Finding Home by Ann Vaughn Page B

what would be the point?”
    “I see.  And would your lack of
past relationships be something I should worry about, Mr. Harris?” she
inquired, sounding all stuffy and serious, but with a twinkle in her eye.
    “I could ask you the same,” he
countered.  “I still find it hard to believe that someone hasn’t snatched
you up before now.”
    “Ah, but see, for someone to do that,
it would require me putting myself out there to be taken.  And that’s just
not something I’ve ever been comfortable with for one.  Two, I dealt with
losing both my parents within six months of each other, and then after that, I
was just trying to survive.  Their house was all I had left and I didn’t
want to shame their memory by losing it.”
    He raised her hand to his lips,
kissing the back of it.  “But, you dated.  You did have at least one
serious relationship, right?  I mean, you told me you aren’t a virgin.”
    “What I had was a crush on a guy I
knew in high school.  I met him again a couple years after graduation and
I was floored that he finally noticed me.  We dated just long enough for
him to convince me he was who I wanted, long enough for me to give him what he
wanted, and then he started showing his true colors so I showed him the door.”
    He squeezed her hand.  “Did he
hurt you?”
    “No, not really.  I was hurt
that I was dumb enough to believe he was more than he was.  He cheated on
me.  Janine and Grant saw him out at a restaurant with someone else. 
I gave him an opportunity to admit to it.  He lied.  That was the
last time I spoke to him.”
    “And you haven’t dated since?”
    She shrugged.  “I’ve gone out on
a few blind dates.  Got fixed up with a couple of guys Grant works
with.  Went out with one of Evan’s baseball coaches…once.  But
nothing ever clicked.  Until now.”
    “Am I a lucky guy or what?” he said, winking
at her.
    She leaned forward and with her lips
against his ear said, “You may be very lucky indeed…if you play your cards
right,” finishing by placing a kiss on his ear.
    He growled and turned his head to
capture her lips.
    “We’d better head over to Claire’s. 
I don’t want her to come looking for us.  Or send the girls over.”
    “Let me just freshen my makeup. 
Oh, and you need to wash your mouth,” she said, rubbing a smudge of her
lipstick from his lip with her thumb.

Chapter Seven
     
    After she emerged from his guest
bathroom, lipstick newly reapplied, he laced his fingers with hers and they
walked over to Claire’s front door.  He gave her a wink and a smile and
then opened the door and led her inside.  As soon as the door opened, a
high-pitched squeal sounded and two dark haired little girls came running at
them.
    “Uncle Colt!” they cried, launching
themselves at him. 
    Sarah realized as he released her
hand and caught them, that they hadn’t seen him in two weeks, prompting the
enthusiastic greeting.  He picked them both up easily and twirled them
both in his arms, causing them to giggle and scream in delight.  A warm
feeling settled in Sarah’s stomach watching him.  He was really good with
kids.  It was obvious he adored them and they adored him as well.
    “You must be Sarah,” she heard a
woman say.  She turned toward the voice and was struck nearly speechless
by the beautiful woman in white capris and a sleeveless aqua maternity top
walking toward her.  “I’m Claire.  It’s so nice to meet you.”
    Claire was just as gorgeous as her
brother, with long brunette hair, tanned skin and amber eyes. 
    “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Sarah
replied, her voice betraying how nervous she was, “thanks for inviting me.”
    “Who is your friend, Uncle Colt?”
AnnaKate, the oldest asked.
    “That is Sarah,” Colt told her,
setting both girls back on their feet.  “Sarah, these are Claire’s
daughters, AnnaKate and Olivia.”
    “It’s nice to meet you both,” she
told the girls, giving them a bright smile.