Caitlyn shrugged. Yeah. Thats what Daddy said, too. He said it was a grown-up word, and it slipped out on accident.
Megan figured she had to give the girls father credit for at least trying to cover his gaffe. But he still had a bit of explaining to do for his inattention to his daughters whereabouts at the moment.
They tramped up the brick steps to the front porch togetherwoman, child and dogand Caitlyn wiggled the doorknob. See? Locked out!
Megan pounded on the front door. When no one answered after a few moments, she pounded again.
Are you mad at me? a tiny voice squeaked.
Glancing down at the girl, Megan met a wide, dark-eyed gaze that melted her heart. Tears puddled in Caitlyns eyes, and Megan caught her breath. Oh, no, darling. Im not mad at you. Really. She knelt beside the girl and tugged on her ponytail. I just want to be sure you are safe and that your daddy knows where you are. Okay?
She flashed Caitlyn an encouraging smile, winning a bright grin in return. Finally the doorknob rattled, and as the front door swung open, Caitlyn sidled behind Megan.
Turning her gaze toward the portal, Megan encountered bare feet and a pair of long masculine legs. Her gaze drifted upward, past a damp blue towel wrapped low on lean hips, to a broad, bare chest. Tiny rivers of water trickled down the firm, flat stomach to disappear beneath the towel.
Megans mouth went dry. Images of the strippers gyrating hips flickered in her memory. Yet where the stripper had evoked terrifying memories, this wet, masculine body stirred a more innate female response, something physical and wholly unexpected. Unsettling in a way that had nothing to do with fear.
Can I help you?
The question jerked her attention back. She gasped and rose to her feet. The man at the door dwarfed her by several inches. As Megan gaped, an awkward flip-flopping in her gut, water dripped from his hair and puddles collected at his bare feet.
Youw-were in the shower. Megan grimaced and gave herself a mental thump on the head for stating the obvious.
Uhyeah. A lopsided grin, much like Caitlyns, tugged the corner of his mouth.
Sorry, I didnt realize. I
He shrugged a muscular shoulder dismissively. Whatever. Lately, finishing much of anything without interruption is a rarity. His smile turned wry, exasperated. So He raised a palm. Was there something you needed or can I go back to my shower?
Just like that, the reality that she was standing there conversing with this nearly naked man slammed home.
Megan swallowed hard, and the bravado shed mustered to challenge his parental negligence slipped.
If his dishabille bothered him, he didnt let on. He had the presence of a man who knew how to wield control of a situation.
But Megan hadnt felt truly in control of her life in years. She slid a hand into Sams thick fur to draw strength
Touché. The rich baritone melody of Jacks low laugh followed her down the steps.
Good luck sealing all the exits and keeping Miss Adventure under surveillance, she called over her shoulder.
Oh, wait
Megan paused and pivoted back to face Jack. Sam strained against his leash, eager to get home for supper.
You wouldnt know any good babysitters with combat training, would you? Being new in town, Im having a hard time finding anyone I trust to keep an eye on Miss Adventure.
Hmm Megan bit her lip as she thought. Nobody comes to mind at the momentbut Ill keep my ears open.
Thanks. Someone with a lot of patience and eyes in the back of their head would be best. Jack gave her a wave and backed inside. Nice to meet you.
Megan returned his wave, and as she crossed the street toward her own yard, she found herself wearing a sappy smile. Even if she wasnt ready to jump back into the dating gameyetshe liked Jack. His sense of humor and easygoing nature made him approachable. And though it seemed he had his hands full with Caitlyn, he clearly loved his daughter.
Entering her house, Megan was greeted by the insistent ring of her phone. She took the time to relock her door then nudged Sam out of the way as she hurried to answer the call.
There you are! I was getting worried when you didnt answer and the machine didnt pick up.
Hi, Ginny.
Ginny West had been Megans counselor and best friend since they met at the womens center just after Megans attack. Theyd spent hours talking, bonding, working through Megans recovery efforts, and later bemoaning Ginnys own issues with her well-meaning but meddlesome family.
Megan unhooked Sams leash. Maybe I was just ignoring you after that cruel birthday card you sent! When you turn thirty, look out! Im not pulling any punches.
Are you watching the news? Ginny interrupted. Her best friends voice sounded uncharacteristically agitated.
No. Why?
Turn it on. They made an arrest. Its all over the news.
Megan didnt need to ask what the arrest was for. The man who had attacked her and several other local women in a string of home invasion rapes had been the focus of enough conversations between Megan and Ginny to make such inquiry unneeded.