On Thin Ice (The Baltimore Banners Book 8) (18 page)

"Home it is."

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kenny pushed the door closed with his hip, juggling both suitcases, a duffel bag, and his keys. Kelly moved out of the way, stepping further into the living room as she held Sara in her arms. She blew a strand of curly hair from her eyes and looked around, taking everything in. "Not too bad. Not exactly what I was expecting, though."

Kenny glanced over his shoulder, one brow raised in curiosity as he moved down the hall with the luggage. "What were you expecting? Or do I even want to know?"

"Nothing bad. And I'm not sure. Maybe something a little bigger, a little flashier. I mean, you're a pro now." She smiled at him, letting him know that she was teasing.

Kenny grunted, leading the way into his room. He dropped the larger suitcase in front of the closet then moved to the bed, tossing the smaller suitcase and duffel bag on top of it. "You know that's not my style. And how much did you need to pack for a week? I do have a washing machine, you know."

"It's not just clothes. You have no idea how much extra stuff you need when you travel with kids."

"I'll take your word for it." Kenny leaned closer to Kelly, smiling as he watched his niece. A thick mop of dark curly hair topped her head, the curls falling across her forehead and cheek. Her lips were shaped like a perfect bow, slightly parted in sleep. "She's so precious, like a little angel."

Kelly snorted, the sound definitely unladylike. "Just wait until she wakes up. Trust me, you won't think she's an angel then."

"How can you even say that? She's your daughter!"

"Which is exactly why I can say it. Trust me, you'll say the same thing when you have kids of your own."

Kenny stumbled back, Kelly's words hitting him in the chest like a well-placed punch. Immediately following that was a clear image of Lauren, cradling a brown-haired, brown-eyed miniature version of herself. The breath froze in his chest and for a terrifying second he thought his lungs collapsed, that he'd never draw breath again.

"Are you okay?"

Kenny sucked in air, his lungs finally filling. He blinked, shook his head, stared at Kelly. "What? Yeah. Fine." He shook his head again and forced a smile. "I'm fine."

"Hm. If you say so."

"Will Sara be okay sleeping in here?"

"Isn't this your room?"

"Yeah but—"

"Kenny, I'm not kicking you out of your bedroom. The spare room is fine."

"But this is bigger. I figured you'd be more comfortable in here."

Kelly rolled her eyes and walked out into the hallway, turning toward the spare room. She paused in the doorway then shot him a look over her shoulder. "You still haven't unpacked?"

"I'm getting there. It's just a few boxes."

"Hm-hm." She rolled her eyes again then moved into the room. Kenny followed her, figuring she knew exactly why he hadn't completely unpacked yet.

He leaned against the doorframe, suddenly feeling helpless as Kelly leaned over and placed Sara in the middle of the bed. She arranged the pillows around her then covered her with the small blanket Sara had been clutching in her hands as she slept. Kenny backed out of the room, stepping out of the way so Kelly could move by him.

"Is she going to be okay in there?"

"She'll be fine. But I won't be unless I get some coffee. Please tell me you have coffee."

"Of course I do." Kenny moved into the kitchen and quickly filled the reservoir of the coffee machine. He grabbed a mug from the cabinet, popped a pod into the machine, then hit the brew button. "I still don't understand why you caught such an early flight."

"Neither do I. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It would have been even better if Sara had fallen asleep." Kelly opened the refrigerator then just stood there, silent for a long minute. "Kenny, is there a reason your refrigerator is empty?"

"It's not empty. It's just not full."

Kelly shot a look of disbelief over her shoulder then reached in and grabbed the carton of creamer. She held it at arm's length, squinting at the date. Then she opened it and lifted it to her nose, taking a cautious sniff. "Well, at least the creamer is still good. Please tell me you have sugar."

"Yeah. Right here." He slid the sugar bowl toward her.

"Packets? Seriously? Well, at least it's the real stuff." She nudged him out of the way, reaching for the mug of coffee and quietly adding cream and two packets of sugar. She took a long sip then closed her eyes and sighed. "Much better. That airline coffee was awful."

Kelly leaned against the counter and crossed her legs, holding the mug with both hands in front of her. She took another sip, watching him over the rim. "Now tell me why you don't have any food in your refrigerator. Is there something I need to worry about?"

"No. I just haven't had time to go shopping. I was planning on doing that today after you got settled in since I have no idea what Sara needs."

"And why haven't you had time to go shopping?"

"I've been busy. We've had games and—"

"Don't give me that. You haven't been on the road for a week." She took another sip, watching him with a laser-sharp focus. "So who is she?"

"Who?"

"Oh please. Don't even try to pull that with me. I'm your big sister. I know everything, remember?"

Kenny chuckled. How many times had Kelly taunted him by saying that exact same phrase? And how many times had it ended with him getting into some kind of trouble—or doing something he would have never dreamed of doing on his own? Like the time she had convinced him he'd be able to fly if he ate bird seed for a week. Or the time she told him the best way to practice skating would be for him to let her pull him behind her bike—downhill.

Kenny laughed again and ran a hand over his face. "You know, it's a miracle I don't have trust issues because of you. When I think of some of the things you convinced me to do—"

"That's what big sisters are for. And then you had to ruin it by getting bigger than me. I still haven't forgiven you for that." She smiled then yawned, a long loud one that popped her jaw and left her eyes watering. Kenny finally noticed the smudges under her eyes, the drooping eyelids.

"You should go back and get some sleep."

"I'll be fine."

"Kelly, you're swaying on your feet. How much sleep did you get last night?"

She took another sip of coffee then looked up at the ceiling, her lips pursed in thought. "Maybe an hour or two. It took me longer to pack than I thought it would. And then I couldn't get Sara settled, she was so wound up. By the time she finally fell asleep, I was able to get in a quick nap and then it was time to head to the airport."

"Then finish your coffee and go lay down with Sara." Kenny grabbed the pad of paper and the pen sitting on the counter by the phone. "I'll run to the store and grab some things. Tell me what you need."

"Kenny, I don't expect you to—"

"My house, my rules. What do you need?"

"Milk. Cereal—not the sugary stuff, though. Oatmeal. Some vegetables. Cheese. The real stuff, not the junk that comes wrapped in plastic. Some apple juice." The list kept growing as Kelly thought of more and more things to add. Kenny finally just put the pen down and stared at her.

"Your kid eats better than I do. Whatever happened to hot dogs and macaroni and cheese?"

"Ugh, no. Do you have any idea what kind of crap goes into that stuff?"

"We ate it with no problems."

"Things have changed since we were kids."

Kenny rolled his eyes but didn't say anything, not with Kelly watching him with that gleam in her eyes and small smile teasing her lips. He couldn't tell if she was joking or not and he knew better than to play into her hands. Maybe. Or hell, she really could be serious.

He tore the sheet from the pad and shoved it into his back pocket. "How about I just pick up the basics, and then I'll take you shopping later? That way, I can't get yelled at for getting the wrong things."

"Wow. You're actually learning, aren't you?"

"It's called self-preservation."

"You're taking all the fun out of tormenting you, you know that, right?"

"I'm sure you'll find something else to torment me with so I'm not worried."

"Probably." Kelly drained the coffee and put the empty mug in the sink. "So. Who is she? And don't play stupid because you know exactly what I'm talking about."

Kenny thought about evading the question again, or just giving her a non-answer or even flat out ignoring her. One look at the determined gleam in Kelly's eyes told him that wouldn't work so he just shrugged and smiled. "Her name is Lauren and you'll meet her tonight. We're all going out to dinner."

"What? When? Kenny, I didn't bring anything dressy. And what about Sara? I'm not sure taking her to a fancy restaurant is a good idea—"

"Who said anything about fancy or dressy? We're going out for pizza." He waved his hand in front of her, indicating her jeans and loose sweatshirt. "What you have on works."

"I'm going to kill you. You can't just spring something like this on me! When were you going to tell me?"

"Relax. You're worrying about nothing." He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss against her cheek. "Go take a nap. I'll be back in a little bit."

"Kenneth James—"

He chuckled at the use of his full name, at the expression of subtle horror on her face. "Paybacks suck, don't they?"

"You just wait. I'll make you pay for this one. When you least expect it."

The thought made him shudder, but only a little. He had no doubt she would make him pay, but he was going to enjoy having the upper hand until then.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The place was noisy. Almost too noisy for conversation, which suited Lauren just fine because she wasn't sure what to really say. It wasn't that Kenny's sister wasn't nice or made Lauren feel uncomfortable. No, it was something much more basic than that: she was nervous. Nervous about meeting Kelly, nervous that the woman wouldn't like her. And how ridiculous was that? Lauren didn't normally get nervous, normally didn't worry about making an impression or being liked. The fact that she was worried her—because it meant she was more emotionally invested in Kenny than she realized.

Emotionally invested? Where the hell did that phrase come from? It made her sound like some kind of new-age relationship analyst, which so wasn't like her. She liked Kenny. A lot. That was it. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing to be worried about, nothing to overthink, nothing to freak out about.

And who was she kidding? She more than liked Kenny. She didn't want to name deeper emotions, not just yet—because the idea scared the living hell out of her. There was too much else going on in her life right now, like the guilt over kicking Lindsay out. The decision may have been the right one but that didn't make it any easier to live with. If it hadn't been for Kenny lending his silent support, the past ten days would have been even worse to get through.

So when had she started relying on him being there? When had their relationship moved from a new friendship to…whatever it was now? Lauren glanced over at him, felt her heart trip in her chest at the sight of him.

He was sitting in the booth next to her, a grin on his face as he tickled his niece. She squealed and squirmed in his lap, her foot kicking the table as she tried to get away. Kenny grunted and quickly shifted Sara to the side as he bent over, reaching down to grab himself. Lauren smothered her laughter and looked away, her eyes locking on Kelly's.

"Serves him right for getting her all wound up." Kelly smiled then turned to her brother. "I hope you realize you're going to be the one sitting up with her tonight when she doesn't go to sleep."

"Nah, she'll be fine. Won't you, Rugrat?"

"Kenny! You shouldn't call your niece a rug rat. That isn't nice."

"Why not? That's what she is." Kenny winked at her then tickled Sara again, eliciting another squeal from the little girl. "Aren't you?"

Sara nodded, her wild mop of curls bouncing around her chubby cheeks with the motion. She was a smaller version of her mother, with wide brown eyes and light brown curls and a contagious smile. Lauren's own smile grew a little wider as she watched the byplay between Kenny and his niece.

Kelly must have noticed her watching because she smiled at Lauren and nodded in her brother's direction. "He'll make a great father someday."

Kenny froze, a look of horror on his face as he stared at his sister. A small blush colored his cheeks, visible under the shadow of stubble on his jaw. "Shit Kelly, really? Do you even know the meaning of the word subtle?"

"Unca Kenny said chit." Sara stood in Kenny's lap, balancing one foot on each of his legs as she clapped her small hands. "Chit, chit, chit."

"Great. Now you did it." Kelly narrowed her eyes at Kenny then leaned across the table and pointed at Sara. "Don't repeat anything your thick-skulled uncle says, Sara, or I'll have to wash your mouth out with soap, too."

Kenny bit down on his lower lip and stared at Sara. The little girl stared back at him, her eyes rounded in surprise. She leaned forward and placed her hands on his face, one on either side, and leaned closer to speak in a loud whisper that could be heard three tables over.

"You made Mommy mad, Unca Kenny. You need a time-out."

"Don't worry, he's used to that." The words fell from Lauren's mouth before she could stop them, before she even thought about what she was saying. Her eyes widened in surprise and she slapped a hand over her open mouth, her face heating as Kenny and Kelly both turned to look at her. "Oh my God, I am so sorry—"

Kelly's laughter drowned out her apology as well as Kenny's huff of indignation. Lauren wanted to slide down in her seat and disappear from embarrassment as Kelly's laughter grew. She didn't dare look over at Kenny, almost afraid of what she'd see. But the urge was too strong and she snuck a glance at him from the corner of her eye. He had shifted in the seat so he could face her, one brow raised in her direction. A small smile teased the corners of his mouth and silent laughter glowed in the warm depths of his eyes as he watched her. Heat spiraled through her at the look, simmering deep in her veins. She cleared her throat and looked away, her face burning from something much more basic—and a hundred times stronger—than embarrassment.

"This is completely unfair. I'm totally outnumbered here." Kenny's grin completely contradicted his complaint, which only made Kelly laugh louder. Lauren joined in, no longer able to hold it back. And God, it felt so good to laugh. So freeing, so liberating. It had been too long she was able to just let go and enjoy herself, to forget about worries and responsibilities and guilt. Kenny had given her that, whether he realized it or not. He turned to look at her, his eyes warm and inviting, a grin on his face as Sara bounced in his lap, laughing innocently just because everyone else was. Lauren's laughter faded as she looked into his eyes.

And she fell. Not tripped, not stumbled, but fell. Headfirst and hard. No, she couldn't be. Could she? She gave herself a mental shake, her eyes still locked on Kenny's as the realization smacked her between the eyes.

It wasn't possible. It shouldn't be possible. But it was. Her racing heart, the blood pounding through her veins, hot and alive and electric. The sudden drop of her stomach, like she had just taken a header from a twenty-story building, spinning through the air in a dangerous free-fall.

Somehow, in some unknown way, she had fallen in love with Kenny. It didn't make sense, none at all. But the truth was right there, too loud and clear to be ignored.

Lauren pulled her gaze away from Kenny's and reached for the glass of iced tea, surprised to see her hand trembling. Or maybe not. Maybe it should be trembling, maybe it was the most natural thing in the world for there to be some outside sign of shock at such a profound realization.

"Hey." Kenny nudged her leg with his until she looked over again. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Fine. Why?"

"I don't know. You just got this weird look on your face. Like you were confused or something."

"No, I'm fine. It's nothing." She looked away again, her eyes accidentally locking with Kelly's across the table. The other woman smiled, a slow warm smile filled with knowing that startled Lauren.

Could she tell? Impossible. No way.

Kelly slid out from the bench and snagged Sara from Kenny's lap. "Come on, squirt. Let's hit the bathroom and clean up before we leave."

"No! Don't want to!"

"Don't care, we're going."

"No! No, no!" Sara screeched, her body stiffening and her back arching. Lauren's mouth opened in shock, surprised at the sudden change in the sweet, laughing girl. Kenny tugged Sara back in his lap and turned her so they were eye-to-eye.

"Hey. Rugrat." His voice wasn't sharp, wasn't loud, wasn't even very authoritative, but Sara immediately softened, her small mouth twitching. "Listen to your mother."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Why Unca Kenny?"

Lauren bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing when Kenny dipped his head closer to Sara's, his brows lowered in what was probably meant to be a stern frown. "Because you won't watch me play hockey tomorrow if you don't, that's why."

Instead of looking worried by the threat, Sara giggled then cupped his face and placed a wet sloppy kiss on his mouth. "Okay Unca Kenny." She hopped off his lap and placed her hand in Kelly's, acting like the brief tantrum had never happened.

Kenny leaned back on the bench and shook his head, a bewildered smile on his face. "Kelly and Mark are going to have their hands full when she gets older."

"She's definitely something, no doubt about it." Lauren laughed then reached across the table for some napkins. She offered them to Kenny with a small smile. "You, uh, have pizza all over your mouth."

"What?" Kenny rubbed his palm across his mouth then looked down. He rolled his eyes and took the napkins from her, wiping his mouth again. "Pizza and baby drool. What a combination."

"Somehow I get the impression you don't really mind."

A smile danced in his eyes in spite of his small shrug. "What can I say? She has me wrapped around her finger. Like someone else I know." Kenny draped his arm over her shoulder and tugged her closer, his mouth closing over hers in a deep kiss before she knew what was coming, before her mind had time to process the words. His tongue swept inside her mouth, teasing her, slow and sweet. He pulled away with a gruff sigh, ending the kiss entirely too soon.

"You, uh—" Lauren cleared her throat and tried to look away, suddenly shy, but Kenny's powerful gaze held hers. "You probably shouldn't give me any ammunition to use like that."

"Yeah?" Kenny kissed her again, hard and fast. "No need for you to use it because I surrender." He winked then slid out of the booth, taking the check up to the counter to pay it. Lauren watched him, stunned. Had he only been teasing her? She thought so. Maybe. The smile and the wink had definitely been teasing, but his eyes had seemed too…she wasn't sure what. Deep? No, that wasn't right. Serious? She didn't know, but they definitely hadn't been teasing. Had he been trying to tell her something? Or was she just reading too much into things, seeing things she wanted to see instead of what was really there?

Lauren dropped her head into her hands and blew out a deep breath. She was going to drive herself crazy, overanalyzing everything. Easier said than done, because that seemed to be all she was capable of doing, even during the drive back to her place. Kelly kept the conversation going, making small-talk and asking occasional questions, but Lauren only gave half-hearted or distracted answers. She didn't miss Kelly's knowing smile, though, and Lauren wondered if she was being that obvious. She hoped not, because wouldn't that be embarrassing?

Kenny insisted on walking her upstairs, even though Lauren told him he didn't have to. Even Kelly waved off her objections with a playful wink, telling her brother to have fun but not take all night. Lauren was pretty sure his sister's parting words made him blush, but there were too many shadows in the night for her to be certain.

Kenny followed her inside, glancing around the condo as Lauren turned on the lights. Then he pulled her into his arms, his eyes searching hers. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"I did." Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers playing with the soft strands of hair that hung below his collar. "Your sister's nice, I like her."

"Good. I'm pretty sure she likes you, too."

"And Sara is a spitfire."

Kenny chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's one word for it." He dipped his head, his mouth closing over hers. Warm, sweet, slow. So slow. She tightened her hands on his shoulders and pressed herself closer, knowing she'd never be able to get close enough. Not tonight, not the way she wanted.

She broke the kiss, her breathing coming in short gasps that matched Kenny's. He didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave. She didn't want him to leave. But he had to, they both knew it, whether they wanted to admit it or not.

"You should get going."

"I know." He leaned forward and kissed her again, pulled away with a soft groan.

"Your sister's waiting for you."

"I know." Kenny leaned forward one more time but Lauren ducked her head and stepped back. No, she didn't want him to go, but one of them had to keep their head on straight right now. From the heated look of desire blazing in Kenny's eyes, it had to be her.

"It's getting late. Sara's probably tired."

Kenny groaned, leaned in for another kiss, stepped back. Shook his head then kissed her again, hard and quick. He dropped his arms and took another step away, out of kissing distance. "You know, you could always come back to my place with me."

"No, I couldn't. Your sister came to see you, not me."

"She wouldn't mind."

"Maybe not, but I would." She nudged him toward the door.

"I really didn't think this one through very well, did I?"

Lauren laughed, the sound soft in the quiet surrounding them. "I'm sure we'll survive."

"For a week? Maybe you will, but not me. I've kind of gotten use to falling asleep with you curled against me." Kenny's voice softened, became a little huskier, a little hoarser. Lauren's stomach did a small roll, her heart leaping with excitement. She swallowed, told herself not to read too much into it. But her own voice was barely more than a whisper, full of need, when she spoke.

"Yeah, me too." She cleared her throat and forced a small laugh, trying not to let whatever emotion she was feeling show on her face. "But we're adults, we can handle it."

Kenny's gaze searched hers for a few seconds, quiet and unreadable. One corner of his mouth kicked up in a grin. "You have more faith in that than I do." He kissed her again, just a quick one, then opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. "Are you sure you don't need a ride in the morning?"