Santa's Texas Lullaby by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Author:Cathy Gillen Thacker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“The fact we’re not in love with each other?” Amanda guessed, citing the most obvious deterrent to their staying hitched that came to mind.

“But that doesn’t mean we will never be in love,” Riley argued in a low practical tone. “When Kate Marten moved in with my dad and my brothers and me, she and my dad didn’t even like each other. In fact, the two of them irritated the heck out of each other.”

Amanda tapped her chin in a parody of thoughtfulness. “I see that similarity.”

Riley ignored her droll remark. His amber eyes took on a persuasive gleam. “Plus, Kate was engaged to be married to some other guy.”

Amanda drew in a bolstering breath. She had feared all along the intimacy of their situation would be too much for them. She had counted on the kids to serve as distraction, chaperones and all-around energy sappers. Instead, their mutual love of the children was drawing them inexplicably closer. Which meant it was up to her to keep a cool head. Amanda favored Riley with an artificially bright smile. “Except I’m not engaged to someone else.”

“Yes, that is one thing in our favor,” Riley acknowledged in the same droll tone, before turning serious and shifting her closer, once again. “The point is,” he continued gently, searching her eyes, “both Kate and my dad cared about all of us kids. And that shared concern brought them closer and closer, until there was no longer any denying the fact that the two of them had fallen in love with each other and wanted to spend their lives together, taking care of us.”

Amanda swallowed around the sudden lump in her throat and tried not to think how handsome Riley looked in his sweater-vest, pin-striped button-down shirt, and faded jeans. “You think because it happened to them it could happen to us?” Despite her efforts to keep her emotional distance, she could feel herself being drawn in.

“Yes. But even if it doesn’t happen in that same way, I think you and I and the kids have what it takes to make a happy family. Think about it, Amanda.” Riley cupped a hand over her knee, the warmth of his palm spurring her heart to beat a little faster, even before he gave her a companionable squeeze. His eyes darkening with possessive intent, he shifted his grip from her knee to her hand and affably continued making his case. “You and I have always gotten each other and known what makes each other tick, otherwise we never could have kept our long-running practical jokefest going all through high school.”

That was certainly true, Amanda thought, feeling the warmth and tenderness of his comforting presence all the way to her soul.

“We share a common concern and affection for Chloe, Amber and Cory. We both want to be their parents, if it turns out they are as ‘genuinely orphaned’ as they appear.” Riley ticked off his reasons, one after another. “We share a love of medicine and healing others.

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