Read Online Wanted: Parents for a Baby! by Laura Iding - Free Book Online Page A

her tone deceptively casual.
    He winced and set his glass down, surprised by the way she’d gotten straight to the point. “I tried that about a year ago, but things didn’t work out.”
    â€œHmm,” she said, tipping her head to regard him thoughtfully. “I sense there’s more to that story.”
    Ryan didn’t want to admit that he’d beenso callous as to want nothing more than sex. And since Cassie was new here, she might not know about his past.
    A past that would haunt him forever.
    But he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her. “My wife died almost three years ago,” he admitted, surprising himself with his willingness to talk about the past. “I wasn’t ready for a serious relationship.”
    â€œOh, Ryan.” Cassie’s expressive brown eyes filled with empathy and she reached across the table to take his hand in hers. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    He felt like a total fraud and could barely force air past his tight throat. “Thanks. The circumstances were…difficult.” He cleared his throat, unable to say anything more. He couldn’t bear the thought of Cassie knowing all the gory details. “Enough about me. I need you to know how much I admire you for wanting to be a foster mother to Emma. Being a parent is the most important job in the world.”
    Her gaze clung to his for a long moment, as if she knew he was changing the subject on purpose. But then she released his hand and sat back in her seat.
    â€œThanks. But I’m not doing this toimpress anyone,” she said softly. “I bonded with Emma right from the beginning. I know it sounds illogical, especially since I’ve only known her for twenty-four hours, but she’s very special to me.”
    â€œTo me, too,” Ryan admitted. He gazed into Cassie’s passionate eyes, struck by the sweeping desire to kiss her, right here, right now. He curled his fingers into a fist to prevent himself from reaching out to her. Thankfully their server chose that moment to return.
    â€œAre you ready to order?” she asked cheerfully.
    Ryan forced himself to nod. He took a big gulp of his cold lemonade, trying to get himself under control.
    â€œI’d love to try your Swiss mushroom burger,” Cassie announced.
    â€œWhat would you like for a side? French fries, home-made chips or coleslaw?” Maria asked.
    Cassie hesitated then shrugged. “Chips. I can’t resist homemade chips,” she confessed.
    â€œI’ll have the same,” he managed. “And another refill on the lemonade when you have a minute.”
    â€œSure thing,” Maria promised, gathering their menus.
    Ryan stared at his soft drink, wishing now that he had asked for something stronger. Maybe if he dumped the ice over his hot head, he’d cool off faster. Normally he didn’t have trouble controlling his basic desires.
    But he was beginning to think that there was nothing normal about his growing feelings for Cassie.
    And he was damned if he knew what to do about that fact.
    * * *
    Cassie enjoyed every bite of the diabolically delicious Swiss mushroom burger, making a mental note to double the length of her planned run. The homemade chips were awesome, too, and she had to stop herself from eating them all, tossing her napkin over her plate to hide them from view, even though she knew Evan wasn’t here to give her a hard time about what she ate.
    Ironically, Ryan didn’t seem to mind her hearty appetite. The way he kept staring at her with that intense gaze of his was a bit intimidating. She wasn’t used to being the center of any man’s attention. Especially a guy like Ryan.
    Her heart ached for him. Losing his wife couldn’t have been easy. No wonder he didn’tdate the nursing staff. She could easily imagine some nurse thinking she’d make the next Mrs. Ryan Murphy.
    All the more reason to get any thoughts of being with him