of him standing there, in silent misery, hooked into her wounded heart. A trembling began deep in her soul. She wanted to run. To leave.
But how could she with three small children looking up at her expectantly, one of them on the verge of tears?
“Can we come in?” Suzy pressed.
Ella looked behind her at the house that still held boxes from her move, then at the kids. “I’m not completely moved in yet.”
But Suzy seemed to assume that meant yes. She grabbed Ollie’s hand and dragged the reluctant toddler inside.
“Do you have any snacks?” Paul asked as he followed his sister, hands in his pockets, looking around the house.
“Remember, Adana said no cookies,” Suzy warned, one hand still clutching her little brother’s.
“But Adana is gone,” Paul said in a matter-of-fact voice. “And Daddy isn’t here, either.” He glanced over at Ella. “My dad won’t let us have sweets.”
“Sorry, I don’t have any candy or anything like that,” Ella said, still standing by the door, one arm clasped around her midsection, the other resting on Pablo’s head. She wished she didn’t feel uncomfortable around these little people. Ollie, especially, created an unwelcome rift in her heart.
Her dog released a gentle whine, then pulled away from her, padding toward the children.
“Grandpa Walsh lets us have snacks when my daddy isn’t around,” Paul said, stroking Pablo again, holding the dog’s massive head between his thin hands. “He says my dad is too strict.”
Then the sound of a truck snagged her attention as another vehicle roared onto her yard and stopped where Adana’s car had once been.
A tall man stepped out, slender, broad shoulders, cowboy hat, blue jeans and twill shirt rolled up over his forearms. He looked around, his head swiveling and then stopping when he noticed Ella standing in the doorway.
“Are my kids with you?” he called out.
The father, Ella guessed. Cord Walsh. She hadn’t met him, either, preferring to keep to herself.
“They’re in the house,” she said as he strode toward her.
He was taller than she had expected. Lean, his face shadowed by stubble, his eyes a piercing aqua and right now they were like lasers. His jaw was clenched, his hands balled into fists, swinging in time with his determined stride.
The children must have heard him because they came to stand beside her.
“Where is Adana?” he asked the kids, snatching Ollie up in his arms, cuddling him close. “Why did she leave you guys here?” His ice-blue eyes ticked over the kids and then landed on Ella as if it was her fault they were there.
“She said she got a real job,” Paul said in a matter-of-fact tone, seemingly unfazed by his father’s harsh voice, his narrowed eyes. “And we were going to visit with Miss Ella and she has this cool dog.”
Cord drew Ollie closer as the little boy, sensing his father’s anger, started crying in earnest, fat tears rolling down his cheeks, sobs spilling from his mouth.
“It’s okay, buddy. I’ve got you.” Cord’s voice melted immediately, turning soft and tender. He tucked the little head into his neck, pressing his cheek against the little boy’s.
The gesture and the soothing sound of his voice weaseled their way into Ella’s lonely soul. That a man could speak so gently to a child so soon after being seemingly consumed by anger surprised her.
She couldn’t keep her eyes off him or the child he held. And each created opposite emotions. Appeal and withdrawal.
She was about to look away when those eerily green eyes connected with hers. And for a moment something indefinable sparked between them.
She shook it off. Being married to Darren had taught her hard lessons about trust.
Then she stole another glimpse at the child in his arms, an even starker reminder of why she had to keep her distance. The churning in her stomach eased away any attraction he might hold. He had kids and there was no way she could travel down that road, her own grief snapping at her heels.
“Paul. Suzy. We should get back to the house,” Cord said to his children. “You have homework to do.”
“But, Dad, she has a cool dog,” Paul protested, then looked over at Ella. “Please? Can we stay and play with Pablo?” He grabbed her hand, looking up at her with pleading eyes.
Then before she could stop herself, she pulled her hand back from his. As soon as she saw the hurt look on his face she felt horrible. But her action was instinctive.
“I’m sure Miss Langton has her own work to do,” Cord said, coming unwittingly to her rescue, the narrowing of his eyes showing Ella that he had caught her retreat from his son.
She wanted to explain, but why bother? She would talk to Boyce. Ask him to please make sure the children didn’t come there again.
Cord rested a hand on Paul’s shoulder, easing him toward their house. “Thanks for watching them,” he said, his voice holding the faintest edge.
You don’t understand, she wanted to say, wishing she wasn’t so concerned about his opinion.
Instead Ella clasped her hands together and took a step back, giving him a tight nod.
Finally Cord left, holding Ollie in his arms, Paul and Suzy trailing along behind, looking back over their shoulders at Pablo.
“Let’s go, Pablo,” Ella said, holding the door open for him to come back into the house.
But he was whining softly, watching the children leave, his tail waving slowly as if telegraphing his regret.
Then before she could stop him, he bounded down the stairs after the kids.
“Pablo, come back here,” she called out, hurrying down the steps after him.
He hesitated but then Paul squealed his pleasure and ran toward the dog just as Pablo ran to meet him.
They collided and Paul went down. Pablo barked, straddling the boy, licking his face.
Cord spun around just at that moment and, from the look of horror on his face, Ella sensed what he was thinking and realized how it might look to him.
“Pablo, heel,” she called out.
Cord quickly set Ollie down and he wailed his protest as Cord hurried to where Paul and Pablo were wrestling. Paul was laughing and Suzy joined in.
“Kids. Get away from that dog,” Cord shouted as he reached out to catch Pablo’s collar.
“Don’t,” Ella yelled. “Don’t grab him.”
Cord listened just as Pablo jumped back and barked again. But he was facing Cord now and his bark held a tone of warning.
Please, Lord, let him
