Safe In The Lawman's Arms. Patricia Johns

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Three

      The next morning, Mike stood in the kitchen, listening to the soft peals of laughter filtering through the ceiling above. Malory was getting Katy dressed, and he had to admit that there was something very sweet about the sound of a woman’s voice in the house.

      “One...two...up we go!” Katy’s laughter followed.

      Mike took another sip of aromatic black coffee and leaned with his backside against the counter. Tonight he’d work a late shift, so this morning was free. There’d been a time—about a week ago, to be exact—when that had meant sleeping in, watching a movie or working out at the gym. Now those things seemed out of place, somehow. Malory’s words from the evening before were still echoing through his mind. He had a responsibility to Katy, whether he thought he was good for the girl or not. He might be trying to keep an emotional distance, but Katy needed more from him. He wasn’t even sure he knew how to give it, but maybe he could put in some effort here.

      The clatter of footsteps echoed down the staircase, and a moment later, a beaming little face appeared around the corner, blond curls in pigtails and a little pink dress ruffling out around her thin legs.

      “Good morning, Katy,” Mike said.

      “Hi.” She stared up at him, big blue eyes fixed on his face. “Do you have food?”

      “Uh—” He looked over at the kitchen table, where a breakfast spread awaited. “Yes.”

      Katy scampered over to a kitchen chair and climbed up, grabbing for the nearest box of cereal and shaking it exuberantly. Malory calmly rescued the box before it exploded, slipping it from her charge’s small fingers.

      “Not like that,” Malory said. “I’ll pour you a bowl, okay? Sit down.”

      Malory shot Mike a smile as she prepared Katy’s bowl of cornflakes. “How did you sleep?”

      “Fine.” He cleared his throat, suddenly uncomfortable with this domestic scene in the middle of his house. “And you?”

      “Like a baby.” She chuckled as she stretched forward to reach the pitcher.

      “So I was thinking about what you said last night,” Mike said.

      Katy wasn’t paying attention, her attention on the food in front of her. Malory glanced up, brown eyes meeting his.

      “I thought I might take the two of you out for ice cream this afternoon.”

      “Great idea,” Malory agreed. She tucked her sandy-blond hair behind one ear, exposing the creamy length of her neck. “What do you think of that, Katy? Should we go out for ice cream today?”

      Katy nodded and picked up a spoon in one fist as Malory set the bowl in front of her. She dug in immediately, milk dribbling down her chin. Her excitement at the prospect of breakfast saddened him. Well-fed kids tended to be pickier eaters than Katy was, and he couldn’t help but wonder how many mornings she’d had the option of breakfast in her young life.

      “How are you settling in?” Mike asked as Malory sat down opposite Katy and reached for her own cereal.

      “This is a beautiful home. I’m very comfortable.” She poured a full bowl and added milk. “It can’t be easy to share your space, though.”

      “Oh, I survive.” A smile played on his lips. Truth be told, he was having trouble thinking about anything more than the pretty nanny in his house. He could smell the sweet scent of her shampoo in the hallway that led away from the main bathroom. The sound of her cheerful tones filtered through the house in daylight, and all last night, he’d found himself uncomfortably aware that she slept down the hall.

      “I took a shower late last night,” Malory said. “I was worried it might wake you. Maybe we could decide on a lights-out time so that you aren’t disturbed.”

      Mike shook his head. “No, don’t worry about that. You’re no bother.”

      Frankly, СКАЧАТЬ