Busted by Cher Carson Page B

nana tonight,
Princess?”
    “Yeah!” Cassidy said, clapping her hands.
    Apparently her sadness over Miss McCoy was forgotten. “Okay,
just let me call her.”
    “Can I sleep over, Daddy?”
    Convincing Charlene that he was the man for her may take the
entire night. “If it’s okay with your nana, it’s okay with me.” He knew it
would be. His mother always said she wished she had more time with her
granddaughter. But between horseback riding lessons, figure skating, swimming,
and dance, they were booked most nights and often on weekends.
    Cole parked his truck and pulled out his cell phone. His
heart started racing when she didn’t pick up after the third ring. His gut told
him that if he didn’t reach out to Charlene soon, it would be too late. “Hey,
Mama,” he said, when she finally picked up on the fifth ring. “Did I catch you
at a bad time?”
    “No, honey. I was just washing some cookie sheets and I had
to dry my hands off before I could answer the phone.”
    “Sounds like you were doin’ some holiday bakin’.” His mother
enjoyed baking for friends and the annual church bake sale. “Cassidy wanted a
sleep-over with her nana tonight, but if you’re too busy—”
    “No, I’d love to have her. In fact, she can help me decorate
the gingerbread men. Tomorrow we’ll do a little Christmas shopping for her
daddy.”
    “You sure?”
    “Of course I’m sure. Bring her right over. I just made some
chicken soup for dinner. You’re welcome to stay, too.”
    Food was the last thing on his mind tonight. “Thanks, but
I’ve got to take care of a few things.” Like a certain sexy teacher. Taking
care of her would be his pleasure. “I’ll just stop at home to pick up Cassidy’s
things.”
    “Don’t bother. I have everything she needs. She keeps an
extra toothbrush and stuffed animal here, and I bought her some clothes and
story books the last time I went in to Sudbury, so I think we’re all set.”
    That would save him some time, since his mother’s house was
only a few minutes from Main Street. “Okay, thanks. We’ll see you in a few.” He
looked over his shoulder at his daughter. “You still wanna get that Barbie, or
can it wait ‘til next week?”
    “It can wait! I wanna see Nana.”
    Cole chuckled as he slipped his phone into the cup holder.
“How did I know you were gonna say that? Okay, let’s get you over to your
nana’s house, Princess.”
    As he drove the short distance, his mind worked overtime,
trying to formulate a plan. He knew Charlene had bought the Martins’ old bungalow,
which was just around the corner from his mother’s house. He could make it
there in no time, but he had no idea if she would be alone when he arrived.
He’d seen her around town with Paul a time or two on a Friday night, and he
wouldn’t be surprised to find him there tonight.
    He struggled to think of an excuse for dropping by, in case
she wasn’t alone, but he came up empty. As he ushered Cassidy into his mother’s
house, the smell of gingerbread assailed him. “Wow, smells like you arrived
just in time, sweetie. I bet Nana could use some help decoratin’ those bad
boys.”
    She giggled and tugged on the edge of his leather jacket.
“Gingerbread men aren’t bad boys, silly. They’re good boys.”
    “Of course they are,” Cole said, tweaking her nose. “Why
don’t you go on in and say hi to Nana? Then I want you to run upstairs and get
washed up.”
    “Okay.” She slipped her boots off and shed her coat before skipping
in to the kitchen.
    Even after several years, getting used to his mother living
in the small house in the center of town was difficult for Cole. The ranch was
her home for as long as he could remember, but she claimed she loved living
within walking distance of the meager amenities Brant offered. 
    “Hey, Mama,” Cole said, removing his hat before walking into
the kitchen. His mother was the only who still chastised him for walking into a
room wearing a hat. Even though