Corpsman and the Nerd by D.R. Grady Read Free Book Online Page A

to catch a ride over with me,
but she got called into work for an emergency.”
    “ Oh, that’s too bad,” KC
said, careful not to stare at Ben like some of his cousins
were.
    “ Yes. She said to tell you
she was really disappointed and hopes to see you before you leave.”
Lainy nudged her black framed glasses further up her nose as her
blue eyes, so like Max’s, smiled up at Mitch.
    “ I’ll hold her to that.” KC
noticed Ben’s shoulders remained tense. She was upset she would
miss watching what happened between this pair. Maybe Lainy could
keep her informed. “Treeny is welcome anytime,” Max said and then
turned when the doorbell rang. “Ah, lunch.” He sauntered from the
room.
    KC, Ben, Lainy, and Mitch all looked
at each other. Just as they made to follow him, Ryan came bouncing
into the room. “We’we having pizza fow lunch, Mommy.” He didn’t
notice the others until after he made his grand
announcement.
    “ Aunt Lainy,” he squealed
and leaped for her. Lainy braced herself from long practice, and
didn’t so much as step back when Ryan launched himself at
her.
    “ Careful, Ryan,” KC warned.
Even though Lainy was a pro at this aunting business, Ryan could
still be exuberant.
    “ He’s fine, KC,” Lainy
assured her and accepted the sure to be sticky hug bestowed on her.
She ruffled his hair in an unmistakable gesture of affection and a
lump rose in KC’s throat and settled somewhere really close to her
heart. She again saw how much this family loved her and Ryan but
the gestures never ceased to amaze and humble her.
    Max reentered the room with a stack of
pizza boxes. “Hey, Ryan, run into the kitchen and get the plates,
okay?” Ryan bobbed his head before racing out of the
room.
    Will sailed through holding a package
of cups and KC left to follow her son. She had stocked up on drinks
and snacks, since she figured they all might get thirsty and
hungry. She found what remained and scooped them up, all the while
watching with love and despair as Ryan grabbed the plates and
scooted for the dining room.
    Leaving him was going to be so hard.
But at least he would be in good hands.
    But would she?

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    After a raucous lunch, most everyone
left. That provided KC time to unpack her and Ryan’s things. She
decided to start with Ryan’s, since that might help him to
acclimate better. Not that he was exhibiting any doubts about their
move. She had sole dibs on that problem.
    Frowning, KC entered the room Max
chose for Ryan and found both of them already there. They were
intent on putting Ryan’s bed together. Two male heads close
together as they bent over the frame, Max with a sturdy screwdriver
in hand.
    Ryan watched the entire process
intently while he handed Max screws. KC felt that emotional lump
rise into her throat again, and swallowed, hoping she wasn’t
becoming a goober.
    Males didn’t like emotion, and since
she lived with two of them now...
    “ Hi, Mom,” Ryan exclaimed
and Max looked up. His blue eyes caught hers and she moistened her
lips with her tongue before smiling at the pair.
    “ You two look busy.” Okay,
that was a little obvious and definitely lame.
    But Ryan nodded his little face
solemn. “Max and me awe puttin’ my bed togethew,” he explained. As
though the procedure was brain surgery risky.
    She laughed. “I see. I thought maybe
I’d unpack your things.” KC couldn’t resist ruffling his hair. She
really longed to grab him and hold him tight, but thought that
might embarrass him in front of Max. There were male standards
apparently that they all knew and understood.
    “ That’s good, right, Ryan?
You’ll probably need clothes,” Max said and with his free hand,
ruffled Ryan’s hair too.
    “ I will need clothes,” he
agreed and then turned wide eyes on her, “and my fiwe twuck and my
caws, and…” and he launched into an extended toy list.
    “ I’ll unpack everything,
honey,” KC promised and got busy transferring