Read Online A Father For Zach by Irene Hannon - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Irene Hannon
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he couldn’t wait to get away.
“Yes.” Turning aside, he stripped off the jersey and slipped on the T-shirt in one smooth motion. Handing the jersey back to her, he lifted a hand toward Zach. “See you later, champ.”
“’Bye, Nathan.”
With a nod to her, he pushed through the screen door, crossed the breezeway in a few long strides and disappeared around the front of the house.
Leaving her to wonder if she’d ever see him again.
For despite his reassurance that he’d be back Monday, despite the fact that he didn’t strike her as the kind of man who would walk out on a job or renege on a commitment, she didn’t like the vibes she’d picked up during their pizza dinner.
But if he did decide to quit…if he exited her life as unexpectedly as he’d entered it…she’d find someone to step in and take Nathan’s place.
On the project, if not in her heart.
For even in their short acquaintance, he’d managed to awaken a tenderness that had long lain dormant—connecting with her just as he’d connected with Zach.
If he left, her son would miss him. A lot.
And so would she.
Chapter Five
N athan braked to a stop in front of Catherine’s house on Saturday, swung his leg over the bar on the bike, set the kickstand…and tried to fight down the worst case of nerves he’d suffered since he’d stood in the courtroom waiting for his sentence to be read.
The outcome that day hadn’t been good.
And he wasn’t confident it would be any better this morning.
But after a night spent tossing and turning, he’d realized his only ethical choice was to tell Catherine about his background. Keeping it secret wasn’t an option he could live with in good conscience.
And if she sent him away…
The roiling in his stomach told him that was a very real possibility, given the strength of her feelings about the man who had killed her husband—and about felons in general.
Mustering his courage, he started up the gravel path to the front door—only to halt a moment later at the unexpected sound of violin music.
He didn’t recognize the piece. But each pure, clear note of the poignant melody throbbed with feeling as it hung suspended in the hushed morning air. Unlike the uplifting music the string quartet had played at Marci’s wedding, however, this composition spoke of aching sadness. Of a yearning for things that could never be. Of remembered joy that was long past.
Nathan could picture Catherine as she played: eyes closed, head tipped into the chin rest, right hand masterfully wielding the bow as the fingertips of her left hand caressed the strings. She would be swaying slightly, lost in the magic of the music.
The way she’d been at Marci’s wedding.
He was no musician, but Nathan knew he was listening to a master. To a woman who had not only technical expertise, but the ability to imbue her music with a passion that could touch listeners’ hearts and stir their souls while offering a glimpse into her own.
“Nathan?”
The childish voice broke the spell. Spotting Zach at a window, he lifted his hand in greeting.
“Hey, Mom!” The little boy’s volume doubled. As did his enthusiasm. “Nathan’s here!”
The music stopped abruptly.
As the youngster disappeared, Nathan resumed his trek toward the front door. Catherine opened it when he was halfway up the steps, looking as surprised as her son.
“Nathan…I didn’t expect you until Monday.” The faint shadows under her eyes suggested sleep had been as elusive for her as it had been for him.
“I had something I wanted to talk over with you. Is this a bad time?”
“No. Not at all. I’m playing at a wedding later, but I don’t have to leave for a couple of hours. Come in.”
She pushed the door open, and he stepped inside.
Withdrawing a DVD from the inside pocket of his jean jacket, he smiled at Zach as he handed it over. “Remember that movie I mentioned last week? The one about the boys who built rockets? I found a copy for
“Yes.” Turning aside, he stripped off the jersey and slipped on the T-shirt in one smooth motion. Handing the jersey back to her, he lifted a hand toward Zach. “See you later, champ.”
“’Bye, Nathan.”
With a nod to her, he pushed through the screen door, crossed the breezeway in a few long strides and disappeared around the front of the house.
Leaving her to wonder if she’d ever see him again.
For despite his reassurance that he’d be back Monday, despite the fact that he didn’t strike her as the kind of man who would walk out on a job or renege on a commitment, she didn’t like the vibes she’d picked up during their pizza dinner.
But if he did decide to quit…if he exited her life as unexpectedly as he’d entered it…she’d find someone to step in and take Nathan’s place.
On the project, if not in her heart.
For even in their short acquaintance, he’d managed to awaken a tenderness that had long lain dormant—connecting with her just as he’d connected with Zach.
If he left, her son would miss him. A lot.
And so would she.
Chapter Five
N athan braked to a stop in front of Catherine’s house on Saturday, swung his leg over the bar on the bike, set the kickstand…and tried to fight down the worst case of nerves he’d suffered since he’d stood in the courtroom waiting for his sentence to be read.
The outcome that day hadn’t been good.
And he wasn’t confident it would be any better this morning.
But after a night spent tossing and turning, he’d realized his only ethical choice was to tell Catherine about his background. Keeping it secret wasn’t an option he could live with in good conscience.
And if she sent him away…
The roiling in his stomach told him that was a very real possibility, given the strength of her feelings about the man who had killed her husband—and about felons in general.
Mustering his courage, he started up the gravel path to the front door—only to halt a moment later at the unexpected sound of violin music.
He didn’t recognize the piece. But each pure, clear note of the poignant melody throbbed with feeling as it hung suspended in the hushed morning air. Unlike the uplifting music the string quartet had played at Marci’s wedding, however, this composition spoke of aching sadness. Of a yearning for things that could never be. Of remembered joy that was long past.
Nathan could picture Catherine as she played: eyes closed, head tipped into the chin rest, right hand masterfully wielding the bow as the fingertips of her left hand caressed the strings. She would be swaying slightly, lost in the magic of the music.
The way she’d been at Marci’s wedding.
He was no musician, but Nathan knew he was listening to a master. To a woman who had not only technical expertise, but the ability to imbue her music with a passion that could touch listeners’ hearts and stir their souls while offering a glimpse into her own.
“Nathan?”
The childish voice broke the spell. Spotting Zach at a window, he lifted his hand in greeting.
“Hey, Mom!” The little boy’s volume doubled. As did his enthusiasm. “Nathan’s here!”
The music stopped abruptly.
As the youngster disappeared, Nathan resumed his trek toward the front door. Catherine opened it when he was halfway up the steps, looking as surprised as her son.
“Nathan…I didn’t expect you until Monday.” The faint shadows under her eyes suggested sleep had been as elusive for her as it had been for him.
“I had something I wanted to talk over with you. Is this a bad time?”
“No. Not at all. I’m playing at a wedding later, but I don’t have to leave for a couple of hours. Come in.”
She pushed the door open, and he stepped inside.
Withdrawing a DVD from the inside pocket of his jean jacket, he smiled at Zach as he handed it over. “Remember that movie I mentioned last week? The one about the boys who built rockets? I found a copy for
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