Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (new ebook reader .TXT) 📗

reassembling the engine. He replaced the manual in the storage box, grabbed his shirt, jeans and the tray with the empty pitcher and glass, and started for the house. The kids were creating trenches and sand hills, but from the sounds of things, Raelynn was in charge.

“The river goes that way,” the little girl said as he approached them.

“But rivers flow downhill,” one of the boys said. “My mommy said so.”

“Well, my mommy said Sand-o-ville is my town, so I make the rules,” Raelynn said and cocked her head. “I say the river goes that way.”

Eddie grinned when the boys gave in. Smart move. Never argue with a woman who’s made up her mind about something. The grin disappeared as he debated his next move. It wasn’t his place to talk to these kids about safety around water, yet the cop in him couldn’t leave it alone.

“Hey,” he said, squatting at the end of the sand mound.

Three sets of eyes looked at him. Raelynn’s were wary, the boys’ curious.

“Are you done with the boat, Mister Fizz,” the dark-haired boy said, the one Amy had called Jimmy.

“I told you not to call him Mr. Fizz. His name is Mr. Eddie,” Raelynn corrected her friend in a stage whisper.

“I’m almost done, Jimmy. I need to get parts first.”

“How do you know his name?” Raelynn asked, forgetting to be shy.

“Because I…am a magician. Let me see.” Eddie pressed his fingers to his temple and squinted at Raelynn. “Your name is…rrr…Rae…Raelynn.”

The boys laughed, but Raelynn studied him suspiciously.

“What is his name?” she pointed at the red-headed boy.

Eddie closed his eyes and hummed. He opened an eye to study his captivated audience, closed it then opened the other. “I see it now. His name begins with an S. Sssssaaaam. Sam.”

“That’s right. My name is Sam.”

“What other tricks do you know, Mr. Eddie?” Jimmy asked.

“A lot. You know what else is magical?” Eddie continued. “Life jackets. Like those ones over there.” He nodded toward the pole. “They stop you from drowning.”

“They are not magical,” Raelynn corrected him with an eye roll. “They are filled with foam that floats in the water, so it makes you float too. Mommy said I cannot go on the pier or in the water without wearing one. That’s why I play right here. I don’t like wearing them.”

“Your mom is one smart lady, Raelynn. You should always listen to her.”

“I know. And she has X-ray vision too. She can see me even when she’s not here.”

“My mom has invisible eyes in the back of her head,” Jimmy added.

“Mine too,” Sam said.

Eddie was still laughing when he entered the house. Kids could be so rational one minute then do an about face and say something totally illogical the next. Amy wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen, which was spotless. He followed some noises, curiosity turning into something else when he walked into his bedroom and found her seated on his bed, a pillow in her arms.

CHAPTER 4

“What are you doing?”

Amy looked up, her heart skipping. For such a large man, he was sure soft-footed.

“Making your bed.” She fluffed the last pillow and placed it against the headboard then reached for a second pillow case.

“No.” Eddie entered the room, his gaze sweeping the room. He frowned at his jeans and shirt, folded and placed on the bench at the foot of the bed. “No making my bed, Amy. And absolutely no picking up after me.”

“I stripped the beds after your aunt and her friends left but forgot to replace the sheets and pillow cases.  How could you sleep on this with only one blanket?”

“I was too tired to care. Come on.” He removed the pillow from her hand, then placed a hand on her back and nudged her toward the door. “Go. I’ll finish in here. I told you I was capable of taking care of myself.”

“Okay, okay. You don’t have to tell me twice.” She could feel the warmth from his hands on her shoulders. It spread, making her feel deliciously warm. Think of something mundane, Amy. Lauren. Your best friend. She wants him. The thought killed her libido faster than a dunk in ice-cold water. “I saw you talking to the kids.”

“Yeah, I acquired a fan, and it wasn’t Raelynn. She is one smart little girl.”

“I wish I could take all the credit. She can also be very stubborn.”

“So can I. What are we having for lunch?”

He was hungry already? She looked at her watch. It was a little after ten. “Uh, I hadn’t thought about it. Soup and sandwiches.”

He cocked his brow. “Tofu?”

“Ha…ha, ha. I happen to have oven-roasted chicken breast cold cuts and turkey bologna.” She wagged her finger in his face. “No snarky comments about my bologna. Lunch is hours away, so if you want to eat something now, I’ll show you where I stash the snacks.”

“Like what?” he asked suspiciously.

“Pita chips and humus.” He tried to keep his face straight, but she saw his grimace. “Chocolate chip cookies? Tortillas and salsa?”

“Now you’re talking my language.” His lips curled up, gray eyes twinkling. “I’ll be out after a shower.”

Amy stared at him with wide eyes. That smile, phew. Shaking her head, she headed toward the kitchen, aware he was watching her from the doorway. She didn’t look back. There was no reason to. No matter how charming and attractive he was, nothing would come from dwelling on it.

Right away, she noticed the tray. How courteous of him. She rinsed the pitcher and glass then started on a smoothie, using frozen fruit and plain yogurt. Pouring it in four cups, she added straws, placed them on the tray and took them outside.

“Smoothie anyone?” she called out and laughed when the three kids dropped their buckets and raced toward the house. “Wash your hands first.” She waited until they were seated around the patio table before asking, “Anyone want cookies too?”

“Me…me…” they chorused.

“I’m allergic to peanuts,” Sam said.

“I know, sweetheart. These are oatmeal