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

be?”
    “I think so. Would we live at their house or would they live here? Because my room isn’t very big, and Elena’s room is full of princess stuff.”
    “Is that good or bad?”
    “I don’t know. Could we have bunk beds like at Grandma’s house?”
    Should he laugh, cry, or change the subject? “We’ll go to Calgary over Easter, and you can sleep in your bunk bed at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.”
    Sophie narrowed her eyes, thinking. “With Elena?”
    “No, baby.” Though yesterday he couldn’t wait to bring Kelly to meet his folks. “Just you and me.” Maybe that was best, anyway?
    He looked around the small modern apartment. It hadn’t taken long to unpack. He wasn’t into extra stuff. Kelly’s home swam into his mind. Her place wasn’t cluttered, exactly. But it was full of color, full of stuff she seemed to use. Vibrant, like her. Why hadn’t he noticed it as a huge lifestyle difference? Could he live with so much going on around him, 24/7? Could Sophie?
    She was asleep. The pain meds the doctor had prescribed must’ve finally kicked in.
    Ian edged across the space and into his bedroom, where a pale two-toned comforter covered his bed. Maria had loved bright colors. Why did he only remember this now? Had he pushed Maria into a mold she was ill fitted for? Would he do the same to Kelly?
    No, Kelly was different. Self-contained. She wouldn’t put up with that from him or anyone.
    He hadn’t been looking for a relationship, though. Not at all. She’d snuck up on him and he’d fallen. Hard. He’d let his defenses down.
    Now what?
    His cell chirped with an incoming text. Kelly. He took a deep breath and thumbed his phone on to read her message. Should he call her? No. He didn’t know what to say after all the twists and turns of the day.
    Safer to answer her inquiry by text, the same way she’d asked.
    Home a few minutes ago. Doctor splinted Sophie’s finger. Long day. Will get bikes tomorrow.
    He stared at the words for a few minutes then stabbed send.

Chapter10

    “Sophie played with Gracie again at recess.” Elena plunked her elbows on the table, her face forlorn.
    “I’m sorry, baby girl.” It seemed mother and daughter both suffered broken hearts. Kelly hadn’t seen Ian except from a distance. He hadn’t sought her out once. Not like he’d done that first week.
    He’d texted he’d swung by for the bikes when no one was home. That had been two weeks ago. Why was he so chicken?
    “I told her sorry about her pinky. That you told me they can break from falling on them.” Elena sighed heavily. “Not just from breaking promises.”
    Could the whole situation really be a result of her daughter’s accusation? It broke Kelly’s heart to see how much Elena suffered.
    “I miss Mr. Ian, too I thought you were going to love him and make him my daddy.”
    Kelly’s heart clenched at the thought. “It takes longer for grownups to fall in love than you’d think, baby girl. And sometimes things don’t work out the way we hope.” Get used to it, sweetie. Life is rough. Now if only she could convince herself that it was just a speed bump. But two weeks didn’t lie.
    “Are Sophie and her daddy going to Calgary at Easter?”
    Kelly sighed. “Last I heard, yes.”
    “Maybe they’re going to the zoo. How come I can’t go to the zoo, Mommy? Sophie said there are bears and giraffes and even red pandas. I want to see them.”
    Kelly, too. But not as much as she wanted to see Ian. See his eyes crinkle at the sight of her. Feel his gentle touch when the girls weren’t looking. Hear him call her beautiful. She tried to keep her voice bright. “We’ll have four days at home, just the two of us. Won’t that be fun? I bet you’re up to riding across the bridge to the long trail by the river. We could take a picnic.”
    “I want Sophie to come.” Elena angled a glance at Kelly. “And Mr. Ian.”
    Kelly forced a chuckle. “But you already told me they won’t be here.”
    “I want