Read Online Saving Alyssa (Mills & Boon Heartwarming) by Loree Lough - Free Book Online Page A

crook of her neck and inhaled the scent of baby shampoo. She deserved better than this. Better than the self-pitying, self-centered coward he’d allowed himself to become.
    â€œI’m okay,” he lied. “Got something in my eye, is all.”
    She studied his face and, satisfied with his response, frowned slightly. “I just hate it when that happens. Do you want me to get the eyedrops?”
    Standing, he hoisted her onto one hip and carried her back to her room.
    â€œNo, that’s okay. But if whatever it is hasn’t worked itself out soon, you can get the eyedrops, okay?”
    â€œOkay,” she said, as he tucked her in. “I like taking care of you.”
    Noah pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Sweet dreams,” he said again, heading for the hallway.
    She rolled onto her side and hugged her pillow tight as he turned out the light. He stood in the doorway for a moment, watching, listening, wanting nothing more than to be the father she deserved.
    â€œLove you, Daddy,”
    He could barely speak. “Love you, too, cupcake.”

CHAPTER SIX
    â€œA REN ’ T   YOU   GOING to answer the phone?” Troy asked, leaning over her desk.
    The caller ID window read Unknown. Billie rarely answered calls she didn’t recognize, and never picked up blocked, unknown or multiple zero numbers. “That’s what voice mail is for,” she told him.
    â€œHey. Billie. It’s Noah Preston. From the bike shop?”
    She grabbed the handset, hitting speakerphone without realizing it.
    â€œHi,” she said. “I was beginning to think you’d had to send the bike back to the manufacturer or something.”
    â€œSo you didn’t get my message last week? About the parts that were on back order?”
    â€œOh. Yes, I did. I meant to call, but...” But between Troy and work, she’d forgotten to return the call. “Sorry. I meant to let you know there’s no rush.”
    â€œOh. Right. The ankle is still messed up, huh?”
    â€œIt’s much better, but I won’t be riding anytime soon.”
    â€œBummer. Guess that means you’ll miss the Tidewater race.”
    â€œYeah. And the Pocono Challenge, too.” She shook off the moment of self-pity. “But it’s no big deal. There are a couple of races in October.”
    â€œChambersburg?”
    â€œRight. And Green Lane, Pennsylvania, too. But enough about that.” She giggled, too long and too hard. Groaning inwardly, she said, “Any idea when the parts will be in?”
    â€œTwo, three days. But that’s just one of the reasons I called today. Are you still interested in building a website for me?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œDon’t sound so eager,” Troy whispered in the background. “He’ll think you don’t have any other clients!”
    Frowning, she sent a “Shh” warning his way.
    â€œI’m just wrapping up something for another client. How about if I stop by, spend an hour or so watching you work, see if I can get some ideas for your main page?”
    Troy shook his head. Noah cleared his throat. “Well, how’s tomorrow, say, after lunch?” She turned her back on her brother and clicked the speaker off. “Works for me. What time does Alyssa get home from school?”
    â€œI pick her up at three-thirty.”
    Billie wondered why he didn’t let her ride the bus like the rest of the kids in the neighborhood, then remembered the guy she’d met at the bike shop that day, who’d implied Noah gave a whole new meaning to the word overprotective.
    â€œI’ll see you between one and one-thirty,” she said.
    Billie hung up, then faced Troy. “Look. You’ve been a great houseguest, and I appreciate the way you fixed the deck door and reattached that loose gutter. And your chili recipe is to die for. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind if you moved in here permanently...if