Baby Girl: Dare to Love by Celya Bowers Read Free Book Online Page B

tissues.  “Kyle would never endanger Kassie,” she reassured Jemma.
    Jemma released her daughter, took the tissues and wiped her eyes.  “I’m sure he wouldn’t.”  She continued dabbing her eyes. “It’s a long story.” 
    Kassie studied her mother.  “Are you okay?”
    “Never better,” she said. 
    Kyle walked inside the office and studied the room.  Jemma had been crying again.  The dead giveaway was Kassie was wiping her mother’s face.  He made eye contact with Chutney, silently telling the teen to leave.   She gathered her things and made a dash for the door.  “Goodnight, Kyle, Mrs. Patterson, and Kassie.”
    “Goodnight, Chutney,” said Kyle taking a seat next to Jemma. Once the teen had left, he turned his attention to Jemma.  “Are you all right?”
    “Yes, my daughter surprised me.  Jumping?”
    He should have known Kassie would rat him out.  She was so excited when she made the jump.  It was a very small one, but still, she handled it like a champion.  “Yes, she was awesome.  It was a very, tiny one.  I promise she was in no danger.”
    Jemma laughed.  “You know as happy as she was when she came inside, it was worth it.  Thank you.” A few tears drop from her eyes. 
    That was really going to be his undoing.  He wanted to fix the world for this woman.  “Kassie is doing fantastic.”  He rose from his seat and extended a hand to help her up.  “Call me with your answer,” he whispered.  “I’ll see you next week, Kassie.”  He opened the door to let them out. 
    They walked to Jemma’s SUV.  Kassie stood near her mother.  Jemma unlocked the vehicle to let her daughter inside.  Once Kassie was in the backseat, Jemma turned toward him.  “I have an answer now.”
    “And?”  He stepped closer to her. 
    “I would like to go out on Saturday night.”  She handed him a business card.  “I know you have my contact information, but here it is again.  Let me know where to meet you.”
    Right.  He knew what she was doing. She was planning her escape before they even had the date, but he was one step ahead of her.  He took the card anyway, just to show he was a good sport. “I’m a country boy.  I’ll pick you up.  I already have your address on all that paperwork you filled out.” 
    “Very true.  I’ll wait to hear from you.”  She hopped onto the driver’s seat and closed her door, but let the window down.  “Thank you for helping Kassie.”
    “I think she’s helping me.”  He stepped away from the SUV and waved them away.  He watched until they were out of sight. After he made sure the office was locked and the alarm set, he walked the few steps to his house. 
    Now he had to come up with a dynamite date in just two days! 

SEVEN
                 
    Jemma took a deep breath as she drove home.  She was actually going on a date with a man.  It had been so long since she’d been this anxious and it was only Thursday. She wondered what condition she’d be in by Saturday.  A nervous one most likely.
    “Mommy?”
    Jemma didn’t think she’d ever get tired of hearing her daughter’s voice.   “Yes, baby?”
    “Dinner.”
    She glanced in the rearview mirror and met her daughter’s gaze.  She wondered how to broach the subject of Kyle and their date on Saturday night. She hoped it didn’t send Kassie backwards and she stop using the few words she was using.  
    “Mommy, tacos.”  She pointed toward The Taco Barn, home of the best tacos and fajitas in Tarrant County.  “Yummy.”
    “You got it, baby.”  Jemma turned into the busy parking lot and joined the line at the drive-in.  Since moving to Mansfield they normally dined at the Mexican restaurant at least once a week.  It was Kassie’s favorite. 
    “I like Mr. Kyle.”
    “I’m glad, Kass.”  Jemma smelled a rat. 
    “Movies?”
    She was confused.  He’d never mentioned where they were going.  Had Kyle already discussed this with her