Free Love Inspired January 2016, Box Set 1 of 2 by Carolyne Aarsen

covered it with his own hand. Large. Warm. Welcoming.
    He looked over at her and once again Chloe felt the emotions that had risen up between them that night in Cody’s nursery.
    Cody’s squeal inserted itself into the moment, returning Chloe to reality.
    â€œHe sure seems to like horses,” Chloe said, disliking how breathless she sounded.
    â€œLike Saul said, son of his father.” He looked over at her again. “I’m glad you’re here to help take care of him. I know it’s a job to you, but with what is going on with Ben and all, it just makes that part of our lives easier.”
    He gave her a careful smile and her breath quickened.
    Another wave of nausea washed over her, her own reality making itself known.
    â€œAre you okay?” Grady asked. “You look a little pale.”
    â€œI’m fine. Just tired, I think.” When she’d seen the doctor before leaving Fort Worth, he hadn’t seemed too concerned about the nausea. She knew she would have to make another appointment to see him soon. She could mention it then.
    She walked ahead of him, her lips pressed together, holding Cody close as if to protect him.
    She wondered if she was wise to encourage him to work with her and how she could maintain her distance while she did.
    He was far too appealing and growing more so every day.

CHAPTER FIVE
    H e had forgotten about the stairs in the church.
    It was Sunday morning and Grady and his grandmother had been making their way across the foyer to the sanctuary, chatting with fellow members, catching up.
    And now he had to navigate these carpeted stairs.
    â€œWe can take the elevator if you want,” his grandmother said with a bright note in her voice.
    He knew Grandma Mamie was only being helpful. But he didn’t know which would be worse—riding the elevator with dear, eighty-year-old Iva Donovan and her walker or running the risk of stumbling on the stairs.
    â€œI can manage at home. I’m sure I can manage here.”
    Though as he took the first stair, he wished once again he hadn’t given in to his grandmother’s pleas this morning to come to church with her and Chloe. He was far too aware of the crutch he needed for support and the sympathetic glances he got from people who stopped to say hello. And he was fairly sure church would be a waste of time. He’d seen too much of the darkness of life to believe that God even cared what happened on earth.
    â€œAre you okay?” Mamie asked, resting her hand on his arm.
    He just nodded and was about to take the next step when he felt a hand on his shoulder. “Hey there,” a deep voice said.
    Turning, he faced Tyler Grainger, an old school friend now married to his cousin Eva.
    â€œSo glad to see you here, buddy,” Tyler continued, giving him a rough, one-armed hug.
    Tyler pulled back, looking into his friend’s eyes as if trying to see what Grady had witnessed during his time overseas.
    You’d never understand , Grady wanted to say.
    â€œSo how are you finding married life?” Mamie asked Tyler, rescuing Grady from replying to Tyler’s unspoken question. Grady was thankful. He didn’t want to discuss his lack of spiritual fervor in the foyer of the church. Especially not with a man who at one time had wielded strong influence in Grady’s faith life.
    â€œIt’s wonderful,” Tyler said. “But Eva does miss working with Cody. Though I heard you have a new nanny.”
    Tyler gave him a knowing look at the same time Chloe joined them. If his injury made him self-conscious, Chloe’s presence only increased that emotion.
    As did Tyler’s discreet poke of his elbow.
    â€œDon’t you need to find Eva?” Grady asked.
    â€œRight. I should go,” Tyler said. But he gave Grady a wink and jogged up the stairs ahead of him, a vivid reminder of the physical differences between them. It was hard not to feel frustrated or less of a