Free Man with a Past by Kay Stockham

“There’s still a big, thick branch over there,” she said with a nod of her head. “I guess that one would work. I won’t be able to look out the window over the sink and watch Max play, but maybe this is a sign I’m too overprotective in wanting to keep such a close eye on him.” She laughed sheepishly and sniffled again.
    Joe looked at the second-best tree, his thoughts trapped by the past. Overprotective? Watching over a child and wanting to protect her from harm seemed like a natural part of being a parent. At least to him.
    He shook his head to clear it, determinedly putting the past behind him yet again. “Count yourself lucky. Only one tree down, and the storm’s nearly over.”
    A wry expression spread across her face as she glanced up at him. “We fell off the roof, Joe. I wouldn’t exactly call that lucky.”
    He liked the way his name sounded on her lips.“We jumped off the ladder,” he countered, “and if we hadn’t, we’d be burnt to a crisp instead of arguing about it.” He pulled his gaze away from her upturned face, damp with rain and tears and much too revealing, and looked out at the yard again.
    A rough laugh escaped her. He glanced down and saw Ashley’s eyes sparkle in the muted light of the stormy evening. The sight tempted him beyond measure.
    A grin curved her lips as she laughed again.
    â€œWhat?” he asked, wondering at her thoughts.
    â€œNothing, I’d just never have taken you for an optimist.”
    An optimist?
    â€œEven though you’re right. Things certainly could’ve been worse. There’s absolutely no way I would’ve listened if you’d simply told me to jump.”
    Joe accepted her words with a nod and turned away, gingerly making his way to the door. He held it open for Ashley to step through only to bump into her when she stopped abruptly on the threshold. She swung around and stared up at him, her hazel eyes wide and suspicious, and all traces of humor gone while she searched his face.
    â€œYou fell off the ladder.”
    And he felt the results. “Yeah. So did you.”
    His next inhalation brought with it a whiff of musky woman, rain-soaked earth and shampoo.The tantalizing scent teased his body to instant awareness despite his aches and pains. She was so natural in her looks and appearance. The kind of woman a man wouldn’t mess up when he made love to her.
    He wiped a hand over his face. Get a grip!
    Bite Me was written across her front—or rather plastered across her breasts. Joe smothered a groan and forced himself to stare at the tiny freckle on her right cheek, Wilson’s voice in his head telling him to mind his manners.
    Ashley widened her stance and frowned at him. “Yeah, but—you’re not going to sue me are you?”
    â€œNow, missy, what kind of question is that to be askin’?”
    Ashley exhaled in a rush and her face darkened with color. She turned toward Wilson and glared, but the old man simply glared right back.
    â€œYou shouldn’t insult a man like that.”
    â€œIt’s a legitimate question,” she argued softly. “Considering he fell off the roof— my roof.”
    â€œWe didn’t fall off the roof.”
    â€œYou fell?” Wilson asked.
    Joe shook his head and sidestepped around Ashley to lean against the cabinets and ease the strain on his aching body. “I jumped off the ladder and took her with me to keep us from getting struck by lightning.”
    Wilson’s eyes widened. “You mean when that big one hit and got the tree you two were still upthere? I thought you were in the garage! It’s a wonder you didn’t get yourselves killed!”
    â€œWe’re fine, Wilson. But I want Joe to answer my question.”
    The old man went back to scowling. “Now, missy, ain’t I taught you nothin’ since you got to town? You don’t go askin’ a good man if