Mad About You

too," Chad chorused.
    Two hours later they were walking into the theater to see the summer's biggest action thriller. They juggled seats for a couple of minutes until Chad finally settled happily between them. Bailey strongly suspected the seating arrangement was his son's attempt to keep them apart. It was becoming clearer to him that Chad was trying to squeeze Ginny out of the picture. No wonder she was having such a hard time with him at home.
    Bailey looked over at Chad and pursed his lips. He was planning to take Ginny to the meadow the following day and tell her about the house. He hoped she would see how much he wanted them all to be together. Then he would have to have a talk with his son.

    * * *

    Chad's little separation scheme hadn't gone unnoticed by Virginia. She looked over at her son and shook her head. He wanted Bailey all to himself, and she was his only competition. Chad had made it clear he didn't like to see them kissing, which surprised her a little. If he were so eager to live with Bailey, one would think he'd be matchmaking instead of trying to keep them apart.
    She shuddered when she thought of the swimming incident. She felt sure he'd jumped in on purpose to break up their kiss, not realizing how dangerous the stunt could be. Then he'd been quick to induce guilt by implying they were too wrapped up in each other to keep an eye on him. Virginia bit her bottom lip. The worst part was the knowledge that he might have drowned if not for Bailey—a sobering fact that once again stirred her own doubts about being able to take care of her son.
    Perhaps rekindling her relationship with Bailey would be the answer to their problems. If they remarried, Chad could live with Bailey, which would make the two of them happy, and she could share her son's development as well. She was optimistic enough to think that someday she would be able to have a good relationship with Chad, but she knew the chances of that were slim if she remained the single obstacle between him living with his father.
    And, she had to admit, a future with Bailey was not entirely unappealing. His confession to her today had gone a long way in repairing the holes in her confidence about his level of commitment. Perhaps he was driven in part by his desire to be with Chad, but if he truly loved her—
    She looked over at her ex-husband and he winked at her.
    The lights lowered and the movie started rolling, beginning with a spectacular explosion, then jumping from scene to dramatic scene. Every brief kissing scene was accompanied by Chad's loud "Yuck!" followed by a pointed glance in Virginia's direction. Chad's hostility toward her seemed to be growing every day.
    The drive home was a little more relaxed, the afternoon's incident fading with distance. Virginia's thoughts turned to her decision to allow, even foster, the relationship growing between her and Bailey. She wasn't sure where it was going, but she felt good about its prospects. If she was going to give it her best shot, she'd have to do more than just abandon her previous plan to be the one who appears to care the least—she'd have to make herself vulnerable to him again, a notion that shook her to the core.
    "We're still going horseback riding tomorrow, aren't we?" Chad asked Bailey.
    "Uh-huh. I want to show you more of the farm."
    "Great!"
    "It's straight to bed when you get to the house, so you won't be tired tomorrow," Bailey added.
    Chad sighed. "Okay."
    Panic bolted through Virginia as a thought occurred to her. She knew Bailey well enough to realize that coming to her bed would be a likely move—perhaps the reason he'd put her things in "their" room to begin with. Had he planned all along to seduce her that night? The idea partly annoyed, partly thrilled her. Her nipples pebbled with anticipation. If he came, she knew she would let him stay.
    At the house she felt virginally tense while she made sure Chad had everything he needed before she closed his bedroom door. Bailey stood in the hall when she turned around.
    "Will he be all right?" he asked unnecessarily.
    "I think so," she said softly.
    "Will you?" he asked, his eyes smoldering, "You had quite a scare today."
    Virginia swallowed. "I'll be fine." After many seconds of gazing into his eyes, she nervously pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess I'd better turn in." She turned to go. "Good night."
    "I certainly hope so," she heard him murmur, leaving her certain he would make an appearance before