Read Online Warrior at Willow Lake by Mary Manners - Free Book Online Page A

that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
     
    ****
     
    Maci loved watching Hunter work. The muscles along his shoulders rippled as he smoothed the chair rail over a section of one wall. Just the site of him made her melt. She fingered the necklace he’d given her. It was beautiful, and such a lovely token—perfect.
    “Ali told me you brought Rory a baseball glove.” Maci crossed to stand beside him. “Don’t you think it’s a bit premature, seeing as he’s barely a week old?”
    “Not at all. Gotta start the kid off right. I began tossing a ball with my dad before I turned three.”
    “Wow, that’s young.”
    “I used to wait on the front steps for him to come home from work. He didn’t even make it into the house to kiss my mom before I had him lobbing balls my way.”
    “That’s a nice memory.” Maci smoothed a hand through her hair. “Where’s your dad now?”
    “He died when I was sixteen…trucking accident. He was on his way home to watch one of my games.”
    “I’m so sorry, Hunter.”
    “I have good memories.” He shrugged. “My dad loved baseball, and I might not be able to pitch anymore, but I still love the game, too.”
    “Have you ever thought about coaching?”
    “A time or two.” He stood and stepped back to scrutinize the finished chair rail. “Maybe if Rory decides to play, it will give me an excuse to take the plunge.”
    “There’s no need to wait for that. I happen to know the community league is down a peewee coach. They could use your help.”
    “Peewee league, huh?” Hunter nodded, turning to grin at her. “I’ll give them a call tomorrow.”
    “It looks so good in here…ready for a baby—for Rory.” Maci walked over to the crib and ran one hand over the rails before settling into the rocking chair. She gave a little push, setting the chair into motion. “Have you ever thought about it?”
    Hunter wiped his hands on a damp rag and reached for the coffee. “Give me a hint.”
    “You know…a family of your own.” Maci hesitated, her gaze locking on his. “Having kids…a white picket fence, a dog, and a sensible eight-passenger van.”
    “Does a wife come with that?”
    “I should hope so.”
    Hunter drained the coffee with one healthy gulp. “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t?”
    He set the empty cup on the changing table and crossed his arms. “I don’t think I’m the marrying type.”
    “You don’t?” Maci’s heart sank. “Why not?”
    “I couldn’t trust myself with a kid. Look at what happened to Josh.”
    “I thought you were past that.”
    “So did I.”
    Maci frowned and stilled the rocker. “My questions, they’ve messed things up again.”
    “You don’t like to let things go, do you?”
    “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” She pursed her lips. “I saw you with Rory. You glowed when you looked at him.”
    “Glowed?”
    “That’s right. You can’t deny you love kids.”
    “Oh, I love them. They just don’t love me.”
    “That’s silly, Hunter. How do you know what Rory’s feeling?”
    “He cries, doesn’t he?”
    “I suppose so. But that could mean anything.”
    He went to her, knelt at her feet. “Doesn’t it scare you—the thought of being completely responsible for another human being?”
    “Of course it frightens me.”
    “Then how can you even consider—”
    “Because I refuse to live my life afraid. I want more than that, Hunter. I want the full package. Jumbo size it.”
    “Jumbo size…”
    “That’s right. Everything. No holding back.”
    “I can’t give that to you, Maci.” He shook his head. “I can’t even give that to myself yet.”
    Though his words wounded, she fought the urge to pull away. Instead she leaned forward in the chair and drew him close, nestling her head against his chest.
    “Kiss me, Hunter.”
    “I’m splattered in wallpaper glue.”
    “I don’t care.” She sighed and splayed a hand across his shoulders. “Kiss me.”
    He wrapped his arms around her and