Page 23 of Touch of Heartache


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The Cool School worker stared at him wearily and grabbed Landon’s hand. “We have to check him out there,” she said. “Protocol.”

Nolan understood. The place took photos of the parent or guardian who’d brought a kid to the center to make sure that was the same person they sent the kid home with—unless other arrangements were agreed upon ahead of time. “I have to get my sister, too, anyway,” said Nolan, standing and sliding his backpack back on. He watched as Lilac ruffled Landon’s hair and smiled down at him. It struck him in that moment why Landon might have kept calling her “Mommy”—he’d heard about his behavior the day before at the Ballroom. She was maternal, this sexy fashionista who had the whole world in front of her. Way better suited for the job he’d been saddled with than hewas.

“It was so nice to see you again,” he said, his voice cracking halfway through. He glanced at Frankie. “And to meet you.” He paused, thinking of what to say. “I… Come on, kiddo.” As he grabbed for Landon’s hand, the Cool School worker took the boy’s other one, as if ready to engage in a tug-o-war for control of the kid if Nolan turned out to be less-than-savory. “Well, I’ll see you at work,” he added toLilac.

Lilac locked her eyes with his and just about melted him into a puddle at her feet. “See you soon!” She waved at his brother. “Bye,Landon!”

Landon hesitated, clearly wavering between putting up a fight to stay near Lilac or just giving up before the battle began. Nolan squeezed his hand to remind him what would be the easierchoice.

Just then a flurry of activity drew Nolan’s attention. He looked up. Through the glass wall, he saw Willow standing there, practically smacked up against the glass, the long hair of a girl next to her threaded tightly around both hands as she yanked andpulled.

There goes Kidz Cool School as anoption.

Chapter Seven

Lilac sippedon her tea and stared at Nolan through the glass wall of the oddly-named Kidz Cool School. It resembled a playground more than a school, though she could see a lot of interactive exhibits she imagined were intended to stimulate learning. But they looked more like games thananything.

Her hometown mall certainly had nothing of the sort—no daycare of any kind that she knew of, let alone one like a miniature theme park. She wondered if it was a metropolitan thing or more specifically a theme-park-town thing. She’d yet to uncover the non-touristy area of Orlando, assuming there was such athing.

“He’s cute,” said Aunt Frankie, swirling her stirring stick, though she had to be finished with her coffee bynow.

“Hmm…” Lilac’s eyes flitted back to Nolan specifically. She struggled to remember why she’d found him so irritating when he’d bumped into her. She’d been frustrated after a tense first day. That had been the crux of it, really. At least it seemed he’d gotten over how bitchy she’d acted. His backpack looked heavy as he stood there, a sibling in each hand, a grim look on his face as the mother of the other girl seemed to be shouting at him while an employee of the Cool School tried to play referee. She mostly faced the irritated mother, who clutched her crying daughter to her side, but every few minutes she looked over her shoulder at Nolan, eventually guiding him toward theexit.

“He could probably use your help,” said Frankie. “Rodney said you’re a wonder with kids. I always thought you’d make a goodteacher…”

Lilac pinched her lips into a straight line.No. You’re not thinking about that now. This is what you wanted. This is a goodthing.

“Oh, sorry,” said Frankie. “I almost forgot—it’s just… You always used to ask me if there were any good jobs at Tildy World. I’m surprised you didn’t do one of those educational programs where you work at the park while taking classes and get some collegecredit.”

“That’s Disney,” said Lilac. “And I didn’t have time. I was too busy getting accreditation… Spain was the only semester I could afford to takeoff.”

“Well, as much as I love Orlando, if the choice was between here and Spain, you made the right one.” Frankie brought her phone out of her purse and scrolled through thescreen.

“Why did you settle here?” asked Lilac. “I don’t think I everknew.”

Frankie looked up from her phone and gazed off dreamily. “The heat,” she said. She cocked an eyebrow. “That and the distance from yourgrandmother.”

“But there are plenty of warm places far from Grandma Violet,” said Lilac. “Spain has a pretty nice climate, forone.”

“Yes, but your grandmother would love to visit Spain. She’d love to visit just about anywhere. Except Orlando. She finds it touristy and gauche.” She laughed and set her phone down, standing before grabbing her coffee. “You done?” She motioned toward Lilac’s emptycup.

Lilac nodded and Frankie took both their cups, looking around for the recycling, which was way back by where they’d gotten theirdrinks.

Turning back to Nolan, Lilac watched him as he left the Cool School, bowing slightly in apology, and dragged his little brother along with his stomping sister over to a corner. He bent down to her level and looked her in the eye, but she refused to look at him. He dropped Landon’s hand to gently place a finger and thumb alongside Willow’s face to push it back towardhim.

Lilac had no idea when in life she’d get around to having kids—as much fun as somebody else’s could be—but man, if her insides didn’t melt seeing him like that. True, he still looked a bit like a kid in her eyes—albeit an older teen kid—but he would make a gorgeous, loving father one day. She was sure ofit.

And she didn’t realize how fast that would make her heartbeat.

What about the worldly traveler you have your heart set on?she reminded herself.How would you travel that much withkids?

Lilac shook her head. So he was cute. And responsible. And fatherly. He still looked like a frat boy and frat boys weren’t good for much beyond a few weeks’ worth offun.

Then again, she could do right now with a few weeks’ worth offun.

She dove into her purse for her mirror, checking her flyaways and quickly letting down her hair to redo it into a bun again. She had some pretty crummy granny panties on and her bra had seen better days—her stuff had arrived a couple of days before and she had more to fill Frankie’s guest room closet with—but she wasn’t about to do anything wild before they even had an official date. Besides, he had his brother and sister with him. Even on the weekend. Lilac wondered how busy his parents could possiblybe.

She stood as Aunt Frankie approached the table again. “Maybe Iwill—” Lilac started, her eyes flicking toward Nolan, who now stood, grabbing both kids’ hands again and leading themaway.

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