Free Falling For Nick by Joleen James Page B

despite the turmoil churning within him.
    "It has everything to do with me," Boomer shouted. "Stay away from her or…"
    "Or what? You'll send someone after me? Just like you sent your brother after me? Why don't you just be a man and do the job yourself this time?"
    Boomer's fist went flying, hitting Nick square in the nose. He stumbled back and felt the warm gush of blood. Anger rushed up to meet the frustration he felt, but he didn't hit back. He wasn't about to blow it, but he did gain some satisfaction from knowing Boomer could be provoked; that he wasn't made of ice after all.
    "Stay away from her, or you'll be sorry." Boomer spun away, the heels of his expensive shoes clicking as he ran down the stairs to the street.
    Nick closed the door. Going directly to the bathroom, he turned on the shower and climbed inside, letting the warm spray calm him down and wash the blood away. Boomer had issued his warning, just as he had ten years ago. Only this time Nick would beat the rich prick at his own game. He'd control his temper, and he'd win. He was smarter than Boomer in every way.
    Every way.

Chapter Five
     
    Clea set the double mocha with extra whip down on the counter. "Here you go, DeAnn. Be careful, it's hot."
    "Thanks, honey." DeAnn passed her a five-dollar bill. "God it smells great in here. I'll take the aroma of fresh brewed coffee over permanent solution any day."
    Clea smiled as she made change. For a moment she'd considered calling Mitzi out of the office to make DeAnn's drink. The last thing Clea felt like doing was chatting with DeAnn, the town busybody. The beautician was sure to ask her about Nick, and while she didn't want to talk about her relationship with him, hiding from the townspeople wouldn't make her problems go away. She needed to be strong for John and part of that entailed fielding curious questions.
    "So," DeAnn said, tapping one red lacquered nail against her coffee cup, "have you seen much of Nick since he's been back?"
    Clea closed the cash register, bracing herself for the questions and comments to follow. "I've seen him around."
    "Really?" DeAnn said, one perfectly waxed brow raised. "He's just as delicious as he ever was."
    "I guess."
    "He's the father of your child." DeAnn dipped a finger into the whipped cream, and bringing it to her mouth she sucked the rich topping from her finger. "You have a bond with him that can't be broken, even by Boomer Bloomfield."
    Clea turned away, busying herself with making a vanilla latte for a man at the end of the bar.
    "I was Maude's best friend," DeAnn reminded her. "I think deep down she regretted how things ended between you and Nick. She'd want you to be together. Maude loved John."
    Clea glanced up, spilling hot milk onto her hand. "Ouch." She pressed a wet towel to the burn. "How do you know Maude loved John? She never gave him the time of day."
    "Maybe that's what she wanted you to think." DeAnn sipped her coffee.
    "What do you mean, DeAnn?" Clea asked, her attention totally focused on the beautician.
    "Nothing. I just think she had a soft spot for him. He was her grandson." DeAnn smiled. "I remember when you and Nick were teenagers. Passion like that doesn't fade. Make sure you know what you're doing, Clea. Don't throw away your happiness because you think you're doing the right thing. Follow your heart this time around."
    Clea frowned. "Thanks for the advice, but I'm a big girl. I know what I'm doing."
    DeAnn smiled smugly, the smile of a woman who'd taken a turn or two at love. "What a gorgeous picture of John." She pointed to the photograph Clea had hung behind the coffee bar that morning.
    The Coffee House walls held dozens of Clea's photos, everything from landscapes to her more creative hand-altered designs. To her delight, Clea had made several sales over the past few years.
    "Yes. I like this one." Clea turned to look at the picture of John on the beach. He squatted at the edge of the canal. Around him, as far as the eye could see, were