Free The Deputy's New Family by Jenna Mindel Page B

husband’s waiting for me in the car. Thank you. Nice to see you.”
    “See you Monday.” Beth was glad Sandy had shown up. She didn’t need Diane thinking she and Nick were an item. Not so soon after being advised to stay in teacher mode.
    Corey stared at Thomas’s mom but didn’t say a word.
    Beth glanced at Nick to see if he’d introduce his son. When he didn’t say anything, she stepped up. “Corey, this is Mrs. Clark.”
    Sandy smiled. “Hello.”
    “Hi.” Corey’s voice was barely audible.
    “Mom, can we have some quarters for games?” Thomas held out his hand.
    Sandy dug in her purse.
    Nick stood and placed his hand on Corey’s shoulder. “Come on, bud, let’s check out those games.”
    The boys followed Nick to the corner by the door where an ancient pinball machine stood proud with lights flashing. There was also one of those claw machines packed with stuffed animals that begged to be played with and lost.
    Beth watched Nick instruct the boys.
    He might not realize it, but Nick was pretty good with kids. He didn’t try too hard to sound interested, nor did he talk down to them. Kids saw right through a patronizing tone.
    “So, Beth, are you and Nick Grey seeing each other?” Sandy asked after they’d given the waitress their order while the boys continued to play.
    “No.” Beth shifted. Seeing the gleam in Sandy’s eyes made her want to stretch the truth.
    Sandy’s eyes narrowed. “Oh?”
    Beth came clean, partially. “My mother watches Corey after school.”
    “Ahh. Nick seems like a nice guy.”
    “He is.” Beth’s impression of Nick had been way different than nice that day he’d showed up in her classroom. He had an edge to him. A good attribute for a cop.
    Beth sipped her pop.
    Sandy glanced toward the pinball machine. “So what’s his story? Divorced?”
    “Widowed.” Beth figured that was common enough knowledge to repeat. Still, she didn’t like giving Sandy any pointers. Or encouragement.
    “Awww, that’s too bad.” Sandy’s eyes had softened but they didn’t look a bit sorry. More like relieved that there wasn’t a Mrs. Grey lurking in the background.
    “Yeah.” What else could she possibly say?
    “Hey, Beth!”
    Beth looked up to see her friend hurrying toward her. “Eva!”
    They quickly embraced, and then Eva looked around the crowded restaurant. “Wow. Not many tables open.”
    “Join us,” Beth said, and then glanced at Sandy to see if she’d mind.
    “Adam is with me, along with Ryan and Kellie. You sure there’s room?”
    “We’ll make room.” Sandy smiled and pulled a small table for two that was empty toward their larger one. She welcomed the additional people and yet Beth didn’t think it was about “the more, the merrier.”
    Easier to corner Nick in a group. Really! What was wrong with her? If she didn’t want him, she shouldn’t care if someone else might.
    Tamping down her venomous thoughts, Beth made the introductions as they all pitched in to help Sandy gather chairs.
    “Hello.” Nick had returned with the two boys. He took the increased size of their party in stride, save for the raised eyebrow he gave her.
    Beth did the honors. “This is Nick Grey and his son, Corey. They recently moved to LeNaro and Corey’s in my class.”
    Eva reached out her hand. “And this is my fiancé, Adam, my brother Ryan and his fiancée, Kellie.”
    After a quick round of small talk, everyone sat down. Beth noticed that Sandy had managed to scoot next to Nick again. She shrugged it off and concentrated on Eva. “You’re getting close.”
    Eva grinned. “Two weeks until the wedding. I can hardly wait.”
    “Me neither.” Adam brought Eva’s hand to his lips.
    Eva brushed him aside. Her cheeks were pink but she beamed with joy.
    “The cherry blossoms will be wide-open by then,” Ryan added with a look of such sweetness toward Kellie that Beth’s heart twisted.
    She’d once had hopes of capturing Ryan’s notice, but Kellie was perfect for