Finding Her Home. Carol Steward

hoped to take measurements for the doorways and draw up the plans for the ramp. The kids can’t wait to paint the swing set. I hope you really don’t mind, and that your grandparents won’t, either.”

      She set her cup of tea on the counter. “I’m sure they would love it. I think they’ve about lost hope for another generation to use it. My brother’s kids rarely come, and as you can see, it’s been in such bad condition….”

      “Then maybe we’d better get it back into shape, just in case….”

      She froze. Surely he didn’t mean what she thought he did. “In case?”

      “Kids come into your life,” he said with a mischievous laugh.

      Tori heard Kyle and Kelsey in the backyard and glanced outside. The kids were attempting to spread a canvas drop cloth beneath the swing set. She shook her head. “It’s a lost cause.”

      Steve’s voice was a little awkward. “Nothing is a lost cause.”

      She looked at him in disbelief.

      “You shouldn’t give up on your dreams, Tori.”

      “I’m not. I’m just being realistic. I left here simply because I didn’t want to end up single and pregnant, living in fear of the mine closing like so many of my friends. I was determined I wouldn’t get stuck here, just another statistic….”

      “I understand. And for the record, I enjoy father-hood more than anything. If the right woman comes along, I’d have no qualms about having another child, maybe even two.”

      Tori chuckled. “Thanks for clarifying. Not that it’s any of my business, but it’s…something to think about.” She didn’t dare admit that she admired him enough to actually remember the information, even though the one factor that would eliminate any hope for a relationship between them still existed. He loved Coal Valley, and she couldn’t wait to leave.