Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) by Lorraine Beatty Page B

friend. It was odd to hear her speak of Linc as her boy. There was nothing boyish about him. But she supposed when Evan was full grown she’d still think of him as her boy, too, no matter how masculine he was. “He’s very good with the kids. Very patient. I hadn’t expected him to be.” She clamped her mouth shut. Francie was such a good friend that she’d forgotten she was also Linc’s mother.
    Francie chuckled softly. “You expected him to be stern and disapproving?”
    “I guess.”
    “Linc can be a hard man to get to know. He keeps his emotions buried deep. People often think he’s cold and distant, but he’s not really. He’s always been reserved. Unfortunately, losing his dad has made him more withdrawn. Coaching this team has helped him ease up a bit.”
    “Evan adores him. You, too.”
    “Well, the feeling is mutual. You’ve raised a special boy. Not easy when you’re a single parent.”
    “No. Sometimes I feel as if I’ve failed him completely.” Logically she knew many single mothers raised fine, upstanding children all alone. But she wanted more for Evan. A traditional home with a traditional family. But she didn’t believe it would ever happen.
    Linc and the team of happy children spilled out over the edge of the field, meeting up with parents and receiving hugs and congratulations. Evan took the sports drink she offered him and downed half. His face was red from running, his cheeks streaked with dirt, but it was the happiest she’d seen him in nearly a year. She reached out and hugged him, only to have him pull away.
    “Aw, Mom. I’m too big for that stuff.”
    Gemma didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
    Francie shared a high five with Evan before he trotted off to talk to a friend. “Don’t be too upset. He’ll still let you hug him, just not in public. Don’t tell anyone, but I still hug Linc each morning. He hates it, but he endures it.”
    Gemma glanced at Linc. She remembered the solid feel of those strong arms around her that day when she’d nearly tumbled off the porch. The warmth and security she’d experienced in his embrace. Linc suddenly turned and looked directly at her, a smile reflected in his eyes. Heat flushed into her neck. He raised his head and winked. Arrogant man. Gathering up Evan’s belongings, she said goodbye to the parents she’d come to know, eager to get to the car and put distance between herself and the far too compelling coach.
    She’d been so busy this week she hadn’t seen Linc until he walked out on the field this morning. The sight of him had made her heart jump. The same way it had just now when he’d caught her staring. Embarrassed, she ducked her head, keeping her attention on Evan.
    Settled in the car, Gemma wrinkled her nose. “Evan. You stink.”
    “Gee, thanks, Mom.”
    A rainstorm had passed through yesterday and the combination of muddy playing field and little-boy sweat permeated the car. She started to remind him to shower as soon as they got home, but then she looked at his still-shining eyes. “I’m so proud of you. That was amazing the way you dodged that other boy and scored.”
    “Mr. Linc and I worked on that play.”
    Linc. He was becoming more and more a part of their lives and that made her uncomfortable. Sooner or later they would leave the cottage and she’d take a job elsewhere. How would Evan deal with that?
    “Mom. Can I give Miss Francie a birthday party?”
    Gemma stole a quick glance at her son. “What brought this on?”
    “She asked me when mine was and she said hers is on Wednesday. I want to give her a party to show her how much I like her.”
    “That’s very sweet, Evan, but that’s not much time to organize. Besides, she might have other plans.”
    “No. All her kids ’cept Mr. Linc and her other boy aren’t home. She’ll be really lonely. Please, Mom?”
    An old memory burned in her chest, heating the blood in her veins. She’d had a similar idea when she was Evan’s age. One that had ended