Making a Comeback by Kristina Mathews

week, if the organic produce held up that long. Cooper had left her to complete her shopping on her own, but she’d noticed he never strayed too far. He kept enough distance that she didn’t feel like he was hovering, but he remained close enough that he could come to her rescue if she needed him.
    Fortunately, she was tall enough not to need his help reaching for items on the top shelf. And she even managed to keep from slipping in some spilled juice. No surprise that Cooper had immediately alerted the manager after she wheeled her cart around the mess. It gave her an extra five minutes to wander three aisles over and catch her breath. She hated being so dependent on him. But she couldn’t very well carry on with no food in the house. She had her pride, but her daughters came first. They needed fresh fruit and milk. They needed food for their lunches and afterschool snacks.
    “Do you need any help getting everything put away?” Cooper had insisted on loading her groceries in the back of his SUV and carrying all seven bags into the house.
    “No. I can manage.” She was more than ready for a little space. Especially since he’d made it very clear they could only be friends. The only benefits would be his chauffeur service. “I need something to keep me busy anyway.”
    “Well, let me know if you need anything.” He stood near the door, acting as if he didn’t quite want to leave.
    “I know where to find you.” He was too close. She wished he would leave already, so she could stop trying to be brave and strong. “Besides, I have to call the insurance company, the doctor’s office…”
    “You will let me know what time your appointment is.” It wasn’t a question, but a demand.
    “Don’t you have things to do besides be at my beck and call?” She was starting to get irritated.
    “Nothing that can’t wait.”
    “I thought you were looking for a job.” She crossed her arms over her chest, hoping he didn’t notice her wince when she bumped her ribs. “Or are you trying to play me?”
    “I’m not trying to play you, Annabelle.” A look of regret passed over his face. “I would never use you like that.”
    He wouldn’t use her any other way, either.
    “Well, good.” She relaxed her stance, letting her arms fall to her sides. “Because if you’re hoping to get a piece of my fortune, you can forget it.”
    “I don’t want your money.” He moved closer, his voice lowering. “I could never take money I didn’t earn.”
    There was something about the way he spoke that made her wonder if he was talking more to himself. She knew he’d made a lot of money in his former career, but got the feeling he wasn’t proud of his wealth. Maybe he’d worked for a corporation that was involved in something he was morally opposed to. Exploiting child labor, for instance, or taking a homophobic stance on same-sex marriage.
    Or maybe he’d inherited his money, perhaps from the mother who’d abandoned him at eight years old.
    “Well, thanks again for the ride.” Annabelle knew she was in no position to press him for more information. Whatever it was, he was convinced it made him a bad guy, even though his actions had shown just the opposite.
    “What are neighbors for?” He gave her a half-smile and took a step back.
    Neighbors. She’d just have to get used to the idea that’s all they’d be.
    She sighed as she watched him head back to his place. He sure did fill out a pair of jeans. And the way he tortured that T-shirt, stretching it to the max. But she’d learned a long time ago that having a beautiful body didn’t guarantee happiness.
     
     

Chapter 9
     
    “Coop! It’s about time you dragged your sorry ass down here.” Bruce Sanders met him at the door of Sanders Baseball Academy. He pulled Cooper into a hearty embrace and slapped him on the back a couple times for good measure. “I was starting to wonder if you were just blowing me off. Like my facilities aren’t good enough for