Fair Catch Read Online Free

on wrapping up a couple of slices for him.
     “Thank you so much for dinner.” He held up the dessert plate. “And for this.”
    “You’re welcome.” Betsy wiped her hands on her apron. “Are you sure two pieces are enough? I can get another slice of pie if you want.”
    Nick grinned, tempted to take her up on the offer. “I better not. In fact, I think I need to go for a run myself.”
    Betsy’s eyebrow rose and she smiled. “There’s a great jogging trail behind our house.”
    “That’s right.” The realtor had said something about that. “Thanks for the reminder.” He reached out and shook the preacher’s hand. “Thank you for letting me come to dinner, Pastor Owen. You’re a lucky man.”
    “Just call me Owen.” The man patted his slightly rounded middle and grinned. “You’re right, I am very lucky.”
    Nick waved goodbye and crossed the street to his house. After changing into long shorts and a Defenders T-shirt, he made his way toward the jogging path. The weather was beautiful and warm for May, the sun low in the sky. He wished he had a few more hours before the sun set. Just thinking about going back to an empty house in the dark increased his loneliness. Would getting a dog help?
    Now was not the time to be in between girlfriends. In reality, he hadn’t had a steady girlfriend for a long time. Not since Roxanne. Besides, right now he was actually looking for a wife—something that proved difficult, especially with his reputation of being a player.
    In the early years, his reputation hadn’t bothered him. If he were to be completely honest, he’d liked it. What guy wouldn’t have? He had never lacked for female companionship and most of his dates were upcoming actresses or models. Nick had been young and stupid, his fame and money having gone straight to his head. Most of the time, the stories stretched the truth, but Nick knew he hadn’t been living the way his parents had taught him.
    It had taken the death of his best friend for Nick to recommit to his faith. That tragic event, coupled with age and maturity, had Nick questioning his life. He found he’d grown tired of the whole celebrity scene. He wanted to settle down and get married, but it was hard to find a nice Christian girl in his dating pool. His player reputation wasn’t helping.
    Then he’d met Roxanne and everything had changed. He thought they had been in love and really believed her desire to learn more about his faith had been sincere. He couldn’t have been more wrong and it had almost cost him everything.
    Forcing the memory out, he finally reached the trail. It wound around a large open green space and Nick noted only a few people enjoying the last of the daylight. A woman running on the path caught his attention. He admired her slender body being carried by beautiful long legs. Her golden hair was curly and reached the middle of her back. She was running at a steady pace—away from him.
    Making a split second decision, he moved toward her, hoping their paths would cross. It was probably a stupid move, especially if she recognized him. But for some reason he wanted to meet the golden-haired woman.
    * * *
    Ellie started to slow down, wanting to cool down before retrieving Cade. She grinned wickedly, knowing Betsy wouldn’t want to introduce her to the new guy if she was sweaty. Her long, curly hair hung down her back, making her wish she’d at least pulled it into a ponytail. She wore it longer than she’d ever had it before, mainly because Thomas had liked her hair short. He didn’t like the natural curl and insisted on her straightening her hair out. The short bob she had worn made that easier.
    The sky turned a brilliant salmon color and she couldn’t resist stopping to gaze at the beautiful sunset. Walking slowly, she thought about her aversion to men—it wasn’t healthy—especially since she was raising one. Sooner or later her cynical attitude would affect her son as he grew into manhood.
    Her brow