His-And-Hers Family by Bonnie K. Winn Page A

She directed her words at Daphne. “I’m divorced myself. I guess we have something in common.”
    A look of disbelieving distaste crossed Daphne’s perfect features. “Um.”
    “Cassie’s from Texas,” Blake offered.
    “I didn’t think the accent sounded local,” Daphne replied, her tone indicating barely concealed disdain.
    Cassie’s smile dimmed a few watts.
    “Cassie has three kids of her own, two boys and a girl,” Blake inserted in the awkward pause.
    “Guess you need to be getting home to them,” Daphne replied, her eyes still measuring Cassie—obviously an automatic predator’s gesture.
    “They live here...with me,” she answered quietly.
    “You mean six kids live here now?” Daphne turned her disbelieving gaze on Blake. “Are you crazy? Three was too many!”
    A slight tic in Blake’s jaw was the only indication of how her tactless words affected him. “Only in your opinion. Elizabeth and I were thrilled that the two planned babies turned into three.”
    “My sister, bless her, had some unusual likes and dislikes.” Daphne’s glance turned coy as she directed it at Blake. “Of course, some of her choices were first-rate.”
    Cassie felt as though she were watching a very wily cat stalking a hapless canary.
    Blake laughed. “You’re only saying that because you know I’m safe. With three kids, I’m not on your eligible list.”
    “There’s always a prep school waiting in the wings,” Daphne replied.
    Blake’s easy grin tightened slightly. “And you know that’s not an option. Besides, I’m mere family. You’re hunting big game this time.”
    Daphne scarcely hesitated before issuing another silvery laugh. “You know me too well, darling.” She turned a pointed glance on Cassie. “But I did have some things to discuss with you.”
    Taking the weighty, obvious hint, Cassie stepped toward the doorway. “If you’ll excuse me—”
    “That’s all right, Cassie. I don’t think you finished what you wanted to do in here.” Blake’s gaze rested on the still-cluttered table she had insisted on clearing. “We’ll go into my office.”
    “Oh, let’s make it the den,” Daphne suggested in her throaty voice. “It’s so much...cozier.”
    Watching the woman all but glue herself to Blake’s side, Cassie couldn’t help comparing her to the image she’d formed of Blake’s deceased wife. Daphne had shattered that image completely.
    Mark skidded down the stairs. “We need some glue.”
    Automatically she turned to the pantry and reached inside. “Just don’t glue anything you’re not supposed to.”
    “Yeah.” He reached for the white tube she held out.
    But Cassie didn’t release it immediately. “Your aunt Daphne’s here. I imagine you and your brothers will want to visit with her.”
    Mark pulled a disgruntled face. “How come?”
    Surprised, she stared at him. “Well, because she’s your aunt.”
    “So?”
    Cassie couldn’t understand his reaction. “She’s your mother’s sister. I thought you’d—”
    “She’s nothing like Mom. She doesn’t even like us.”
    “Oh, I’m sure you can’t mean that,” Cassie replied, automatically reaching out to smooth his troubled brow.
    Mark jerked back a bit, and Cassie let her hand fall away, knowing he wasn’t ready yet for a stand-in parent.
    “Daphne only comes here to see Dad. She thinks we’re in the way.”
    Realizing that Daphne had known Blake was in Europe, yet hadn’t stopped in to visit her nephews, Cassie guessed that Mark might be right. Knowing better than to argue a point she wasn’t sure of, Cassie handed him the bottle of glue. “Well, your dad certainly doesn’t feel that way about you guys.”
    “Yeah, I guess. He’s busy at work a lot, but he can’t help that.” His look was more than a touch defensive.
    Cassie felt an unexpected tugging. Despite his brave front, Mark needed reassurance that he was wanted by his father. “That’s why he hired me, Mark. He hates that he can’t be