Local Hero by Nora Roberts Page A

paper bags, and Mitch hefted what looked suspiciously like a tape machine with cables dangling.
    “What’s all this?”
    “Dinner and a double feature,” Mitch informed her. “Rad said you like chocolate shakes.”
    “Yes, I do.” The aroma finally carried to her. Sniffing, she eyed Radley’s bags. “Cheeseburgers?”
    “Yeah, and fries. Mitch said we could have double orders. We took Taz for a walk. He’s eating his downstairs.”
    “He’s got lousy table manners.” Mitch carried the unit over to Hester’s television.
    “And I helped Mitch unhook the VCR. We got
Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Mitch has millions of movies.”
    “Rad said you like musical junk.”
    “Well, yes, I—”
    “We got one of them, too.” Rad set the bags down to go over and sit with Mitch on the floor. “Mitch said it’s pretty funny, so I guess it’ll be okay.” He put a hand on Mitch’s leg and leaned closer to watch the hookup.
    “
Singin’ in the Rain.
” Handing Radley a cable, Mitch sat back to let him connect it.
    “Really?”
    He had to smile. There were times she sounded just like the kid. “Yeah. How’s the eye?”
    “Oh, it’s better.” Unable to resist, Hester walked over to watch. How odd it seemed to see her son’s small hands working with those of a man.
    “It’s a tight squeeze, but the VCR just about fits under your television stand.” Mitch gave Radley’s shoulder a quick squeeze before he rose. “Colorful.” With a finger under her chin, he turned Hester’s face to the side to examine her eye. “Rad and I thought you looked a little beat, so we figured we’d bring the movie to you.”
    “I was.” She touched her hand to his wrist a moment. “Thanks.”
    “Anytime.” He wondered what her reaction, and Radley’s, would be if he kissed her right now. Hester must have seen the question in his eyes, because she backed up quickly.
    “Well, I guess I’d better get some plates so the food doesn’t get cold.”
    “We’ve got plenty of napkins.” He gestured toward the couch. “Sit down while my assistant and I finish up.”
    “I did it.” Flushed with success, Radley scrambled back on all fours. “It’s all hooked up.”
    Mitch bent to check the connections. “You’re a regular mechanic, Corporal.”
    “We get to watch
Raiders
first, right?”
    “That was the deal.” Mitch handed him the tape. “You’re in charge.”
    “It looks like I have to thank you again,” Hester said when Mitch joined her on the couch.
    “What for? I figured to wangle myself in on your date with Rad tonight.” He pulled a burger out of the bag. “This is cheaper.”
    “Most men wouldn’t choose to spend a Friday night with a small boy.”
    “Why not?” He took a healthy bite, and after swallowing continued, “I figure he won’t eat half his fries, and I’ll get the rest.”
    Radley took a running leap and plopped onto the couch between them. He gave a contented and very adult sigh as he snuggled down. “This is better than going out. Lots better.”
    He was right, Hester thought as she relaxed and let herself become caught up in Indiana Jones’s adventures. There had been a time when she’d believed life could be that thrilling, romantic, heart-stopping. Circumstances had forced her to set those things aside, but she’d never lost her love of the fantasy of films. For a couple of hours it was possible to close off reality and the pressures that went with it and be innocent again.
    Radley was bright-eyed and full of energy as he switched tapes. Hester had no doubt his dreams that night would revolve around lost treasures and heroic deeds. Snuggling against her, he giggled at Donald O’Connor’s mugging and pratfalls, but began to nod off soon after Gene Kelly’s marvelous dance through the rain.
    “Fabulous, isn’t it?” Mitch murmured. Radley had shifted so that his head rested against Mitch’s chest.
    “Absolutely. I never get tired of this movie. When I was a little girl, we’d