Read Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) for Free Online

the idea of approaching him again. He’d probably want proof that she had permission to open the storage building.
    She squared her shoulders and raised her chin. She was a professional. She’d ask for the key, then go on about her business. Piece of cake. Or in his case, pie.
    “Mom, can I see if Mr. Linc can play football with me?”
    “Honey, I’m sure he’s working. He’s a busy man. We shouldn’t bother him.”
    “But he said he liked to play. He said I could ask him.”
    Gemma stole a quick glance at her son, a twinge of sadness settling in her chest. How could she explain to her son that people often made offhand promises they didn’t really mean? She knew the heartbreak of trusting the wrong person. She didn’t want her son to know that kind of betrayal. But she couldn’t fill him with fear of others or of having friends and relationships, either. Sooner or later she knew he’d get his little heart broken and all she could do was be there to help him through it. But she’d make sure he knew that the Lord was always with him and that He was the only trustworthy presence.
    Stopping beside the cottage, she switched off the engine and faced her son. “Change your clothes first, then you can go ask. But be polite and remember he might be too busy so don’t be disappointed if he says no.”
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    He scurried out of the car and dashed up onto the porch, fidgeting impatiently while she unlocked the door.
    Within minutes he was out the door, football cradled in his arm, and racing across the lawn to the main house. She debated whether to watch him from the porch or take a more discreet position from inside. She hoped Linc would say yes, but her common sense knew he’d probably turn the boy away, leaving her to deal with the fallout.
    She should have gone with him. She had a perfect excuse—she needed the key to the storage building. But subjecting herself to his dynamic personality wasn’t a good idea. Evan’s father had been a forceful, compelling man. She shook off the painful memory and hurried to her bedroom window. Leaning against the frame, she swallowed a wave of shame. She’d let her own fears and insecurities stop her from accompanying her son. But she couldn’t go with him everywhere.
    She watched as Evan waited at the front door. Linc had better answer or she’d give the man a piece of her mind. He shouldn’t make careless promises to little boys. The mansion door opened and she saw Evan look up. Her son nodded. Then nodded again more slowly and turned and headed down the porch steps.
    Gemma pressed a hand over her mouth. Linc was sending the boy away. She braced herself for tears. Evan ran across the lawn, but stopped midway, tossing the ball in the air.
    Puzzled, she leaned closer to the window and saw Linc jogging easily toward Evan. He raised his hands and Evan tossed the ball. It fell short. Linc scooped it up and motioned Evan to his side, then proceeded to demonstrate the correct way to hold and throw the ball.
    Surprise drew Gemma’s lips apart and warmth filled her chest. She’d been fully prepared for Linc to dismiss his invitation. He didn’t strike her as the kind of guy who would want to spend time with a child. She watched as Evan tossed the ball and Linc made a big show of catching it. After one toss, Linc fell to the ground and Evan threw himself on top of him. The happy smile on her son’s face tightened her throat and brought tears to her eyes. He needed this. A man to do guy things with. She’d tried to fill that void, but as a single mom it was all she could do to keep things on track. Lately, even that had been impossible.
    She glanced out again and saw Linc staring at her. Her skin heated. Even across the distance and through the window, his piercing gaze caused a skip in her heartbeat. He motioned her to join them. Curious, she went out and across the lawn.
    “Mom, Mr. Linc wants me to join his team. Can I?”
    “Team? What kind of team?” Gemma