Read Online Hard Break (Deadlines & Diamonds, #5) by Morgan Kearns - Free Book Online

He’d been invited. Obviously, Kayla knew her daughter reached out to touch him.
    Knock, knock, knock.
    He blew a breath through pursed lips as a stomp, stomp, stomp accompanied Sadie’s, “I got it!”
    Her face appeared in the long window next to the door. She squealed in chorus with the release of the lock. The door flew wide and Sadie launched herself at him. “Ian! I’ve missed you!”
    He wrapped his arms around the little girl strangling his waist. “I’ve missed you too, Sadie.”
    “Ian!” Penelope’s chubby feet slapped against the wood floor.
    He freed himself from Sadie’s hold just in time to bend down and scoop Pene into his arms. She death-gripped his neck, burying her face into his shoulder. “I miss you.”
    “I know. I got your message.”
    Tiny hands clamped onto his cheeks. She got in nice and tight, her expression stern and serious. “I miss you.”
    “I missed you, too, honey.”
    “I lo’ you.” She kissed his cheek.
    He chuckled, smoothing her wayward curls away from her face. “I love you, too.”
    “Then why you not come?”
    He wasn ’t sure how he knew, but Kayla watched the exchange. He glanced up and met her gaze full-on. He didn’t have a damn thing to be ashamed of. He’d done nothing wrong, except maybe care a little too much.
    She didn’t blink , a challenge in her blue stare.
    Maintaining the silent game of chicken, Ian kissed the top of Penelope’s head. “Just giving you guys some space.”
    “I no’ want space.”
    “Me either, kid.” No blinking.
    “Hey girls.” Well, he’d be damned, she could speak. “Why don’t you go play in the backyard with Chase?”
    Although formed as a question, Kay’s tone made the words a non-negotiable statement.
    “See you, Ian,” Sadie said with a wave.
    Penelo pe kissed his cheek. “Say bye afore you go.”
    As she slithered down h is leg, he promised, “Will do, princess.”
    When the kids were finally outside, Kayla turned and started toward t he kitchen. Uncomfortable. Damn. Should he follow her or tuck his tail and run?
    She paused at the doorway, huffing a breath. “Do you want something to drink?”
    “I’ll just go.”
    She shook her head, at least looking repentant. Her lips rounded and her cheeks puffed. “I’m sorry. For the other day. For just now. Crap, I’m a freakin’ mess. Just when I think I’ve got a handle on things, I get blind-sided again.” She extended her hand to him, beckoning him to her. “I could use someone to talk to, and I’ve got that beer you like.”
    Now that he’d gone clean again, he’d cut beer from his diet. But the sentiment warmed him. “I’ll stick with water.”
    She smiled. “I got that too. Give me thirty minutes?”
    He glanced down at his Timex. “If you’re really nice, I’ll give you sixty.”
    She ran her finger over heart. “I promise.”
    A few minutes later, Ian sat at the head of the table, opposite of Leon’s always empty spot, and Kayla plopped down in the chair to his immediate left. A bottle of Dasani sat in front of him, a can of Coke Zero sweated in front of her.
    He tipped the bottle back, licking the drops off his bottom lip. “So, what’s blind-sided you now?”
    “I was offered a job.”
    His brows furrowed with the confusion he felt. “That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.”
    “It’s not.” She took a sip from her can. “It’s just complicated.”
    “Explain.” He ran his finger over the wood grain in the oak table.
    She did; great opportunity, awesome benefits, incredible pay. “But the hours are when I need to be home with the kids.”
    “What about daycare?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t want some stranger watching my kids.”
    “Do you have a choice?” He actually watched as her hackles rose to the innocent question. “Come on, Kay. No situation will be perfect. The ideal died right along with Leon.”
    She bristled against his harsh words. He expected the lioness to erupt out of her, clawing and scratching,