A Town Called Valentine(91)

More food was ordered, and everyone sat down at tables to eat. Emily found herself next to Tony of Tony’s Tavern fame, and he grinned and held out his hand.

“Maybe we should meet properly—I’m Tony De Luca.”

She laughed. “Emily Murphy.”

“See you two are still kissing.”

Would she ever stop blushing? “Guess we are.”

“Hey, Dad!”

To Emily’s surprise, a boy of maybe ten or eleven came running up to them. He was overheated, his brown bangs damp, chocolate smeared on his cheek as he held out his hand.

“Dad, can I have some quarters?”

Tony groaned. “I gave you everything I had when I got here, Ethan. Didn’t your mom have any for you?”

“You know she doesn’t like me playing the games here.”

Emily said, “I have a couple quarters, if it’s okay with you, Tony.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, but didn’t seem upset at her interference.

She reached into her wallet and held out some coins. With a quick “Thanks!” Ethan grabbed the coins and took off with the other boys.

Emily eyed Tony, who shook his head. “So you’re a dad.”

“A single dad,” he said with a sigh. “His mom and I split a couple years ago.”

That perked her interest. “Do you find it hard being a single parent?”

“Sure, sometimes.”

“I’m thinking of adopting. I’d love to talk to you sometime about what it’s like raising a child by yourself.”

But was he truly alone, when he had everyone in Valentine? He must have all the support—and nosiness—he could ever need.

“I share custody with my ex, so it’s not quite like doing it by myself, but I’ll answer any questions I can.”

“My ex wanted kids, too,” she said ruefully. “But I found out that was all he wanted from me.”

Nate walked over just in time to hear this, and he stared at Emily, surprised she’d reveal something painful so easily. He told himself it was good that she could talk about the past instead of keeping it inside; but to his discomfort, he realized he wanted her to talk to him about those things, not Tony.

Why was she so determined to adopt if both she and her ex had wanted kids? It wasn’t like she was ancient. Or did she just not want to marry again? That should make him feel relieved, but it didn’t. It was as if every wall he’d built up around himself these last few years was starting to crumble. Emily was getting to him in ways he thought he’d long been on guard against.

He couldn’t let this happen again, couldn’t risk hurting Emily. And deep inside, part of him began to turn to ice.

“Hey, Nate,” Tony said, looking curiously between Emily and him.

Nate wondered what his face had revealed. He forced a smile. “Nice goal in the third period. You saved us.”

“Thanks.”

Another teammate called out, “Hey Nate, how’s the rodeo prep going? You doing like I said, and taking bets on the bronc riding?”

“Why should I, when you know I’m going to win?”

There was booing and cheering all mixed up together, and he saw Emily watching him with curiosity. He almost slid an arm around her waist, knowing he’d be aroused by the flare of her hip and the warmth of her all pressed to his side. But he stopped himself, and was relieved when she said she was going home with the girls.

“I came with them, Nate.” Her tone was apologetic.

“She’s our date,” Brooke said, spreading her hands wide. “Girls’ night out.”

He nodded, forced a smile. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

Wearing a saucy smile, she said, “I’ll look forward to it.”

And he watched her go through the double doors out into the night, not realizing Tony had come to stand beside him.

“So it’s like that,” Tony said mildly.

Nate shrugged. “Guess you could sort of tell the first night that we were interested in each other.”

“Guess I could. Don’t enjoy yourself too much. I’ll try to pretend I remember what it’s like have a free social schedule and time to pursue a woman.”

“Kids’ll do that to you.”

“Seems like Emily wants ’em, but without a husband.”

Nate eyed his friend. “She’s mentioned it.”