Protected Hearts by Bonnie K. Winn

Author:Bonnie K. Winn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

At the high school, more than a week later, Seth hammered a piece of wood in place. Toby hadn’t appeared yet and Seth worried about the boy. Ridiculous, he knew, but he couldn’t shake his concern. It was just as he’d expected—being around children opened up old feelings, leaving him vulnerable. That was something he hadn’t intended to let happen.

Like his growing feelings for Emma.

He’d been crazy to let himself feel anything for Emma, and hadn’t mentioned taking her to dinner again. To make it worse, she hadn’t either. She’d simply let him off the hook.

And that made him feel like a heel.

But she didn’t need to be involved with a burned-out wreck of a man. And that’s what he was. Damaged beyond repair, he could never give Emma what she needed. It was clear she belonged in a traditional family with a loving husband and kids. And neither was in his future.

But each time he remembered that she was praying for him, it unsettled him all over again.

Seth spotted Michael headed his way. He turned off the noisy saw and lifted his goggles.

“Don’t you ever stop working?” Michael greeted him.

Seth grinned. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

“Comes with the territory—being the pastor’s family. I’m so used to it I don’t really think about it anymore.”

“Is it hard being married to a minister?”

Michael didn’t seem to mind the blunt question. “There are times I wish I could escape with her to a deserted island so we could have more time alone. But that’s not the kind of woman Katherine is. And helping out the community sets well with me. Like anything worth having, we work hard to make personal time for ourselves and the kids.”

“Sounds like a winning formula.”

Michael looked thoughtful. “Someone making you think about marriage?”

“No.” The answer was automatic, but the word left Seth empty.

“Fair enough. Actually I just wanted to thank you for joining the softball team. We’ve lost some of our players lately, not enough time to juggle families, work and the team. Single players tend to be more reliable.”

Seth shrugged, ignoring the sting of Michael’s reminder. “No problem.”

“We pretty much roped you into volunteering here, too. Hope it’s not too much.”

“No. I don’t have any other demands on my time.”

“Right.” Michael studied him for a moment. “I’ve noticed that Toby keeps sticking close to you when he’s here.”

“He’s an okay kid.”

“I think so, too. But I couldn’t get through to him.”

Seth drew his brows together. “You tried?”

“He’s one of the kids from the Children’s House. Cindy’s been worried about him, so I tried to draw him out. Fell flat. Flynn tried as well. Zip.”

A little kid with a tough attitude. “I was just wondering if he’s okay,” Seth said. “He didn’t show up with the others.”

“He has a short attention span,” Michael mused. “Could just be that. There’s probably nothing wrong.”

“Yeah.”

“I can find out for you, give Cindy a call.”

Seth didn’t want to care more about this child. But he couldn’t refuse. “Whatever you think.

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