Touched By You (The Touch Series) Read Online Free Page A

sundress and she has her long dark hair in waves falling along her back. She looks over and catches me staring at her. With her beautiful brown eyes she gives me a wink asking what Charlie and I are talking about.
    Charlie of course opens her big mouth with an attitude and Chloe runs out of the kitchen and into the backyard.
    “Nice job Charlie, she’s fucking leaving today. Can’t you keep the peace for one fucking day?” I say grabbing up two mugs of hot coffee and on my way outside to find Chloe.
    Walking toward our tree I can hear Chloe’s muffled cry.
    I do my best to get to her so that I can calm her down without spilling coffee all over me. Damn this shit is hot.
    When I finally reach her she’s sitting on the bench with her head in her hands crying.
    “Love, don’t cry, please don’t cry.” I say approaching her.
    Setting down the hot mugs on a side table, I grab her up into my arms and sit down on the bench.
    “Look, Charlie and I are just playing around. We know you care about us and that we’ll need each other to get through this time. I promise you that Charlie will be fine. She’s a big girl and can take care of herself. As for me, you know I’d never do anything stupid to hurt what we have.”
    “I know it’s just really hard to leave my two favorite people.” She says in between sobs.
    “Come on, we knew this day was going to come and I’m not going sit here with you and mope.”
    I pull her hair back away from her face and lay it between her shoulders. With my thumbs I wipe away her tears and place a soft kiss on her nose.
    “I love you Chloe. Now pull your shit together so we can enjoy the last few hours of you in Boston.” Handing her a mug of coffee.
    “God Derrick, one day you’re going to be a fine ass lawyer. I love it when you get all bossy.” She giggles and takes in a sip of steaming French vanilla coffee.
    “Yes I am, now let’s go make some food. I’m starving.”
    I pull Chloe up from the bench and hold her hand while we walk across the lawn and into the house. By the time we get inside Char, Teresa and Bryce are already fixing up breakfast. I take a seat at the breakfast bar and finish up my morning brew.
    “Okay Chloe, we only have an hour or so till we hit the road. Are you all ready to go?” Bryce asks.
    I look at Bryce and then over to Chloe. My stomach does a flip flop and then plummets down to my toes. I was hoping this feeling wouldn’t start until she got in the car and drove off.
    “Yeah Daddy, I’m ready. It’s just going to suck saying goodbye, ya know?” She says looking me straight in the eyes.
    “We all know it’s going to be hard sweetie, but you’ll be home for the holidays in a few months.” Teresa says with a cheery smile.
    I sit and watch the conversation that is taking place in front of me and I feel like a lead weight is holding me down on the bar stool. Being here is the only place I want to be, but it’s going to tear out my heart to watch her drive off in her parents’ SUV.
    “Well let’s eat up here and get a move on. We have quite the drive today.” Bryce tells the girls.
    I grab my plate and fill it up with food. In this moment I’m not only weighted down, I’m beginning to feel numb. How is any of this possible? I mean I’m a tough as nails jock and I feel like my world is crashing in around me. A serious reality check is needed. Maybe after they leave I’ll head over to the gym or go for a run.
    Tomorrow is my day to drive out to Cambridge so I need to get my head on straight before practice and classes start.
    The family finishes up breakfast and I help clean up the mess and dishes. Chloe goes up to her room to grab some last minute things and comes down with a big smile on her face.
    “Okay kids let’s shake a leg and get a move on here.” Bryce says while patting me on the back.
    “Yeah, um, I’m not going to take the drive with you guys this time. I’ve still got a ton of stuff to pack myself so I’ll be saying