Loch and Key by Shelli Stevens Read Free Book Online Page A

wondered why she was defending him. No, she couldn’t be that silly. “He was simply a horny sailor hoping for a bit of immediate fun. Seeing that I wasn’t ready to give it to him, he obviously went elsewhere.”
    “Apparently,” Sarah grumbled. “I’ve never met him, but he sounded like a nice guy from what you said and I was pretty excited to hear you were putting yourself out there and dating.”
    Kenzie didn’t reply, instead stared at her niece continuing to do flips on the lawn.
    It really was better that her brothers hadn’t realized she’d gone out on a date and then been stood up. To say they would’ve lost it would be an understatement. Aleck in particular, as he’d had a bit of a run-in with Brett that night.
    Shite, what was she doing still thinking about this man? Giving him a minute of her thoughts? It was ages ago.
    “Is there anyone out there who has caught your interest lately, Kenzie?”
    Ah, the girls were always fishing for the latest on her love life. They’d calmed down for a couple months after Brett, giving her time to heal if she’d needed it, but then jumped right back on the train.
    “I don’t know if it’s interest,” she admitted slowly. “But there is someone.”
    Sarah jumped on it like a kid on cake. She sat up in her chair and leaned forward. “Seriously? Spill the beans. I want details and I want them now.”
    “I met him at my gym. He’s a trainer there.”
    “You go to a gym?” Sarah’s eyes widened ever farther. “And you use a trainer ? But you hate exercise.”
    “I don’t bloody hate exercise, I hate sweating. There’s a difference, and shouldn’t you just be excited I’ve met someone?”
    “I am. Oh, absolutely. Is he cute?”
    “He’s attractive. Maybe a little unconventional. Loads of hair that he keeps in a ponytail—”
    “Wait, you like long hair on guys?”
    “—and I don’t believe he has an inch of fat on him,” she continued, ignoring the dubious look from her friend. “He’s big and wide—”
    “So are semi trucks. Keep going. Does he have a good personality? Do you guys have much in common?”
    “We both like to work out.”
    “But you don’t like—fine, you don’t like to sweat . What else does he have going for him?”
    “I don’t know, Sarah, it’s early. We’ve only talked in the gym and mostly about fitness stuff.” She paused to take a sip of wine. “He’s a single father, he told me that much. Has a son who’s three.”
    “Oh wow. A kid, huh? But you do love children.”
    “Do I?” Kenzie shook her head and frowned. “Sometimes I wonder if I just prefer borrowing other people’s. Maybe the most I’m supposed to be is an aunt.”
    “Please. You’ve got plenty of time to decide.”
    “I’m twenty-nine,” Kenzie pointed out.
    Sarah shook her head in dismay. “You realize people do get pregnant past thirty, right? Do we need to talk about how babies are made?”
    “Sausage goes in the crescent roll, something of the sort.”
    “Sausage in the crescent roll? That’s a new one.”
    “Thank you.” She lifted her wine glass and winked. “I try to stay cutting-edge with my perverted analogies. Regardless, I know how babies are made. Even if I haven’t participated in anything quite that fun lately.”
    Sarah gave her a pointed glance. “Maybe this trainer guy is exactly what you need then.”
    Even though the thought of sleeping with the man did absolutely nothing to her pulse, she still gave a small nod. “Maybe. We’re having dinner at Flyers tomorrow night.”
    The front door swung open and they both glanced back to see Ian strolling out.
    “Dinner’s about ready, you gals coming?”
    “I’m hungry enough to eat my arm off, so aye, I’m coming.” She nudged her brother in the side. “Took you long enough.”
    Ducking under him before he could get her in a headlock, she slipped past him and down the stairs of the porch. She glanced back with a laugh, but it faded. Ian had already changed