Playing to Win by Taryn Leigh Taylor

Author:Taryn Leigh Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

10

“GOOD MORNING, HOLLY. Did you sleep all right?”

Surely the heat prickling across her face wasn’t as obvious as it felt? This was another parental milestone she’d never endured. She’d already moved out of the house by the time she’d lost her virginity.

“I did, thank you, Cathy.” She accepted the mug of coffee the other woman held in her direction and took a grateful sip.

“I’m glad to hear it. Come, sit down. I’m making bacon and eggs. I hope that’s okay.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“Oh, wonderful. There’s fresh fruit on the table, please help yourself. I’ll bring the rest out as soon as it’s ready.”

“Can I help at all?”

“Nonsense! You’re our guest. Besides, that’s what Luke is for, right, son?”

Holly turned to find Luke padding into the kitchen in a rumpled T-shirt, gray sweats and a seriously sexy case of bedhead and stubble. “I live to serve,” he agreed. Her pulse sped up as he stepped toward her and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

Holly ducked her head to hide her blush. Cathy’s smile of approval was too much to deal with right now. She hurried into the dining room, joining Ross at the table.

“Morning, Holly. Sports section okay?”

“Perfect. Thank you.” She set her coffee down and sat next to Ross, accepting the newspaper he handed to her. Combined with the incredible spread of strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and grapes piled high on the platter in the middle of the table, Holly was hard-pressed to remember a lovelier morning. It was idyllic, the kind of scene she’d imagined so many times since her mother had died.

Seemed that Luke was not the only one living out childhood fantasies this weekend. The problem was, her fantasy was a dangerous one. This family wasn’t hers and never would be. Still, she couldn’t help but let herself be swept up in the idle chatter and homey sounds that came with eating breakfast with people who loved each other.

“You should see that apple tree your mother and I planted beside the ramp in the backyard last year, Lucas. We’ll deal with these plates and then I’ll show you how much it’s grown.”

“No, you two go,” Holly insisted. “Take Cathy with you. Spend some time with your son. I’ll take care of the breakfast dishes. It’s the least I can do.”

“That’s very sweet of you, Holly.” Cathy stood, but started gathering up plates as she did. “You boys go on outside. I’m going to relish the joy of having another woman in the house. And don’t you argue with me, missy,” she warned, cutting Holly’s protest off before she could make it. Instead, Holly stood and grabbed the rest of the plates, oddly flattered that Cathy wanted to spend this time with her.

In the kitchen, Cathy stopped at the sink. She set the dishes down before leaning forward to gaze out the window that overlooked the backyard. As Holly approached, she could see father and son, standing at the edge of the wheelchair ramp. Ross was pointing at the small, flowering tree as Luke nodded.

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