To Protect Her Son. Stella MacLean

future was tomorrow. One day away and no longer. He’d known that the day Natasha Burnham had walked out on him.

      “I’ll have another,” he said.

      * * *

      FOR THE PAST ten days Adam had not missed his curfew, had done all his chores, mowed his lawns and worked on his home assignments. Gayle couldn’t help but note that in the past week several of the calls she’d answered for him had been female voices, not the usual sullen male tones.

      She didn’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet about what would happen in the coming weeks, but she felt very hopeful that maybe the worst was over with Adam. Wouldn’t that be a relief? Wouldn’t it be great if she and Adam were able to look to the future, to Adam doing well in school and having a better chance to make the basketball team next year?

      Nate had come over last weekend and taken Adam to a basketball game in Portland, which from Adam’s account had been awesome. She tried not to be too obvious in her inquiry about Adam’s time with Nate, but from what she could learn the two of them were really hitting it off. Had Nate’s visits been all her son needed to get back on track?

      She checked her watch. Nate was due here any minute to take Adam fishing, something she’d never had the opportunity to do, and had been pleased that Nate suggested it. From the moment Gayle learned she was pregnant she’d dreamed of a life for Adam that included things like fishing, hiking and all different kinds of sports. Even if someday soon Adam didn’t need any more of Nate’s counseling, having someone to go fishing with would be wonderful for her son.

      She was at the door on the first ring, throwing it open to see Nate’s smiling face.

      “Were you waiting for me?” he asked, his smile lighting the space between them.

      “Yes...yes, I was.” She fidgeted with the doorknob, her head whirling from the pleasant feeling rushing through her. She let go of the door and just stood there, knowing she must look a little silly.

      “Can I come in?” Nate asked.

      She glanced up at his face, her eyes moving to his. What would it feel like to have Nate coming to the door asking for her? About her? Like a real live date? Or maybe as a boyfriend?

      He smiled encouragingly, but didn’t move.

      “Oh! Yes, please come in,” she said, her cheeks warm. She bit her lip and tried to think of something intelligent to say, but nothing... “Adam is just finishing his breakfast.”

      “No. I’m ready,” Adam said, coming down the stairs dressed and ready to go. “Do I need to bring anything, Nate?”

      Gayle was delighted to hear the upbeat tone in her son’s voice. She caught the smiling glance he gave Nate, one filled with a camaraderie she hadn’t seen before.

      “I have all the gear in the car,” Nate said, grinning at Adam. “We’ll be fishing for a few hours.”

      Gayle was so relieved to see how much her son seemed to be looking forward to the day ahead.

      As Adam came up and stood beside Nate, Gayle realized that the two of them were nearly the same height. Her son was growing tall and slim, so like Harry. She blocked any more comparisons between her son and her ex. Adam would not be like his father...she hoped.

      Nate turned his attention to Gayle with a look so intense it took her breath away. “I packed lunch for the both of us.”

      For a split second she thought he was referring to her—to her and him—to a day for just the two of them. The thought of someone caring enough to invite her on a picnic made tears sting her eyes, longing crouch near her heart. “That wasn’t necessary...but thank you.”

      “You’re welcome. We’re going to have a great day.”

      “I’ll bet the fish aren’t looking forward to our arrival,” Adam said, a grin on his face as he walked past Nate with his backpack slung over his shoulder.

      Acutely aware of the handsome man standing so close, Gayle waited uneasily for Nate to turn and leave. He didn’t. Instead, he moved a step closer to her, his wide shoulders blocking the light from the front door. “Would you like to have coffee sometime? We need to talk about a few things.”

      His words startled her. “What? Adam’s doing okay, isn’t he?”

      “I believe so, but I would like to run through a few things with you.” His grin was so endearing.

      “You and me having coffee?” she asked, feeling exhilarated, until she realized that he probably did this with all the parents of the teenagers he mentored. Yet it didn’t stop her from wondering about him, about the women in Nate’s life. They were probably supersophisticated, and wouldn’t be acting as stunned as she was right now.

      She wanted to say yes. To sit in a cozy booth someplace like Bobby’s Bistro down on Market Street while they sipped coffee and watched people on the street. To be with this man, to have his full attention focused on her, would be wonderful...only if she was prepared to face the consequences should she let something slip out...some inconsistency in her story that contradicted what she’d already told him. Darn!

      She stalled for time, trying to decide if she should take the risk. “When?”

      “Whenever our schedules allow. You work all week and so do I. What about tomorrow?”

      “That’s Sunday.”

      “Yes, it is.” He cocked one eyebrow, his smile charming her.

      “I’d...I... Can we do it next Sunday?”

      His brows burrowed together. He looked genuinely disappointed. “Sure.”

      She felt like a jerk for not simply accepting his invitation, but she had little choice. If Adam continued to improve, Nate’s part in their lives would quickly come to an end. She was pretty sure that if Adam no longer needed Nate’s mentoring skills she wouldn’t have to worry about being invited out to coffee.