Free Asking for Trouble by Jannine Gallant

cotton shirt the exact color of her eyes, Miranda took his breath away. His fingers itched to stroke her soft cheek, to glide along her collarbone then downward to the rounded tops of her breasts. Wincing when his jeans tightened painfully, he shifted position and hoped she wouldn’t notice.
    “I threw a couple of potatoes in the oven to bake and gave Jackson a handful of crackers to keep him happy until dinner’s ready.”
    “Thanks.” He closed his eyes and winced. “Crap, I left him on the front porch.”
    “You were distracted.”
    “I appreciate the fact you aren’t yelling at me, though I know I deserve it.” He dropped onto one of the chairs and patted the cushion of the other. “Sit. Relax.”
    She hesitated, eyeing the open back door. “Jackson’s in his highchair, but…”
    He bounced up like an uncoiled spring. “I’ll bring him out.” Brushing by her, he paused to touch a silky strand of hair before entering the kitchen where he plucked his nephew out of the highchair. When the baby squawked, he handed over the remaining crackers and scowled. “Not a peep out of you. Got it? I’d like to have a nice, relaxing evening with Miranda.”
    “Ran. Ran.”
    “That’s right, Ran.” Reaching into the refrigerator, he pulled out two beers, then paused by the door to flip on the flood lights to battle the encroaching darkness. “Come along, Tucker. You can earn your dog chow by entertaining the boy.”
    With a moan, the ridgeback surged to his feet and followed. Cole grunted in satisfaction. At least someone listened to him, even if that someone had four legs and a tail. With his hands full, he headed outside, set the bottles on the table, then lowered Jackson to the patio’s brick floor.
    “So, how was your day?”
    Miranda turned away from the sun sinking below the horizon in a burst of gold and crimson, and regarded him with a sober expression. Taking the beer he offered, she nodded her thanks. “Pretty typical. One skinned knee, two leaking diapers, and twelve finger-painted masterpieces. And I did call the local paper about placing an ad for a new employee.”
    “That’s good.” He took a swallow of beer and eyed her steadily. “What’s bugging you, then, besides the fact I left you stranded with Jackson?”
    “I was a little pissed, but I’m over it. What I’m not over is this.” She spread her arms wide. “You and me, hanging out like an old married couple discussing our day.” She placed her beer on the table then pressed a hand to her breasts. “It isn’t helping, Cole. It’s making me want something I can’t have.”
    He reared back. “I want it, too.”
    “No, you only want part of it.” She pointed at Jackson who’d crawled into the grass to sit near Tucker. The boy threw dandelions into the air and giggled when they showered down on the dog. Miranda’s eyes clouded. “I want it all.”
    “Maybe…”
    “No maybe.” Swinging around, she crossed the patio. “I’ll go make a salad, and we won’t talk about this again.”
    Cole stared after her departing back, and to his amazement, tears burned his eyes. He loved Miranda with an intensity that shook him to his soul. But was it enough to forgo his freedom?

Chapter Seven
    “Maybe you should call Gabe back. A date with a handsome man isn’t exactly the worst idea you’ve ever had.”
    Jenna turned with a hand pressed to her lower back. At her feet, two little boys played tug-o-war with a Superman doll, their screams rising in volume. After dropping a Spiderman figure into the fray, her harassed expression brightened. “Really?”
    Miranda nodded. “I have to do something .” She held tight to Jackson’s hands while he toddled across the room on unsteady legs. “Cole is going to break my heart into pieces—again—if I don’t.”
    “Unka, Unka.”
    She grimaced and gently lowered Jackson to the carpet. He crawled away to join the boys still fighting over the superheroes. With a practiced eye, she assessed