Noble Pursuits Read Free Page A

said, ‘I’m off to one of those ‘istans,’ and I hope she assumes that it’s one of those lesser-known ones.”
    “A little deceitful, but understandable.”
    Wes signaled for another Coke and leaned back in his chair. “So, what is up with you? Found that dream woman yet?”
    “No, that’s one of the things I want to talk to you about.”
    “I still think you and Alexa would hit it off nicely,” Wes asserted.
    “When we talked at her house last January, we both knew that it wouldn’t work. It’s too bad though, she was one of the nicest, most real women I’ve ever met.”
    “And I’m sure it didn’t help that she didn’t throw herself at you.”
    After a few moments of concentrated eating, the conversation picked up as though it’d never paused. “Well, if I didn’t know you want children so badly, I might be a bit insulted on her behalf, but as Alexa’s only brother, I can say that your life is safe from death at my hands for not being interested. For now.”
    “So, what about the rest of Fairbury? You’ve been around a lot lately, is it worth checking out?” Nolan felt like a desperate teenager looking for a date to the prom.
    “Lots of singles in Fairbury, if that’s what you mean. They have a movie night once or twice a month there. People come from Brunswick, Marshfield, New Cheltenham— even Rockland. I don’t know who fits with Fairbury and who is an outsider half the time, but it’s a healthy mix.”
    “I’m considering a move.”
    The statement hung in the air, as though daring either of them to touch it. Wes sighed and shoved his plate away from him. “Nolan, I know you’ve always wanted to have a family of your own. I know that you miss your parents and want what they had, and until recently, I didn’t really get it but—” Wes continued in spite of Nolan’s raised eyebrows and alert expression. “I want to ask one question before you make life altering decisions.”
    “Shoot.”
    Wes tossed him a “you asked for it” glance and said, “Is this move a consideration because you want a wife or because you want the women you don’t want to leave you alone?”

Chapter Three
    Labor Day
    London and Mickey tore through the living room, squealing and squirting water pistols at one another.
    “Take it outside!” Traci ordered in a stage whisper. “The baby is trying to take his nap.”
    London turned her gun on her mother and squeezed the trigger. A stream of water splashed across the photographs Nolan had spread out on the coffee table. Mike jumped and raced for a towel. Traci wailed, trying to save the pictures as she scolded her daughter.
    “It’s ok, Traci. I can print more. Don’t worry about it.” He beckoned to London, who raced for her “Uncle Nolan” and buried her face in his chest.
    “I’m sorry, Uncle Nolan! I didn’t mean to—”
    “I know you didn’t, sweetie—”
    Traci interrupted angrily. “London Finch! You march yourself up to your room right now, young lady. You know better than that…”
    The irate mother’s voice followed her daughter out of the room, up the stairs, and to the opposite corner of the house. A door slammed and then the cry of a disoriented toddler followed.
    “Oh great, there’s Parker,” Mike groaned and disappeared up the stairs after his wife and daughter.
    Mickey gave Nolan a smug look. “Little kids are always messing things up.”
    “It seems like I remember something about a can of acetone and a not-so-shiny paint job last week. I think mistakes are ageless, Mickey.”
    Indignant, Mickey protested hotly, “I thought it was the wax. It was a surprise for Daddy’s birthday.” Embarrassed, the child raced from the room into the back yard.
    “A fifteen hundred dollar surprise. Happy Birthday to Mike from Mickey,” Nolan muttered.
    Mike and Traci hobbled downstairs, Parker on Mike’s arm and a sobbing London holding Traci’s hand. London dragged her feet to Nolan’s side and said, “I’s sorry, Uncle