Safe In The Lawman's Arms. Patricia Johns

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ a kid, I started out as a troublemaker. I got into a lot of fights. Started most of them. But one day a cruiser dropped my dad off at home—I don’t remember what he’d done that time. The cop took one look at me, and he must have seen something worth saving, because he passed me his card and said I could call him if I wanted a job.”

      “What kind of job?” she asked.

      “Yard work. He was clearing out some trees on his property. So I called him, he put me to work and he paid me. That was the first time I worked for anything, and it felt good.”

      She smiled. “And the rest is history?”

      “Pretty much.” He chuckled. “Everyone in this town knows all about my humble beginnings, so it isn’t much of a secret. In fact, there are probably about six or seven old ladies quite willing to fill you in.”

      “Well, you’re lucky,” she admitted. “But you don’t want to be that bighearted cop in Katy’s life and help turn things around for her?”

      “I might be able to do that,” he agreed. “But you’re forgetting that her mother is in prison. What about when she wants to meet her mom? What about when her mother wants back into her life? What about cousins and uncles and aunts who are involved in crime? I’m not her only family member, and I wouldn’t be her only influence. If she stayed with me, how could I refuse to let her meet the rest of her relatives?”

      Malory nodded. Much as she hated to admit it, Mike had a point. The situation was more complicated than it appeared at first glance. While Mike could easily draw some lines if he felt strongly enough, this wasn’t a cut-and-dried situation, and it wasn’t her decision to make.

      “I think I understand,” she said with a nod.

      A smile twitched at the corners of his lips. “Thanks.”

      “But I stand by what I said—she needs to know that she matters and that when she does move on, she’ll be missed. That shows her that she has value. It might not be easy on you, but it’s better for her in the long run.”

      “I’ll keep that in mind.” His tone turned gruff, and he cleared his throat. His walls had just gone back up again.

      She could see a flicker of the real man underneath the tough shell, and he had a softer heart than he liked to let on.

      “Thanks for the pizza,” she said, licking her fingertips. “That hit the spot.”

      He grabbed the plates and proceeded to clean up around her. “Look, I, uh—” He glanced toward her, then turned back to the counter. “I don’t normally chatter like that.”

      “Like what?” she asked curiously.

      “Oh, family history, that kind of thing.” He turned to face her, and for the first time she saw uncertainty swimming in those dark eyes. He obviously wasn’t comfortable with vulnerability.

      “It helps to understand the situation,” she assured him. “And you can trust me to be discreet.”

      “Thanks.”

      Malory looked toward the window, where the sun was lowering temptingly in the sky. The breeze would be cool by now, and she longed for some time to herself.

      “I thought I’d go for a walk,” she said.

      He nodded. “You can walk east, if you want to, but don’t head west. There are some dogs that are pretty protective of their property out that direction.”

      His eyes met hers, warm and gentle, and her heart gave a lurch. If the situation were different, he’d be very easy to fall for.

      She smiled. “Thanks for the warning.”

      Mike was afraid to get attached to Katy, and she could understand that. She didn’t really want to take a walk so much as she wanted to get out of the house. Her handsome boss was just a little too attractive, a little too intriguing... She had to say goodbye in a few months, too, and while she knew she’d miss little Katy, she had no intention of making that harder than it needed to be by getting too close to Mike, too.

      If nothing else, Malory was a consummate professional.

       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 СКАЧАТЬ