Nan Ryan by Kathleens Surrender Read Free Book Online Page A

tire of him and toss him aside without a backward glance. We will just have to endure her whims for a while longer. I’m sure within a few weeks she’ll forget all about him.”
    “Perhaps you’re right, dear, you usually are, but I still don’t see why, if you won’t forbid her to stop seeing him, you couldn’t have a talk with Blakely. Let him know how we feel about him calling on her.”
    “It’s too risky. He would probably tell her and then she would be furious with me. I do not intend to lose the special relationship with my daughter over some Under the Bluffs scoundrel. She’ll tire of him soon and then she’ll just be Daddy’s little girl like she’s always been.”
    “You embarrass me, Kathleen Beauregard,” Dawson said when he got her out the door.
    “Good heavens, why, Dawson?” she smiled up at him.
    “Look, Kathleen, I want your parents to approve of me. I’ve gone out of my way to reassure them I’m a gentleman with you and would never do anything out of line. Then you run into my arms and kiss me with them sitting in the next room. You bluntly tell you father that I’ve been kissing you when actually last night was the first time, though he’d never believe that now. How am I to make a good impression on them if you insist on misbehaving?”
    “Dawson, you’re so silly. My father loves me and he wants me to have everything I want. He has always spoiled me. It’s that simple.”
    “Yes, Kathleen, but what you want now happens to be me and I’m not so sure he wants you to have that.”
    The party was at the manse of a friend Dawson had known for years. Kathleen had a good time and all who met her were charmed by her beauty and wide-eyed innocence. Dawson proudly introduced her and politely turned down dance invitations extended to her with a casual smile and a shake of his dark head. He was standing with his arm around her while she chattered and ask innumerable questions about everyone at the party. The party’s host approached them, smiling to Kathleen. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself, my dear, so glad Dawson brought you.”
    “Thank you, Mister Carpenter, I’m having a lovely time,” she smiled at him sweetly.
    “Dawson,” Chuck Carpenter turned to him, “I hate to ask you, but I really need to have a word with you.”
    “No problem,” Dawson smiled, “what’s on your mind?”
    “Well, actually, it’s rather, well it’s business. Kathleen would be bored. I wonder if I could borrow you for just a few minutes?”
    “Certainly. Go on, Dawson, I’ll be just fine.”
    “Look, Chuck, couldn’t this wait? I don’t want to leave her.”
    “Dawson, it’s important, I have to talk to you. Here comes a special guest, she’ll be happy to keep Kathleen company while you’re gone.”
    A tall, fair-haired girl approached them and smiled. She had overheard the last part of the conversation and said to Dawson, “Go on, Dawson, Kathleen and I haven’t had the chance to do any gossiping because you never let go of her. Let us catch up on a little girl talk.” Reluctantly, Dawson let himself be propelled into the other room, looking back over his shoulder at Kathleen as he went.
    She smiled at him and said “I’ll be fine.” The two women made small talk, but were interrupted shortly by a tall blond man asking for a dance with Kathleen. “No, thanks, I don’t think so,” she said, smiling.
    Persistent, the young man said, “I’m Dan Logan and I refuse to be turned down. I’ve been watching you dance with Dawson, you love to dance and I do, too. Come on. Just one,” and he took her arm and led her to the floor.
    The music was a slow waltz and the blond man pulled Kathleen close and pressed his cheek to hers. She followed his easy lead and enjoyed the dance. “Dawson is a lucky man,” he said, looking down at her. “Not only are you beautiful, you dance divinely, too. What more could a man want?” She smiled and her blue eyes dazzled him.
    Dawson entered the