Read Online Suddenly Sexy by Linda Francis Lee - Free Book Online

closer, she saw
something darker beneath the sunny facade.

For the first time since he had shown up with Julia at the television
station, Kate wondered why he had come home. After so many years of
living away, staying away, why come back now?

She walked up to stand beside him at the sink, her Keds silent on the
tile, and she looked out the window with him. She watched as Belinda
walked over to the boy, then sat down on the edge of the chaise. Kate
could tell that neither of them said a word, but Belinda placed her
hand on the tip of his boot awkwardly. Close, but still separated by a
strained distance.

Was that the way it was with most families? She knew Jesse's
relationship with his own father was complicated. Not as much father
and son as buddies. Carlen Chapman had turned Jesse into his friend
at a young age, taking him everywhere, while Derek had been left
behind. She guessed that it was this that had divided the brothers. But
she had never known why Derek had been left out. It would have made
more sense for Carlen to be friends with the older son.

"Why, Jesse?" Kate asked quietly. "Why are you doing this?"

Jesse didn't answer for a long while. When he finally spoke, this
rugged bad boy amazed her.

"What kind of man would I be if I wrote her a check and sent them away
when all you have to do
is look at him to know he's mine?" He shook his head. "Me, Katie. I
have a son."

She was moved, her throat tightening. But she couldn't tell from his
voice what he felt. "Is that a good
I have a son , or a bad I have a son ?"

He laughed, a scoffing, bittersweet sound, and straightened. "I came
back here to wwcomplicate my life. And what do I get? First you, too
damn hot and sexy for your own good—"

Her mind spun at the words. Her, sexy And hot ?

"—and now this boy. It's like someone's playing a joke on me. What was
I thinking when I said he
could stay with me? I can't
stay in El Paso. I have to get back to Florida. I planned to be here no
more than a week or so. I don't have time for this. But the way he
looked out there by the pool, lost,
forgotten ... Hell."

"You always did have a soft spot for lost little kids."

He swore. "I guess I'll have to rent a house or an apartment. When I
showed up, Derek said I should
stay with them. But I could feel the tension and reluctance in Suzanne."

"I can't believe my sister."

Jesse gave her a look.

"Okay," she conceded. "I can believe it. It's vintage Suzanne. But it's
your house, too."

"Not anymore. I deeded my portion to Derek as a wedding present."

"You really are full of surprises today. Suzanne never told me."

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I just need to figure out where we can
stay."

"Here."

She could do the right thing, too.

"Katie, I can't ask—"

"You're not asking. I'm offering."

"There's not enough space in the guest cottage."

"I'll put him in my extra bedroom."

He seemed to consider. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

He leaned over, bracing his hands against his knees.

"A penny for your thoughts?" she asked.

He looked up at her as a single heartbeat passed. "A kid, Katie. I have
a son."

This time he didn't hide the emotion he was feeling. He seemed as
surprised by the whole idea as he seemed amazingly wowed.

"I don't know the first thing about taking care of anyone, much less a
child."

She didn't respond at first, then she repeated the words he had said to
her when she was faltering
during the cooking segment. "You forget who you're talking to."

He glanced at her in question.

"You know more than you realize," she assured him, placing her hand on
his forearm. "You know all about taking care of little kids, about
making them feel safe."

He studied her, a lock of dark hair falling forward on his brow.
Instantly she felt awkward and surprisingly shy.

"Besides," she quickly added, dropping her hand away, "it's just for a
month."

"A month." He straightened and stared off into space. "A month," he
repeated, the words sounding
more comfortable on