Johnson Family 1: Unforgettable Read Online Free Page A

nose and pouted.
    Ivy leaned over her on one arm. “You’re too young.”
    Behind her glasses, Katie’s eyes turned glassy and her lower lip trembled.
    Ivy sighed, and sensing she was weakening, Katie went in for the kill. “ Please , Mommy.”
    “Let me think about it.”
    Katie squealed and clapped her hands rapidly. “Yes!”
    “I didn’t say you could. I said I would think about it.”
    Ivy shot her a look, but they both knew her scowl didn’t mean anything. It was a wonder her daughter wasn’t spoiled. By all rights she should be a brat, with her mother being such a softie, her doting uncles and an indulgent grandmother, but she wasn’t. No matter what, her daughter maintained a sweet disposition.
    “Okay, I’ll let you think about it,” Katie agreed quickly. She clamped her mouth shut, clearly not wanting to mess up her chances.
    Ivy cupped Katie’s chin and looked down into the familiarity of those dark brown eyes bordered by thick, curled lashes on the top and bottom. Was she being overprotective? She brushed aside the thought. Children grew up so fast. Before long, Katie would be dating and giving her hell.
    “You know I’m not doing this to be mean, but you’re my baby and I need to make sure you’re okay.”
    “I know, but I’m almost a preteen. You don’t have to worry so much, and I know a lot.”
    “You don’t know as much as you think you do, munchkin.”
    “You worry too much, Mommy.” Sometimes she sounded so mature for her age.
    “I’m your mother, and I could never worry enough, believe me.” Ivy smiled. “You ready for our lunch tomorrow?” It was the last day she could fit in lunch with her daughter before school started the following week.
    “Yes!” Katie’s face lit up.
    Ivy removed her daughter’s glasses and placed them on the bedside table. She tapped her own cheek. “Give me a kiss.”
    Katie planted a wet one on her skin and then rolled over onto her side. “G’night.”
    Ivy sat there for a little longer and looked at her, her heart cheerful and sad at the same time. Her daughter was a blessing, but also a constant reminder of what she’d lost.
    Right now she looked forward to a restful sleep that hopefully wouldn’t include too many dreams of Lucas. She didn’t want to think about him, but knew she would once she was alone with her thoughts.
    “Good night,” she said finally. She leaned down and kissed her daughter’s soft cheek. “Love you.”
    “Love you, too,” Katie mumbled, her voice already drowsy.
    Ivy exited quietly and went to her own bedroom to undress. Seeing Lucas had her wired, and she needed to calm down. She pulled a silk kimono over her cami and matching shorts and walked back down the hallway. She peeked in on Katie and then moved to the kitchen, her tread quiet in a pair of thick socks.
    Inside the pantry, she used the stepstool to reach behind the canned and boxed food to her secret stash of chocolate bars. They weren’t just comfort food; she was addicted to the sweets, and tonight she needed their soothing creaminess.
    She poured a healthy dose of wine into a long-stemmed glass and walked over to the window in the living room. Most of the time she kept the motorized shades up so she could enjoy the view any time of the day and night.
    She sipped the rosé and bit into the candy, but the flavors didn’t generate the pleasure they usually did. She found little comfort in her late night indulgence, her mind unsettled because she continued to think about Lucas.
    The first time she’d seen him he’d flirted with her and her friends, and his sense of humor had piqued her interest. During the course of the meal at the restaurant where he’d worked, she’d caught him looking at her several times, and not in the way a server paid attention to a customer. He’d been interested right from the start, the same way she had been.
    She’d paid the tab for the meal, and on the way to the car with her friends, she’d heard her name being