Free Family Ties by Louise Behiel Page A

pushing a glass across to him.
    “Not much yet – ripping out the downstairs walls and dividers.” The cool fridge must have affected her, because her nipples were pointed and hard. Forcing himself to tear his gaze away he tipped up the glass and took a long pull, hoping it would cool his libido.
    “Heavens, it looked like a big job.”
    He shrugged. “It’s the messiest part of any remodel. Ripping out someone’s patch-up job is more irritation than anything.” He took another swig of lemonade, emptying the glass then setting it on the table between them. “Tasted great, Andie. Really hit the spot. Thanks.”
    “I have lots if you’d like another.”
    Gray knew he had to get his apology over with but he wasn’t particularly masochistic, so he put it off for another minute or two. “Sure, if I’m not keeping you from anything else.”
    She shook her head, raising with the glass in hand. “Nothing that can’t wait.”
    He watched her fill his glass and tidy up after herself. An ease to her movements made her graceful. Would her movements be as smooth in the heat of passion? Or would she claw and scratch, digging for release?
    He swallowed hard as she walked toward him, a small strip of skin showing between her top and shorts. Pure temptation, kids and all. Watching her slide the screen closed he forced his thoughts into order. He had to get a grip on himself. He hadn’t had this much trouble with his unruly body since he was a dumb kid.
    “What’s the irritation about ripping out someone else’s work?” she asked, settling herself back into her chair.
    “It’s always dirty, dusty work. But when it’s been done by someone more intent on cutting corners than following code, you never really know what’s coming up. What’s safe to rip out or what you have to leave.” He slid his thumb and finger through the cool condensation of his glass then lifted it to his mouth again.
    “Is that your situation?”
    He nodded, settling the glass back on the table. “Guy who developed the basement wanted to break up the space a bit. He wasn’t intending it to be for anybody’s use other than their own.”
    “How’d you come to that conclusion?”
    Gray shrugged. “When you develop a house, you have to keep in mind the district and the type of home and the ... well the ‘feel’ of the neighborhood. He didn’t do any of those things.” He tipped his head toward the swimming pool in his back yard. “That waste of space proves my point.”
    “But I thought a pool increased a property’s value.”
    “For the right buyer it might be true, but it’s far less likely in a neighborhood like this.”
    “Like this?”
    She looked away.
    Gray might have thought she snorted, if she wasn’t a lady. “What do you mean?”
    “Neighborhoods like this can be full of small minded people.”
    He didn’t understand what she was getting at. They’d never bothered him. In fact they’d hardly said hello. “Have you met the neighbors?”
    Andie sighed. “Oh yeah. They’ve sent a couple of envoys over here.”
    “Envoys? What do you mean?”
    “The day I moved in, Mrs. Hill – call me Ellen, dear – came over to say hello. She seemed surprised by all the kids but didn’t say much.”
    “Sounds like Ellen. I think she welcomes everyone.”
    Andie slid her glass around the table top, smearing the condensation on the glass. “I agree, especially when another of the neighbors came over.” Suddenly fascinated with the design from the glass’s moisture on the table, she stared at the table. “Mf. Kapinski told me this is a family neighborhood and no place for an orphanage.”
    “What?” Gray couldn’t believe what she’d just said. “You don’t have an orphanage.”
    “No I don’t, but I do have a home for foster children and once word got out, it seems I’m persona non grata around here.”
    “I can’t believe it. These are good folks.”
    She nodded. “You’re probably right. But they’re also