The Stranger's Sin by Darlene Gardner Read Free Book Online Page B

laughing. “In fact, you hardly make a sound. But you should have seen your face when you thought you did.”
    Toby joined Chase’s laughter, although he couldn’t possibly have understood the trick Chase had played.
    “You think that’s funny, do you, Toby?” She ruffled the boy’s blond head. “Don’t tell anyone, but I do, too.”
    “Whew. That’s a relief.” Chase wiped a hand acrosshis brow. “I’d hate to insult the woman who did me such a huge favor.”
    “It was nothing,” she said.
    “It was most definitely something. You stayed with Toby so I could get my dad to the hospital.”
    “Your neighbor told me it was heartburn,” she said. He’d phoned the house when the results of the EKG had come back, explaining that his father’s heart had checked out fine.
    “We didn’t know that at the time,” he said. “If it had been a heart attack, you might have saved his life. You were great. I panicked.”
    “You didn’t panic.”
    “I did.” He blew breath out his nose, his jaw clenching. After a few moments, he said, “My mom died of a heart attack not even a year ago. When I saw him standing there, clutching his chest…Well, all I could think was how much I didn’t want to lose him.”
    Her own heart softened at the sorrow that laced his words. “I’m sorry about your mother, but you would have done fine even if I hadn’t been here.”
    “Probably.” He met her eyes. “But I’m glad you were here.”
    Toby cried out something incomprehensible, but made it understood he was less than pleased that he’d ceased to be the center of attention.
    “Easy there, sport.” Chase bent over and undid Toby’s bib, smiling when the baby stroked his cheek. To Kelly, he said, “Could you watch him for a minute? I’ll wake my dad, then drive you back to town on my way to work.”
    “Please, don’t,” she said, stopping him in his tracks. “Your father had a rough night. He could use more sleep. I’ll stay with Toby until he wakes up.”
    He frowned, obviously reluctant to agree. Why shouldn’t he be distrustful? Kelly asked herself. He clearly hadn’t believed her story about the necklace. Despite what had happened last night, she was still a stranger.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “I wasn’t thinking. Of course you don’t want to leave Toby with me.”
    “That’s not—”
    “I should apologize for sending your neighbor home last night,” she interrupted. “But she was so tired she couldn’t keep her eyes open, and she needs to get up early with her youngest. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
    “I didn’t,” he said.
    “Of course we’re nearly strangers and…” She trailed off as his denial penetrated her brain. “Do you mean that? Were you really okay with me sending your neighbor home last night?”
    “Yes,” he said. “I’m okay with you staying with Toby now, too. I just don’t want to take advantage of you.”
    “You wouldn’t be,” she refuted. “Really. I’d like to stay with him.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “If you are.”
    He picked up his car keys, kissed Toby on top of the head and grinned at her. “Of course I’m sure. What did you think? That I’d be afraid you’d run off with him?”
    “No,” she managed to choke out, imagining how he’d react if he knew the charges she was facing. “Of course not.”
    “If you want, leave the necklace and I’ll see Mandy gets it when I find her,” he said. “I’ve gotta run. How ’bout you? Are you going back to New York today?”
    “I, uh, haven’t decided.” She hadn’t found out all she could about Mandy, but launching an interrogation when he’d apparently abandoned his didn’t seem wise.
    “Help yourself to coffee and whatever’s in the refrigerator,” he called.
    He was halfway out of the kitchen before he hesitated, turned around and retraced his steps, not stopping until he stood directly in front of her. She tipped her chin, her gaze focusing on his mouth. His lips were lush, a