Natural Born Daddy by Sherryl Woods Page A

their hopes and dreams. She’d been the first he’d told about his hunger to work the oil fields. She recalled winter skating parties at the same creek, with a bonfire and mugs of hot chocolate and Jordan’s arm casually thrown around her shoulders to keep warm. She recalled the two of them racing each other and the wind on horseback. Jordan always won, but it was the ride itself that was exhilarating, that and being with the boy she knew she loved.
    Sometimes it seemed what she remembered most was the sense of anticipation, the belief that at any second Jordan would look into her eyes and discover the woman he loved. She remembered, too, the bitter disappointment at each and every lost opportunity. More, she’d never forgotten the sense of having failed dismally because not even the man who knew her best wanted her.
    â€œTell me, Jordan.”
    Dani’s command cut through her reverie and Kelly studied the two people she loved most in the world. Dani had a streak of tomato sauce on her face and a faint soda mustache. Jordan wore a faded chambray shirt, open at the collar. He hadn’t bothered to tame his hair into the style he wore in Houston. Just from the one day in the sun, she thought she could detect blond highlights scattered in the rich brown. A fewmore days of outside work and it would be streaked with lighter strands.
    Her gaze dropped to his hands, already sporting the beginnings of a golden tan. She knew the strength of those hands. For years, it seemed, she had longed to feel them caressing her, had dreamed of them waking her senses. Instead, it had been Paul Flint’s rougher touch that had awakened her sexuality.
    â€œWell, now,” Jordan began with a touch of drama in his voice as he responded to Dani’s insistent demand. He glanced into Kelly’s eyes and a smile curved the corners of his mouth. “Did you know that your mother once locked me in the attic?”
    â€œI did not,” Kelly retorted indignantly, recalling the incident vividly, but with a decidedly different spin.
    â€œDid, too,” he accused.
    â€œThe door stuck. That wasn’t my fault.”
    â€œYou were the one who slammed it so hard it rattled the hinges.”
    â€œBecause you were tormenting me.”
    Jordan had the same innocent expression on his face now that he’d had then when he’d explained to her parents why he was hidden away in their attic after suppertime. He’d told only part of the story, just enough to worry her, just enough to get her and not himself into trouble. Kelly scowled at him. “You were a brat then and you’re a brat now.”
    Dani’s fascinated gaze clung to Jordan. “What happened then? Did Mommy get punished?”
    â€œShe did, indeed,” Jordan said with an expression of smug satisfaction on his face. “She was grounded for a whole week and she had to clean the attic. Shehated that the most because it was all dusty and covered in cobwebs.”
    â€œYou mean, there were spiders?” Dani asked. At his nod, she said, “Ugh! That’s disgusting.” She glanced worriedly at Kelly. “You wouldn’t make me clean the attic, would you?”
    â€œDepends on whether you’re ever bad,” Kelly declared, purposely injecting an ominous note into her voice.
    â€œI’m never bad,” Dani protested. “Well, hardly ever and I never, ever, locked anyone in the attic.”
    â€œThen we won’t have a problem, will we? Now then, I think that’s enough reminiscing for one night. I think it’s time we were getting home.”
    As they were driving back to the ranch, Kelly sensed Jordan’s gaze on her. He’d been in an odd mood ever since they’d left the restaurant, a little withdrawn, maybe a little nostalgic.
    â€œDo you remember what I was tormenting you about that day in the attic?” he inquired eventually in a lazy drawl.
    Kelly glanced into the back seat