HH02 - A Reclusive Heart Read Online Free Page B

hit on every waitress at the restaurant. It was kind of insulting to say the
    least.
    "Who exactly are we meeting with?" she whispered, feeling suddenly nervous under the bodyguard's glare.
    "Dana Pierce," Nick said casually as if he were ordering a burger.
    Her brows shot up and her heart practically leapt out of her chest. He brought her to the home of Dana Pierce! Was he
    insane? The woman was a world famous author and actress and did she mention the woman had been in Maxim magazine a
    total of five times? Nope. She couldn't and wouldn't do this. Next to Dana Pierce she would look like dog food.
    She turned to leave only to have the back of her coat grabbed. In seconds she was being dragged inside a house that had a
    surprisingly down to earth feeling to it.
    "Hey! Let me go!" she hissed.
    "I don't have time for this, Miss. Harris," Nick said unapologetically.
    "Uncle Nick!" several small boys yelled excitedly.
    He released her, causing her to stumble. With the help of the bodyguard she avoided going head first into the front door.
    "Thank you," she mumbled.
    "You're welcome, ma'am."
    Jamie brushed her coat down and turned around to see two little shirtless boys around four years old happily latch onto
    Nick's legs. An older boy, also shirtless, who looked to be around eight or nine, hugged Nick, careful of his smaller brothers.
    There was no doubt that they were brothers. She would have known that instantly even without knowing Edward and Dana
    Pierce had three sons and one daughter. They looked exactly alike and exactly like Edward. That was kind of interesting
    considering the oldest one was not Edward Pierce's biologically son. It was kind of eerie.
    As discretely as she could she did a quick glance over the oldest boy. She remembered the incident that occurred five
    years ago with this little boy. Everyone heard about it. It was hard to turn on the television or pick up a paper or magazine for a
    month after it happened without seeing a reminder. A babysitter from a well known and trusted agency had a little alcohol and
    drug party with a guy in this very house and left the two young children alone. As a result the little boy suffered severe burns
    when he tried to cook food for himself and his sister.
    After that incident a new law was enacted called the Cole Child First Act. It required all California agencies that dealt
    with the care of a child, handicapped or elderly person to do a federal background search on employees instead of a simple
    state background check. Monthly drug tests were now mandatory and the laws were tougher. From what she read she was
    pretty sure the woman who caused Cole's injury was still doing time along with her boyfriend.
    At least it looked like the boy didn't have any scars. She shifted her gaze away quickly. No need for people to think that
    she was some sick-o or something. Though, she was sure that she wasn't the only one who threw the kid curious looks.
    "Where's your mom, Cole?" Nick asked.
    Cole stepped back and gestured towards the kitchen.
    "Alright, guys. I have to go talk to your mom, but I'll see you early tomorrow afternoon at your game. Okay?" he said as he
    bent forward so he could look Cole in the eye.
    Cole beamed. "Can we feed the ducks afterwards like last time?"
    "We sure can, buddy," Nick said with a fond smile for the boy. He kissed Cole on the cheek and the two little ones on the
    top of the head before he gestured for her to follow him.
    She was starting to feel kind of awkward being in someone else's house without an introduction. That feeling of
    awkwardness was nothing like what she experienced when they walked into the kitchen.
    They walked in on Edward and Dana Pierce during a hot and heavy make out session! To make matters worse they didn't
    stop. Dana pierce cupped her husband's face as she practically devoured his mouth while he cupped her backside, holding her
    tightly against him.
    Well, at least she could easily say those magazines that Caitlyn read