Read Online Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2) by Valerie Comer - Free Book Online

either.”
    “I’d be happy to cover the party.”
    “Don’t you see? I can’t be beholden to you. I can’t let Elena expect that sort of thing all the time. It’s simply not our reality.”

    ~*~

    Ian glanced at the playground to see Sophie follow Elena out onto the monkey bars. He blinked. That was a first.
    “Kelly, I think what you’ve accomplished is amazing. Part of the proof is right over there. Your daughter is happy and well-adjusted.” He nestled in a little closer, his chin nearly resting on her shoulder.
    “Well adjusted? She asks men to marry me.”
    Ian couldn’t suppress the chuckle. “It’s not wrong for a kid to want a dad. You and Elena are a package deal. A man who doesn’t love her can’t possibly love you.” Ian could do it. He filled his senses with her nearness. He could definitely love them both.
    Kelly shifted away from him then clambered to her feet. She cast an unreadable glance his direction then strode toward the girls without saying another word.
    What had he said? Was he rushing her? The past two weeks had been like hurtling through space. She had to feel something similar. Maybe instead of pedaling faster, he needed to hit the brakes or at least let things coast a bit. What did he have in common with Kelly, really? Besides the girls, of course. They both loved the Lord, both worked for the town but, beyond that, how well did he know her?
    Ian scratched his head, watching her.
    Kelly lifted Sophie to a higher swinging bar than his daughter could reach on her own. Sophie grabbed hold and gave a tentative pump of her lower body. Fear crossed her face and her lips moved as she said something to Kelly.  
    He couldn’t see Kelly’s face, but her hands stayed close to his daughter’s sides. Not touching, it didn’t look like from Sophie’s movement. She must’ve said something calming, though, as Sophie nodded and gave another tentative swing before letting go. Kelly easily caught her and lowered her to the ground.
    Ian dared breathe again. Kelly took so many chances with Sophie — without asking him — but no more than she took with her own daughter. But the girls had such different personalities. Was it good for Sophie?
    Was it good for him ?

Chapter 9

    “Coming?” Kelly glanced over her shoulder as she cycled down the edge of the street. The girls followed with Ian bringing up the rear.
    Elena, in a bit of daring, wove her bike from side to side. They were on a residential street with no traffic in sight, so Kelly bit her tongue. No harm would come from it.
    “Can you do this?” shouted Elena.
    Kelly glanced again in time to see Sophie try to mimic Elena, but with less confidence. Sophie’s front tire caught the edge of the curb, pitching the bike over.
    Sophie wailed, Kelly hit her brakes, and Elena ran into Kelly but managed to remain upright. Kelly jumped off her bike, letting it spin where it landed as she sprinted the few steps to Sophie.
    Ian got there first. He picked up his daughter and cradled her. “You okay, baby?” he crooned. “Where does it hurt?”
    Kelly bit her tongue. Babying Sophie wouldn’t help, but she was Ian’s child. Not hers.
    “My finger hurts!” Sophie’s sobs continued unabated as she clutched her right hand to her chest.
    Elena reached for Sophie’s wrist.
    Ian turned away, and Kelly put her hand on Elena’s shoulder. “Let her daddy take care of her,” Kelly whispered.
    “I just need to know which finger.” Elena crossed her arms.
    Ian glanced at Elena sideways. “Why does it matter?”  
    “Because if it’s her baby finger and it’s broken, she—”
    Whoa. Kelly put a hand over her daughter’s mouth. She knew exactly the trail Elena’s thoughts were on. “It doesn’t matter which finger. Are you okay, Sophie? Can I have a look?”
    Sophie shook her head and burrowed harder against Ian’s T-shirt, her crying escalating rather than abating.
    Now what? They were four blocks from the cul-de-sac, and it didn’t