Free Tequila And Tingles: Turtle Pine, Book 2 by Keri Ford Page B

are not a lot of people that she does trust.”
    “Sometimes I think she’s almost afraid of me.”
    “Curious.” She tapped her thighs. “Not afraid. I don’t think Katie is afraid of anything.”
    “Is there anything I can do to get her to take her walls down? She won’t pass the class if she doesn’t let me teach her to float. To do that, she’ll have to be on her back and let me support her. It’s going to take a lot of trust.”
    Beth pretty well collapsed in her seat. She couldn’t see Katie being up to that anytime soon. “She’ll slowly warm up to you. You just have to give her time.”
    “I only see her three times a week, for an hour, while we’re surrounded by nine other kids that she can hide behind.”
    “I can’t make her participate better, if that’s what you’re asking. She’ll refuse even more. She’s stubborn. Hardheaded. She’s impossible and you can’t convince her into anything if she doesn’t want it.”
    “That sounds familiar.”
    If he thought he was the first to point that out, he was dead wrong. Her brothers, her father—her mother most of all. Her mom said she was paying now for her own stubbornness as a kid or something. “It’ll serve her well when she’s an adult.”
    “I was thinking of a couple afternoons at the park. I saw one on the way to TPC.”
    “I’m not interested in dating.”
    “I’m not asking you out. I’m asking for your permission to take Katie and her little brother to the park a couple days so she can pass her class.” He shook his head. “That came out a little wrong. I want you there too.”
    She took a drink to buy time. She sucked down half her tea and still didn’t have anything awesome to say. It was him. His eyes and cocky grin and the vague memories she had of them together. “I don’t know.”
    “It’s for Katie.”
    Damn it. This was for Katie and no other reason. “Fine. A few days at the park.”
    “Since tomorrow is Saturday, will that work okay? We can go in the morning or the evening when it’ll be cooler.”
    “Morning will be fine. Around ten.” By eleven thirty, Kent would be cranky for lunch and a past due for a nap.

Chapter Eight
    Jason wasn’t sure what he’d gotten himself into. He tucked a bottle of water in an ice chest and took the two offered juice boxes from his sister. His sister who had a ridiculous grin slapped on her face. “You can stop smiling anytime now. It’s just a couple of hours at the park.”
    “Not happening. You’re off to the park with a woman you like and her two kids.” She handed over another pair of juice boxes. “Take these too. Some kids are picky and I forgot to ask their aunt at the bakery what their favorite drinks are.”
    “Thank you.” He tucked them in the basket under the ice pack with the other drinks Meredith had already packed. They were nestled in next to the sandwiches and chips and cookies that could feed fifteen. Even cookies from the bakery that, according to their aunt, were Katie and Kent’s favorite snacks. Because nothing about that sounded in any way like he was a stalker or creepy. He’d asked for a playdate and was showing up with a picnic lunch full of all their favorite foods, and his smile was the best explanation to offer for how. Rumored golden boy or not, it all looked creepy to him.
    “Go get ’em, Tiger.” Meredith slapped him on the rear on his way by. He turned and gave his best brotherly stare that at least earned him a wince. “Too much?”
    He messed up her hair. “Just don’t ever do that in public.”
    She laughed. “I promise. Have fun. All you have to do is ask the kids what they want to do and then do that. You’ll be fine. Don’t try to distract them with something else or they’ll side-eye you. Kids are smart. Don’t forget it.”
    “We went over this last night.” For about two hours, until he’d finally escaped to his room and put on headphones.
    “All right.” She fake sniffed. “My baby brother is just