Free The Christmas Vow by Shanna Hatfield Page B

after he stepped outside, she heard Toby’s giggles as Adam tossed him in the air. She listened to the sound of the ladder being set against the house then footsteps thudding overhead as Adam made good on his promise to repair her loose shingles.
    Her thoughts spun around and around in her head, making her dizzy as she tried to decide the best thing she could do to protect her son.
    Frustrated by her own sense of inaction, she smacked the top of the table with both hands, got to her feet, and marched out of the room.
     

     
    With each nail Adam pounded into the roof, he pondered Tia’s situation. Each time he set a new shingle in place, he sent a prayer heavenward for wisdom.
    Below him, Toby played in the snow while the cat sat nearby, swishing his tail and keeping watch.
    Adam wished he’d been around to see Crabby in action. He’d never heard of a cat attacking a man before. Based on his shredded trousers and multiple scratches dripping blood, Adam doubted Tia would have any more trouble with Cedric Devereux’s hired thug that particular day.
    In his work, Adam had seen plenty of men like the one who’d terrified Tia. No matter how nicely they dressed or how fine their manners upon first meeting, they were all the same — all heartless bullies who lived to strike fear in others while making a little money on the side.
    As he worked to repair Tia’s roof, Adam realized he could no more turn away from Tia and Toby now than he could cease his need for air to breathe.
    He’d never intended to speak to her again, let alone open his heart to her. Not a single doubt lingered in his mind that she’d rip his heart to pieces a second time if given the opportunity.
    Even in light of that knowledge, Adam couldn’t force himself not to care about her and her son.
    Toby was the most intelligent, adorable child Adam had ever encountered. He understood why the judge and his wife wanted him, but that didn’t make their actions acceptable.
    The little boy belonged with his mother, wherever she decided to raise him.
    “Mr. Adam, watch me!” Toby waved to get his attention.
    Adam leaned over the edge of the roof and smiled. “I’m watching.”
    Toby tumbled across the snow-covered yard in a somersault then hopped a few paces on one foot before falling into a pile of snow with a giggle. “Did you see me?”
    “I did see you, Toby. That was very good.”
    “Mama taught me to do summersalls.” Toby pointed up at Adam. “Can you do a summersall?”
    Adam wondered if Tia taught Toby by executing a few somersaults of her own or just giving him instruction. A picture of her trying to do one with her long skirts and petticoats made him grin.
    “Stay right there, Toby, and I’ll show you something.” Adam maneuvered around until he sat on the edge of the roof with his back to the ground. He set aside his tools and made sure he didn’t have anything sharp in his pockets. Relaxing his muscles, he placed his hands on his knees, leaned back, and rolled off the roof. He spun around in a perfect circle before landing on his feet in the snow.
    “Oh, Mr. Adam, do it again! Please, do it again!” Toby ran over to him and tugged on his hand, excitedly hopping up and down. “Can you teach me to do that?”
    “I’m fairly certain your mother would skin me alive if I taught you to do that. Don’t you let me catch you trying. You have to be a full-grown size before you can try that trick. Understood?”
    “Yes, sir.” Toby nodded his head solemnly but a smile quickly brightened his countenance. “But will you do it again?”
    “Once more, then I need to finish my work.”
    “Hooray!” Toby clapped his mitten-covered hands and watched as Adam hurried up the ladder to repeat his performance.
    The door opened and Tia stepped out just as he rolled off the roof a second time. She gasped and placed a hand to her throat. “Adam Guthry!”
    He landed with a lopsided grin and flourish of his hand as he bent toward her. “Yes,