Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(62)

230

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Ellie glanced around for Cassidy, but when she spotted her daughter, the girl was ensconced by other children her age and didn't look to want or need Ellie around. To her relief, Helena once again appeared at her side and hooked their arms together, escorting her into line behind the others.

Helena chatted about motherhood until it was their turn at the three-table buffet, where they dished up their meal.

"Let's go sit over by Cheyenne," Helena said, leading the way. "You remember being introduced to Cheyenne, right?"

"Ah..." No.

But that question had obviously been rhetorical too. Ellie meekly followed Boston's sister and eased into a seat next to Helena, who sat across from Cheyenne.

"Try the cheesy hash browns." Cheyenne moaned as she broke a roll in half and coated it with butter. "They're divine."

"Already on it," Helena answered, picking up a fork and diving in.

For a moment, Ellie could only watch the two women tuck into their meals like a pair of hearty athletes. Boston's family was so different from what she'd expected. They were so...normal.

Hesitating briefly, she tasted a small mouthful of the potatoes Cheyenne had recommended. As the flavor melted against her tongue, she almost moaned in delight. Within seconds, she was diving in as energetically as Helena and Cheyenne.

"Beware of the yams," Cameron advised as he plopped a plate down at the end of the table and seated himself. "Livy made them."

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Hey," his wife snapped, slipping into the seat adjacent his. "I think they turned out great."

There was only one other chair left at their table, directly next to her, and Ellie had a sinking sensation she knew exactly who was going to fill it.

"Yeah, but great in your cooking world is when you manage not to burn a Caesar salad," Cameron told Olivia with an ornery grin.

"Oh, that's it," Olivia snapped, reaching for his plate. "You can't have any of my yams."

"Hey, woman," he yelped, blocking his plate with his forearm. "Keep your hands off my food."

"No yams for you," she said determinedly.

Ellie was so busy watching them wrestle for the yams, she didn't even notice Boston's arrival until he settled into the chair next to her and said, "I bet Olivia will let me eat her yams." He sent Cameron a taunting smirk as he scooped up a spoonful and filled his mouth.

Suddenly, Cameron was so busy glaring at Boston and calling him a dirty name, he forgot to protect his food. Olivia extracted his pile of yams in one swoop.

As he tried to sweet talk her into giving them back, assuring her he'd love her dish, Boston winked at Ellie and they shared a grin.

Across from them, Cheyenne lifted her eyebrows. "You know, you two don't act like any exes I've ever seen. Are you getting back together or what?"

Everyone at the table—even the arguing Cameron and Olivia—fell quiet and glanced questioningly toward Ellie. Next 232

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

to her, Boston coughed into his fist. Then he pounded on his chest before reaching for his glass to take a long drink.

Ellie wasn't sure how to respond.

Helena, however rolled her eyes as she patted Ellie's hand.

"Don't pay my baby sister any mind. She thinks everyone is destined to end up with their first love. She met her husband when she was sixteen. They married four years later and are still disgustingly sweet with each other."

"We are not," Cheyenne grumbled, sending an insulted glare her sister's way. "I'm sitting clear across the room from him right now, aren't I?"

"Oooh," Helena said, shaking her voice and rolling her eyes to show off her sarcasm as she added, "I'm so impressed."

Cheyenne turned away from her and focused on Ellie. "I'm just saying...wouldn't it be something if you two got back together?"

Ellie blinked. It was just too dangerous to think about Boston that way. He still had a little too much pull on her heartstrings to let herself think such things.

"Sorry, Cheyenne," Boston said, sounding sympathetic. "I don't think that's going to happen."

For a moment, no one spoke. Both Helena and Cheyenne and even Cameron and Olivia sent a worried look Ellie's way as if afraid Boston had just insulted her. But she merely nodded, adamantly backing his declaration.

"So, curious minds want to know," Helena asked as she bit into a mouthful of stuffing. "Why'd you two ever break up in the first place?"

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Boston and Ellie whipped their gazes her way, nailing her with similar expressions of horror.

Then, at the same moment Boston started to say, "That's none of your—" Ellie blurted out, "He cheated on me."

With her words still echoing through the air, every person at the table stopped eating and gaped directly at Boston.

Beside her, Boston tensed and slid an inch lower in his chair.

"Oh my God, Boston," Helena hissed. "You didn't."

"How could you?" Cheyenne whispered, staring at him like he was the very devil, all the while lifting her hands to cover her mouth.