Free Love Comes Home by Terri Reed Page A

said, his voice so grown up, so like Josh’s.
    Rachel forced herself to let go. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.”
    Griff cocked his head to one side. “Why?”
    â€œYou don’t know me.”
    â€œSure I do. You’re Mrs. G.’s daughter. She talked about you all the time.”
    She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Did she?”
    â€œYep. Hey, will you come to church tomorrow?”
    That the next day would be Sunday hit her like a blast of cold air. Her normally ordered and scheduled life was in disarray. With all the emotional stress of the past few days, she’d lost track of time. Attending a church service would be soothing. Josh would be there, but she could handle that. “Yes, I will.”
    â€œWill you sit with us?”
    Taken aback by the invitation, she struggled for an answer. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
    â€œAw, that usually means no. Please? You can sit next to me.”
    â€œWell…” She bit her lip. She didn’t want to disappoint Griff, but…
    â€œGriff, don’t badger her.” Josh’s voice interrupted her thoughts and warmed her senses.
    â€œHe’s not badgering me,” she said.
    â€œBut he will until you say yes,” he countered with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
    â€œAw, Dad.”
    Josh raised a brow and Griff rolled his eyes. Rachel smiled at the father-son exchange. Josh was a good father. His love for his son was evident in the way he looked at the boy, the way he displayed affection to Griff so freely. She’d always known Josh would be a good dad.
    She sighed, feeling suddenly more alone and lonely than she’d felt in years. Josh had his son; she had no one. But she’d made her choice. A family wasn’t part of her world, couldn’t be a part of her world. Her job came first, would always come first. She doubted any man would accept that.
    â€œYou look tired,” Josh said abruptly. “We should take you to the hotel.”
    Rachel stood. “You really don’t have to do that. I’m sure Mr. Finley can take me there.” She glanced around for the balding lawyer.
    â€œNo, we will,” he stated. “Mr. Finley can stop by later after you’ve had a chance to rest.”
    She didn’t like being told how she felt. “I’m not tired.”
    His expression became speculative and his tone softened. “Humor me, okay? Let us take you.”
    Griff slipped his hand into hers. “You can sit with me.”
    â€œNow how can you refuse an offer like that?” Josh asked.
    She was sunk. How could she refuse Griff anything?
    But Josh was another story. She couldn’t decipher what she felt for him. The confusion left her wary and upset.
    She wanted to go back to Chicago, far away from Josh and the jumbled mess of emotions he so easily stirred.
    â€œFine,” she relented, only to have her nerves strung taut by the pleased look on Josh’s face. Pleasing him shouldn’t feel so good.
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    The tall, white-tipped, pointed steeple of the historic Red Church, its red paint gleaming in bright contrast to the clear blue sky, rose high above the maple and oak trees in the parklike setting of the church grounds. White-painted woodwork outlined beautifully etched stained-glass windows. The melodic strain of the church organ drifted out with the people as they exited through the open, wide double doors.
    Rachel made her way toward the street, intent on walking back to her hotel without being waylaid by Josh.
    The sound of pounding feet behind her drew her attention. She turned to see Griff skid to a halt before grabbing her hand. “Will you go get ice cream with us?”
    Rachel laughed. “Don’t you mean lunch?”
    Griff shook his head. “Nope, ice cream.”
    His little face beamed and she felt tightness in herchest she’d never experienced before. He looked so adorable in his navy