One Summerhill Day (The Summerhill Series Book 1) by Keira Montclair Page A

there was no mortgage, maybe it would help guarantee that he’d stay in Philadelphia—and far, far away from her. She’d decided to settle a sizeable sum on him to help him get back on his feet for the same reason.
    The sound of the doorbell shook her out of her trance. Ryan had arrived. She smiled and warmth washed through her body, spreading to her fingers and toes.
    She answered the door and moved aside so Ryan could come in. He kissed her cheek and moved in past her. “Are you ready?” A few more steps and he whistled. “Cait, how did I not notice the television the other night?” His gaze stopped on the new fifty-inch television. “Nice, Cait, very nice. Do you watch any sports?”
    “Yes, I love football. My aunt made me a Bills fan. How about you?”
    “We’re all Bills fans here. Too bad they didn’t make it to the Super Bowl.”
    “No, but they did have a much better year. My husband liked the Steelers. Now I guess I’ll have to root against them.” She clapped her hand over her mouth.
    Ryan gave her a puzzled look.
    She dropped her hand to her side. “I promised not to mention my husband again, though I will mention that he agreed to the terms of the divorce and has signed the papers. It’s official. I’m single again once it goes through the court system.”
    He crossed the distance between them and cupped her cheeks. He kissed her, a light kiss at first, then he pulled back. “Well then, Caitlyn McCabe, let’s see if I can make you forget him.”
    She moaned and leaned into him. He kissed her deeply this time, parting her lips and caressing her tongue with his. Oh, how she loved the taste of this man. She crushed her body to his and her nipples reacted, even through the heavy sweater she had on.
    When he ended the kiss, he ran his thumb across her plump bottom lip. “Is that better?”
    She sighed. “Yes, much.”
    “Your scratches are healing, Cait, but you’re beautiful even with the imperfections.”
    She blushed, but didn’t move. The way Ryan looked at her, she felt beautiful.
    “Here. I’ll get your coat. When you go to a picnic where there are fourteen or more people present, you need to get there on time or risk missing the best food.” He grabbed her coat from the chair and helped her on with it.
    “Then I guess we better hurry, because I’m starved. I slept in late, so I haven’t eaten yet.” She picked up the flowers she had purchased for his stepmother and headed out the door.
    As soon as they arrived, a bevy of people rushed outside to greet them. Ryan introduced her to all his siblings: Lauren, Jake, and Mallory, whom she had already met; a brother, Blake; two sisters, Madison and Paige; and his step-siblings Matthew, Chloe, and Daniel. Colton and Lucas were twins, and they were both in the military. “Even though Lauren and Madison are both attending college, they still find their way here for Saturday picnic.”
    As soon as he finished, Lauren said, “First test, now repeat all those names.”
    Caitlyn attempted, but she forgot a couple.
    “You did really well, Caitlyn. I think you should keep her, Ryan,” Chloe said with a mischievous grin.
    Once they stepped inside, she greeted Dr. Ramsay, and he introduced his wife, Lorraine, a beautiful older woman who managed to look serene even in the midst of the comfortable chaos of the big house and bigger family. Lorraine thanked Caitlyn for the flowers and headed into the kitchen to find a vase. Caitlyn and Ryan followed her to help slice rolls for the meal—a family favorite, Beef on Kimmelwick sandwiches. Potato salad, baked beans, and fresh fruit were already arranged on the tables in great big bowls.
    They sat at one of the smaller tables with Jake, Mallory, Paige, and Lauren. Caitlyn loved listening to the chatter of the huge clan, never having experienced such a thing before.
    “How many in your family, Caitlyn?” Paige asked, the youngest of the group at seventeen.
    “I’m alone.”
    “Oh, sorry.” Paige