Page 183 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Sounds boring.” She smiled to take the sting out of her words.

“Boring is good after dealing with thirty first graders all year.”

“You teach first grade? How sweet.”

“Don’t say it like that. You make it sound like I’m some kind of pansy.”

He was anything but a pansy. She glanced at his broad shoulders. “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. I think it’s great you can teach kids. I’m not sure I’d have the patience.”

“I’ll make a good dad.” He grinned. “Interested yet?”

She laughed. “Am I supposed to be?”

“I’ve been trying to get your attention ever since you walked in the door. So yeah, you’re supposed to swoon at my feet.”

“I’m not the swooning type.”

“Rats. I knew I didn’t have a chance. How about going to dinner with me tonight? I want to make it up to you for having the cancel on Friday.”

“Where? Is there anywhere to go?”

“A greasy spoon in town. But at least we could get out a bit.”

“It’s Gram’s first night back.”

“True. I notice you’re not saying no. How about next week?”

“Okay.” She smiled. “It will be good to get away a bit. You are patient to persist.”

He smiled. “Is Max driving you crazy yet? I would think working with him would take even more patience.”

His tone sounded indulgent. “He can be a slavedriver,” she admitted.

Nick’s smile faltered. “He’s got a good heart though. Don’t take offense and run off.”

“It’s sweet to see that you’re close. I suppose that’s why you’re here this summer—to spend time with Max?”

Nick nodded. “Neither of us are overly close to our parents, but we’ve always been good friends. Max has always been there for me.”

“He seems the type a person could lean on.”

“He is, but don’t be looking at him with an eye to romance. He’s a woman hater, in case you hadn’t noticed. After Mom left, he’s never trusted women.”

“He was married.”

“So? Lots of woman haters get married.”

Becca couldn’t believe Max was really a woman hater. He seemed to relate to Gram and Molly just fine. It was herself he had issues with—and with good reason.

“Were he and Laura happy?”

“Did he actually mention Laura’s name?” Nick’s eyebrows went up. “Usually her name is never spoken.”

Becca thought fast. “Um, no. I’m not sure where I heard the name. Maybe Molly.”

“Molly misses her mother something fierce. Poor kid.”

“What happened?” Becca tensed. The rumors she’d heard before she came whispered that Max might have been responsible.

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