Page 7 of Delinquent Daddy (Banks/Kincaid Family 2)

He stared up at the house, grinding his teeth. He couldn't move. If Ellie had borne his child, and mother and daughter really lived here, then he wasn't ready to meet the girl. What would he do? What would he say? How in the world would he explain his absence?

He reached forward to start the ignition and book it out of there. But half a second later, he stopped. Closing his eyes and cursing, he rested his forehead on the steering wheel before turning to glance at the miniscule house. He had to know. He wasn't going to leave this town without getting some answers.

With still no idea what to say if anyone was home, he opened his car door and eased out. Starting up the uneven brick walkway, Boston once again studied the small yard. It was void of toys or any sign a child was in residence. But then, Ellie had always been tidy when he'd known her. Then there was also the fact he hadn't seen the backyard. All his sisters kept their children's toys in their backyards.

Running a hand through his hair, he slid off his sunglasses, realizing he still wore them. Ten feet to the truth; his steps kept getting slower. His hands were ice cold; they shook

slightly. Five feet and all his questions could be solved.

When he stepped onto the porch, a fuzzy animal darted out from under the steps. Boston breathed out a curse and jumped back. As he watched a fat cat scurry into a neighbor's 24

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

yard and dash under a shrub, envy filled him. But running and hiding wasn't an option. It was time for answers.

Letting out a long breath, he fisted his shaking hand and knocked. After thirty seconds, he pressed the doorbell and knocked again. Two minutes later, he peeked in the window but couldn't see anything past the heavy curtain.

No one was home.

Not sure if he should be relieved or only more agitated, Boston turned around and jogged off the porch. He was halfway down the walkway when he saw movement from the corner of his eye. He whirled, braced to face anything.

A woman in bright yellow capris and a black blouse threw him off track, however, as she came from the yard of the house to the left, bearing down on him like a female on a mission.

He groaned deep in this throat. Great. A nosy neighbor.

That was the last thing he wanted to handle. But with her already headed determinedly his way, he knew he'd look silly if he made a dash for it. So, he plastered a tight smile to his mouth and nodded to her in greeting.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked, glancing curiously at his car sitting at the curb and then back to him.

She sounded nice enough, but it was clear she was doing a security check for the home's owner.

Boston opened his mouth, slid his hands into his back pockets, and turned to eye the brown house. "I..."

What could he say? I'm just wondering if I have a nine-year-old daughter and if she lives here.

Daughter.

25

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Holy God, the mere word made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Was he a father? Had he been one for nearly a decade?

Then it struck him that this woman would know who lived here. Since she obviously had concerns about strangers lurking in the yard, she'd surely know who owned the miniscule brown house.

Pointing at the front door, he forced a pleasant smile. "I was just waiting for Ellie to get home."

There. Now he'd get some answers. If neighbor woman frowned and said, "Ellie? Ellie who?" he'd know this was some kind of awful prank.

But the woman's shoulders eased at his words. "Oh," she said. Her eyebrows lifted and her gaze quickly traveled down his body. "Are you...a friend of Ellie's?"

Boston nearly groaned again. Oh, brother. Not only was she a nosy neighbor, but she was one of those matchmaking busybodies who wanted to know about everyone's love life.

The word, "No," spat out of his mouth before he could check himself.

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