White Dove's Promise by Stella Bagwell Read Free Book Online

stay behind and take care of her new friend.”
    A grin lifted the corner of his lips, giving her a glimpse of snow-white teeth. “That sounds like a great idea. As long as Fred doesn’t decide he wants to make a meal out of the cat.”
    Kerry actually laughed and the unexpected sound darted through Jared like a ray of golden sunshine. Of all the times he’d been in her presence he’d never heard her laugh before. It made him wonder if the years had loosened her rigid personality or if she was just now allowing him to see the woman she’d always been.
    â€œI’m not too worried about that,” she said. “He loves all of our neighboring felines.”
    Enola’s voice suddenly carried through the screen door. “Kerry? Who is it?”
    Both Kerry and Jared turned to see Enola stepping onto the porch with a sleepy-eyed Peggy in her arms.
    â€œJared has stopped by to check on Peggy,” Kerry quickly explained to her mother. “I asked him to join us for supper—but he has other plans.”
    â€œGood evening, Mrs. WindWalker,” Jared greeted the older woman.
    She inclined her head in his direction but didn’t grant him any sort of semblance of a smile. Jared couldn’t help notice the woman’s eagle-eyed gaze was encompassing both him and her daughter as though she was trying to gauge the sort of conversation that had been going on before she’d arrived. Her attitude was faintly insulting, but Jared tried his best to ignore it. From what he knew of Marvin WindWalker, it wouldn’t surprise him if Enola despised all men.
    â€œEvening,” she stiffly replied.
    Jared’s attention zeroed in on Peggy, who was chewing on one finger while studying him with guarded interest.
    Stepping closer, he smiled at the little girl. “Hello Peggy. Do you remember me?”
    Peggy squirmed in Enola’s arms and demanded to be put down. Then to her mother and grandmother’s total surprise, she scurried across the wooden porch straight to Jared.
    â€œYou’re Jared,” she said, then held up her arms to him in a totally trustful gesture.
    A rush of tender emotions filled his chest as Jared bent down and scooped up the child. After carefully balancing her with one arm against his chest, he touched a forefinger to her cheek.
    â€œThat’s right, little dove. I’m Jared.”
    Peggy’s tiny fingers reached out and played with his shirt collar, a signal, Jared realized, that she felt comfortable with him.
    â€œYou got me out of that hole,” she said to him.
    Jared was surprised at her clearly pronounced words. Last night she’d refused to say anything to him except that she wanted her mama. And those words had been muffled with tears.
    â€œThat’s right, sweetheart. And I’m glad I did. You’re just about the prettiest little girl I’ve ever seen.”
    For a moment her lips twitched as though she might give him a smile. Then all of a sudden she threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. Since fathering skills were something Jared knew precious little about, all he could do was follow his instincts and pat Peggy’s back with gentle reassurance.
    A few steps away, Kerry tried to swallow away the tightness in her throat as she watched her daughter’s reaction to Jared. Even though Peggy was usually a tiny tornado, she’d always been slow to warm up tothe male gender. To see her clinging so trustingly to Jared, a man she’d only seen once, was somewhat of a phenomenon.
    Across the porch, Enola cleared her throat loudly. “Peggy, it’s time for you to eat supper,” she said firmly. “Tell Mr. Colton goodbye.”
    Peggy ignored her grandmother and continued to bury her face against Jared’s neck. At the same time, Kerry stared with an open mouth at her mother.
    She gathered her wits and said, “Mom, I’ll handle this. Why don’t you go finish eating.