After Sundown by Anna J. McIntyre Read Free Book Online

as if she'd read his mind. "But you needn't eat alone. Maybe you could have Megan eat a late night dessert with you while you have dinner. It might even seem more festive and special for her. A tired child rarely eats a good dinner."
    "You've made some valid points, Mrs. Landon , " Cole agreed with a weary smile. "Y ou know, Megan has been very happy here these past two weeks."
    " Megan is a special little girl. She and Sarah get along wonderfully. They have an occasional squabble, but so far, they’ve managed to make up before I have to intervene. " Kit began to relax. Leaning back in the chair, she found herself gently rocking as she talked.
    "Megan tells me you've been teaching the girls how to cook. For a child who was never thrilled with eating eggs, she seems uncommonly impressed with her newly acquired skill of egg separating. She insisted on demonstrating and ended up separating a half carton of eggs .”
    "No!" Kit laughed at the idea.
    "Needless to say, we had scrambled eggs for dinner , " Cole chuckled. " Unfortunately, she still isn't fond of eating eggs." They both began to laugh.
    "I've always enjoyed cooking with Sarah, so I thought Megan would en joy it too."
    "I'll admit, I was afraid that if I had someone watching Megan she'd end up in front of a television for the entire afternoon. I appreciate the fact that you seem to keep the girls active. I imagine it takes a lot of time."
    "I enjoy it." Kit grew slightly uncomfortable with the praise.
    "That's why my earlier offer to pay you more still stands."
    "No, it's not necessary , " Kit argued.
    "It is. Especially since Megan will be eating dinner with you." Kit realized that Cole was actually accepting her earlier offer.
    Leaning back in the sofa, Cole watched Kit in silence. He hadn't made a single move toward Kit since their little chat. In spite of being initially insulted when she inferred he might use Megan to get her into bed, he could not deny he was even more attracted to Kit than before. He also believed she was equally attracted to him.
    He knew Kit needed the income from watching Megan. He suspected that once Kit was emotionally attached to Megan, he could resume his campaign to get her into his bed, without Kit refusing to watch his daughter.
    For a brief moment , the concept of sexual harassment flashed in Cole's mind. He cringed at the thought. He wasn't actually planning to harass her – just c onvince, entice, persuade. W ouldn't it be sexual harassment if I fired her for not com ing to my bed? He asked himself. He'd never do that. The thought made Cole extremely uneas y , so he quickly dismissed it.

 
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    "It's officially autum n, " Kit cheerfully announced to the girls when she picked them up at the bus stop. "Doesn't the air smell wonderful?" Taking each girl by a hand, Kit walked toward her house, enjoying the cool breeze as it gently moved through the maple trees , sending golden leaves fluttering lazily to the pavement. Just as Kit reached her driveway, she was surprised when a Mercedes pulled to a stop in front of her house, behind her ne wly purchased, battered station wagon.
    "Daddy!" Megan called out ; pulling free of Kit's grip , she rushed to the car.
    "Hi, pumpkin , " Cole greeted when he got out from the car.
    "This is a surprise , " Kit stopped in front of the Mercedes and eyed the expensive vehicle. "Are you picking Megan up early today?"
    "No, but I have a free hour." Cole's eyes washed over Kit. She was wearing a peach colored, cotton sundress. Its full s k irt floated gracefully in the breeze, exposing slender calves and a s exy amount of thigh. The form fitting bodice of the dress hugged Kit's ample bust line. Cole thought the dress was a combination of innocence and sexuality. His gaze shifted to the unfamiliar vehicle parked in front of his car.
    "Do you have company?" He asked suddenly.
    "No." Kit's gaze followed Cole's. Then she explained, " T he car's mine."
    "Where's your Suburban?" Cole couldn't