Breaking the Ice by Shayne McClendon Read Free Book Online Page B

he knew exactly what
she’d been hiding from him. 
    Oh, no…oh, hell no.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Diesel got out of his truck and
walked slowly to her second floor apartment.  Taking a deep breath that didn’t
help the spinning in his head, he knocked softly. 
    He knew she was standing on the
other side.  Knew there was only one person who’d be knocking on her door so
late at night.  She was probably scared and wondering what the hell to do. 
    That was pretty simple actually.
    Softly but firmly, he said,
“Kenzie, open the door, baby.  Open the door.”
    He heard the locks click and she
pulled it open, standing aside for him to enter.  He stared at her for a long
moment but wouldn’t look at him.  One hand lifted to stroke her hair and she
jerked so slightly he almost didn’t catch it. 
    “I would never hurt you.  Not
ever, Kenzie.”
    He passed her, walking through
her living room, and absently noted the children’s books, toys, and drawing
supplies in a little play area off to one side.  He went down a short hallway
and stopped at a door with a colored drawing taped to it. 
    For just a second, he placed his
palms on either side of the door and hung his head.  His heart was pounding
like a freight train and he took another deep breath. 
    As he pushed open the door, he realized
the moving blue light was a solar system night light.  Mystery solved.   A
toddler bed on the far side of the room held a small form, breathing evenly in
sleep. 
    Diesel felt like crossing the
room took forever.  He looked down at the little boy curled under a New Jersey
Devils quilt.  He had black hair and was big for his age.  No matter his size,
he couldn’t be more than four and there was no way he was younger than three. 
    Sensing someone, the little boy
opened his eyes and stared at Diesel.  After several big blinks, he said
sleepily, “You’re da hockey p’ayer.  Mommy said you was a friend.  Diesel,
huh?”
    Diesel nodded, floored and
overwhelmed at the magnitude of this situation.  He was looking at a younger
version of himself.  In a voice he didn’t recognize he asked, “What’s your
name?”
    “Dalton.”
    “That’s a really good name.”
    “Thanks.  Mommy gave me it.”  The
little boy rubbed his eyes and sat up. 
    “Can you stand up for a minute, Dalton?” 
The little boy nodded and scrambled to his feet.  He wasn’t just big…he was huge for his age.  LeBlancs only came in extra-large .  “How old are you?”  He
held up three chubby fingers.  “When is your birthday, do you know?”
    “Are you gonna give presents?”
    Diesel nodded and the hysterical
voice in his head thought, I will buy you anything, everything you want…just
don’t hate me. 
    Dalton grinned and answered,
“Setender thirteen.  I’m gonna be four.”  He turned and saw Kenzie in the
doorway.  “Mommy!”  His voice was like a gunshot in the quiet apartment and he
ran for her. 
    He jumped and Kenzie caught him
but she wouldn’t be able to for much longer. 
    “I’m starvin’ Mommy.  I
want more ’sagna.”  She nodded and carried him down the hall to the kitchen. 
Kenzie kissed his cheek and set him on a chair.  He scrambled up on his knees
and started chatting a mile a minute.  “Mommy, Uncle Thad and me watched Muppet
Caper .  It was so funny, we laughed and laughed!  You have to
watch.”
    “Okay, Dalton.  Maybe we’ll have
time before I leave tomorrow.  PS, its Uncle Thad and I , sweetie.” 
    He giggled and repeated the
sentence a half dozen times while she put lasagna on a plate and microwaved
it.  When she placed it in front of him she said, “Use your fork, Dalton.”  He picked
up the utensil with a look that said he’d much rather use his hands.  She poured
juice in a cup with a straw but no lid. 
    The sound of another door down
the hall opening had Diesel turning his head.  “Dalton you promised to let
Mommy sleep, you know she never does.  You can’t be hungry