style="font-size:15px;"> She grasped the safer topic with both hands. “He was enthralled by everything here. We’re only a day into it, but I’m cautiously optimistic we’re going to make a breakthrough here.”
“I wish I could be there to see that.”
“You have a restaurant to run.”
“True enough. So tell me more about the camp.”
What parts should she share with him? That she suddenly understood about the cowboy appeal? Or at least the appeal of one cowboy in particular? Reed was a friend, but not the kind of friend to whom she could say anything like that. “I was nervous coming up here that the camp would just be some overpriced excuse for parents to get a break. But it really is all about the children.”
“Such as?”
“They had pony rides but let the parents lead the children around so they would feel more at ease. The menu is kid-friendly with a variety of choices so even kids with issues about texture will find something that works.” And the adult fare was delicious, especially when delivered by a hot man who looked at her with hungry eyes. She hadn’t felt like a desirable woman in so very long.
“That’s awesome, really awesome. I’m glad you’re getting this break and able to spend time with other adults. You spend too much time alone cooped up in your house.”
True enough, but she didn’t want to dwell on negative thoughts. She sagged to sit on the edge of the brass bed. “You must have called for a reason...”
“Can’t I just check on you because you should have people looking out for you?”
“Sure you can, but I also hear something in your voice that worries me.” She traced the pink and green pattern on the quilt.
“Your mother-in-law called. She’d gone by your town house and realized you’d left. She checked again this evening.”
“What did you tell her?” Her mother-in-law didn’t approve of her choice to keep Cody at home, and Nina knew she would just get blowback for choosing this camp. Her mother-in-law would come up with a million reasons why it was wrong.
“I said you went on a weeklong vacation with Cody. She wanted to know where. I told her to call you if she wanted details.”
“Thank you.” Sighing, she sagged back onto the bed, her head sinking into the pillows. “I appreciate that.”
“Stop worrying. They’re not going to get custody of Cody. There’s no reason for a judge to pass over custody to them.”
“Thank you again. I feel like I’m saying that all the time, but I mean it.” She stared up at the ceiling fan slicing lazy shadows across the room, the distant echo of a band playing at the lodge penetrated the walls like a soft lullaby. “They just want to lock him away and control his inheritance. They don’t love him. Not really.”
“I know. And so will any judge who looks at the facts. When my partner tried to get out of helping with child support, my lawyer was on me 24/7 to keep a journal,” Reed said with the unerring persistence that made him a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. “Write a detailed accounting of your schedule and outings. Document. Document. Document. You’ll have the facts on your side.”
“Aye-aye, sir,” she teased. “I will. Now you should stop worrying and get some sleep.”
“You too. And be sure to take lots of photos of Cody.”
“I will. And give little Wendy a hug from me. Tell her I’ll bring her a present.”
“Sure will,” he said, an unmistakable affection leaking into his voice. He loved his daughter. “I’ll be checking for text message photos.”
“You’re a good friend.” And such a good man. They could have a great life together—except for the fact that they weren’t attracted to each other. At all. Not a chance ever, since she wasn’t a guy. “Good night, and thanks.”
She disconnected the call, the taste of blueberries and the tangy scent of a certain cowboy’s soap still teasing her senses.
God, on the one hand she had an amazing friend she could never sleep with. On the other hand she had a week with the hottest man she’d ever met. Too bad she’d never been the fling sort. But with the memory of Alex’s touch still buzzing through her, she wondered if maybe she could be.
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