Return of the Prodigal Son Read Online Free Page B

Cory’s frown deepened. “A woodchuck.”
    “Oh, yeah.” The girl smiled broadly. “A woodchuck. It would have bited us if we caught it.”
    “Bitten.” Her mother automatically corrected her before looking at the man.
    When she did, she felt something similar to an electric current sizzle through her. He was naked to the waist, wearing nothing but a pair of faded denims that looked as though they’d seen better days. He seemed not the least bit bothered by his lack of clothing. Dark hair matted his chest and disappeared beneath the unsnapped waistband of his jeans. His shoulders were wide, and corded with muscles. She moved her gaze upward to a face that had her heart beating overtime. It was the most dangerous face she’d ever seen. A strong, chiseled chin darkened with stubble. Steely eyes narrowed against the morning sunlight. A wide forehead, dusted with dark hair that was tousled from sleep. The only thing that softened his look was that poet’s mouth, which at the moment was pursed as he regarded her. Though older, tougher and leaner, this was the same man that had fueled many of her high-school fantasies after a single glimpse.
    “I’m really sorry. I warned the children not to come up here and bother you. And my brother warned them, too.”
    “No harm done.” Donovan managed a rare, quick smile, which had her heart leaping to her throat. “Champ said we met once, though I’m afraid I don’t remember. I’m Donovan Lassiter.”
    “Andrea Brady.” She stuck out her hand. “My friends call me Andi.”
    “We call her mama,” little Taylor added.
    She certainly didn’t look like anybody’s mother. At least not any Donovan had known. She was tall and slender as a reed, with short, dark hair that curled softly around a strikingly beautiful face. She had wide, honey eyes and high, sculpted cheekbones that a model would die for. She wore absolutely no makeup, yet her skin was as fine as porcelain. Her unpainted lips were wide and perfectly formed. Made for kissing.
    The thought jolted him. If he hadn’t been awake before, he was now.
    “Nice to meet you, Andi. I see where Taylor and Cory get their eyes.”
    Her lashes lowered and she seemed eager to escape this man’s direct stare. “I was unpacking and I thought I’d let my children get acquainted with their new surroundings. I never dreamed they’d come this far.”
    She turned to her son. “I expected you to see to your sister.”
    “That’s what I was doing.”
    At his defiant tone she struggled to soften her own. “Okay. No harm done. Let’s go.” She started to put an arm around her son’s shoulders, but he backed away as though repelled by her touch.
    To cover the awkward moment she caught her daughter’s hand. “Come on now. We’ll leave Mr. Lassiter alone.”
    “But what about our woodchuck?”
    “He isn’t your woodchuck, Taylor. Remember what Mr. Lassiter said. If you manage to catch him, he could bite.” She looked up suddenly. “Could he carry rabies?”
    Donovan shrugged. “He’s a wild creature. Anything’s possible.”
    “What if we set out a cage?” Cory could see his little sister’s lower lip quivering. Even though he was already tired of the game, he knew that she’d had her heart set on a pet. “We could lure him in with food.”
    Andi shook her head. “He isn’t like a guinea pig, that has never lived anywhere but a cage. You heard what our neighbor said. This is a wild creature, Cory. He’s used to being free. He belongs in the woods. Besides, Taylor can’t have pets. Remember her allergies. Now say goodbye to Mr. Lassiter.”
    “It’s Donovan.” He was doing his best to be pleasant. Not an easy task on a couple of hours sleep. He was as eager for this to end as she was.
    “All right. Say goodbye to Donovan.” Andi was already starting away, her daughter’s hand firmly in hers.
    The little girl glanced at Donovan, then, like her mother, lowered her lashes and stared hard at the ground as she