A Mom for Callie by Laura Bradford Read Free Book Online

back again. “I completely forgot.”
    â€œI’ll get her to her car. You two go on home.”
    Angela’s eyebrow arched. “Will you be nice?”
    He felt his face warm as he peeked at Betsy beside him. “Of course.”
    â€œBecause you weren’t earlier.” Ang folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her gaze at Kyle as she waited for a response.
    â€œI know.” It was all he could think to say. Telling his partner and his partner’s wife that he wanted them to leave was out of the question. Though, if Angela persisted, he might have to go that route. Anything to score a little time alone with Betsy. Betsy.
    Shifting his attention to the woman seated next to him, he offered what he hoped was a nonthreatening smile. “Is that okay with you? If I drive you back to your car?”
    Her smile was all the answer he needed.
    When Angela and Tom had gone, he studied her closely. “I just realized something.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” she asked as their eyes met.
    â€œYou didn’t have a cake.”
    Her hand, slender and petite, cut through the air, grazing his shoulder in the process. “This dinner was enough. Truly. It was fun. And that’s something I needed far more than a piece of cake.”
    â€œYou sure?”
    She nodded, her hair falling forward across her forehead. “I’m sure.”
    Grabbing hold of the check he’d eyed Tom into leaving, he motioned toward the door, his heart rate increasing at the notion of being alone in a car with Betsy. “Shall we?”
    Â 
    T HEY CHATTED AS HE DROVE , her curiosity about the shops and local landmarks they passed endearing her to him all the more. If he were honest with himself, Lila had never had any interest in Cedar Creek. Except maybe for which cross-country bus line it was on. Betsy, on the other hand, seemed to be genuinely interested in his hometown, asking questions and listening to his answers with rapt interest.
    â€œWhen I first came here, I wasn’t sure I could explain why. I mean, I left my apartment, jumped in my car and drove all night to see some bridge that caught my eye from the pages of a calendar.” The sound of her sweet laughter made him listen even closer. “At first I thought it was about hope. And I still do. But I also think it symbolized a kind of peace that I need more than I ever realized.”
    He glanced over at her, her words taking him by surprise. “I wouldn’t think a place like this would hold much interest for someone who is used to the hustle and bustle.”
    â€œSometimes hustle and bustle makes you miss the little things. The things that matter most.” Betsy pointed at the lone car in the bookstore parking lot. “That’s my car right there.”
    Nodding, he pulled alongside her car and shifted his own into Park, his reluctance over the end to their evening impossible to ignore. Whatever it was about BetsyAnderson that had stirred some long dormant excitement in his soul that morning had resurfaced in spades.
    â€œI had a really nice time tonight. And your daughter is precious.”
    He nodded again, his gaze locked on hers. “So did I. And thank you—she’s the light of my life.”
    â€œI can see why.”
    â€œYou should have heard her this evening before I left for the restaurant. She’s all excited at the notion of living next to an author.” He swiveled to the side and draped his arm casually over the back of Betsy’s seat. “In fact, when I left, she was making a birthday card for you at the kitchen table.”
    â€œA birthday card? How did she know?”
    â€œI guess I mentioned it.”
    Her laugh echoed inside the closed car as she leaned against the seat, the tease of her hair against his hand sending a pulse of desire through his body.
    â€œYou know what?” she asked. “I can’t remember the last birthday I enjoyed as much as this