Free Finding Home by Irene Hannon Page A

picture Leah’s face to shore up his determination to avoid repeating that mistake.
    “Scott, are you still with me?”
    At Gram’s question he refocused. “Yeah. I’m with you, but it doesn’t matter what conclusions either of us jump to. I’m not interested.”
    “Why not?”
    “Gram, let it go. Jarrod gave Toby quite a workout, by the way.”
    The brightness in her eyes dimmed, and she settled back on her pillow. “I don’t want to talk about Toby. And you’re changing the subject.”
    “That’s right.”
    “Maybe I’ll walk if you tell me some more about this nice lady and her son.”
    Despite her age, Gram hadn’t lost one iota of her shrewdness. She’d thrown out the one bargaining chip she’d known he couldn’t resist.
    “Fine.” He stood and retrieved her walker, positioning it beside the bed. “But we’re going up and down the hall twice.”
    “My leg hurts.” She clamped her lips together and folded her arms.
    “Twice. I checked with your doctor. He said that was no problem. In fact, he encouraged it.”
    She held her ground for a few moments, then huffed out a sigh. “Oh, all right. You win. But you better make this worth my while.”
    He stifled a groan. Nothing short of an engagement announcement would satisfy Gram. She’d been after him for years to get married.
    But it wasn’t happening with the attractive widow. Cindy and Jarrod had already suffered more than their share of hurt and loss, and with two vulnerable hearts involved, pursuing a relationship was too risky.
    No matter how potent the chemistry was between him and the lovely widow.
    * * *
    “What’re you doing, Mom?”
    As Jarrod dropped into the chair beside her at the kitchen table, Cindy licked the flap on the envelope and pressed it closed with her thumb. “Writing a thank-you note to Mr. Walsh. Did you finish all your homework?”
    “Yeah.” He planted his elbow on the table and cupped his chin in his palm. “You know, it wasn’t so bad staying at his house. I liked Toby a lot. Do you think I’ll ever get to see him again?”
    Based on Scott’s reaction to Jarrod’s broad hint yesterday, not likely. But better to let her son down easy.
    “I don’t know, honey. Mr. Walsh is a busy man.”
    “I guess.” He expelled a resigned breath and leaned back.
    “You never did tell me what you had for dinner.”
    “French fries, burgers, corn, chocolate cake. He’s got a lot of food in his freezer. Mostly microwave dinners. But not very much in the refrigerator part. I guess he eats frozen stuff ’cause it’s easy to fix. The dinner was okay, but I like your food better. You cook real good.”
    “Thanks, honey.” Cindy fingered the note, thinking about Scott’s stockpile of frozen entrees. A simple note seemed such a paltry gesture in light of all he’d done for them. Not many people would welcome two virtual strangers into their home—and entertain a youngster, to boot.
    Should she invite Scott to dinner? No doubt he’d appreciate a home-cooked meal.
    A tingle ran up her spine at the thought of Scott sharing her table—and that made her decision easy.
    No way. Asking the man into her home would be asking for trouble.
    Jarrod wandered over to the sink to fill a glass with water. “Since we aren’t going hiking in the redwoods, can I watch a movie?”
    “Sure. And we’ll get that hike in next week.” Cindy had hated to cancel their afternoon plans. Sunday family outings were a tradition she and Steve had started, and although she’d let the habit lapse after he died, she’d resurrected it in the past few months.
    However, while the pounding in her head had dulled, it was by no means gone. A tramp through the woods would have to wait. “I might even join you for part of the movie once I finish a few chores. Especially if you watch The Adventures of Robin Hood. It’s hard to beat Errol Flynn.”
    A smile hovered at her lips as she recalled the movie nights the three of them had enjoyed as they’d