Badland Bride (Book 2 - Dakota Hearts) by Lisa Mondello Read Free Book Online Page B

grin. “You’re not getting out of this that easy. Ethan called a little while ago and said they’re packaging everything up now. All I can say is that I can’t vouch for the state of my kitchen until I get there so consider yourself forewarned.”
    “Let’s go see the damage then.”
    * * *
    Keith insisted she drive with him to the house and leave her car in the clinic’s parking lot. He was probably afraid she’d bolt when she saw all the cars lined up his driveway.
    “Looks like half the town is here,” she said.
    He chuckled as he pushed the truck door open. “No, just mostly McKinnons and other volunteers that have been helping out since the flood.”
    “Just a dinner,” she muttered as she pushed the car door open.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    She ran her fingers through her hair and climbed out of his truck, thankful she’d changed out of her work clothes into a comfortable pair of jeans and a black peasant top. Her leg didn’t hurt as much as it did, but she still chose a pair of black running shoes over a dressier high-heeled boot to be on the safe side.
    She'd only gone a few steps when a dark-haired man bearing a striking resemblance to Keith came out of the house with a large box in his arms.
    He smiled at Keith as they approached.
    “I should have known you’d show up just as all the work is finished,” he said.
    Keith spread his hands as if defeated. “You think I’m stupid? What is the state of my kitchen?”
    “It’s still there.” The man looked at Regis, then at Keith, and then back at Regis. “I’d shake your hand but they’re full. I’m Logan. If I wait for my idiot brother to introduce me these dinners would spoil. And they’re getting heavy.”
    As if just catching himself, Keith shook his head. “Sorry. Regis Simpson, this is my smart-assed brother. He actually thinks he needs to keep me in line.”
    “That must come from somewhere,” Regis said, smiling at Logan.
    Logan laughed and gave Keith a teasing look and then he eased the box into the back of a truck that already had a few boxes filled with containers. “She’s smart. I’d keep her close if I were you.”
    The screen door to the log cabin opened and a tall woman walked onto the porch holding a little boy’s hand.
    “Don’t leave without us, Daddy!” the little boy called out as if he were worried about being left behind.
    “No worries, little man. I need you to help me carry all this food.”
    Keith turned to Regis. “This little man about to tackle me is my nephew, Keith.” He bent down to pick the little boy up as he launched into his arms, giggling. The bond between the two was evident by the way the two connected so lovingly.
    “You know, I’m standing here, too,” the woman said.
    “Sorry, Poppy.”
    Logan laughed. “Usually I’m getting in trouble for failed introductions. Regis, this is my soon-to-be bride, Poppy Ericksen.”
    “Not soon enough for me,” Poppy said, gazing at Logan with a twinkle in her eye. Regis found herself fighting off the stab of envy in her stomach. They all seemed so close, something she’d never experienced in her lifetime.
    “Nice to meet you.”
    “Ethan told me you were out at the mill assessing the damage,” Poppy said.
    Regis nodded. “We were there the other day.”
    “Good. The sooner they get all their paperwork done for the claim, the sooner they can get all the estimates for renovations and they can start building. I have my heart set on a winter wedding there at the end of the year.”
    “Congratulations,” Regis said. “It looks like it will be a pretty spot.”
    “Thank you. That’s what we’re hoping,” Logan said, scooping Poppy by the waist and pulling her close to him. “We need to get this food over to the school so they can start feeding people.”
    Keith glanced into the back of the truck. “Looks like you’ve got a full load. That’s good.”
    “Ethan already took off with a bunch of boxes. He’s waiting for us at the