First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

that. She opened her mouth to answer but before she could speak, Liam had joined his sister at the door.

A wide grin stretched across his face and he pushed past his sister out onto the porch. He was quick but his sister was quicker. Just as Liam grabbed Leah for a hug, Sky pulled him back.

Leah lost her balance and fell flat on her butt. Liam started crying. Sky was yelling. Cade came running.

“What the hell is going on?” Cade scooped Liam up and did a double take. He stared down at her, “Leah?”

She nodded and felt her face flush. This was the last way she thought she’d see Cade next. For an average height man, he sure looked tall at the moment.

“Is anyone hurt?” he asked, his tone in dad mode. He looked over his kids protectively.

By now, Liam had stopped crying and was bellowing his complaints against his sister who immediately joined in the fray.

“Enough!” Cade bellowed.

To Leah’s amazement, both kids went silent. Cade set Liam down and crouched to Leah’s level.

“You gonna sit there all day, hun?” he teased.

Great, she thought, because this wasn’t embarassing enough.

“Kids, in the house,” Cade gestured over his shoulder at the door with his thumb. When Liam started to protest, he added a stern, “Now.”

Leah watched as Sky tried to pull Liam inside. He shook her off and went in on his own. They argued in hushed tones.

Cade stood up and reached out a hand to help Leah up. She gratefully took it. She found she was more unsteady than she realized. He pulled her to her feet and into his arms.

“Are you hurt?” his tone was gentle but she could tell he wanted to laugh.

“Only my pride,” she laughed. “Ow, and maybe my butt.” He dusted off her backside.

“Thanks.” She stepped back and he let go. Leah stretched. She twisted her right wrist, testing it, and winced. Cade immediately took her hand in his, checking her wrist and palm.

“Skyler,” he growled.

“Cade, don’t, please” He did not look convinced so she continued, “It was an accident.”

“But you’re hurt,” he forced the words out through a clenched jaw. The playfulness gone again.

“I’m fine. Promise. I don’t think it will even bruise. Tiny scrape at most. Honestly, I think it’s just dirt.” She rambled until he stopped her with a quick kiss.

“Okay fine, but let’s humor me and go clean it up and put some ice on it.” He still looked so stern.

“Yes, sir!” she teased and Cade’s smile returned.

Leah followed Cade inside. They entered the living room via a small hallway parallel to the kitchen. Leah tried to give both kids a smile but their eyes were glued to their father. Cade’s expression clearly told them to stay quiet, so Leah stayed quiet too.

In the kitchen, she let Cade wash her hand. For such a gruff guy, he was surprisingly gentle. But then again, he had two children so he must be well practiced. Especially if they took after him. He was always getting into scrapes when he was young. It was no wonder that he kept a first aid kit stashed in his kitchen. Leah smiled, then winced as Cade applied an antibiotic ointment.

“It’s fine, really,” she insisted quietly.

“Hey, you never know what you might need this hand for . . .” he stroked her fingers lightly. “Thank goodness you didn’t hurt your fingers.”

She looked up sharply and he waggled his eyebrows at her. Did he mean . . . was he referring to . . . she couldn’t finish either thought. She felt heat creeping into her face, sure she was two seconds from being bright red. Cade watched her blush and laughed out loud.

Hearing the laugh brought them company. Liam stuck his head around the corner. His sweet little face clouded with concern.

“Dad?” Cade had turned and was handing her an ice pack from the freezer. Seeing the pack, Liam rushed to her side. “Miss Leah, are you okay?” His bottom lip trembled.

“She’s fine, bud,” Cade answered for her and steered them all back into the living room.

Liam was not so easily convinced. He sat as close to her on the couch as he could. “Are you sure you’re alright?” he whispered as a six-year-old does and everyone could hear him. “I’m sorry, it was my fault. I’m not supposed to run outside.” His head was down, shoulders slumped in shame.

Leah used her uninjured hand to lift Liam’s chin. She looked directly into his warm brown eyes and spoke. “I am fine. Just a teeny-tiny scrape.” She looked over at Cade, then back to Liam, leaning in to stage whisper, “I don’t even need this ice but you know how bossy your dad is.” Liam giggled and hugged her.

“Speaking of apologies . . . you have anything you want to add, Skyler?”

The teen opened her mouth to protest her father’s reprimand, but Leah beat her to it.

“No,” Leah said forcefully. Cade looked at her in surprise. Sky closed her mouth and waited. “Now, while I’m sure Sky feels bad that I fell, and she can say so if she wants to, she doesn’t need to apologize for her actions.”

Cade glared. His face was not happy and Sky looked unsure but neither spoke. So Leah continued, addressing the teen directly.

“Sky, you did absolutely right. I was a stranger to you. Your brother ran out the door. You protected him. I’m proud of you. Your dad will be too once he stops to think about it. My falling was an accident. If I had been a threat to you, that fall would have given you both time to get to safety. So there we go, no hard feelings.” Leah tried to smile, reassuringly.

She hoped Cade would not challenge her on this. She could already see it was going to be an uphill battle with his daughter.

“Now, that being said, Cade, please officially introduce me to your daughter. I’d like to be able to come over safely from now on.” She tried