Page 3 of Delinquent Daddy (Banks/Kincaid Family 2)

"He told me he talked Spellman up to eight percent," she chirped and patted his arm with congratulations. "That's amazing. I'm impressed. But honestly, you guys earned it.

You've both put a lot of hours into this deal."

"Yeah," Boston agreed as he shifted the car into gear and started them toward Independence, Missouri where his brother lived.

He ignored the ghostly reflection he swore he saw of Ellie's face shimmering in his driver's side window and settled into a comfortable conversation with his passenger throughout the rest of the trip.

Boston was actually grateful Cameron had asked him to bring her along. Not only did he have someone to talk to on the forty-five-minute trek to his brother's, but he wouldn't feel like such a third wheel once he reached his destination.

His younger brother, Monty, had been married to Shannon for five months now, and a person had to believe they were stuck in the honeymoon stage. Boston always wanted to squirm when he was around them because they cuddled nonstop. And if those two were going to be their usual lovey-dovey-make-me-pukey selves, then he wouldn't feel quite like the odd man out with Olivia at his side...even if she was just a cousin.

She'd become one of the closest friends he had. So it wouldn't feel too weird pretending she was his other half for the evening. Still, his stomach tightened into knots as they pulled to the curb in front of Monty's place. Yes, it was time 15

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

for another distinct reminder he was totally and utterly alone.

He'd rather just go home and be alone.

Tangy smells of an Oriental meal wafted their way as Olivia and Boston strolled up the walk toward the opened front door. The welcome sounds of family floated out to greet them.

"I want to see it again," Shannon said as Boston opened the screen door to let Olivia precede him inside.

"I still can't believe it," Montgomery Kincaid uttered in a hollow voice as he handed a sheet of folded stationary to his wife. "Every time I read it—"

"Hey, guys," Olivia called as Boston stepped inside behind her. "What's going on?"

"You won't believe this," Shannon said, popping to her feet and hurrying their way. "Monty got a letter today from a nine-year-old girl in Lawrence, asking if he's her father."

"Ohmigod, seriously?" Olivia turned wide eyes to Boston's brother.

Monty immediately shook his head and lifted both hands in surrender. "I'm not," he was quick to declare.

"I want to read it." Olivia snatched the letter from Shannon.

Boston nudged his brother with his elbow and wiggled his eyebrows. "You sure it's not your kid?"

In response, Monty flipped him the bird and called him a dirty name.

Too curious to stay away, Boston grinned and strolled forward to peek over Olivia's shoulder. Seeing the youthful 16

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

handwriting made his skin prickle. As he read the salutation, a strange buzz filled his ears. His smile dropped flat.

"Wow," Olivia murmured, scanning the page. "I bet you had a cow when you first read this," she said to Shannon.

" Her?" Montgomery yelped in outrage. "What about me?

The thing was addressed to me, remember."

He glanced at Boston and shook his head miserably. But Boston was too busy frowning at the note to pay him any notice.

Monty turned back to Olivia. "I don't even know this woman she says her mom is. I never met a—" He paused and cocked his head thoughtfully to th

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