Free Asking for Trouble by Jannine Gallant Page B

always a bunch of them clustered around my feeder.”
    “Yeah?” His eyes brightened. “I’ve been thinking of expanding my subject matter. The way I see it, anything else could only be an improvement.”
    “Maybe you’d like to stop by my house some time with your art supplies. We could paint together.”
    Why in the heck did I say that? Talk about putting the man on the spot.
    He reached over and covered her hand where it lay on the table. “I’d like that.”
    Her fingers twitched beneath his. He hadn’t turned her down, and she wasn’t sure if she was glad or sorry. On a positive note, the date wasn’t going as badly as she’d feared. If she’d hated every minute of it, walking away would have been an easy decision. Mentally, she gave herself a sharp poke. Running from a handsome, eligible man wasn’t the goal here. Getting her mind off Cole was.
    Squaring her shoulders, she turned her hand over and squeezed his fingers. “What do you think, should we order another round?”
    “Sure, why not.”
    ****
    “Both of you, leave. Have a drink. Relax.” Honey Paladin bounced Jackson on her hip and smiled. “Watching this little angel will be a pleasure.”
    Cole eyed his friend’s wife with a lifted brow. “I don’t know that anyone except his mother has ever called Jackson an angel. Did the chicken pox addle your brain?”
    A wide grin stretched Chase’s lips as he draped an arm around his wife’s shoulders and squeezed. “Nope, but getting the all clear from the doctor to rejoin society sure has put her in a terrific mood.”
    “I’ve been going stir crazy.” Honey scrunched her freckled nose. “Now I know what a criminal feels like on release day.”
    “Which is why Chase should be going out with you instead of me.”
    “I may not be contagious, but I’m still all scabby and gross. Since the worst of it should be cleared up by the weekend, we have plans for an evening out then.”
    Cole studied her clear green eyes that held not a hint of resentment. “You’re sure?”
    “Positive. You’ve been babysitting for five days now. I imagine a night out with an adult, even if it is just Chase, will be a welcome change.”
    “Thanks, Honey.” He dropped a peck on her cheek. “Your husband is a lucky guy.”
    “Darn right.” Her eyes glowed with warmth as they rested on Chase. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
    The two men left Honey and Jackson on the wide front porch and strolled across the yard to Cole’s truck parked next to the corral fence. As they passed, Chase’s big, black bull pawed the ground and snorted.
    He reached out a long arm and slapped the animal’s rump. “Don’t look so pissed, Muffin. Breeding season is right around the corner.”
    Opening the pickup door, Cole glanced at his friend across the hood. “Speaking of breeding—”
    “We’ve only been married a month, for Christ’s sake. Give a man a chance to enjoy his honeymoon.”
    After Chase climbed in, Cole started the engine. “I was going to congratulate you on being smart enough not to jump on the baby bandwagon. Your sister looks ready to pop any day.”
    “Jenna’s due in a couple of weeks.” After resettling the hat on his head, Chase lounged back in the seat. “Honey and I want kids, but not for another year or two.” He flashed a smile. “How’s it been, watching your nephew?”
    “God awful in the beginning. Highlights include a trip to the emergency room after the kid took a header down the porch steps.” He shrugged. “The last couple of days have been a little better. No catastrophes. Last night we watched a movie together, and I kind of enjoyed the company. I just hope the violence and swearing in it won’t scar him for life.”
    “Doubtful when he isn’t even a year old yet.”
    “That’s a relief.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel as they bounced down the long, rutted drive leading to the main road. “Miranda’s helped me out a few times.”
    “I thought you