Page 17 of Delinquent Daddy (Banks/Kincaid Family 2)

Honestly, she couldn't blame him. This was his very first encounter with his daughter, and the girl gaped at him as if he were an axe murderer. Biting the inside of her lip, she fought back the instant guilt. But, hell. She should've known better than to engage in a yelling match with him when she knew full well Cassie was expected home any moment.

"Who is he?" Cassie asked, her voice shaking. "Why're you two yelling at each other? What's happening?"

Boston dragged his eyes up to Ellie. His gaze begged for help. For a second, she thought he was going to cry. Ellie gripped her hand around Cassie's small fingers.

"Cassidy Diane," she stated firmly, ignoring Boston for the moment and turning to give her daughter her full attention.

She swiped the envelope off the counter where it had been piled along with all the groceries. Waving it in Cassie's face, she demanded, "Did you write this?"

48

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

The child focused on the letter, and her eyes bulged. In an instant, her fear evaporated. She brightened and whirled around to gape at Boston. "Are you Montgomery Kincaid?"

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49

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Chapter Four

His daughter was talking to him. Boston couldn't wrap his mind around the concept. A part of him had helped create this tiny person. She was a part of him. Yet everything about her remained foreign.

Cassidy Diane. Diane was his mother's name.

Unbelievable. This child was so...well, she was perfect.

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Absolutely flawless. Boston couldn't stop staring.

He'd been on the verge of a breakdown for a second there.

When she'd originally laid eyes on him, she'd laser-beamed him with a killer glare. Obviously, she was a protective thing.

She definitely didn't like him yelling at her mother, that was for sure. The girl had sidled herself next to Ellie and frostily scowled at him with a courage that was, frankly, remarkable.

So much for a good first impression.

But now...now that she knew he was here because of her letter, it looked like she was going to plow that perfect nine-year-old body against his legs and hug him for the next month. Though that thought was preferable to her skewering him through with a lethal stare, it still scared the bejesus out of him just about as much as thinking she might hate him. He was this girl's father, but he didn't know a thing about her. He had no idea what he was supposed to do.

Should he go to her? Was she expecting him to race over and pull her into his arms, tell her how much he loved her and how happy he was they were finally together?

Apprehension spiraled through him.

50

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

His eyes rose anxiously to Ellie. For the first time since he'd showed up, she actually looked apologetic for putting him through this hell. Turning away, she drew Cassie's arm toward her, commanding her daughter's attention.

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