Read Online Till the Break of Dawn by Tracey H. Kitts - Free Book Online Page A

tell.”
    “I’m pregnant,” Mandy answered, beaming. “We want to hurry up before it becomes obvious.”
    “Oh,” Jesse said. “Well, congratulations. How far along? That is if you don’t mind me being nosy?”
    The way he smiled I think he could have asked anything and she would have answered. Couldn’t say I blamed her.
    “Three months this week.”
    He laughed softly. “Should we add pickles to the catering menu?”
    Mandy laughed and tossed a clump of grass in his direction. She missed horribly, but it was fun to watch. It was nice to have a boyfriend that got along so well with my friends. Wow. Did I really just call him my boyfriend?
    *****
    The next day I was up early to cook breakfast. Jesse was supposed to stop by and have coffee with me out on the deck, another ritual I’d started to share. This whole being with a normal guy thing did have its perks. Like going out in the daylight to share coffee. As I took some eggs and milk out of the fridge I made up my mind about something. I was going to ask Jesse to spend the night with me. It wasn’t that I hadn’t slept with guys since Marcus. It was just that this meant something more. I was actually looking to get serious and I felt like Jesse was the kind of guy I could get serious with.
    I was in the middle of scrambling some eggs when I heard a knock.
    “You’re early,” I said, opening the door.
    Jesse was standing there looking as good as ever, only he wasn’t wearing his usual smile.
    “Dawn, I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel our plans for today.”
    He put his hand on my shoulder and something in his touch gave away his nervousness. Okay, now I was worried. The tone of his voice didn’t sound right and as he reached to brush back a loose strand of my hair his hand shook.
    “What’s wrong?”
    He frowned. “My father is not doing too well.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry.”
    “I’ve got to leave immediately for Texas. He’s in the hospital with pneumonia. I’m sorry to leave in a rush like this. I’m not sure when I’ll be back. It’s just that—”
    “Go,” I said, cutting him off. “Your dad is more important than having breakfast with me.”
    “Thanks.” He kissed me softly before turning to leave. “I’ll call you once I know something more.”
    Considering the grimness of the situation I averted my gaze when I caught myself admiring his ass yet again. I knew that Jesse and his father weren’t on the best of terms and hoped for both their sakes that this didn’t turn out badly. At least my mother and I had made a sort of truce. She didn’t tell me how to live my life and I tried not to do anything that she would disapprove of too badly.
    The smell of something burning reminded me about breakfast. “Shit.” I ran back inside and stirred the eggs. Luckily only one small section had started to burn. I was so caught up in my thoughts, worrying about Jesse, that I didn’t realize Jamie was in the house until she said something.
    “Saw Jesse leaving just now. Did you guys have a sleepover?”
    I couldn’t help laughing at the way she raised her eyebrows, giving me a suggestive look. She sauntered into the kitchen, her boots echoing on the hardwood floor. She’d picked up the habit of wearing cowboy boots with short skirts from me and I smiled when I noticed her outfit. What can I say? Country girls have their own sense of style.
    “No. He was supposed to have breakfast with me, but he’s got to leave for Texas.”
    Jamie walked over and snatched a piece of bacon from the plate beside me. She was wearing a blue tank top that brought out the color of her eyes.
    “Texas?”
    I sighed, stirring the eggs again. “Yeah. His dad is sick. He said he was in the hospital with pneumonia.”
    She frowned. “That’s awful. Not to sound insensitive, but could I join you for breakfast then?”
    I gave her a skeptical look.
    “What? I’m starving.”
    I laughed. “Of course. You know you don’t have to ask to stay.”
    My hair was