smiled at Lily. “Well, sounds like she’s a smart woman.”
    He was a man after her heart. No doubt about it. Cody and Gunther chatted lightly back and forth while they finished their ice cream. She’d sipped her milkshake down while listening and watching them interact. Cody was good with kids. Some men who weren’t fathers seemed to be awkward