Claiming Colleen by Beth Kery

Author:Beth Kery [Kery, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Contemporary, Romance
ISBN: 9780373656592
Google: n-4PMFe7CLcC
Goodreads: 13039622
Publisher: harlequin
Published: 2011-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

It was dark by the time they walked back to her car, Brendan’s and Jenny’s bags stuffed with candy. Children’s laughter and the distant “trick or treat” refrain punctuated the autumn night.

Colleen watched Eric as they strolled down Buena Vista Drive. His chin was tilted down as he listened to Brendan’s story about a boy at school who’d been bullying some of the smaller kids. The topic had come up when they’d caught a glimpse of said boy—Dave Irkness—trick-or-treating across the street with a group of older kids. She’d never heard Brendan mention Dave before and was a little shocked he had so much to say.

Was he opening up to Eric because he was a good listener, or did Brendan just require a male ear to discuss such a boy-related topic? Her son was close to both Liam and Marc, but her brothers had been unusually busy lately. There hadn’t been an opportunity for much one-on-one guy time. At least the kids would be visiting Marc and Mari in Chicago for the Thanksgiving weekend. Hopefully, Brendan could get in a little male bonding with his uncle then.

Even though she felt a little sad her son hadn’t felt comfortable broaching the subject of Dave the bully with her, she was impressed with the way Eric handled the interaction. He affirmed Brendan had been smart in the way he’d dealt with things thus far by standing up for the bullied kids without stooping to Dave’s level. The few questions he directed toward Brendan assured Colleen that the teachers and administration had recently become aware of Dave’s bullying. She’d be sure to follow up quietly in the background with Brendan’s teacher, knowing how much he would hate it if she made a fuss.

“Why don’t you guys come inside and warm up? I have something special I want to show you,” Eric said, turning toward her and Jenny.

Colleen blinked and glanced toward the sleek, modern structure of wood, fieldstone and glass at the end of the driveway. She hadn’t realized where they were while she’d been so focused on overhearing Eric and Brendan’s conversation.

“Can we see Eric’s house, Mom?” Jenny asked eagerly. A chilly lake breeze whipped past them, rustling the remaining leaves on the trees. Jenny shivered.

“I don’t think so, honey,” Colleen said, tucking a lock of dislodged pale gold hair back into her daughter’s surgeon cap. “It’s getting late. We should get home.”

“Aw, Mom,” Jenny moaned, giving Eric a desperate, pleading glance.

“It’ll only take a moment,” Eric promised. “I want to show you what I’ve been working so hard on, burning the midnight oil. It’s Liam and Natalie’s wedding present. It’s kind of a big deal,” he said when Colleen gave him a doubtful look.

“We have to see it, if it’s for Uncle Liam and Natalie,” Brendan said reasonably, as if Colleen would be off her rocker to suggest anything otherwise.

“All right,” Colleen agreed with a laugh that disguised her hesitance. Why did the idea of entering Eric’s home bother her so

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