Page 101 of Big Bad Wolfe

Jillian wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. Drawing had to be difficult for him after what had happened with his mom. Yet he’d set aside his own discomfort for his son. And he’d just freely opened himself up to her.

Another two steps forward.

* * *

From the open kitchen window, Jillian listened to the conversation between Casey and Zane, who was lobbing softballs to him in the back yard while she peeled husks off the corn she planned to grill for dinner. The long strand of pearls dangled in front of her nearly to her waist, and she leaned back a bit more to keep them out of the way. She should probably take them off, but wearing Zane’s gift made her feel as if his hands were caressing her.

“Aunt Jelly, come quick!” Casey’s excited squeal pierced the balmy summer breeze. “I caught it!I finally caught the ball!”

She sprinted outside. A beaming smile creased Casey’s small face as he held up the softball. “I can’t wait to show Robbie Ray and Donnie Ray what Zane taught me! The other guys won’t laugh at me any more now!”

Zane’s proud grin matched his son’s. “See? I told you with regular practice, you wouldn’t be afraid anymore. You keep practicing and one of these days, you’ll be a major leaguer.”

Casey’s grin widened. “Ya think?”

“Yeah.” Zane gave Casey a spontaneous hug.

Jillian’s heart turned over. Zane’s wall of reserve was crumbling stone by reluctant stone.

Zane pointed. “Head across the lawn, and I’ll come show you some pointers about pitching.”

Casey scurried to get into position, and Jillian caught Zane’s arm. “You’re so good with him. He really looks up to you.”

Fear and pleasure chased across Zane’s face. “Do you think so?” he asked in an unconscious adult version of his son’s familiar question.

“I know so.”

Buoyant with hope, she made a plate of hamburger patties, and carried them outside to the barbecue. The patties hit the hot grill with a hiss, and savory smoke tickled her nose. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Casey sprint to the edge of the lawn, chasing the ball.

“Mmm.” Zane’s low voice spoke from right behind her. His body heat radiated along her spine, his breath tingled over her neck. “That smells heavenly. I’m starving.”

She jumped. “Yikes! You startled me.”

His husky laugh rumbled in her ear. “Sorry. I thought you heard me.”

“How? You walk like a cat.” She turned slightly, catching his warm brown gaze with her own. Such beautiful, expressive eyes. Right now, they spoke volumes of appreciation. And not for the burgers. Her heart stuttered. She wanted to throw him down and ravish him.

And from the ravenous way he was looking at her, she doubted he’d object.

She took a step away.Whew, cool it, Jillian, before Casey gets another eyeful.

“Zane!” Casey appeared at their side, waving the ball and hopping from one sneakered foot to the other. “C’mon!”

Grinning at her, Zane let Casey tug him to the center of the lawn.

Zane and Casey set the table, and Jillian finished cooking the burgers and corn while the guys carried out the salad and baked beans.

Velvety blue twilight tinged the pink and orange sky. Jillian lit a chunky white candle inside a wind-proof globe, added a bouquet of crimson roses from a backyard bush that had escaped being vandalized.

Zane slid into a chair opposite her, and Casey scrambled into the chair beside him. The child squirmed in his seat and chattered a rapid-fire stream, obviously over-excited about his new triumph.

Casey jostled Zane’s plate, and Zane straightened it. “Easy there, buddy.”

Waving his fork around, Casey dropped a blob of baked beans on Zane’s arm. “Oops.”

“Casey,” Zane gritted between his teeth as he wiped his arm with a napkin. “Chill out.”

“Can we play more ball after dinner, can we? Huh, Zane?”

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