Read Online Natural Born Daddy by Sherryl Woods - Free Book Online Page A

worried frown puckering her brow.
    â€œDon’t you like it?” she asked, sounding like an uncertain cook whose very first meal was on the table.
    â€œIt’s…” He struggled to find a word that wouldn’t offend, but also wouldn’t encourage her to offer him more—ever. “It’s different.”
    She gave a tiny sigh of resignation. “Too sweet, huh?”
    â€œA little bit,” he confirmed.
    â€œThat’s what Mommy says, too. She says it makes her gag. I only get to have it on weekends, so it won’t destroy my brain cells.”
    Jordan grinned. “I don’t think your brain cells are in any immediate danger. You seem pretty bright to me.”
    â€œThank you,” she said politely.
    They ate their cereal in companionable silence after that. The instant Dani had finished hers, shepicked up the bowl and carried it back to the sink and climbed deftly back onto the same chair so she could reach the faucets. She rinsed the bowl and stacked it in the drainer. Jordan carried his own bowl to the sink.
    â€œI’ll wash it for you,” the child offered.
    â€œNo way,” he said. “Fair’s fair. You fixed breakfast. I can at least wash my own bowl.”
    Dani climbed down without argument. “I’ll go brush my teeth and then we can go.” She eyed him worriedly again. “Do you have a toothbrush with you? Mommy says it’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially after breakfast, so your teeth won’t rot.”
    â€œAfter all that sugar, I can see why it would be a concern,” Jordan agreed. “Don’t worry about me, though, I’ll take care of my teeth.”
    â€œYou won’t leave without me, will you?”
    â€œNope. I’ll be waiting right here.”
    â€œMaybe you’d like to see the kittens before we go,” she said hopefully. “They’re getting really, really big. You might want one, after all. Mr. Adams is taking the tiger-striped one, so you can’t have him. And Jessie said she’d take the black-and-white one.”
    Jordan hid a grin. Obviously his whole family had been taken in by this little con artist. “Did you manage to pawn one off on Cody?”
    â€œOh, yeah. I forgot. He said he’d take the two that look like twins. They’re black with little white noses.”
    â€œTwo, huh? You must have been very persuasive.”
    â€œNot me,” she said modestly. “It was the kittens. I told you they’re really, really cute. I think you’re going to change your mind.”
    â€œI don’t think so, but we can take a look after we help your mom.”
    â€œOkay,” she agreed, and ran off, her tiny feet thundering up the stairs.
    Jordan shook his head. Maybe kids weren’t so mysterious, after all. Maybe, like grown-ups, they just wanted someone to listen and take them seriously. More or less the way he wanted Kelly to take him seriously. Though she hadn’t exactly laughed in his face, she didn’t seem to think anything he had to say on the subject of marriage was worth listening to. He had to come up with some way to change that before this unexpected desire he’d begun feeling for her drove him out of his mind.
    Before he could come up with a new twist on what already seemed like an old theme, Dani raced back down the stairs.
    â€œLet’s go.”
    â€œDo you know exactly where your mom’s working?” he asked, wondering a bit at Kelly’s willingness to leave Dani all alone.
    â€œSure. She’s right behind the barn.”
    About a hundred yards away, more or less, easily within shouting distance. Which meant, Jordan thought dryly, she had definitely seen or at least heard him arrive. Which also meant she was deliberately avoiding him, he concluded with an odd sense of triumph. Kelly only hid out when she was uncertain. Her resolve must be wavering.
    With Dani leading