Page 77 of Delinquent Daddy (Banks/Kincaid Family 2)

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

She turned to Boston, eyebrows arched in challenge.

He gave a slight nod of defeat. "Then I guess he and I will get along fine together, won't we?"

"I was right," Ellie said, breaking into the conversation as she hurried over, a bit breathless from her rush. "That was a lawn service calling me back."

"And?" Nora asked.

Looking momentarily uncomfortable, Ellie glanced toward Boston before answering, "They can be here in two weeks no problem."

"Two weeks!" Nora exploded. "Oh, Ellie. That's awful."

"Got a chainsaw?" Boston asked.

Ellie's head snapped around. She stared at him as if he were crazy. "No."

He nodded even as he pulled his iPhone from his pocket.

Dialing a number, he returned his attention to her as

he waited for someone to answer.

"Boston, you don't have to worry about my yard," she started. "Why don't you take Cassie somewhere and spend the day with—"

But he held up a finger, cutting her off. "Hey, beautiful,"

he spoke into the cell, grinning as he did so. "Can I talk to your loser husband?"

After pausing to wait a moment, he spoke into the receiver. "You using your chainsaw today? Yeah, Ellie's got a tree down in her yard. It's pretty big."

He glanced her way and said, "Sure, we could use that...or better yet, grab Monty and bring his trailer. There's enough tree here for a few ricks. Great. Thanks. Oh, and stop by my 185

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

place on your way to grab an extra pair of work clothes for me."

After rattling off Ellie's address, he disconnected and turned toward the women. With a proud nod, Nora grinned and was off toward her own yard. Ellie didn't look so grateful.

"Got a trash bag and a rake?" he said before she could start.

She nodded. "Yes, I have a rake. But I don't want you to worry about any of this. This is my yard, Boston. It's not your problem."

He turned away and called, "Hey, Cass. Come here."

The girl had been in the Young yard with Keller, picking up twigs and sticks. But at her father's voice, she hurried his way. As she approached, he knelt down to talk on her level.

"You want to make some money today?"

Lured by that offer, she moved closer. "Sure."

"Uncle Cam and Uncle Monty are going to be here soon.

We're going to help your mom clean up this yard. It sure would be a big help if you could rake all the small twigs into a pile. I'll pay you ten bucks an hour."

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