Read Online Second Time Around by Katherine Allred - Free Book Online Page B

started. Three months of freedom without Edward breathing down his neck, lecturing about his duties and obligations. Three months on the ranch he loved.
    He was almost asleep when the first drop of water hit him on the chin and rolled down his neck. His brow furrowed. It couldn’t be rain. The sun was still shinning. He opted to keep his eyes closed and ignore it.
    A whole minute passed before another drop hit him in the exact same place.
    Reluctantly, he opened his eyes a slit and discovered he was no longer alone.
    It took him a second to place her, but when he did, he almost groaned. It was the kid from the movies last night. How she’d gotten that close without him hearing her, he 4didn’t know, but she was sitting beside him on the grass, long coltish legs crossed Indian style.
    A pair of flowered cotton shorts covered a one-piece, hot pink tank suit that sagged on her skinny frame. Not a single curve marred the straight lines of her body and her chest was flat as a board. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, lighter streaks of auburn highlights running through it. She had fished an ice cube from the glass in her hand, and was holding it positioned over his chin.
    Another drop of water swayed precariously from the end of her fingers as she watched his face intently. Just before it dropped, Quinn’s hand shot out to circle her wrist and push it aside.
    Instead of flinching in surprise, she grinned and gestured toward his fishing pole.
    “Your bobber has been underwater for the last five minutes.”
    “Do I look like I care?” He let his eyes close again. “Beat it, kid.”
    “Whip it out.”
    An involuntary snort of laughter spurted from between Quinn’s lips. Casually, he propped his elbows behind him on the ground, lifting the upper half of his body as he surveyed her. “How old are you? Ten? Eleven?” She certainly didn’t look old enough to be coming up with sexual repartees.
    Her chin squared, a tiny cleft appearing in the center. “I’m fourteen.”
    “Bull. You’re too scrawny to be fourteen. You’re still practically a boy.” He grinned as fire kindled in those clear gray eyes.
    “I’m fourteen. My birthday was last week. And all the women in my family are late bloomers.”
    “Well, go bloom somewhere else. I’m busy.”
    “Yeah, I could tell by the way you were snoring.”
    “I wasn’t snoring.”
    “You were, too. Besides, you’re in my spot. If anyone leaves, it should be you.”
    “I don’t see your name nailed to any of the trees.”
    “It doesn’t have to be. This is my grandparents’ land.”
    “Like hell. This is my land.”
    Her eyes widened. “You’re a McAllister?”
    “That’s right. And I happen to know the people who own the land that adjoins mine are named Howell, not Stewart.”
    “The Howells are my grandparents. Guess that means we’re neighbors.”
    “Wonderful. That really makes my day.” He lay back down. “Look, don’t you have any little friends that you can go play with?”
    “Not really.” She shrugged. “I haven’t been here long.”
    Quinn turned his head and looked at her, curious in spite of himself. “Where have you been?”
    4“Montana. That’s where I’m from. I came to live with my grandparents two months ago.”
    “Where are your parents?”
    For the first time, her eyes clouded and there was a quiver in her voice when she answered him. “Dead.”
    A twinge of sympathy hit him. “Sorry.”
    Her bony shoulder lifted in another shrug as she gazed toward the water, blinking rapidly. Suddenly she bounded to her feet. “I’m going swimming. Want to come?”
    “No, thanks. I want to sleep.”
    “Susie wore you out, huh?” There was a smirk in her voice. “You should feel privileged. Normally she only dates college seniors.” The elastic band on her shorts slid down over nonexistent hips as she tugged on the material.
    “Now how do you know that?”
    “Watson is a small town. Everyone knows everyone else’s