Under His Care by Kelly Favor Read Free Book Online Page A

asked for a little softness, he was angry and resentful. He claimed that I was trying to change the rules of the game or something like that.”
    “Rules of the game?” Nicole laughed. “These men sure do love their little games, don’t they?”
    “It seems so.” Kennedy looked down. “I just miss him.”
    “It’s going to be okay, either way. You’ll get through this. You’re not alone.”
    “I feel like I’m going to be alone forever.”
    Nicole shook her head and leaned forward. “Listen to me, Kennedy. We’re going to make some changes with regards to your work situation.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “When Red comes home, we’ll discuss it more.”
    Kennedy wanted to ask her sister what she meant, but she understood that Nicole didn’t want to get into it without Red being present. So they moved on to discussing Nicole’s life, and she told some funny stories about Red’s crazy mother and some of the things they’d gone through with her trying to sabotage their relationship.
    It helped for Kennedy to hear that Red had problems just like everyone else, and that Nicole and Red had been forced to deal with all manner of silliness and drama because of outside influences.
    “Somehow it seems like everything just comes so naturally and easily to you,” Kennedy admitted. “I mean I know that it must not be that way, but you’re always so graceful under pressure. I wish I could be like you.”
    Nicole’s eyes sparkled with humor. “If only you knew me back when, Sis. If only you knew.”

    ***
    Riley was still napping when Red returned home.
    Nicole was preparing a late lunch and Kennedy was trying to help, with little success, since Nicole insisted on doing everything herself.
    When Red entered the kitchen, he greeted Kennedy warmly, his eyes soft and kind, and then he turned to his wife with an expression of love and tenderness that nearly broke Kennedy’s heart.
    “Hey, babe,” he said, taking her in his arms. “Feel like I’ve been away from you for a year.”
    “I missed you too,” Nicole whispered, and then they kissed and embraced.
    It was an intimate moment, and Kennedy was almost embarrassed at witnessing it. At the same time, the love her sister shared with this man was crushing in its embodiment of everything Kennedy didn’t have.
    Just days ago, she’d thought that Easton might feel that way about her, but now Kennedy realized it was a cheap imitation of what Red and Nicole had with each other. She felt small and sad and pathetic.
    Red, as if sensing her discomfort with this display of affection, withdrew, clearing his throat. “So, Kennedy, how are you?” he asked.
    She shrugged, trying to smile. “As good as can be expected.”
    Nicole handed Red a plate filled with greens and some cold, fresh chicken breast on top. “Here you go, honey.”
    He smiled at her. “You’re the best.” Red carried his plate over to the counter and sat on a barstool while Nicole fixed up a plate for Kennedy.
    “I’m not sure how much you know,” Kennedy said to him, “but Easton came to my apartment today and asked me to come back to work.”
    Red nodded, as if this was expected, while drizzling a small amount of vinaigrette over his salad. “And I take it you declined the offer?”
    “Yeah.” She shook her head. “I don’t know if I was wrong to do that. I hope you’re not offended.”
    “Far from it,” Red told her. “You should do what’s right for you.”
    “Thanks for saying that,” Kennedy told him, and she was grateful to him. After all, it was his business and she’d made a lot of trouble for him already in her short time working there.
    Nicole carried two plates of salad over to the counter and set them down next to each other. One was for her and one was for Kennedy.
    The three of them sat together and ate for a bit, with Nicole and Red making small talk about work and Riley.
    Finally, Kennedy was starting to feel like a third wheel, as though she was intruding on their