The Playboy (Chandler Brothers #2)(44)
Author: Carly Phillips

“Better you washing cars than me washing out that sarcastic, obnoxious, forgetful mouth,”

Kendall snapped back. “That’s ground rule number one. You treat me with respect and I’ll do the same. See you at dinner.” Taking her cue from Hannah, Kendall turned and walked out, her only concession to politeness the fact that she didn’t slam a door behind her.

Kendall walked to the school to pick up her car. Then she planned to head home, load the trunk, and meet with Charlotte at her store. But first she decided to snoop. Without bothering Rick or Hannah, she watched their interaction; Hannah hung out with the kids whom she’d obviously clicked with and Rick acted the part of the parental guide he probably didn’t realize he’d become.

For a man who claimed to not want marriage or kids, he’d make one hell of a father. The thought brought a lump to her throat. Upon viewing his stern caring with her sister last night, Kendall had developed an even greater respect for him as a man. Seeing him now with the teenagers and realizing how well liked he was in his community, how could she not fall a little bit in love with him?

She wrapped her hands around her bare forearms and shivered. So many unanswered problems and questions, she thought. She didn’t know what to do for her sister, didn’t know why Hannah had decided to focus her anger on Kendall and not their parents. She didn’t even know how to go about finding the right school or getting her sister to go back once she had. And mostly Kendall didn’t know what her feelings for Rick meant, for herself or the solitary future she’d always envisioned.

She’d always been impulsive, hence the constant movement. Being able to pick up and go from place to place on a whim gave Kendall an odd sense of security. No one and nothing could ever trap her. If things got too suffocating, she moved on. And though she’d never made a huge success for herself, perhaps because she’d never stayed in one place long enough, she had managed to get by financially, occasionally taking sales jobs in crafts stores where she could learn by reading, watching, and listening. She planned to do the same in Sedona while learning new aspects of her craft. But Arizona wasn’t the draw it had once been. She didn’t think of the place with nearly the longing she once had.

Because now she had obligations. For a woman who’d never put down roots, she now had plenty of ties to this small town. She owned a house and was responsible for the occupants who didn’t pay rent but whom she feared displacing. She had a small business ready to begin in Charlotte’s Attic and the possibility of working further with Rick’s sister-in-law in D.C. She had an emotionally needy sister who had nowhere to go and no one to rely on but Kendall. And she had a relationship with a special guy.

One who played the role of bachelor but who’d spoken of her staying beyond the summer and withdrawn when she’d balked at the idea. He’d obviously been hurt badly by one woman who’d left him and knowing Kendall planned to do the same, he’d reerected the walls he’d built on day one. She hated the barriers between them as much as she understood the need.

And she didn’t know what she was going to do. About anything. Frustration and fear filled her until she squeezed her hands into tight fists, fighting back tears. Then she drew a deep breath. She might not have a plan, but she was an independent fighter. She’d figure this out. Somehow.

She squinted into the sunlight as one of the kids sprayed a healthy dose of water on Officer Rick, as she’d noticed he was called. He dumped a bucket of water in retaliation and the shouts of glee echoed in the air. Hannah was in the middle of the fray and Kendall couldn’t help but smile.

For all the problems surrounding her, for now, while she was in Yorkshire Falls, life was better than it had been in a long while. Better than it had ever been.

And the thought scared the living daylights out of her.

Hours later, Kendall sat in Charlotte’s Attic, feeling as if she’d been friends with Charlotte and her manager, Beth Hansen, forever. The women were open and outgoing and their discussions included girl stuff and resulted in the kind of female bonding Kendall had missed out on as a teen.

She was catching up big time now. She knew more details about Roman and Charlotte, and Beth and her boyfriend Thomas, than she’d imagined being privy to.

Having a hunch she’d be next up, Kendall deliberately kept the subject on Beth. “So how long have you and Thomas been dating?” Kendall asked.

“About four months now,” Charlotte answered for Beth. “Anyone want more lunch?” She pointed to the large Greek salad the women had brought in from Norman’s next door. A salad Kendall and Beth devoured and Charlotte picked at.

Because Kendall had arrived right around lunchtime, they’d insisted she join them and hadn’t taken no for an answer. Now an hour later, though they hadn’t gotten to business, Kendall was glad to have been included in their female bonding.

“None for me. I’ve had enough,” Beth said.

“Same here.” Kendall rose and started gathering up the paper plates.

Charlotte picked up the soda cans and a water bottle. “You don’t need to do that.”

“Sure I do.” Since they wouldn’t let her pay, the least she could do was help clean.

Charlotte shrugged. “I suppose if you’re going to end up with Rick, then you’d better get used to cleaning.”

“I’m not—”

“You should see the messes Roman used to leave,” Charlotte said as she walked toward the back room with the garbage in her hand.

Kendall followed, tossing out the plates and plastic forks.

“Until you trained him better, right?” Beth laughed. “Is Rick at least marginally better at keeping a place clean, Kendall?”

Recalling his neat apartment, Kendall nodded. “Must be the disciplined cop in him.”

“Either that or he had Wanda in to clean.” Charlotte laughed. “I hooked him up with my housekeeper when he took over my lease.”

“And he needs it. Rick’s not exactly the neatest person around,” Beth said.

“And Beth would know. She and Rick have been friends for a long time.” Charlotte walked side by side with Kendall as they returned to where Beth was wiping down the small table where they’d eaten. “Right, Beth?” Charlotte asked.

“Right. Unlike those other ridiculous women who throw themselves at him, I know a good friend when I see one. Not long ago I was getting over a broken engagement and Rick gave me a shoulder to lean on.” Beth met Kendall’s gaze and held it, convincing Kendall of her sincerity.