Page 72 of First Love

“So what’s the rush?” Nadine asked. She didn’t want to sound suspicious, but Sam wasn’t usually so anxious to be bothered with the boys. Not that he was a bad father, nor neglectful. He just wasn’t usually so attentive.

In a clatter of footsteps the boys hurried down the stairs. After quick kisses to Nadine’s cheeks, John and Bobby, their overnight bags slung over their shoulders, were herded out the back door toward Sam’s waiting pickup. The passenger door opened with a loud creak just as Hayden’s Jeep pulled into the drive.

“What the hell?” Sam said under his breath. “I wonder what he wants.”

“He’s coming to see Mom,” Bobby offered and started waving enthusiastically. “He comes all the time.”

Sam sent Nadine a sharp glance over his shoulder. “Is that right?”

“Well—”

“And he takes us fishing, and riding in his boat, and to fancy restaurants,” Bobby added.

John, sensing the change of atmosphere in the air, didn’t add anything to the conversation.

“He said he’d take us skiing, too.”

“Bobby, I don’t think Dad wants to hear everything that Mr. Monroe has talked about.”

“He said we were supposed to call him Hayden,” Bobby corrected, and Nadine had to grit her teeth.

Hayden parked next to Sam’s pickup and stretched out. Taller than Sam by nearly three inches, with broader shoulders and harsher features, he looked hard-bodied and tough. “Hayden, you’ve met Sam, I think.”

“At the mill,” Sam supplied, his eyes narrowing a fraction. “And a long time ago. Company picnic, or something.”

Hayden extended his hand, but Sam ignored it.

“Is there something you want?”

Hayden offered a practiced smile. “I just came to see Nadine and the kids.”

Sam bristled a little, and Nadine wondered again where his sudden sense of fatherhood had come from. “Well, you’d better say ‘hello’ now because the boys are leaving with me. For the weekend.”

Hayden’s lips stretched into a wide grin, as if he harbored a secret he wouldn’t share. “Have a great time.”

“We always do,” Sam said stiffly as he climbed into the cab of his truck and roared off.

“What was that all about?” Hayden asked.

“You know perfectly well, Hayden Monroe. I think it’s called marking his territory. The boys were going on and on about you and all the things you’ve done for them and Sam got his fatherly hackles up.” She glanced at the disappearing truck. “About time.”

“So,” Hayden asked, placing his hands on her waist, “does that mean you’re free for the weekend?”

“It means I’m alone.”

His grin turned positively evil. “Not anymore. I’m taking you out—”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises.”

“You’ll like this one,” he guaranteed.

“Hayden, I don’t think—”

“Humor me. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed.”