Emmett by Diana Palmer Read Free Book Online Page A

let the boy bring it up himself, when they were away from here. If it was true that Guy really had let the cat out…
    He was sorry that he’d spent so much time avoiding his children. Adell’s betrayal wasn’t their fault. If Adell genuinely loved Randy, and had left only because of that, no one was to blame for what had happened. Least of all the kids.
    Emmett felt better about himself, and them. He hada lot of omissions to make up for, and he didn’t know where to start.
    The kids finished breakfast and went to watch television. Emmett insisted on helping Melody clean up.
    He dried while she washed and rinsed. “Tell me about the cat,” he said.
    Her face stiffened.
    â€œCome on.” He prodded gently.
    She sighed heavily. “I found him last year in an alley,” she said finally. “He had a string tied around his neck. He was thick with parasites, and half-starved. It took him a long time to learn to trust me. I thought he never would.” She washed the same plate twice. “We’ve been together ever since. I’ll miss him.”
    â€œHe may still turn up,” he told her.
    She shook her head sadly. “It isn’t likely. There are so many streets…”
    â€œIf he was a street cat when you got him, he’s street smart. Don’t give up on him yet.”
    She smiled, but she didn’t reply.
    â€œWhat you said about the kids,” he began, glancing toward the living room to make sure they weren’t listening. “I guess maybe I’ve been negligent with them. I thought they were adjusting to my being away so much. But this concussion has made me apprehensive.” He stared at her quietly. “Adell isn’t likely to be able to handle all three of them with a stepfather, even if she wouldn’t mind visitation rights. They’d be split up, with no place to go.”
    â€œAdell loves them, you know she does,” she replied.
    â€œShe gave up when I refused to let her see them. I never would have given up.”
    â€œAdell isn’t you,” she reminded him. “She isn’t really a fighter.”
    â€œThat’s probably why she said yes when I proposed to her,” he said angrily. “I was overbearing, because I wanted her so much. If I’d given her a choice, she’d probably have turned me down.”
    â€œYou have three fine children to show for your marriage,” she said softly.
    He looked down into her quiet dark eyes and something stirred deep inside his heart. He began to smile. “You’ve been a surprise,” he said absently.
    â€œSo have you,” she replied.
    He noticed that she’d thrown away a box of cat food. “Did you mean to do that?” he asked, lifting it.
    She grimaced. “Well, he’s gone, isn’t he?” she asked huskily.
    She turned to put away the plates and he moved, but she caught her foot on a chair leg and tripped.
    He caught her easily, his reflexes honed by years of ranch work. His lean hands on her waist kindled exquisite little ripples on her skin. She looked up into his eyes and her gaze hung there, curious, a little surprised by the strength of the need she felt to be held close against him and comforted.
    He seemed to understand that need in her eyes, because he reacted to it immediately. Taking the clean colorful plastic plates from her hand in a silence broken only by the blaring television, he set them on the table. Then he pulled her quite roughly into his arms.
    She shivered with feeling. Never, she thought, never like this! She was frightened, but she didn’t pull away. She let him hold her, closed her eyes and delighted in the security she felt for this brief moment. It made the ache in her heart subside. His shirt smelled of pleasant detergent and cologne, and it felt wonderful to be held so closely to his warm strength.
    â€œThe cat will show up,” he said at her ear, his voice deep, soothing.