CHAPTER17
Debbie felt herself slowly becoming intoxicated. Like the rush of free falling without a parachute. She was going to get hurt, but it was too late to do anything about it. Adrenalin surged through her heating every inch of her body.
She liked this man and his kids. A lot. But if he couldn’t let go of his pride and accept her for who she was…
Cody’s high-pitched voice filled the pantry, saying words Debbie’s muddled mind couldn’t decipher.
Austin pulled back so fast she fell forward a little. He jerked his hand from hers and was on his feet in an instant.
“Of course, I’m being nice, buddy.” Austin cleared his throat as he escaped the pantry.
Yes, he was being very nice.Could the kids hear the breathlessness in their dad’s voice like she could?
“Hey,” Cody scowled at his dad. “You were supposed to be talking, not kissing.”
Cheeks burning, Debbie stepped from the pantry to find Dallas pulling a face that clearly said “Eww.” She looked at Savannah who stood nearby. The girl's eyes were wide and questioning, her mouth forming an O.
Was it only surprise? Or was Savannah as disgusted as Dallas to catch her dad kissing Debbie?
Debbie sucked a sharp breath. Austin kissed her. And she’d kissed him back.
“We did talk,” Austin’s voice pulled Debbie from her thoughts. He picked Cody up and plopped him on the counter. “And we decided that you can keep the trucks—” He held up a finger when the boys started to cheer. “Ifyou do some chores for Miss Debbie to earn them.”
We did?
Debbie’s mind was still pretty muddled from that incredible kiss—in fact she couldn’t see how Austin could stand there and pretend like nothing happened—but she knew they hadn’t talked about the boys doing chores for her.
Austin looked at her; his brown eyes begging her to agree.
She cleared her throat. “I have lots of things that I need some strong boys to help with.”
Well, she’d think of some anyway.
“Yes!” Both boys pumped their fists in the air, then Cody added. “We’re good helpers, aren’t we Daddy?”
“Yes, you are.” Austin lifted Cody down. “Now, go get your backpacks and let’s head home.”
“But we haven’t had dinner yet,” Dallas said.
“Oh, right.” Color flooded Austin’s cheeks, and Debbie bit back a smile.
He was more flustered by their kiss than he let on.
“I guess you’d better wash up then and hope Miss Debbie and I didn’t eat all of the food while we were locked in the pantry.”
“Silly Daddy, dinner’s in the oven.” Cody turned and raced down the hall after Dallas yelling, “I wish we had a pantry, so Dad could lock us in it!”
“Me too,” Dallas said. “I’d fight with you every day so he’d send us to the pantry.”
Debbie and Austin both laughed.
Savannah still stood near the pantry, staring at the two of them.
Austin sobered and rubbed his hands on his jeans. “I uh… I’ll set the table.”
Debbie pulled the enchiladas from the oven, hoping they hadn’t burned while she and Austin were imprisoned. She avoided Savannah’s gaze while the girl washed out her brushes, and when they all sat around the table to eat, it soon became apparent that Austin was avoiding Debbie’s gaze.
He didn’t speak directly to her or even look at her once during the meal.
