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

that she’d intended to verbally seduce him, husky with her was just par for the course.
    “I’m sorry, but—”
    “Yeah, I don’t like those words.”
    He chuckled. “An emergency came up and—”
    “Oh no,” she gasped.
    “M y neighbor’s little girl smacked her head and had to be taken to the ER. I’m playing babysitter with the other two.”
    “I could come over and help.”
    Yeah, ‘cause that would thrill the hell out of Kayla. “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think that’d be a good idea.”
    “Got it.” No bitterness. She really did get it. “Rain check?”
    “Absolutely. I’ll call you.”
    “Anytime, Ian. Anyt ime.”
    No misconstruing that. “Later.”
    He disconnected the call to face two sets of inquiring eyes. Chase frowned. “Sorry to ruin your date.”
    Penelope snorted. “You had date?” She shook her head, propping her hands on her hips. “Ian no date. Ian Mommy’s.”
    “Oh. No, sweetheart. Your mom and I are just friends.”
    She laughed , her blond curls swinging wildly. “Silly Ian.”
    Ian looked at Chase for clarification. The kid only rolled his eyes. Didn’t matter. Ian didn’t belong to Kayla any more than the beautiful mother of three belonged to him. He’d be wise to remember that.
    The doorbell rang and Penelope took off on a run. She was still fiddling with the lock when Ian joined her. Heaven help them when she was tall enough to reach. He released the latch and opened the door.
    On the porch a lady with red hair and green eyes blinked up at him. She stepped back, looked at the numbers on the side of the door. “Hi, um, is Kayla here?”
    “Nope.” Chase moved around Ian. “She took Sadie to get stitches.”
    The woman inhaled her concern. “Oh no.”
    “She just had a little accident,” Ian told the stranger. “Who are you?”
    “Oh. I’m sorry.” She held out a hand. “I’m Rhonda White. My husband and Leon were partners. I worry about them. We worry about them. I wanted to check on Kayla and bring some cookies by for the kids.”
    “Cookies!” Penelope reached for the plate.
    Ian reached for her hand. “Pene. That’s not polite.”
    The little girl frowned. “Sorry.”
    “ No worries,” Rhonda said. “Here, you can have them.”
    Penelope took the plate and ran toward the kitchen with Chase hot on her heels, laughing all the way.
    “The kids look good.”
    Ian glanced in the direction they’d gone. “Yeah, they are good. As good as can be expected.”
    “How’s Kayla?”
    “As good as can be expected.”
    “Are you her brother? ‘Cause I saw you sitting with them at the funeral and I—”
    “No, I’m her neighbor.”
    Her eyes widened, but she schooled her expression. “Oh, well, I’m not sure how you fit into all of this, but—”
    “I’m her neighbor, and her friend. Nothing more.”
    She held up her hands. “I didn’t mean to insinuate…” She bit her lip and looked over in the direction of the kitchen. “Here’s the thing, she has completely shut us out. All of us. The whole world. Except for you, it seems.” Her brows rose. “As I said, I’m not sure how you fit into all of this, but you stay right where you are. Take care of her. Because she won’t let any of us even close.”
    Ian’s scowl relaxed. “I’m not going anywhere . She’s a hell of a woman, dealing with a shitty situation. She keeps trying to push me away too. I’m just too stupid to leave.”
    Rhonda laughed . “Well, stay stupid. She needs you.”
    Ian snorted . “Don’t let her hear you say that.”
    She stuck out her hand. “We’re here if she needs us. If you need us. Good luck.”
    “Thanks, we’re all gonna need it.” 
     

 
    Eight
     
     
    T he last time Ian remembered watching the Disney Channel the programming had consisted of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and animated movies they both starred in. Times had changed. Now, he sat flanked by two kids and watched a family with dysfunctional parents and a baby needing luck.