Free A Mom for Christmas by Marteeka Karland Page B

running laps, so I’m assuming you didn’t believe her.”
    “Didn’t say that. But the rules still apply.”
    Instead of answering, Sebastian asked a question of his own. “You know anything about a boy named Jacob?”
    Sadira snorted. “I know he’s sniffing around Rebecca like he wants to give her the GaGa Disco Stick.”
    There was absolutely no way for Sebastian to control his laughter. Serious as the matter was, Sadira obviously had the matter in hand, even if he didn’t. “A bit of a crude analogy, don’t you think? This is my daughter we’re talking about.”
    “Yeah, well, I never did subtle.” Sadira nodded in Rebecca’s direction. “She’s a good kid. A bit like her mother, but she has more of you in her than she’d like to admit. Don’t worry about Jacob. He’s not good enough for her, and she knows it. She’ll hold out for a better catch. Girl’s toying with him because she can.”
    “You seem pretty certain of that.”
    “Believe me.” She gave him a level look. “I know how girls work. That one”—she nodded again at Rebecca—“is just confused. Hurt and angry. She’ll come around. Realize her behavior is a bit self destructive and change her tune.”
    “Before she gets pregnant?” The thought gave Sebastian hives.
    “Yeah.” Sadira chuckled. “Before we have to call you gramps.”
    “Not funny, sweetheart. So not funny.”
    “Miss Sadira.” Zoe tugged on Sadira’s shirt. “Can I cheer with the big girls tonight?”
    Sadira bent down to tweak the little girl’s nose. “Of course! I can’t sit my best girl on the bench, now can I?”
    Zoe gave a delighted shriek and headed off to the girls’ locker room, where she had her own little corner that Sadira had sectioned off with threats of doom and gloom to anyone who touched it.
    “Hey, Jessica!” Sadira called across the field to where Jessica was talking with friends, looking a little forlorn. So not like the spunky ten-year-old from a year ago. “Get dressed! I need your tumbling tonight!” Immediately, the girl’s countenance brightened, a smile splitting her face from ear to ear.
    Jessica might not be the cheerleader type, but the girl was tough as nails in gymnastics. Though she was proficient for her age on all apparatus, tumbling was where she excelled. Sadira always made sure to include her in some way.
    “You’re good to them,” Sebastian said in a low voice, knowing his tone showed how much her kindness affected him personally. “Thank you.”
    Smiling, she said, “They need a woman in their life to keep them straight. I’m afraid you’d let them walk all over you if I weren’t careful.”
    “Hey, just this evening I made Rebecca change clothes three times before we came out.” Sebastian couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips. They’d done this before and Sadira always said the same thing.
    “Exactly. She should come out dressed appropriately without you having to tell her. She’s pushing you because she knows she can.” Sadira turned to go, but not before looking over her shoulder, giving him a sassy smile. “But don’t worry. I don’t think girls ever outgrow that particular trait.”
    God, he wanted her! Jogging away from him, that pert, rounded ass of hers seemed to taunt him. If he spanked it, would those taut globes move just that split second before stilling under his palm? If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought she did it on purpose.
     

Chapter Two
    The night was full of chilly weather, football players, cheerleaders with more enthusiasm than raw talent, and a small-town good time. As it should be. Oh, there were some parents who took everything way too seriously, yelling at their sons on the field or instructing their daughter to “keep your pom-poms up!” but, overall, Sadira loved it here. Loved her job as a teacher and cheerleading-and-gymnastics coach. And, as uncomfortable as it sometimes was, she was growing to care way too much about the entire Taylor