Read Just a Kiss: The Bradfords, Book 5 for Free Online Page A

hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle. He had looked like a star football player when he’d been seventeen and he certainly hadn’t gotten smaller or less sculpted as he’d matured. He had dark hair that he had always worn short and dark eyes that were somewhere between coffee colored and dark chocolate colored. What had always made her really tingle, though, were his hands. They were huge and rough from hard work and football, but he’d been gentle with them. Especially with her. He’d always touched her as if she was fragile and needed special care.
    She shivered just remembering it.
    He was a big-time Nebraska football player. In this state, and particularly in the small town he called home, that put him on par with Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Kevin was a celebrity in Nebraska, having been the leading defensive player on a two-time National Championship team. That meant charity golf tournaments, visits to kids in the hospital, donations to the athletic department at both the University and Grover High. It was safe to say that he made it into the papers on a fairly regular basis.
    Sure, it was possible that Heather and Kevin had hooked up.
    But even as she admitted that, she knew that Drew couldn’t be his kid. Drew’s dad hadn’t been around. That couldn’t be Kevin. He’d never do something like that.
    He might charm a young girl into trusting him, he might make that girl fall completely in love with him, he might convince her to elope with him. He might also turn his back at the first sign of adversity, break her heart and then sleep with every other female in the county. But he’d never abandon his kid.
    Then again, what the hell did she know? It had been fourteen years and she still wasn’t over him. Clearly she wasn’t very bright.
    “Drew’s not his kid,” she said, partly because she really did believe that and partly because it was a much better than curling up into a fetal position in the corner and crying for the next couple of months.
    “Well, there’s only one way to know for sure,” Monica said, returning to her potatoes.
    “What’s that?”
    “Ask him.”
    Eve let out a snort. “Sure, you bet. I’ll do that the next time I see him.” Then she headed for the dining room.
     
     
    “I think there’s an important piece of information that is not getting the proper attention here,” Dooley said.
    No one looked up from their menus.
    Kevin was filled with gratitude that his friends were here…with a touch of trepidation thrown in.
    This morning wasn’t going to be easier or less crazy than last night had been.
    The night before seemed like a blur. They’d been called out to a possible heart attack before anyone could come in to cover him, so, surprisingly, Kevin’s mom and dad had gone back to Grover to show Mrs. Rosner the house so she could do the preliminary home assessment and recommend the emergency placement. They had then packed up and hit the road, not intending to come back until long after things with Heather and Drew were settled.
    By the time the crew made it back to St. Anthony’s, Dani had Drew curled up with her on the couch in the break room, fast asleep. She described the heart-breaking scene in which Heather had said goodbye and Kevin couldn’t help but feel relieved he’d missed it. Sam had comforted Dani and Kevin had awkwardly settled down next to Drew.
    Before he could get comfortable, they were then called out again to a nursing home where a patient had coded. When they got back, Morgan, Dooley’s fiancé, was curled up with Drew.
    “Dang, your little brother has slept with more women tonight than you have in years,” Sam said, slapping him on the back.
    Kevin was grateful that Drew was wiped out. He slept through the rest of the shift and through Kevin carrying him to the car and driving him to Grover. He’d put Drew in his old room with the twin bed before he’d finally crashed for a few hours in the guest room. He’d slept restlessly but at least