Read Online Baby Girl: Dare to Love by Celya Bowers - Free Book Online Page A

were on oversized lots, and the lawns were manicured to the death, he realized. 
    He located Jemma’s house and noted the cars parked in front of it.  None of them were hers.  There was a red Tahoe and a black Ford Explorer.  Maybe she had company?  He parked his BMW behind the Explorer and cut the engine.  He wiped his sweaty hands on his slacks. He was a nervous as a teenager.  He should have had a drink before he left his house.  His sister would have killed him. 
    He was thankful to Krista for planning the entire evening for him.  They had reservations at the La Bella, an Italian restaurant in Arlington, then they were going to After Dark, a new dessert eatery in the heart of Mansfield.
    “Come on, man.  It’s a date, that’s all.  No use getting crazy.  Besides, it’s been five years,” he told himself.  “It’s going to be all good.”  He opened the door and slid out of the car. 
    As he walked up to the front door of the two-story house, he heard noises coming from inside.  Sounded like a party, he thought.  Surely, she would have told him if something had occurred when he called her yesterday.  Shaking away all those doubts, he rang the doorbell.  Then he heard it.
    “Aunt Jem, someone at the door.”
    “That’s Mr. Kyle,” Kassie said from behind the closed door.
    Kyle’s heart swelled with pride.  As did everyone in the house.  He heard cheers of joy.  Finally someone opened the door to let him inside.  That feeling of dread he’d had all day came front and center when his eyes locked with another pair of blue eyes.  The man smiling at him was maybe an inch or two taller than he.  His brown hair had large specks of gray in it.
    “You must be Kyle,” he said extending a hand.  “I’m Brandt Sheldon.  Jemma’s father.  She’ll be down in just a minute.  Why don’t you come inside?  You might as well see what you’re getting yourself into.”  He motioned him to the living room. 
    “Sure, Mr. Shelton.”  He followed the man into the crowded living room.  “This is my wife, Imogene, I call her Emmy.”  The woman who reminded him of Jemma, nodded.  “This is our son-in-law, Damon.”  He nodded to a tall, slender African-American man sitting on the sofa.  “These are my grandkids and of course, you know Kassie.” 
    Before he could acknowledge the child, she was at his side, hugging him.  “Hi, Mr. Kyle.” 
    “Hi, Kassie.  It’s good to see you.  Did you tell your grandparents how well you’ve been doing in your lessons?”
    She nodded.  “Yes, I did.”  Suddenly, the kids took off for another part of the house.
    “You may as well cop a squat,” Imogene said.  “When Jemma and Janna get together, there’s no telling how long it’s going to be.” She took a deep breath.  “So tell us about yourself,” Imogene said. 
    He took a seat beside Jemma’s Dad. “Not much to tell, Mrs. Shelton.  I’m the ranch manager where Kassie takes her riding lessons.  I’m divorced.”
    “First of all, you can call me, Emmy.  Especially since Kassie has started speaking.  We heard about Nutmeg.  I’m so glad you could reach her when the rest of us couldn’t,” she sniffed.  “It means so much to us.”  She reached for a tissue, but her husband was already at her side, wiping her face.
    “It’s been my pleasure, Emmy.  In a short time, I’ve become very fond of Jemma and Kassie.”  Had he really said that out loud? 
    “Well, that’s good to know,” her mother said.  “Sounds like they’re finally coming downstairs. 
    Kyle had never been so happy to hear footsteps in his life. He stood as she entered the living room.  Jemma looked like a goddess.  Her curly black hair was straight and hung below her shoulders.  She was wearing a lacy pink blouse that was going be his death, he knew.  It displayed just enough cleavage to get him in trouble.  She had on dark slacks and stilettos.  Perfect.  “You look absolutely