her stomach loosened.
“Yeah. He’s been helping me put things away.”
“You should have sent him home.” The anxiety snapped back, but for a different reason. “He knows better than to pester our renter.”
Adam folded his arms over his chest. There was something so blatantly masculine in the movement that her mouth went dry. Until that moment, Jill hadn’t considered how long it had been since her last date. Apparently too long. Might be time to do something about that.
“By ‘knows better,’ do you mean he had specific instructions not to come upstairs?”
She nodded. “The exact words were that there would be dire consequences if he bothered you.”
“Then he’s off the hook.”
“How do you figure?” she asked.
“Because he’s not bothering me.”
Adam Stone was covering for C.J., she realized. It was protective and sweet. Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford to give in to that “aww” feeling. It would open the door for the “oh, damn” feeling when he left. She was the only one C.J. could count on. It was her job to protect him.
The sound of small sneakers running sounded just before the little guy appeared beside the big guy. “Hi, Mom. I didn’t sneak out and help Brew at the dock because I had to help Adam.”
There were so many things wrong with that statement she didn’t know where to start, but he was gone before she could say anything. And that was classic C.J. They needed to have a conversation, but before that she needed to set boundaries with Adam. When she did, it would be best if her son was out of earshot.
“He didn’t tell me where he was going,” she started.
“You were worried.”
“Of course.” It was probably an educated guess, because her background check confirmed he was a bachelor without children. He had no frame of reference to empathize with a parent.
“I should have asked if he had permission.” There was annoyance in his expression that looked to be self-directed. “It won’t happen again. You have my word.”
“That’s very much appreciated,” she said sincerely. “But here’s the thing. Probably it’s better for C.J. if you don’t encourage him to hang out with you at all.”
Adam leaned a broad shoulder against the doorjamb. “Are you telling me to stay away from him?”
“No. Not exactly.” Unable to meet his gaze, she looked down at the wood floor on the landing outside his door. “Kind of.”
“I expect you’ve got a good reason.” The deep tone dripping with sarcasm said he didn’t believe there was such a thing.
“I’m a single parent—”
“So you said.”
“And C.J. is an active, outgoing little boy.”
That made him smile. “He’s a really great kid.”
“I know.” She smiled, too. Then grew serious. “He’s a great kid who badly wants a man in his life to hang out with.”
“Just my opinion as a family practice doctor, but that’s perfectly normal.”
“It’s probably not a good idea for him to get attached to you.” She met his gaze. “That’s just my opinion as his mother.”
“Because you think I won’t stick.”
“Exactly. I just don’t want him to get his little heart broken again—” A lump of emotion lodged in her throat and it was mortifying in front of this man.
“The last doctor,” he guessed.
His parents and siblings weren’t the only smart ones in the Stone family. She was trying to be vague, but apparently he had a gift for connecting the dots. “Yeah.”
“I wouldn’t hurt him, Jill.” The tone was extraordinarily gentle.
“Not deliberately,” she said. “I know that. But it concerns me.”
“I admire your impulse to protect him and will do my best to help you out.”
Jill hadn’t realized she was spoiling for a fight until he didn’t give her one. She appreciated the compliment about her maternal instincts, and the admiration went both ways. He seemed like a good guy, but another seemingly good guy had once stood right where he was now. That guy broke his promise and her son’s heart. Jill’s had been nicked, too.
“Thanks for understanding.” What else could she say?
“I’m still not going anywhere.” Before that could be challenged, he called out, “C.J.? Your mom says it’s time to go home.”
“Do I have to?” The question was followed by the tap, tap of running sneakers. The boy stopped beside Adam. “My tummy isn’t tellin’ me it’s time for dinner yet, Mom.”
“It’s still time to go home,” she said firmly, noting the way Adam’s mouth twitched as he struggled not to laugh.
“Why?” the boy asked.
“Because you’ve bothered Adam enough for one day.”
“I didn’t bother him. Did I?” C.J. looked up, the beginnings of hero worship on his freckled face.
Adam glanced at her, caught between a rock and a hard place. Then he answered without actually answering. “Your mom has her reasons. If I were you, I’d do what she says.”
“Okay.” Then a thought chased away his disappointment. “Can Adam have dinner with us?”
“It’s Dr. Stone,” she corrected the little boy.
“He said to call him Adam,” C.J. protested.
“I did,” he confirmed. “You could take lessons.”
“Right.” Jill smiled. “How about a compromise, kiddo? What do you think of Dr. Adam?”
“I think he’s cool,” C.J. answered.
“I meant that’s what you should call him. Remember, respect for your elders.”
“Moving day is always tough,” Adam said, “but I didn’t feel quite so old until just now.”
“Can Dr. Adam have dinner with us?” the relentless child persisted.
“I don’t think so, kiddo.” She looked at Dr. Adam, and there must have been pleading in her eyes.
“Not tonight, buddy.” Adam’s expression was half amused, half regretful. “I still have a lot of boxes to unpack.”
Jill appreciated
