AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks, son. And how about another beer?”
“Sure.” Cody nearly tripped over himself to get to the refrigerator to serve his father.
Inwardly cringing, Dani served the meal, and smiled politely at Blake’s compliments.
It took some effort, but she slowly began to relax as the conversation flowed easily and stayed clear of sensitive subjects. Blake seemed to take a genuine interest in Cody, and though Dani still didn’t trust the man’s motives, she was pleased to see how Cody responded to his father. Soon the meal was finished and Dani served dessert.
“Apple crisp,” Cody said appreciatively as she set the pie plate on the table. “My favorite.”
“Mine, too,” Blake agreed with a slow grin.
News to Dani; Bl
ake had never been one for sweets.
“You know,” Blake said, his near-black eyes moving from his son to his ex-wife. “Your mom is one of the best cooks I’ve ever met. That was a fine meal, Dani. Fine.” He leaned back and patted his belly to show his appreciation.
Dani felt her jaw tightening, but forced a thin smile. “Thanks.”
“Always did say you were a helluva cook.”
She let that one slip by; no reason to get into an argument in front of Cody. Her son wasn’t old enough to understand that Dani wanted to be more to her husband than a cook and a maid. “How about coffee?” she asked, her nerves raw. Soon, she hoped, Blake would tire of their company and leave. Blake shook his head. “Too early for me.” He reached for his beer and realized the can was empty. “I could stand another one of these, though.”
“I think we’re about out—”
“No, Mom. There’s one more can in the fridge and another six-pack on the back porch.”
“But it’s warm,” she protested.
Blake held up his hand and waved in the air before smiling at Cody. “No matter. Why don’t you get me the last cold one and put the rest in the cooler, boy?” Then, ignoring the challenge in Dani’s eyes, he settled back in his chair and lit a cigarette.
Cody got up to do as he was asked, but Blake put a hand around the boy’s wrist and winked at him. “After that, you can go out in the pickup and reach under the seat. I got you a surprise.”
“I don’t think—” Dani started to say, but held her tongue.
“Great!” Cody’s eyes lit up. As quickly as possible he served Blake the beer and hurried out the front door.
Once the boy had gone outside, Blake smiled to himself and nodded in satisfaction. Popping the tab on the aluminum can and watching the frothy beer roll down the side, Blake squinted thoughtfully through the smoke from his cigarette and offered Dani a seductive grin. “You’ve done a helluva job with him, Dani. He’s a good kid.”
“Can’t argue with that.” She began to clear the table and put the dishes in the sink.
“Thank God for small favors,” Blake said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that you’ve been on my case since I got here, spoiling for a fight.”
“I just don’t think I’m ready to have you back in town,” she admitted. “Cody and I were getting along just fine without you.”
Blake leaned back in the chair, propping his boots on Cody’s vacated chair, his eyes becoming slits as he watched her work. “I can see that. It couldn’t have been easy doing it all by yourself.”
She lifted a shoulder. “It wasn’t so bad. We’ve made out all right. Like you said, he’s a good boy.”
Stroking his chin and rocking the chair back on its two hind legs, he said, “I can see that. But then, he’s had a good mother.” Blake’s voice was soft and warm, almost tender, but it didn’t touch Dani the way it once had. In fact, Blake’s attempts to close the gap between them only increased the distance. He stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray.
“You don’t need to compliment me, Blake, but what I would like to know is why you want anything to do with Cody.” She stacked the dishes near the sink and turned to face him and all the old anger that she’d tried to repress for her son’s sake rushed to the surface. “It’s been seven years, for crying out loud. Seven years! ”
“Maybe it’s not just Cody I want,” he said.
