Read Online A Father For Zach by Irene Hannon - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Irene Hannon
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you.”
“Awesome!” Zach examined the cover and looked up at Catherine. “Can I watch it now, Mom? Please?”
“It’s PG,” Nathan assured her over Zach’s head. “I thought it would occupy him while we talked.”
Her uncertain gaze met his, and he saw a flicker of distress in her green eyes. “Sure. I’ll get it started for you, Zach.” She took the DVD and motioned Nathan toward the kitchen. “I’ll meet you out there in a minute.”
With a nod, Nathan headed toward the back of the house, trying to quiet the thudding of his heart. And hoping Catherine would be able to see beyond his criminal record to the man he’d become. To understand that the street thug he’d once been didn’t exist anymore.
If she couldn’t, he’d lose this job.
He’d also lose his connection—tenuous though it was—to her and Zach.
And much as he wanted this job, the loss of the latter would be even worse.
Catherine fiddled with the DVD far longer than necessary, buying herself a few minutes to think through Nathan’s unexpected appearance. And come to the obvious conclusion.
He was going to quit—just as she’d feared yesterday when he’d left.
She couldn’t blame him, either. Why would he want to work for a bitter, angry, aloof woman when there were plenty of other jobs on the island? Closer to town, too. After all, she hadn’t given him the warmest reception. From the moment she’d seen him at that wedding, she’d made no attempt to mask her wariness. He must think…
“Come on, Mom. It’s not hard. Do you want me to do it?”
At Zach’s impatient query, Catherine cranked up the volume a little higher than usual, pushed the play button and set the remote on top of the TV.
“I’ll be in the kitchen with Nathan.”
“Okay.” Already his focus was on the screen.
Wiping her palms on her jeans, she limped toward the back of the house.
Nathan was leaning against the counter, hands in his pockets. The tense line of his shoulders was at odds with his casual stance, setting off another flutter in her stomach.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure.”
She busied herself at the pot. After filling two mugs, she retrieved the pitcher of cream from the fridge and set it on the table.
“I heard you playing the violin when I arrived.” Nathan broke the heavy silence. “You have an incredible talent.”
“I’ve been at it a long time. I played with the Atlanta Philharmonic for a lot of years, plus with a string quartet. I thought I’d have difficulty finding opportunities here, but it turned out that Becky—the real estate agent I used—is also a musician. She plays the viola. Anyway, she’s part of a string quartet, and their violinist just moved to the mainland. So when she found out about my background, she invited me to play with them. It should work out great.”
Stop babbling, Catherine berated herself as she set the mugs on the table. The man has something to say. Let him get to it. Delaying the inevitable isn’t going to change anything.
“Sorry.” She took a seat and gestured to an empty chair. “You didn’t come all the way out here on your day off to listen to a boring recitation of my musical résumé.”
He took the chair she’d indicated and wrapped his hands around his mug. “I’m not bored. I’m happy you found an outlet for your art.” He took a sip of coffee. “How’s Zach doing?”
“Okay. He didn’t even have a nightmare last night, like he sometimes does after an episode. That’s an encouraging sign.”
“Good.” He set his mug on the table, never breaking eye contact. “I thought a lot about the story you told me yesterday, Catherine.”
He’d called her Catherine. That was a positive. Wasn’t it?
“I shouldn’t have dumped the whole thing on you at once like that.” She sent him an apologetic look. “And I’m sorry I got so angry. I’ve kept my feelings bottled inside for a long time, and I’m afraid they came out very
“Awesome!” Zach examined the cover and looked up at Catherine. “Can I watch it now, Mom? Please?”
“It’s PG,” Nathan assured her over Zach’s head. “I thought it would occupy him while we talked.”
Her uncertain gaze met his, and he saw a flicker of distress in her green eyes. “Sure. I’ll get it started for you, Zach.” She took the DVD and motioned Nathan toward the kitchen. “I’ll meet you out there in a minute.”
With a nod, Nathan headed toward the back of the house, trying to quiet the thudding of his heart. And hoping Catherine would be able to see beyond his criminal record to the man he’d become. To understand that the street thug he’d once been didn’t exist anymore.
If she couldn’t, he’d lose this job.
He’d also lose his connection—tenuous though it was—to her and Zach.
And much as he wanted this job, the loss of the latter would be even worse.
Catherine fiddled with the DVD far longer than necessary, buying herself a few minutes to think through Nathan’s unexpected appearance. And come to the obvious conclusion.
He was going to quit—just as she’d feared yesterday when he’d left.
She couldn’t blame him, either. Why would he want to work for a bitter, angry, aloof woman when there were plenty of other jobs on the island? Closer to town, too. After all, she hadn’t given him the warmest reception. From the moment she’d seen him at that wedding, she’d made no attempt to mask her wariness. He must think…
“Come on, Mom. It’s not hard. Do you want me to do it?”
At Zach’s impatient query, Catherine cranked up the volume a little higher than usual, pushed the play button and set the remote on top of the TV.
“I’ll be in the kitchen with Nathan.”
“Okay.” Already his focus was on the screen.
Wiping her palms on her jeans, she limped toward the back of the house.
Nathan was leaning against the counter, hands in his pockets. The tense line of his shoulders was at odds with his casual stance, setting off another flutter in her stomach.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure.”
She busied herself at the pot. After filling two mugs, she retrieved the pitcher of cream from the fridge and set it on the table.
“I heard you playing the violin when I arrived.” Nathan broke the heavy silence. “You have an incredible talent.”
“I’ve been at it a long time. I played with the Atlanta Philharmonic for a lot of years, plus with a string quartet. I thought I’d have difficulty finding opportunities here, but it turned out that Becky—the real estate agent I used—is also a musician. She plays the viola. Anyway, she’s part of a string quartet, and their violinist just moved to the mainland. So when she found out about my background, she invited me to play with them. It should work out great.”
Stop babbling, Catherine berated herself as she set the mugs on the table. The man has something to say. Let him get to it. Delaying the inevitable isn’t going to change anything.
“Sorry.” She took a seat and gestured to an empty chair. “You didn’t come all the way out here on your day off to listen to a boring recitation of my musical résumé.”
He took the chair she’d indicated and wrapped his hands around his mug. “I’m not bored. I’m happy you found an outlet for your art.” He took a sip of coffee. “How’s Zach doing?”
“Okay. He didn’t even have a nightmare last night, like he sometimes does after an episode. That’s an encouraging sign.”
“Good.” He set his mug on the table, never breaking eye contact. “I thought a lot about the story you told me yesterday, Catherine.”
He’d called her Catherine. That was a positive. Wasn’t it?
“I shouldn’t have dumped the whole thing on you at once like that.” She sent him an apologetic look. “And I’m sorry I got so angry. I’ve kept my feelings bottled inside for a long time, and I’m afraid they came out very
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