Free Searching for Mine (Searching For #4.5) by Jennifer Probst

carefully on the roads even though his tires were stellar with their grip. He’d never had a kid in his truck before so he drove extra slow.
    “I told you, women like to be appreciated. Especially Moms. Especially on Valentine’s Day, even though it’s not my favorite holiday.”
    “Mine either. Christmas is so much better.”
    He laughed. “Yeah, Christmas is pretty epic. We have one house left and then you’ve completed your parole time for the day. You did well.”
    Pride etched the boy’s features. Funny, Connor figured the night would be torturous trying to entertain a ten-year-old, but Luke was good company. He owned a wicked sense of humor and worked hard without grumbling. Shoveling pathways and steps worked muscles most boys didn’t have anymore because they mostly worked out by playing video games. Bet his grades were off the charts, too. He reminded him so much of Nate. “Is this your regular job?” Luke asked.
    “No, I just do this as extra side work. I’m in construction. Right now, I’m working on the team that’s building the Tappan Zee Bridge.”
    “Seriously? That’s awesome. Do you go up on the crane?”
    “Sometimes. Most of the time it’s hard, repetitive type work in the extreme hot or cold. Sometimes it’s real boring, but I like working with my hands and watching a structure rise from nothing.”
    “How come you’re in my mom’s class if you already have a job?”
    He eased around the upcoming turn and cranked the heat a notch higher. “I want to get into management, and they require a degree. Don’t make my mistake. Go to college after high school. It’s harder when you’re old like me and have to start over.”
    Luke seemed to mull over his words. “Mom says people do things when the time is right. Maybe you just weren’t meant to go to college when you were younger.”
    Luke’s simple acceptance of fate soothed him. Ella’s words wrapped around him via her son’s lips. He’d never forget her face when she told him about her ex leaving. A mixture of sadness and acceptance had radiated from her and made him want to pull her into his arms and comfort her. He couldn’t imagine how hard it was to hear her husband tell her she wasn’t wanted. The asshole had just walked out on a beautiful family and didn’t seem to care about Luke. Her heart and trust was shattered, yet she seemed more whole than any other woman he’d known. She was truthful, and real and smart. Not to mention strong. She’d kept it all together and was raising a good kid.
    The more he found out about her, the more he liked her. Underneath that drab exterior beat the heart of a very mighty woman. She’d looked different without her glasses. More touchable. More...vulnerable. If she only took more care with her appearance, she could probably meet a nice man who would be good for her and Luke. A conservative type, maybe. A man who was stable and employed, and appreciated all of her qualities.
    Nate’s girlfriend, Kennedy, owned a matchmaking agency called Kinnections. She’d teased him mercilessly about not setting him up until he went through social training to be more sensitive to women. Connor had just laughed it off. One thing he didn’t need help with was finding dates. Women had always come easy to him, though he’d only fallen in love once. The memory still stung but it had been his own stupidity thinking he was good enough for more than great sex. He’d been thinking long-term future. She’d been thinking short-term orgasms. Eventually, she’d cheated on him and moved onward, not pausing to look back and see how she trampled his damn heart.
    His fault.
    But Ella could use some help and Kennedy had a magic touch when it came to makeovers. She’d completely transformed Nate and promptly fell in love with him. Could she do the same magic for Ella?
    Connor pulled up to the house and parked. “Okay, dude, you’re up. I’ll plow the driveway and you work on the steps. Last call.”
    “Got