Page 71 of The Perfect Distraction

“Okay.”

After Joey left, Colton shifted toward her and held out his hands across the table. Setting down the stone, she put her hands in his and felt them close tight around hers.

“Is everything okay?” he whispered.

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

“You don’t have to come to my parents’ house if it makes you uncomfortable. But I figured since you’ve already met my dad and brother…”

“No. I want to.” She looked down at their hands and back up again, unable to hide her teary eyes. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m really emotional today.”

Colton rubbed his thumbs back and forth across the top of her hands. “Is there anything I can do?”

“You’ve done so much already. Checking on me, the donuts and coffee.”

“Those are just simple things.”

“But they mean a lot. And I would love to go with you and Joey to the barbeque.”

Just then, Joey rounded the corner and looked down at their clasped hands.

“I’m ready to read,” he said, seemingly unfazed at their closeness.

But Colton was right. It was time to tell Joey about them so he wouldn’t be confused by what he’d seen.

“Refill on your coffee?” Colton asked as they stood up from the table.

“Sure.”

He refilled her mug and said, “I’ll stay out of your way until you’re done with the lesson.”

Taking her coffee and the tote bag of books, she and Joey went into the living room and settled in.

“I’ll read first,” he said when she took out the book they’d read from last time.

Pleased with his enthusiasm, she handed him the book and waited for him to start. As he began to read, she felt lulled by the sound of the words, the sun streaming in through the front windows, and the warm, rich coffee.

Joey seemed anxious to show off his newfound skills, stopping to sound out unfamiliar words and using the bookmark to keep his place. After he read a chapter, she asked him a few comprehension questions and praised him for the progress he’d made.

“Can I read to you now?” she asked.

“Okay.”

Handing her the book, he scooted closer to her on the couch, presumably so he could see the pictures. Concentrating on the words, she didn’t realize that Colton had slipped into the room until she finished reading the chapter.

“I know I said I wouldn’t interrupt, but I couldn’t help it. Your reading sounded really good, son.”

Joey beamed. “Thanks, Dad.”

“I think we’re done for today,” Beth said.

“Yay! Can we go to the beach now?”

“Yep. Go get your stuff,” Colton said.

Colton was already dressed in his board shorts and a Harbor Springs T-shirt, and Beth had worn her one-piece bathing suit underneath her clothes. While they waited for Joey, he said, “Thank you for all you’ve taught him. I can tell he’s made a lot of progress.”

She smiled. “He has, and I think the key is finding books about topics that interest him. Although, there is one more thing that might help.”