Engaged to the Single Mom

Whoa. Troy’s throat tightened.

“Night, sweetie, sleep tight.” Angelica’s voice sounded choked.

“Don’t let the bedbugs... Love you, Mama.” The words were fading off and the boy was asleep.

They both stood looking down at him, Troy on one side of the bed and Angelica on the other.

“Did he say he wants a...dad?” Troy ventured finally.

Angelica nodded.

“Does his dad ever spend time with him?”

She looked up at him. “No. Never.”

“Does he even know him?”

Her lips tightened. “I... Look, Troy, I don’t want to talk about that.”

“Sure.” But he’d like to strangle the guy who’d loved and left her, and not just because he remembered how difficult it had been to keep his hands off Angelica back when they were engaged. He took a deep breath and loosened his tightly clasped fists. She’d gotten pregnant with Xavier right around the time she left town, so was Xavier’s dad—the jerk—from here or from elsewhere? She hadn’t married him, apparently, but... “If the guy knew Xavier, knew what he was like and what he’s facing, surely he’d be willing—”

“No.”

“No?”

“Just...no, okay?” She stood and stalked out to the living room, and Troy wondered whether he’d ever stop putting his plaster-covered foot in his mouth around her.

* * *

The next Saturday, Angelica touched up her hair with a curling wand and applied blush and mascara. And tried not to throw up.

She didn’t want to go out on a date. But there was no other way to get Xavier off her case.

In fact, he was beside her now, hugging her leg. “You never had a date before, Mama.”

She laughed. “Yes, I did. Back in the day. Before you.”

“Did you go on dates with my dad?”

All Xavier knew was that his father had died. He hadn’t ever asked whether Angelica and his father had been married, and Angelica hoped he didn’t go there any time soon. For now, she would stick as close to the truth as possible. “No, not with him, but with a few other guys.” She tried to deflect his attention. “Just like I’m doing now. Do I look all right?”

“You’re beautiful, Mama.”

She hugged him. “Thanks, Zavey Davey. You’re kinda cute yourself.”

“Do I get to meet him? Because I want to see, you know, if he’s the right kind of guy for us.”

“My little protector. You can meet him sometime, but not now. Miss Lou Ann is going to come over and play with you. And I think I hear her now.”

Sure enough, there was a knock on the bunkhouse door. Xavier ran over to get it while Angelica fussed with herself a little more. She’d much rather just stay home with Xavier tonight. What if Buck tried something? She knew him to be a nice guy, but still...

“Well, how’s my little friend for the evening?” Lou Ann asked, pinching Xavier’s cheek. “You set up for a Candy Land marathon, or are we building a fort out of sheets and chairs?”

“You’ll build a fort with me?” Xavier’s eyes turned worshipful. “Mom always says it’s too messy.”

“It’s only too messy if we don’t clean up later. And we will, right?”

“Right. I’ll get the extra sheets.”

As soon as he was out of the room, Lou Ann turned to Angelica. “You look pretty,” she said. “Somebody’s already cranky, and when he sees you looking like that...” She smacked her lips. “Sparks are gonna fly.”

That was the last thing she needed. Her face heated and she changed the subject. “Xavier can stay up until eight-thirty. He gets his meds and a snack half an hour before bed.” She showed Lou Ann the pills and the basket of approved snacks.

“That’s easy. Don’t worry about us.” Lou Ann leaned back and looked out the window. “I think your friend just pulled in.”

“I wanna see him!” Xavier rushed toward the window, dropping the stack of sheets he’d been carrying.

“Well,” Lou Ann said, “that’s just fine, because I want to claim the best spot in the fort.”

Xavier spun back to Lou Ann. “I’m king of the fort!”

“You’d better get over here and help me, then.”

Thank you, Angelica mouthed to Lou Ann, and slipped out the door.

Buck emerged from his black pickup, looking good from his long jean-clad legs to his slightly shaggy brown curls. Any girl would feel fortunate to be dating such a cute guy, Angelica told herself, trying to lighten the lead weight in her stomach.

He’s a nice guy. And it’s for Xavier. “Hi there!”

“Well, don’t you look pretty!” He walked toward her, loose limbed.

To her right, the front door of the main house opened. Troy. He came out on the porch and stood, arms crossed. For all the world as if he were her father.

She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to ignore his rougher style of handsome, the way his broad shoulders, leaning on his crutches, strained the seams of his shirt. She was through with Troy Hinton, and he was most certainly through with her, wouldn’t want anything to do with her if he knew the truth.

She deliberately returned her attention to Buck. He reached her and opened his arms.

Really? Was a big hug normal on a first date? It had been so long...and she’d been so young... She took a deep breath and allowed him to hug her, at the same time wrinkling her nose. Something was wrong...

“Baby, it’s great to see you. Man, feels good to hug a woman.” Buck’s words were slurred. And yes, that smell was alcohol, covered with a whole lot of peppermint.

She tried to pull back, but he didn’t let go.

Panic rose in her. She stepped hard onto his foot. “Let go,” she said, loud, right in his ear.

From the corner of her eye, the sight of Troy made her feel secure.

“Sorry!” Buck stepped back. “I didn’t mean...I was just glad...oh man, you look so good.” He moved as though he was going to hug her again.