Read Online Lilies and Lies by Mary Manners - Free Book Online Page A

don’t overstay your welcome. The dinner rush will most likely start soon.”
    “I’ll stay out of Mr. Moretto’s way.”
    “OK then, go on. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
    As Kyle loped off with Hattie, Gunnar turned to Maddie. “That sure was nice of your mom. Kyle will have a blast.” He motioned to the bench across from her at the booth. “Is this seat available?”
    She nodded. “For you, it is.”
    He slipped in. “Lots of excitement around these parts, huh?”
    “You could say that. The Cutler family is growing. Kami’s over the moon and Wyatt’s just a little shocked. You know how he is, preferring all his ducks in a neat little row. And Reese, well, he’s leery of the fact that he’s a few months into his marriage with Peyton and most likely next in line on the baby radar. It’s kind of nice to watch him squirm at the idea of a little one.”
    “I myself like to expedite the process…get kids when they’re already potty trained and sleeping through the night.” Gunnar grinned and reached for a menu. “I assume it’s a lot easier when they come packaged as a pre-teen, despite the rumbling hormones. I don’t function very well where three AM feedings are concerned, without sleep.”
    “Despite that fact, you might offer my brother some parenting tips.”
    “I don’t have any of those.” Gunnar sat back as Jada delivered his cup of coffee and refilled Maddie’s mug. “I’m fresh out.”
    “I’ll be back in a minute for your order,” Jada flashed a mega-watt smile as her cinnamon ponytail swished. “Mrs. Baker’s in rare form today. Better get her another basket of garlic knots quick, or I’m sure to get an earful.” Then she turned on the heel of her neon-pink tennis shoes and flitted off to the next table.
    “Anyway,” Gunnar dumped two teaspoons of sugar into his coffee and drew a long, satisfying sip. “I don’t have any tips to offer. I fly by the seat of my pants and pray a lot.”
    “That seems to work well for you and Kyle.”
    “The jury’s still out in that department. He’s got a long way to go, isn’t even driving—or dating—yet.”
    “Good grief, bite your tongue. Driving…dating…those are the real teenage landmines, right?”
    “You bet. I’m glad I still have a few years to adjust to the thought. Anything can happen…”
    “In the meantime, do you ever think about it—the whole marriage and kids thing?”
    “Not much before Kyle came along. But now, well...” Gunnar’s gaze connected with hers over the rim of his cup. “It’s odd to think that I’ve spent so many years alone and then just—I guess we’re a family, Kyle and me.”
    “Of course you are. He’s a part of you, Gunnar. He always will be.”
    “What about you?”
    “I find the whole white-picket-fence thing kind of intriguing, and I’ve entertained the idea from time to time. What girl doesn’t dream about her wedding day…and all that comes after? But, that said, I’d like a little breather away from the venue of bossy males before I meander down that particular road.”
    “What makes you think a husband—your husband—would be bossy?”
    “I don’t know. That’s just how my life goes, being the only girl and practically the youngest. Sometimes I feel invisible—either that or like a pin cushion…jab, jab, jab. I’ve developed a thick skin.”
    “You’re not invisible to me.” Gunnar said. “And your skin looks…soft, radiant.”
    Heat blossomed along the nape of Maddie’s neck and curled across her cheeks as his knuckles skimmed the length of her forearm. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.”
    “It’s the truth.” His gaze settled on her lips. “You’re beautiful, Maddie. Can I take you out this weekend…Friday night?”
    The question came as such a shock that for a moment Maddie felt as if she’d been swept up in an undertow. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. Gunnar waited patiently, a hint of smile on his