Free A Man's Heart by Lori Copeland Page A

spotted Cruz holding Ethan by the hand. He looked as tight as one of Pop’s hatbands. Biting back a grin, she pictured him wrestling a five-year-old around in a tight, stinky space, trying to help him “go wee wee.” The picture didn’t compute. Cruz had a weak stomach and the second image she got wasn’t pretty.
    She stepped out of line, pushed her way to the porta potties, and approached the tall good-looking man. “Want me to take him?”
    Relief flooded his features. “Would you?”
    â€œSure.” She extended a hand. “Come here, big boy.”
    Ethan stepped to her side. “Hi, Aunt Jube!”
    â€œHey there.” She glanced at Cruz. “I’ll bring him to you when we’re finished.”
    He walked off, but not without a backward glance and a hint of a grin.
    Thanks. No problem. Be glad to help.
Would it have killed him to thank her? Would he choke if he congratulated her on the win?
    Twenty minutes later, Jules burst out of the porta potty and released her breath in a gasp. Ethan wrinkled his nose. “Shooeee.”
    â€œShooeee is right, sweetie.” She hitched up the little boy’s jeans and secured them. Fresh air was wonderful.
    â€œAunt Jube?”
    Ethan said. “What is it, honey?”
    The child pointed to the concession stand where the line had thinned. Children were carrying fat cherry snow cones back to the bleachers. “You want a snow cone?”
    He nodded.
    Jules reached for his hand and they approached the concession line. Later, she steered Ethan and balanced two cherry snow cones back to the stands where Cruz, Adan and Livvy sat near the top. She climbed the metal riser, steadying the little boy and snow cones.
    Cruz glanced up when she approached, horror forming on his face. “What’s that?”
    Jules led Ethan to his lap, spilling sticky red liquid on his snakeskin boot. He glanced down.
    â€œSnow cones. Ethan wanted one so I knew Livvy would too.” She smiled and handed the little girl her treat.
    â€œAunt Jube!” Livvy reached to hug her, snow cone in hand. Jules winced as the red liquid seeped down her back.
    â€œYou bought the kids snow cones?” His tone indicated that she had lost her mind.
    Loosening her blouse, she shuddered as ice trickled down her back. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
    Livvy climbed from Cruz to Adan, dripping red juice. Flies buzzed Adan’s head. He took a swipe, and then reached in his back pocket for a handkerchief. “Thanks a lot, Jules.” He flashed a grin.
    She reached to position both kids between her and Cruz. “Stay,” she ordered. The children settled down, licking their cones.
    She glanced at Cruz who was now fixed on the bull rides.
Well, how awkward is this?
Her sitting here next to him as though they were all one big happy family.
    Adan shattered the palpable silence. “Congratulations on the win!”
    â€œThanks. I thought I was a little rusty. I haven’t ridden much in the past few years.”
    â€œNah, you’re still in great form.” Her eyes met his dancing ones. He could always lighten the mood. “Been meaning to stop by and give you my regrets. Your dad was a great man.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œIt’s good to have Crystal back.”
    Jules nodded. Cruz, Crystal, Adan, and she had spent many a summer evening chasing fireflies and eating watermelon. They’d ridden the school bus and attended church together. “She’s decided to stay and help until Sophie comes home.”
    â€œThat’s what she said.” He nodded gravely. “We drop thekids off, but I haven’t had a moment to tell her how much we appreciate her help.”
    He’d left the obvious unsaid; a moment without Cruz present. The thought that he was forced to accept anything from her had to irk him.
    Of the two, Adan was closer to Sophie than Cruz, maybe because Cruz was older and