Right Next Door by Debbie Macomber

of her back, hoping to ease the ache she’d begun to feel.
    â€œHello, Robin. Jeff.”
    Cole’s voice came at her like a hangman’s noose. She straightened abruptly and winced at the sharp pain shooting through her back.
    â€œHi, Mr. Camden!” Jeff shouted as though Cole was a conquering hero returned from the war. He dashed acrossthe yard, past Robin and straight to the hedge. “Where have you been all week?”
    â€œI’ve been busy.” He might’ve been talking to Jeff, but his eyes were holding Robin’s. She tried to look away—but she couldn’t.
    His eyes told her she was avoiding him.
    Hers answered that he’d been avoiding her.
    â€œI guess you have been busy,” Jeff was saying. “I haven’t seen you in days and days and days.” Blackie squeezed through the hedge and Jeff fell to his knees, his arms circling the dog’s neck.
    â€œSo how’s the baseball going?” Cole asked.
    Jeff sent his mother a disgusted look, then shrugged. “All right, I guess.”
    â€œWhat position are you playing?”
    â€œProbably outfield. I had a chance to make pitcher, but I can’t seem to get anyone who knows how to catch a ball to practice with me. Kelly tries, but she’s a girl and I hate to say it, but my mother’s worthless.”
    â€œI did my best,” Robin protested.
    â€œShe catches with her eyes closed,” Jeff said.
    â€œHow about if you toss a few balls at me?” Cole offered.
    Jeff blinked as if he thought he’d misunderstood. “You want me to throw you a few pitches? You’re sure?”
    â€œPositive.”
    The look on her son’s face defied description as Cole jumped over the hedge. Jeff’s smile stretched from one side of his face to the other as he tore to the opposite end of the yard, unwilling to question Cole’s generosity a second time.
    For an awkward moment, Robin stayed where she was, not knowing what to say. She looked up at Cole, heremotions soaring—and tangling like kites in a brisk wind. She was deeply grateful for his offer, but also confused. Thrilled by his presence, but also frightened.
    â€œMom?” Jeff muttered. “In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re in the way.”
    â€œAre you going to make coffee and invite me in for a chat later?” Cole asked quietly.
    Her heart sank. “I have some things that need to be done, and…and…”
    â€œMom?” Jeff shouted.
    â€œI think it’s time you and I talked,” Cole said, staring straight into her eyes.
    â€œMom, are you moving or not?”
    Robin looked frantically over her shoulder. “Oh…oh, sorry,” she whispered, blushing. She hurried away, then stood on the patio watching as the ball flew across the yard.
    After catching a dozen of Jeff’s pitches, Cole got up and walked over to her son. They spoke for several minutes. Reluctantly, Robin decided it was time to go back in.
    She busied herself wiping kitchen counters that were already perfectly clean and tried to stop thinking about the beautiful woman she’d seen with Cole on the Wharf.
    Jeff stormed into the house. “Mom, would it be okay if Mr. Camden strings up an old tire from the apple tree?”
    â€œI suppose. Why?”
    â€œHe said I can use it to practice pitching, and I wouldn’t have to bother you or Kelly.”
    â€œI don’t think I have an old tire.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Mr. Camden has one.” He ran outside again before she could comment.
    Jeff was back in the yard with Cole a few minutes later, far too soon to suit Robin. She forced a weak smile. Thatother woman was a perfect damsel to his knight in shining armor, she thought wryly. Robin, on the other hand, considered herself more of a court jester.
    Her musings were abruptly halted when Cole walked into the kitchen, trailed by her son.
    â€œIsn’t it time for your bath,