Jackson Hole Valentine by Cindy Kirk

direction of the front door.
    “Not that way. The door to the garage is through there.” Cole gestured with his head in the direction of the kitchen.
    “I’m coming,” Charlie said in a loud voice, though there was no way she could hear him. “I’m coming, Aunt Margaret.”
    Cole waited until the child disappeared into the kitchen before he returned to the chair he’d vacated minutes before.
    Aunt Margaret.
    Uncle Cole.
    To an outsider, it probably sounded as if they were a family. As if they belonged together.
    But they were living together for only one reason. As soon as he was on his feet, she’d be shown the door.
    And once he got full custody, she’d be out of his life.
    This time for good.

Chapter Five
    T he evening sped by quickly. Remembering that Joy had told her spaghetti was Charlie’s favorite dish, Meg had swung by the grocery store before picking up the boy.
    Cole had seemed as pleased as Charlie when she’d announced what they were having for dinner. Seeing his empty cupboards and refrigerator, she understood.
    In an attempt to provide a balanced meal, Meg made steamed broccoli for the vegetable and strawberries with whipped cream for dessert. By the time she and Charlie cleared the table, a tiny bit of the tension between her and Cole had eased.
    Cole’s eyes might still be shuttered but he’d smiled a couple of times. Not that she cared for herself what the man thought or felt. But at least she knew he wanted things to be comfortable between them…for the child’s sake.
    She sent Charlie to the living room to keep Cole company while she wiped down the granite countertops. Meg ran her fingers across the surface, her gaze surveying the room.
    The commercial-grade appliances were every cook’s dream. Growing up in a big family, helping in the kitchen was just something you were expected to do. Later, after her parents had passed away, and she and Travis had chosen to take on the daunting task of coparenting their siblings, she’d been grateful for all those lessons. But her uncle’s kitchen had been nothing like this one.
    “Aunt Meg,” Charlie called out from the other room. “Where are you?”
    “Aunt Meg?” She strolled into the room, not sure how she felt about seeing the boy sitting so comfortably beside Cole on the sofa. Especially with his head cocked in a gesture that reminded her of the man sitting beside him. “What happened to Aunt Margaret?”
    “Meg is more pretty,” the boy said with a decisive nod. “It’s what Uncle Cole calls you.”
    Meg shifted her gaze.
    Cole’s lips lifted upward in a smile that looked suspiciously like a smirk. “You’re welcome.”
    She’d been about to suggest they play one of the board games she’d brought with her from Charlie’s house or perhaps a rousing hand of Go Fish. But the smirk changed the direction of her thoughts.
    “Charlie,” she said. “Would you like to help me make your uncle Cole strong and fast, like a superhero?”
    “Yes,” Charlie shouted, jumping to his feet and pumping his fist in the air.
    “Indoor voice.” Meg touched a finger to her lips, smiling to soften the words.
    “Will he be able to fly?” Charlie flung out his arms as if he were prepared to soar through the air.
    “No, he won’t be able to fly but eventually he will be able to take you skiing and then fishing this summer.” Meg kicked the crutches Cole had propped up next to him on the sofa. “He’ll be able to walk and run without these.”
    Cole’s expression darkened.
    “How are we gonna make him strong?” Charlie asked.
    “Through some fun games,” Meg said. “It’s very important that these games are done just right. That’s why I’ll be the sheriff and you’ll be the deputy. We’re here to make sure he does just what the doctor ordered.”
    “Do I get a gun?” the boy asked.
    Meg shook her head. “A gun won’t be necessary.”
    “My daddy had a gun. I wasn’t allowed to touch it. He kept it locked up in a big