When the Glitter Fades (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) by Renee Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

around his legs in a childish embrace. Suffering the pain for the child’s affection, Jeremy stood there, reaching down and tousling Cody hair. If his legs had allowed it, he would have stooped down and returned the hug. Unfortunately, he’d been stubborn and insisted on going without a crutch again, paying the price now.
    “Hi buddy, how are you?”
    “Good. How come you’re here?”
    “I am going to be working here for a while.”
    “So, I’ll get to see you more?” Cody asked earnestly.
    The hopefulness is his voice tore at Jeremy. How could he have shunned this sweet child since the accident? “Yes. In a few weeks I’ll be here all the time.”
    “Yahoo!” Cody shouted, eliciting a chuckle from his dad.
    “In fact, your Uncle Jase is about to show me where I’ll be living.”
    “Can I come with you?”
    “Not this time. Uncle Jase and I have some things to talk about.” At Cody’s crestfallen face, he knew he had to make it up somehow. “I think I still owe you some ice cream. If it’s okay with your mom, maybe you and I can go out for some when I am done.”
    “Really?”
    Lanie rounded the corner. “There you are Cody. Did you finish cleaning your room?”
    Ignoring the question, Cody steamed ahead with his own thoughts. “Mommy, Mommy; Daddy’s here. He said if it’s okay with you, he’ll take me out for ice cream.”
    It was then Lanie realized he was standing there.  “Hi,” she said shyly, causing curiosity to fill Jeremy. Even at their worst, most uncomfortable moments, Lanie had never been coy toward him.
    “Hi,” he echoed. Smooth, Jeremy, real smooth. “Is it okay if I take him out for a bit?”
    He watched her nibble on her bottom lip, debating. “His room needs to be cleaned first. Then he can go.
    “Did you hear that buddy? You get your room cleaned while Uncle Jase and I talk, then I’ll come get you.  Can you do that?”
    “You betcha!”
    “Go to your room and get started. I’ll be right up to help you,” Lanie instructed Cody.
    Their son ran to accomplish his task. Lanie stuck her hands in the rear pockets of her dark denim jeans and rocked on her heels.  “So, you decided.”
    “Are you still okay with it?” he asked, detecting the uncertainty she was emitting.
    “I thought I was. I mean, I will be,” she stammered, avoiding eye contact.
    Extending his arm, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t have to do this,” he offered in a low whisper, but even as he said it, the idea of not seeing Cody on a regular basis left a lump in his throat. He was changing, and he liked to think it was for the better.
    “Yes, you do. It’s what’s best.” Her shoulder trembled under his hand.
    “Say the word and I’ll leave. We can make visitations plans for Cody. I don’t want to cause you more pain.” His voice lowered further and came out almost breathless.
    “Ahhem.” A loud, purposeful cough interrupted their conversation, and Jeremy jerked his hand away from Lanie.
    Looking up, he saw an angry Jase, standing with a man he didn’t recognize with a neutral look over his features. Too neutral. 
    “Clay, what are you doing here?” Lanie asked, her voice wavering.
    So this was the new boyfriend.  Unfounded jealousy reared its ugly head, coiling his muscles into tight knots.
    “Bowling with Cody?”  As his eyes darted between Jeremy and Lanie, Clay didn’t look too pleased that she couldn’t remember.
    “Oh no. I thought we said tomorrow?”
    “No, definitely today. Saturday,” Clay said evenly.
    “Jeremy’s taking Cody for ice cream in a little bit. I guess we can still go after.”
    “Let’s go,” Jase snarled, interrupting the conversation between his sister and Clay, glaring and shooting daggers with his eyes at Jeremy. 
    Lanie gave an almost imperceptible nod, telling him to go without further words. She had other problems to sort out, but Jeremy couldn’t help wondering how her conversation with Clay would end.
    “I’ll be up for