Page 60 of Playing with Temptation

“Honey, your uncle is an experienced mountain climber. And he didn’t just jump off the mountain. He had special equipment and training.” Kendra squeezed Kai’s hand, ignoring Nate’s frown. “So promise Mommy you won’t ever try anything like that again.”

“I promise.”

“Good.” She kissed his forehead. “How do you feel?”

“Tired and thirsty and hungry. Can I have some water and a doughnut?”

“Yes and yes.” Nate poured a small glass of water. “You want to sit up, li’l man?”

When Kai nodded, Nate picked up the remote and adjusted the bed.

“Cool. Can I play with it?”

Nate and Kendra laughed.

“It’s not a toy, honey. It’s the remote to the bed,” Kendra explained. “Tell you what, you can have your doughnut, but only after you eat a real breakfast. How about some eggs and bacon?”

Kai agreed reluctantly and she called in his breakfast order while Nate found a children’s program for him to watch on television, then showed Kai how to work the remote. When she hung up the telephone, Nate was there, frowning at her.

“You want to tell me again how Kai’s accident wasn’t Captain Awesome’s fault? He was probably bragging about his mountain climbing, BASE jumping adventures. No wonder Kai got the crazy idea to jump off the jungle gym.”

“Mommy, Daddy…”

“Just a minute, sweetie,” Kendra called over her shoulder, then turned back to Nate. “You’re being ridiculous. He’s a little boy with a vivid imagination. Just like you and your brothers were. Stop trying to make this Liam’s fault. I thought we’d squashed this yesterday.”

“But Mommy…”

“Just a sec, champ,” Nate said. He lowered his voice and turned back to her. “All I’m saying is maybe this guy is as great as everyone seems to think he is, but that doesn’t mean he knows the first thing about taking care of a kid.”

“Who does when they first have children? Liam’s never had kids before, but he’s really good with them.” Kendra pointed a finger at Nate for emphasis. “What happened with him is no different than when he fell at my mom’s or yours. Not to mention the time he got that knot on his forehead when he was with you in Memphis.”

“You’re on TV, Daddy.”

“I know, champ. That was from yesterday,” Nate said.

“Look, there’s Mommy, too.”

Nate and Kendra both looked toward the screen. There was a picture of her and Kai at the skating rink, then another of her at the press conference.

“Sweetie, turn up the volume, please.” Kendra tried to keep her voice calm, despite the fact that her heart was beating like a jackhammer and her legs suddenly felt like jelly.

The news story raised suspicions about Kai’s injuries, painting a picture of her as either an abusive mother or a very neglectful one.

“What the hell…?”

“Don’t say bad words, Daddy.”

“Sorry.” Nate rubbed the back of his neck. “Do me a favor and turn back to the cartoons, okay?”

Kai happily complied.

Nate turned to Kendra. “Don’t panic, babe. Everything is going to be fine.”

“They’re making me look like an unfit mother.” She clenched her fists as she paced the floor, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Your ex-girlfriend did this.”

She couldn’t help her accusatory tone. Kendra knew it wasn’t fair. Nate didn’t ask for any of this.

“She must’ve had someone at the skating rink taking photos.”

“I knew she had it out for me, but I had no idea she’d stoop low enough to involve you.” He gripped her shoulders and held her gaze. “Listen to me, Kendra, I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to fix this. Everything is going to be fine. All right?”

He hugged her to his chest. Kendra pressed her face to Nate’s sweater and melted into him, hoping she could trust him, and that everything would be okay.

* * *

Nate paced the floor of his beach house, clutching his cell phone. He’d promised Kendra he would do whatever it took to make this right, and he meant it. Even if it meant dancing with the devil herself.

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