Page 24 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

He’d caught her eyes on his arms last night. She’d even run her hand down his arm after she pulled him in for that quick taste of her lips.

She’d said he looked as if he needed it.

He did. Enough that he wanted to yank her back and kiss her properly, but he wouldn’t do that out in public.

Not after he found out who she was.

He didn’t know what was going to happen after today and he didn’t need to have too many people see them out together as if they were a couple.

Which didn’t explain them riding the ferry to Cape Cod, but he imagined he had less of a chance of running into people she knew going there than if they did something else on the island.

He killed as much time as he could and then left for her house. It was only a few minutes away before he pulled into the light yellow-sided house.

It looked sunny and cheerful just like her.

It was two stories, but the upstairs didn’t look the same size as the rest of the house, leading him to believe there might only be one or two bedrooms up there. She probably lived on the first floor like he did.

He got out of his truck and went to the front porch. He would have preferred coming over on his motorcycle. That was the mode of transportation he used often. She left before she could see him get on his bike last night.

He knocked on her front door and had to wait a minute before it was open.

He was going to make some comment about thinking she’d be ready, but she had a backpack type thing on that looked floral. As if it was a purse or something. Frankie had a blue harness on and was clipped to a matching blue leash.

“I was just getting us all ready to go. No reason to go back in the house. We are excited for this outing. My first with my child.”

He lifted an eyebrow at her. “You haven’t taken the dog anywhere yet?”

“He goes to work with me a lot,” she said. “But the only other ferry ride he had was when I brought him home. I’ve only had him a month. He loves the car, no big deal there. I’ve got treats and some food and a bottle of water in my bag along with a little plastic bowl. We can buy more water if need be.”

“Just like packing a diaper bag,” he said.

“That is how I looked at it. And...don’t laugh. If he’s tired enough, he fits in this. I can put him in it and carry him in front of me or in the back. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen, but you never know.”

“I guess it’s better than a stroller,” he said.

“No,” she said. “I draw the line at pushing a dog in a stroller. Not happening.”

“Nice to know there is a line,” he said.

“I hear the humor in your voice,” she said. “Damn, I’m glad you’ve got running boards on this thing or I’d never be able to get in it.”

“Do you need help?” he asked, moving around to the other side.

“Nope,” she said. “I’ve got it.” She had her hand on the door and pulled herself up while she had Frankie in the other arm.

He forgot she was on the shorter side. Or maybe he was too busy looking at her legs that weren’t all that short in her jeans shorts rolled up some.

They were above mid thigh but not showing all that much. No sneak peek of a lady part. Bummer.

She had an orange T-shirt on that was a little on the baggy side but tucked in. Canvas sneakers on her feet with no socks.

Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was bare of much makeup.

The classic girl next door and he was drawn in even more than when she had those sexy heels she’d picked up in the road.

He never thought he’d find someone who would have his head spinning and could only think his mother was laughing at him over this.

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