Almost a Family by Stephanie Bond Page B

"I learned some of life's best lessons from this girl right here. You could do worse."
    "Where's your car collection?" Chad asked, obviously clever enough to know when to change the subject.
    "Go ask your aunt Rita for the key to the barn, and I'll catch up with you."
    Chad ran off at top speed. She watched him bound across the yard, then up the porch steps, worry rooted deep in her heart.
    He reached out, then stopped before touching her arm, plowing his hand through his hair instead. "He's pushing your buttons, Ginny, that's all. He's a scared, confused kid and he's taking it out on you—don't let him. After our conversation today"—he paused, making it clear he wasn't satisfied with the outcome—"it looks like I won't be with you all the time, so you have to stand up for yourself."
    Frustration and anger bubbled inside her. They'd been parents for less than a day and it seemed to be coming naturally to Bailey—why was she grappling with it? She was the one who had her life together, who was he to give her advice? She lifted her chin with false bravado. "Thanks for the pointer, Bailey, but I figure if I can handle you, I can handle my son."
    His nostrils flared slightly, then he inclined his head. "Touché."
    "Bailey!" Chad yelled from the front of the house, holding high a ring of keys.
    "I'll be right there, buddy." When he looked back to Virginia, his face was still anger-flushed. "Want to come?" He held up a hand in mock defense. "Just for appearance's sake, of course."
    She didn't acknowledge his sarcasm. "I think I'll visit with Rita."
    * * *
    Bailey strode across the driveway, gravel crunching beneath his boots. As he neared Chad, he tried to force the angry thoughts from his mind. Virginia Catron was without a doubt the most infuriating woman, he'd ever known. Now that he had her back in his life, how was he supposed to adjust to being mere friends? His desire and love for her had lain dormant for years. How could he now look at her week in and week out and not reveal them?
    "Where's the barn?" Chad asked eagerly.
    At the expression on his son's face, the corners of Bailey's mouth lifted automatically. He pointed west. "Through that grove of trees. See the tin roof?"
    Chad was gone before he finished the sentence. Bailey laughed to himself and walked quickly to catch up with his energetic son. A few minutes later he was unlocking a series of padlocks on a black wooden door that spanned sixteen feet. When he swung out the heavy door, he stepped aside to let Chad enter first, then felt along the wall for the light switches.
    "Wow!" Chad exclaimed as light flooded the mini showroom. "Look at all the cars! Are all these yours?"
    "Yep."
    "How many?"
    "Twelve."
    "This is so cool! Is that a Corvette?"
    "Nineteen fifty-four. Needs a lot of work."
    "There's a Skyliner!"
    "Nineteen fifty-seven. Original retractable hardtop. Mint condition."
    "Man, oh, man—there's a Cadillac!"
    "Nineteen fifty-nine, Series 62 convertible. Everything's original but the windshield, the tires, and the paint job."
    Chad's mouth hung open in awe. "Which one's your favorite?"
    Bailey wound his way through the maze of classics to stop beside one fully-covered vehicle in the far corner. He pulled back the canvas, and Chad's eyes bugged.
    Patting the immaculate baby-blue paint job with a loving hand, Bailey said, "Nineteen fifty-three—"
    "Packard Caribbean convertible," Chad finished. "I have a model just like it—same color and everything! This is awesome! Did you do all the work yourself?"
    "Most of it. See all my tools in the back? Rita's husband, Jerry, helps me some—"
    "I can help!"
    Bailey's chest expanded. How fortunate that his son also shared a love of cars. "Great, I could use a helper. I was going to work on the 'Vette next. A mechanic friend of mine trades me use of his repair bay for free trees."
    His son frowned. "Free trees?"
    "I'm a landscaper for big office buildings and stuff. You know, bushes, trees—"
    "Flowers?" Chad