Page 35 of Mine For The Winter

Now he understood. “He asked me to come. I figured every kid needs somebody cheering for them in the bleachers. I know I did. But if you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

Their gazes clashed again and he knew she was remembering the same thing he was. All those times his parents didn’t come to watch him play. Of course Candy would be there, and his brothers and cousins.

But it was Kelly he’d always wanted to see yelling for him and Lyle.

“I don’t understand why he asked you.” She swallowed and he watched the way her neck bobbed. “He doesn’t know you.”

“Maybe he just associates me with his dad.”

Her face blanched.

“Or maybe not. I don’t know. But if you’re okay with it, I’d be happy to go watch him.”

“I don’t want you driving him,” Kelly said.

“Okay.” Kris nodded.

“Or doing anything that gives him false hope,” she added.

“What do you mean?” His brow crinkled.

“Don’t make him promises you can’t keep. Lyle does enough of that. Promises to stop by and see him for Christmas or on his birthday, and then nothing. He doesn’t even call. Please don’t break my kid’s heart. Or I’ll have to twist your balls until you become a soprano.”

His lips twitched, mostly because she was back. The ballbusting woman he’d grown up with.

“I would never hurt him,” he told her. “I promise.”

Her mouth twitched. Silence filled the air, punctuated only by the soft sound of her exhalations. “Funny,” she said, shaking her head. “I remember you promising me the same thing.”

And then she turned and grabbed the door handle. “His game is at twelve. Don’t let him down.”

“I’ll be there.” It was a solemn vow. He’d meant every word he said even if Kelly didn’t believe it.

He wasn’t here to hurt anybody. He’d learned from his mistakes. And now it was time to start making some reparations.

* * *

Kelly’s face was flaming in spite of the icy cold breeze that lifted her hair as she walked away from Kris’ cabin. Had he really answered the door wrapped in only a towel?

And did he have to look so damn fine? Her mouth dried at the memory of the sculpted rise and dips of his chest muscles. The way a droplet of water wound lazily down his pectorals to his stomach, hitting the tight band of ridges that led to the towel he’d wrapped around his hips.

She’d thought they were both grown up when he’d left. But he’d grown some more, in all the best ways. The boy she’d known had disappeared, replaced by this adonis. And now she couldn’t get that image out of her brain if she tried.

Heading for the parking lot, she passed the Christmas Trail that Cole had been so excited about last Sunday. Not that he’d talked a whole lot about it, and now she knew why.

He was hiding things. She didn’t like it. He’d seen a photograph from her prom night and hadn’t mentioned a word.

“Hey!”

She looked up to see Amber walking across the parking lot.

“Hi.” She smiled softly. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be at the shop.”

“Pregnancy yoga.” Amber rubbed her stomach. “It’s the only thing that calms this little one down. How about you?”

“I had to see Kris.”

Amber’s eyes widened. “You did? Why?”

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