Restoring Hope Read Free Page A

simple.” She’d married him six months later and in a huge family production, she’d moved to New Orleans, all but crying the whole way.
    At twenty-four, he’d thought it was adorable his Southern Belle was that homesick. At thirty-nine, when he’d come home early to surprise Kat for missing her pot roast the night before, he’d found her in the arms of her tennis coach. It was so fuckin cliché he’d actually laughed, and what had surprised him more—he hadn’t beaten the shit out of the guy—he simply wasn’t that upset.
    After the initial shock of moving and being newly married wore off, Kat had gotten restless quick. Since Nic came from old money and plenty of it, she'd gone about spending it on whatever made her happy. The strong-willed, southern girl, who seemed to hold the world in the palm of her hands, turned into a spoiled wife of leisure. When the kids came, she’d wanted a nanny to help raise them, he’d said no. She’d wanted a housekeeper and cook because her outside obligations took up her time, again he’d said no. Hell, to his estimation, if she could have hired a hooker to sleep with him, she’d have asked for that too.
    After growing up in a home where his father adored his mother, Nic had wanted the same for his life. A woman who would stand by him, fight with him, crave his touch above all others, but mostly, love him unconditionally. He’d realized too late that Kat wasn’t that woman. She was so self-centered she did absolutely whatever she wanted—damn the consequences and Nic. So, when she’d done what she’d done, and friends came forward with tales of other men, he was done and filed for divorce.
    Nick sighed, not looking forward to calling Kat to remind her of the schedule change. Since their divorce, and then the loss of their daughter, Kat had been in reconciliation mode and used every opportunity she could too spend time with him. He knew the loss of their daughter was his fault, but to his estimation hers too. If she’d put their family first instead of her own selfish needs, their marriage might have turned out differently.
    Pausing before phoning her, Nic needed to steel his temper before talking to her. His fuse was short these days, and no one lit it quicker than his ex-wife did. Looking at the clock, he knew he was out of time, so he picked up his phone and dialed.
    “Hey there, sugar,” Kat purred when she answered.
    “Nicky has soccer practice until five today.”
    Though Nic had more than enough money to pay his ex-wife’s alimony, he still worked long hours several days a week. Since Hurricane Katrina, his expertise in historic renovations was in high demand and his schedule was full. He tried to work from home more days than not, but meetings with clients dictated he spend several days a week in the office. So, Kat agreed to pick Nicky up from school on the days he was in his office and took him home with her until he got off work. Her recent change in attitude also meant that if a job ran over, he could switch days with her easily instead of losing a single day with his son. Nic wished she’d been this fucking accommodating in their marriage then maybe things would have turned out differently.
    “All right, I’ll just pick him up at five and maybe the three of us can have a family dinner together just like old times. How does that sound, Nic?”
    “I got plans, Kat, but thanks for asking,” Nic replied abruptly and then listened as his ex-wife huffed down the line. He had no doubt, if he were standing in the same room with her, he would have seen her stomp that little foot of hers in frustration. Kat was tenacious when she wanted something, but what she wanted was never gonna happen. Their family back together was impossible, for one crucial reason.
    “What you got planned, Nic?”
    “Takin’ my boy to eat crawfish at Bayou.”
    “I’d love a plate of crawfish,” Kat hinted.
    “I’m sure you would, Kat, but this is my time with Nicky. You can