Trusting Him Read Online Free PDF Page B

the corner of the building and spotted him. He wasn't alone. That surprised her more than his presence. Chance was with him.
    They were playing racquetball off the retaining wall next to the church. Michael would hit, the muscles in his arms tightening and perspiration soaking the back of his shirt. Chance, not so sure of this sport, would come back, making a solid effort.
    They were talking. Maggie couldn't hear them, not from her vantage point. But they seemed to be having a real heart-to-heart. Not wanting to disturb them, she stayed near the building, happy to observe without getting involved. Even if a corner of her heart felt a little envy. Chance wasn't always the most trusting kid. He didn't take easily to people outside his social circle. And he wasn't given to smiles like the one he wore at the moment.
    Maybe Chance found it easier to trust than Maggie did. She would like to think so. It would be good if he could connect with a man, someone who could be a role model.
    She wasn't quite prepared to put Michael Carson into that position. Not yet. He needed to show them that he could be that person.
    "Hey, look who came out to join us." Chance waved his racquet. "I told him you were still here."
    Michael nodded. He didn't smile. That had to be because of her earlier dismissal of his offer to help. She crossed the parking lot to where the two now stood, racquets held loosely at their sides. Michael held the ball, bouncing it lightly in his hand. His gaze came up, connected with hers, making her doubt that it had been a good idea to come out here.
    Broad daylight and she didn't feel safe. Not that she felt in danger. Not really.
    Chance cleared his throat, his eyes narrowed. He shot a look at Michael and then back to her. A casual shrug and he handed the racquet he held to Michael.
    "I need to go. I, uh, have homework."
    Maggie came out of her daze. "Don't lie, Chance."
    "I should have homework," he hedged.
    "See you tomorrow." Tomorrow was Sunday, and church. Chance hadn't worked up to that, not yet. She didn't pressure him, just casually asked from time to time.
    "Maybe tomorrow." He darted away, and she knew he wouldn't be there.
    Michael started to move away. Maggie couldn't let him go, not yet. She had to apologize. He didn't deserve to have her push him away. She could let him work with her without letting him into her life.
    She really had to work on that trust issue. Or so Faith kept telling her. She had to trust herself to make the right choices, and trust the people in her life not to let her down.
    "I have some cola in the fridge inside, or bottled water. Do you want one?"
    He stopped, turning with eyes widened in surprise. He pointed to himself and smiled. "Are you talking to me?"
    "I'm talking to you."
    He held up the racquets and the ball. "Do you play?"
    "No, I don't play." Well, that came out totally wrong. She managed a tight smile. "Racquetball. I don't play racquetball."
    "That's what I thought we were talking about." He laughed, the sound sort of carefree and delicious, better than coffee with cream.
    And just the fact that she had that thought meant that Faith had been a very bad influence on her.
    "It's nice out here." She nodded toward the picnic table under the shade of a huge oak tree. "We could sit in the shade."
    Not inside, confined in her office. She glanced toward the parking lot where her car was parked and so was his. People could drive by and get the wrong idea.
    Michael nodded his understanding. "Not ready to face what people will think if it gets around that we were here together?"
    Forget the delicious coffee-and-cream laugh. "That isn't it at all. I don't want to give people room to speculate."
    "Ah, speculation. Yeah, I know what you mean. People do like to assume the worst."
    The way his eyes shifted away from her, she thought that there was more to that comment, something he didn't feel like sharing. Probably the same something that had brought him back here with a