Bound to You by Vanessa Holland Page B

sure what this meant, but was fairly sure it didn’t have anything to do with her, or Ethan. He had a life she knew nothing about. Issues on the ranch she couldn’t imagine.
    But that annoying spark of hope came back and she had to press her lips together to keep from smiling.
    “ Where’s Ethan?” he asked, striding forward to peak into the kitchen. “I thought I’d take him outside to play. Aw, crud, I left it in the truck.” He strode past her again leaving a scented trail of subtle cologne and his own unique, enticing scent.
    With an aching chest, she watched him, wondering if he knew what he was doing, if he was sure what he really wanted.
    Sam returned carrying a new red tricycle. He set it on the tile and rolled it across the foyer. “Nice and smooth,” he congratulated himself. Then he turned to smile at her, his gaze again dropping to the bleach stain. “I hope he doesn’t already have one. I know he doesn’t care a thing about clocks and keepsakes. He’s a kid, so I found him something fun. Think he’ll like it?”
    “ We can see,” she said, staring at the tricycle. Images of Ethan driving the thing right off the porch steps immediately came to mind. She shut the door and went to look at the vehicle Sam had brought into her son’s life. “Is it safe?”
    Sam laughed. “Safe? It’s a tricycle. This’ll strengthen his legs and teach him coordination. I noticed he runs a little lopsided, but this’ll clear that up, even out his strength in both legs. You’ve got the perfect track with that long paved driveway.”
    “ Ethan runs just fine,” she informed him. But this wasn’t bad. It was time for him to grow up a little. “Just don’t let him ride it on the porch.”
    “ No problem.” Sam gazed at her, looking especially shrewd, nodding slightly with Ethan’s frown. “We’ll keep it on the drive. It’s perfectly safe.”
    Of course, he was right. Ethan probably faced greater danger every time he traveled up and down the stairs. “I’ll go get him.” And Brianna to supervise while Jenna freshened up.
    “ Hey,” he said, stopping her. “Could I get a picture of him? For my wallet.”
    “ Oh. Okay. I’ll find one later.”
    “ Sure like that shirt you’re wearing,” he said.
    And when she glanced back, she saw a wicked grin on his face.
     
    Jenna showered and changed clothes then went outside and stood on the porch for a few minutes to watch before stepping down to join them. Ethan seemed to love his tricycle, and loved having Brianna and Sam fawn over him as he learned to pedal and steer at the same time.
    Sam spotted her and came to greet her, his movements boisterous and jovial, reminding her of the old days, and without a word, only a smile, he closed his arm around her shoulders and hauled her forward to join the audience.
    “ At first he could only push himself around with his feet on the ground,” Sam told her, “but once I showed him how the pedals work, he was off and running. He’s one bright kid.”
    She tried not to react to the painful clench in her lower stomach and forced herself to pull away, burning beneath Brianna’s teasing grin - her shoulders still tingling from Sam’s touch. “He seems to be having fun.”
    “ He loves it,” Sam said, beaming with pride. “He’s been all the way down to the elm and back. How ya doing, kiddo?”
    “’ kay,” Ethan called back, riding in wide circles now. He looked up and his eyes brightened when he saw his mother standing among his adoring fans. “Mama!” he yelled.
    “ I see you, sweetie,” she called back. “You’re doing so well. Be careful.”
    Ethan sat up straighter and began to pedal evenly, only swerving the handlebars a little. Pepper ran alongside him, barking excitedly.
    “ Natural athlete,” Sam announced, stepping forward to kick a golf ball-sized rock off the drive, out of Ethan’s way. “He gets that from me.”
    “ Don’t go too far!” Jenna called after her little athlete. She