Missing Persons. Shirlee McCoy

seemed to imply that they didn’t make Seth happy. Lauren had heard rumors about his marriage, the difficulties he and his wife had had. Whether or not those rumors were true didn’t make any difference to her. He’d made his choice. She might not have been happy at the time, but in the end it had been for the best. “Your son is adorable and your wife was beautiful. I was sorry to hear of your loss.”

      “Thank you.” The words were simple, his gaze lingering for just a moment on the wedding photo before he turned his attention back to her. “Jake and Reese will be down in a minute.”

      “Did he tell you what he’d eaten?”

      “A cupcake a friend at school gave him.”

      “Store-bought?”

      “No. Homemade.”

      “Even worse.”

      “So I’ve told him a thousand or so times. Come on in the kitchen, and I’ll give you the list of the food Jake is allergic to.” He led her down the hall and into a brightly lit kitchen. Granite countertops, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances made for an updated space without distracting from the beauty of the antique wood floor and trim. It was the kind of kitchen Lauren loved to work in, the kind she would have had if she lived in her own home rather than a rental.

      “Here you go.” Seth handed her a laminated sheet of paper.

      Tree nuts. Peanuts. Milk. Gluten. “His diet is quite limited.”

      “I’m hoping you can change that.”

      “I can give you ideas for interesting meals. A lot of kid-friendly stuff that uses other ingredients, but tastes almost the same as what his peers are eating.” The sooner the better. Being in Seth’s house, seeing the pictures of his wife and son only made her more anxious to fulfill her obligation and put the entire experience behind her.

      “That’s exactly what I’m looking for. This year has been tough for Jake. He wants to fit in with the other kids, but no matter where he goes or what he’s doing, food is an issue.”

      Before Lauren could respond, a young boy rushed into the room, his red-gold hair mussed, pink blotches marring his neck and arms. “Hey, Dad…” He saw Lauren and skidded to a stop, his cheeks going scarlet. “Oh. Hi. You must be the cook.”

      “That’s right. And you must be Jacob.”

      “And since we’re all introducing ourselves, I’m Reese.” A young blond stepped into the room, her makeup perfect, her hair artfully tousled. The babysitter? If so, she wasn’t the kind of babysitter Lauren remembered from her own youth.

      “I’m Lauren Owens.”

      “Good to meet you.” Reese smiled and moved up beside Seth, her posture staking a claim Lauren wasn’t sure she had a right to.

      Not that the validity of her claim mattered. Seth’s dating life had nothing to do with Lauren.

      “Dad said you’re going to make some cool food for me to bring to school.”

      “I said Lauren was going to teach us how to cook some more interesting meals. I didn’t say anything about her making food for you to bring to school.”

      “Oh.” Jake’s cheeks turned a shade darker, his slumped shoulders and obvious embarrassment tugging at Lauren’s heart. She knew exactly how he felt. Her own childhood had seemed like one big blur of timidity and embarrassment.

      “Your dad paid for a week’s worth of meals. That includes lunches, so I’ll definitely be making you some things to take to school.”

      “Cool. Can you make cookies without gluten or nuts?”

      “Sure.”

      “How about brownies?”

      “Yep.”

      “Can you—”

      “Jake.” Seth’s quiet reprimand was enough to heat Jake’s cheeks again.

      Poor kid. “I’ve got a lot of ideas, but I want to get them all together before we discuss them more.”

      “When will that be?”

      “Not tonight.” Seth put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’ve got to take Lauren home. Do you mind staying for a little longer, Reese?”

      “Not at all.” The perky peppiness of the words reminded Lauren of the cheerleaders she’d known in high school.

      “She doesn’t have to stay, Dad. I’ll be fine by myself for a while.”

      “You’re ten. Not twenty, Jake. And I’m not ready to leave you home alone yet.”

      “I’ll call Dee and have her come pick me up.”

      “There’s no need for that. Reese is happy to stay, and I’m happy to give you a ride. You be good, kid.” Seth ruffled his son’s hair and started toward the kitchen door.

      Lauren could argue or follow.

      She met Reese’s gaze, saw the younger woman’s curiosity and decided to argue after she followed Seth out of the room.

      Outside, the night had grown silent and still, the air cool with late summer and darkness. Overhead, the moon shone bright in a clear star-dappled sky. It was the perfect night for long walks and hand-holding, for quiet conversation and whispered promises. A perfect night for romance if a person was into that sort of thing.

      Lauren definitely wasn’t. A few dates. A few dinners. A few phone conversations. She didn’t let things go further than that. She didn’t want them to. Dating was fine. Making plans, sharing dreams, those were other things entirely.

      “I suppose you’re going to insist on calling Dee.” Seth spoke quietly as Lauren moved toward the edge of the porch.

      “It makes more sense than having you take me to her place.”

      “Maybe, but I don’t think Dee will appreciate you cutting into her evening. Besides, I owe you one.”

      “You’ve paid for the services I’m providing, Seth. You don’t owe me anything.”

      “I haven’t paid yet.”

      “You still don’t owe me anything.”

      “No, but if I were anyone else, you’d take the ride and let Dee enjoy her evening.”

      “Maybe.”

      “Maybe?”

      “Probably.”

      “So, let me give you a ride.” He grinned, the fine lines near the corners of his eyes deepening and wiping away whatever vestiges of the boy she’d known remained. No more gangly teenager or broad-shouldered young man. Seth was hard edges and muscle hidden beneath charming wrappings.

      Someone worth avoiding.

      Which was why she should get out her phone and call Dee.

      Of course she wouldn’t because that would mean letting Seth know just how desperate she was to keep her distance. “All right. As long as it’s no trouble.”

      “None at all.” His fingers brushed against her lower back as he urged her down the steps and toward the car.

      Lauren took a quick step away, uncomfortable with the warmth that spread through her at his touch. She would not react to Seth.

      “You don’t have to run away, Lola. I don’t bite.”

      “I’m not running. And I told you not to call me that.”

      “Old habit.” He opened the passenger side door, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll try to break it.”

      “Please do.”

      He chuckled, the sound vibrating in the air and tickling against her ear as she slid into the car.