Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Good.” Talking to his mother would buy him time to come to terms with the fact that sooner or later, he’d have to track down his father and face his past.
“Before I visit my mother, I’ll bring you home so you can get over to Havensbridge.”
“You’re going so soon?” she asked.
“Why put it off? Unless Dad’s awake and we aren’t alone. Then I’ll hang with him for a while and talk to her next time he goes to chemo on Monday.”
“Okay.”
He pulled the truck onto the street and headed back to Cara’s. The townhouse community where she lived was new, the units not too large or too small, the yards in the back private enough to keep all residents comfortable. He liked that she had a place of her own, away from the turmoil with her parents.
He parked in front of her condo. “I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow night for dinner with Ethan and Faith.”
“Oh! Right.”
He tugged on her ponytail. “Did you forget?”
She faced him with a sheepish grin. “Of course not! I just wasn’t thinking about it at the moment. And now that you reminded me . . . ”
“What?”
“I need to go into town and buy something to wear.” She bit down on her lower lip, and he wanted to pull it into his mouth and nibble for himself.
“Don’t make yourself crazy. They’re old friends, and they’re just like us. Ask Dare.”
“Okay, fine.” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She turned and reached for the door.
“Cara, aren’t you forgetting something?”
She swiveled back to him. “What?”
He leaned over and cupped his hand behind her head, pulling her close. “This,” he said, sealing his lips over hers.
She moaned and responded immediately, opening her mouth and sliding her tongue against his. God, she was so damn responsive, easing the ache that had been present in his chest since Judge Baine’s outburst about Mike’s real father.
“I have to go,” she murmured against his mouth. But she didn’t back away.
“You sure?” He licked at her already damp lips.
“No. Yes. Yes.” She sat up, blue eyes glazed, cheeks pink, ponytail messed from his hand.
He couldn’t tear his gaze from her pretty face.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she said, reaching for the door once more.
“Cara, when I bring you home tomorrow night, I’m staying over.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked, her eyes gleaming with desire.
He nodded. “Now go.”
She laughed before hopping out of the truck and running to her front door. He waited until she was safely inside before driving away.
Chapter Nine
Mike strode into his parents’ house with dread. A real case of need to know, don’t want to know. His mom had asked him to come on Saturday instead of Friday, so he’d put off any confrontation or discussion until today. Kojak greeted him in the foyer with yapping barks, and Mike scooped the little dog into his arms.
“Michael!” His mom met him in the den, ready with a hug and a kiss on his cheek.
“Hi, Mom.” He hugged her back.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
He smiled. “I’m glad I’m here too. It’s nice to see you more than every couple of months.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
He leaned back against the comfortable sofa cushion and paused to think. Not because he wasn’t happy to be here but because he knew what she meant. Was he happy to be in Serendipity, living here and not in the city?
“I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would,” he admitted.
“The job? Or being here?” His mother was dressed in a chocolate-brown sweat suit, looking as sharp as ever, despite the tiredness drawing deeper lines in her beautiful face.
“Both,” he said easily. So far he had no signs of antsiness or wanting to leave the small town where he’d grown up.
“That’s good!” His mom sounded as surprised as he felt. “Does Cara have something to do with that?” she asked, leaning forward and pressing personal issues as only a mother could.
He grinned indulgently. “Have I ever discussed my private life with you?”
She laughed. “As long as she makes you happy,” Ella said, putting her own interpretation on his words.
The correct interpretation, but Mike wasn’t about to tell her that. She’d be pushing him for more than he was ready to think about or admit. For all he knew, he’d wake up tomorrow needing the freedom of getting lost in Manhattan.
“Mom,” he said in a warning tone.
“Fine. Just so you know, your father and I approve. In case you were wondering.”
He wasn’t. He never had before. But a funny warmth spread through him now. Mike cleared his throat, reminding himself that he was here for a reason. “Where’s Dad?” he asked.
“Taking a nap. But he’s doing well with his treatments, and the doctor is really pleased.”
Mike let out a long breath. “I’m glad.”