Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(47)

The achy look he sent her made her want to start crying again. "I want to say yes," he said. "I only want what's best for her. But from the first moment I saw her, I don't know..."

He shook his head, as if dazed. "It was like... bam, smacking me in the center of the chest and taking my breath. That little human was a part of me. And suddenly, I wanted...I wanted to be a father. Her father. I wanted to be a part of her world.

But..." He paused to lick his lips. "I don't want to hurt her."

176

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Ellie felt herself fall into a hole she'd sworn to herself she'd never fall into again. She looked at Boston Kincaid and wanted to be loved by him. He honestly seemed like a different man from that twenty-two year old she'd once known. He'd matured.

Loosening toward him, she admitted, "If you want the truth, then no, I don't think she'd be worse off with you in her life." Then she bit the inside of her lip, wondering what the hell she was doing. This was her one chance to get rid of him, and she wasn't taking it.

Boston looked about as shocked by her declaration as she felt about making it. But he laughed in relief and grinned at her like he thought they were mending fences when, yeah, that probably was what they were doing. Neither of them had yelled all evening. That had to mean something.

"So, what happens now?" he said.

Ellie was about to answer, "I don't know," when it struck her. "I think you need to get to know Cassie better before you can take her anywhere by yourself. I mean, tell me honestly, what do you know about nine-year-old girls?"

Frowning, he said, "Nothing, but—"

"Plus, if I saw you with her a few times, and was convinced she'd be okay, then I'd probably feel better about letting her go with you overnight somewhere."

He paused, looking truly shell-shocked now. "You mean, you want me to come here...with you around...to see her?"

He looked like he might prefer a root canal.

"Not especially," she admitted. "But it's the only compromise I can think of at the moment."

177

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Fine, then," he said and nodded a little too quickly for her comfort. "I'll come here. When do you want me?"

Right now...in the bedroom, flat on your back. The answer popped into her head so suddenly, she actually blushed for thinking it. Glancing away in absolute mortification, Ellie cleared her throat. "Umm...how about Saturday. Anytime.

We'll be here all day."

"Is eight too early?"

She shook her head.

He smiled. "It's a d—ah, it's a deal then." Pushing to his feet, he held out a hand. "Thank you, Ellie."

"Thank you for what you did tonight."

Their hands met across the table in a formal manner. But his warm flesh connecting with hers still caused her skin to tingle.

"I just hope she doesn't hate me now," he murmured as he slowly pulled his palm from hers.

It took Ellie a moment before she figured out to whom he was referring. Then it struck her. Cassie.

"Oh," she said a little breathlessly. "No. Cassie will be okay. Trust me."

He still looked uncertain. "I wish I could mend fences with her before I leave," he murmured. But then he hitched a brave smile Ellie's way and added, "I'll see you Saturday."

Ellie opened her mouth and almost made a huge mistake.

It was on the tip of her tongue to invite him to stay and find out for himself just how okay Cassie was going to be. But that would be the error of all errors. No, she didn't want to be 178

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Boston Kincaid's enemy, but befriending him wasn't smart either.

"I'll see you Saturday," she returned, feeling lame.

And for the first time in over ten years, they separated in peace. Ellie sank against the picnic table and cradled her head in her hands, wondering if being on good terms with him might be more dangerous than keeping him as an enemy.

When the back door cracked open, she jumped and surged to her feet, ready to throw herself at him. But thank God, it was Cassie coming out to join her and not him returning.

"Cass," she said.

"Mommy," the girl spoke in a trembling voice. "I...I'm real sorry for the things I said to you. I..."

"Come here," Ellie said.

Her daughter dashed forward, throwing her arms open.

Ellie pulled the child into her lap, and they hugged.

"It's okay," Ellie murmured, kissing her hair. "I love you.

No matter what, I'll always love you."

As the girl settled against her and they began to talk out their problems, Ellie felt a spurt of regret that Boston hadn't been able to get the same make-up session she was having.

He was missing out on one of the greatest gifts a parent could have. And for the first time in a good long while, she wished she hadn't kept him from his little girl.

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179

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage





Chapter Eleven


That Friday night, a thunderstorm rolled over Lawrence. It was bad enough Ellie and Cassie hurried to the Young's house to stay in their basement for the worst of the squall. Keller and Cassie sat cross-legged on the floor playing Go Fish as the adults hovered by the high basement windows and watched strong winds and rain roll in.