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“You’re a hard-hearted woman, Sheila Vance.”
“I’m a—”
“Hey, Mom. Practice was great. Pat said I’m going to be the Bulldogs’s star pitcher this year.” Da
Sheila’s heart missed a beat. Damn, she’d lost track of time. Why hadn’t she remembered that Pat Lawley was going to drop Da
“Did he? That’s wonderful, Da
“So, this must be your son,” Caleb said.
“Yes, this is Da
“Wow wee, Caleb Bishop!” Da
“Da
“Yeah, sorry.” Da
“Call me Caleb. And I’d be glad to drop by your house any time and sign that new ball.”
“How about tonight?” Da
“Da
The boy gazed pleadingly at the man and Sheila’s heart ached for her son. A boy who missed the only father he’d ever known. A boy who had found a role model in a star athlete.
“Sorry,” Da
“As a matter of fact, I don’t have any plans.” Caleb clasped the boy’s shoulder and smiled down at him. “And I’d love to eat some of your mama’s pot roast tonight.” He glanced over Da
“We eat a little later, now that Little League season has begun,” she said. “Come by around six-thirty.”
“Thanks,” Caleb said. “I’ll go talk to Mike about finding me a car.” He focused on Da
The moment Caleb left the office, Da
“Caleb Bishop is coming to my house for di
Yes, Caleb Bishop was coming to their house for di
She could not allow Caleb to become a part of their lives and then walk away from them, as she was sure he would do. She might be willing to risk her heart again for the pleasure of being with Caleb one more time. But she would never put Da
Three
“You really didn’t have to agree to Da
“I know I didn’t.” Caleb handed her the stack of dirty dishes he had removed from the kitchen table. “But why shouldn’t I? I’ve got plenty of time on my hands and I think it means a lot to Da
“Oh, you have no idea.” She arranged the plates neatly in a row in the bottom compartment. “My son is one of your biggest fans, and that’s saying quite a lot, considering you’re the idol of every male in Crooked Oak—boy, teenager and man.”
“Did I thank you for the delicious di
Caleb moved in behind Sheila as she leaned over the sink and filled the Crock-Pot with warm, soapy water. She felt him, although he didn’t actually touch her. The heat of his body. The power of his masculinity. The strength of his presence. When she turned to face him, he was close. Too close. She stepped back in an effort to escape his nearness. Her hips pressed into the counter edge.
“Yes, you thanked me,” she said. “Twice.”
“Just shows how much I enjoyed having di
“I imagine it’s a new experience for you, having di
He grabbed her arm, his hold tight but gentle. “You didn’t want me here tonight, Sheila. Why?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re Tallie’s brother and Da
“That’s what I’m asking you.” Reaching out with his fingertips, he smoothed back an errant strand of hair that had fallen over her right eye.
Their gazes met and locked for a brief moment and Sheila prayed that what she felt didn’t show plainly in her eyes. Caleb was right. She hadn’t wanted him in her home tonight, or any other night for that matter.
She pulled out of his grasp, hurried out of the kitchen and into the hallway. If she didn’t give him an answer to his question, he was going to wonder what she was trying so hard to hide. And what reasonable explanation, other than the complete truth, could she give him for not wanting him in her life?
The sound of Da
“Yeah, Ta
Sheila paused outside her son’s bedroom door. It had been a long time since she’d seen Da
Covering her mouth with her hands, Sheila bit back a cry of despair. What was she going to do?
Caleb followed her out into the hallway, halted at her side and glanced into the bedroom where Da
“He thinks my mom is a great cook,” Da
“You’ve got a great kid there,” Caleb whispered as he lowered his head enough so that his lips almost touched her ear.
She closed her eyes, praying that when she spoke her voice wouldn’t quiver. Her heart beat rapidly. Her stomach fluttered wildly. It just wasn’t fair that Caleb could make her feel this way when no other man ever had.
“Yes, I know. Da
And weak in the head, too! she reprimanded herself. Get a grip, girl. Don’t let him do this to you. Hell, don’t do it to yourself. You know better.
“Caleb, I appreciate your being so nice to Da