Free From Brooding Boss to Adoring Dad by Dianne Drake Page A

had … well, an old boat, a transient medical practice, and several odd jobs. Nothing someone stable would want. Not that he would even consider
having
anything with Erin. Or maybe it was the other way around. She wouldn’t consider having anything to do with him. Didn’t matter. It was what it was, and he was good with that. “The varnish is a way off,” he explained to Tadeo. “Especially when we’re doing all the work the old-fashioned way … by hand.” No sander, no tools. Just what his grandfather called elbow grease. And it was a good thing to teach Tadeo, like it had been a good thing taught by his grandfather.
Life moves too fast, Adam. Sometimesit’s nice to slow down and enjoy the process. There’s a good view, and a good lesson in the process if you look for it.
How many times had he heard those words? Well, this was the process and the view was good, especially when he watched Tadeo taking it all in.
    “But you’ll let me help?” Tadeo asked.
    “Couldn’t do it without you. And you remember what I promised?”
    “That I’ll be the first one to steer the boat once you get it away from the dock.”
    He gave Tadeo a thumbs-up. “The very first one.” It wasn’t much for all the hours Tadeo had put in, but Tadeo clung to that promise like
he’d
clung to the very same promise of steering the boat when his grandfather had made it to him.
    “Are you busy?” Erin called from the bow.
    Adam rose, waved her aboard. “Use the ladder, and watch your step. It could shift in the sand.” Naturally, he stood to help her, but by the time he’d got to the side to extend a hand, she’d already scrambled over the rail.
    “That’s the ma’am doc,” Tadeo said, shrinking back against the side.
    “He’s shy with strangers,” Adam explained to Erin.
    Erin kept a respectful distance from the boy. “My name’s Erin,” she said to him. “And I used to be shy, too.”
    His eyes widened, but he said nothing.
    “But if you’d like to tell me your name, I’d certainly like to know.”
    Tadeo thought about it for a moment, the full weight of a serious decision scrunching up his face. Then, gravely, he nodded. “Good afternoon, ma’am. I’m Tadeo, ma’am. Tadeo Alejandro Reyes.”
    “Good afternoon, Tadeo Alejandro Reyes. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, trying as hard as she could to beserious when all she really wanted to do was break out in a grin, the boy was so cute. But his serious demeanor set her tone, and she stayed serious as well. “I’ll be living here all the time, so maybe we’ll see each other again.”
    His answer was to pick up a piece of sandpaper and go back to work on the decking.
    “Cute little boy,” Erin whispered to Adam.
    “Good helper, too. Shows some definite skill in woodworking. So, what brings you to my side of the property line? Come to admire my boat? ”
    “Your boat?”
    “The only thing I have left after both you and my ex-wife got through with me.”
    “Am I detecting some bitterness about women in general, Coulson?”
    “Never bitter when I’m on my boat,” he said, stroking the smooth wooden deck rail like it was the smooth flesh of a woman. “She’s the one woman who won’t ever let me down.”
    “Looks like it’s been around for a while.”
    “She. She’s been around for a while. Longer than any other female in my life, come to think of it.”
    “Well, never let it be said that I came between a man and his boat. So.” he held out a box to him “… take this, then I’ll leave you to get back to whatever it is you’re doing with your boat.”
    “Sanding,” Tadeo said. “Then we’re going to start varnishing.”
    “He’s anxious to move on to the next phase of restoration,” Adam commented, taking the box. “Couldn’t get this boat back into shape without him. So … if I open this, will something jump out and bite me?”
    “Just open it, Coulson. I’m trying to make a nice gesture here, and you’re ruining it.”
    “Nice