Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,40

like hamburgers," Maria announced, tucking her arm into Dean's. She stared up at him with a look of utter adoration.

Again, Adele was happy to see how quickly the children made a connection. As if they knew they were related.

She knew there would be a difficult time ahead for Dean after she left. She didn’t want to think about that. That would make leaving too difficult.

And what about Wyatt?

She pushed that thought back down too, as she put the pizza on a cookie sheet and set it in the oven.

She got the kids to help her set the table as the pizza heated up, waiting for Wyatt to return.

Ten minutes later and he still wasn't back. She walked to the window, looking out. The swirling snow clouded her view. Would she even be able to get out of here?

Was Wyatt okay?

She turned back to the table, picked up the picture book, and brought it back to the family room, telling the kids to join her.

As she read them a story, Dean, Maya, and Maria snuggled up beside her. She struggled to keep her focus on the story, and not on how good it felt to be bracketed by the small warm bodies.

Finally, the door opened, and she heard Wyatt stomping the snow off his boots.

"Okay, kiddos," she said, closing the book and setting it aside. "We need to eat. And then Dean and I need to leave."

"I wish we could stay overnight," Dean said. "I don't want to go to an Inn."

"It’ll be fun," Adele said, trying to inject a note of enthusiasm into her voice as she led the kids into the kitchen.

"I don't think so," Dean grumbled, looking over at Wyatt, who stood in the doorway. Then he grinned. "You look like a snowman."

Snow crusted Wyatt's hat and dusted his shoulders. Adele frowned at him, wondering why he wasn't coming in.

"Supper's ready," she said.

"Yeah, sure." He pulled his hat off, shook the snow off his coat, and hung it up.

He came inside the house, brushing remnants of snow from his hair. "It's nasty out there," he said with a note of concern. "I don't think your car will make it out of the driveway. In fact, I don't even think my truck will. I checked the forecast and there's a severe snowfall warning for the area. I'm sure the roads won't be graded."

"Are you saying I can't get out?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. I think we're snowed in. And from the looks of the forecast, this storm will be around for a few days."

Adele stared at him as his words sank in. "So I'm not going anywhere?"

"I doubt it."

"Can we stay here tonight?" Dean asked, his tone hopeful.

"I think that's what will happen," Adele said. She was thankful they at least had their suitcases. But she hoped she wouldn't have to stay more than one night. The last time she’d stayed, Wyatt had been ill and in bed.

Now?

She shook the question off, determined to be practical. Determined to keep her heart whole. There would be no more kissing.

The timer on the oven dinged, and she pulled the pizza out. She made quick work of cutting it up and setting it out on the kids’ plates. When they sat down, Dean ended up beside Wyatt. Adele wondered if he had set it up that way on purpose. When it was time to say grace, Wyatt held his hand out to Dean on one side and Maria on the other. It was what they did every suppertime, but somehow now, with all doubts about Dean's relationship to Wyatt erased, the moment felt even more poignant.

As if sensing where her thoughts were, Wyatt's glance grazed hers, and his gentle smile dove into her heart.

She bit her lip and lowered her head for him to pray. While he thanked God for the food and for safety, she added her own prayer.

Prayer for protection over her heart.

She knew far too well that love was like a cozy blanket. Comfortable and soft, but something that could get yanked away at any time. And when that happened—and it would—she knew she would be colder than she was before.

Better to keep herself aloof and safe.

Chapter Nine

"I'm glad we’re staying here tonight," Dean said, snuggling into the bed he’d slept in before. "I like it at the ranch. And I like my daddy."

His words were like a hook in her heart. But they gave her a flicker of encouragement. He seemed to easily accept the situation he had