Something's Gotta Give (Tempered Steel Book 3) Read Online Free

staircase began, remembering where Georgia had stood as a child when they had first met. His eyes then traveled to the left and the large archway that led to the kitchen and family rooms. He glimpsed the old apple tree through the large window in the back door, where he had led a weeping Georgia away from the mourning crowd, so she could grieve for a moment in private. Had he somehow known that the young girl trying to be so brave back then would one day come to mean so much to him?
    Chance noticed Missy Dee as she came bustling out of the kitchen with a small smile on her face as he sat by Georgia on the sofa. He gave her a wink and a nod.
    “Here you go, sugar.” She handed Georgia an ice pack.
    Georgia missed the grin on the old woman’s face. She was too busy giving herself a mental kick in the butt and a firm lecture on how silly it was to crave the feel of Chance’s hands on her. It was downright sickening the way her body betrayed her at his merest touch. That’s what came from obsessing about him for years. He had awakened a primitive need. It now vibrated throughout her body. The trembling she was now experiencing had nothing to do with her ankle. She was burning with pent up desire. The Casanova of the County was working his magic again. Dammit!
    Missy Dee propped up Georgia’s foot to ease off her tennis shoe. The ankle was swelling near the purplish bruise alongside her foot. “Definitely sprained, Peaches. Possibly broken,” Missy Dee declared. To confirm her diagnosis, she poked and prodded at the injury, making Georgia wince.
    “We’re going to have to get an X-ray, then ice packs for the swelling, hopefully not a cast. Ibuprofen should help with the pain. Looks like you’re off your feet for a few days, sweetie.” She patted Georgia’s shoulder affectionately. “That’s all right. Lord knows you could use the rest.”
    “I can’t stay in bed for a few days, Missy Dee. I’ve got this business to run. You’ll wear yourself out trying to do it all. And the parents, they depend on us. What are we going to do?” She wailed.
    Georgia was surprised to feel the tears well up. Normally, she was a very restrained person. She looked at Chance. It must be him. Since his near brush with death, she was a basket case. She glared at him. If he hadn’t stopped by, she would not have been anxious to get to the house. If she hadn’t been running, she wouldn’t have fallen. Yes, it was definitely all his fault.
    Chance saw the result of her injury as his golden opportunity and he grabbed it. It would be a while before the insurance company would allow the brothers to clean up the mess at the construction company. The doc insisted Chance take a few weeks off to recuperate, anyway. He would just take the advice he had given to his best friend, Angel, when she asked how to make his stubborn, older brother, Sam, notice her. He would hang around, show Georgia how nice it was to have a man around the place. He could be indispensable and charming. It couldn’t hurt. And it might make her fall in love with him.
    Besides, how hard could it really be to watch a bunch of kids?
    “Don’t worry, Peaches. I always come to the aid of damsels in distress. I’ll help Missy Dee out while you’re recovering, no problem. Doc says I’ve got to take it easy for a few days anyway.” Chance smiled his most confident, devastating smile. The children gathered around her returned his smile with gap toothed grins. Missy Dee laughed in delight and clapped her hands at his proclamation.
    Georgia watched that devilish grin spread across his face. “Oh, Lord. Help me now.”
    She buried her head in her hands and cried.

CHAPTER TWO
     
    Chance sat on the front porch step of Georgia’s farm house, taking a much needed break. He reflected on his good mood from last night. He had bundled Georgia up into his truck and then to the hospital, keeping a running commentary on anything and everything to help ease her distress. With his