Baby Girl: Dare to Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

her.  Her baby took test after test and passed them all with the high marks.  “Yes, she’s just choosing not to talk, but thanks to the ranch, that’s changing.”
    “Yes, it is.  I’d like you to think about putting her in advance placement courses.  As I said, she’s been doing well in class.  I know she has a lot going on with losing her father, moving to Mansfield, a new school, and trying to make new friends, which she does well even without talking.  I would like you to just think about it.”
    She was not expecting that.  “I will think about it.  How much time do I have before you need an answer?”  She would definitely need to talk to her sister about the implications of harder schoolwork on Kassie.
    “We’d like the start the advance placement classes in the spring semester.  So you have about two months to make a decision.”
    “I’ll let you know my answer as soon as I have one.” 
    “That’s all I ask.” 
    ***
    That afternoon, Kyle sat in his office staring at the computer screen.  This book was going to be harder to write than the others. In the other books, he took a clinical view toward the cases, but this case was special because it was Kassie.  She’d had such a breakthrough last week, he could only hope for the same today. 
    Work on something else, he told himself.  Normally that trick worked when he was blocked and couldn’t write, but when he wasn’t thinking about Kassie, he was thinking about her mother. 
    He dialed his sister’s phone.  Hopefully, Krista was between patients and could talk.  He waited for her to pick up.  “Hey Krissy,” he said. 
    “Hey, big brother,” she said.  “How’s things at the ranch?  Mom and Dad?”
    “Everyone is cool.  I have a problem and need your help.”  He hoped his nosy sister didn’t ask too many questions. 
    “Should you ask Jemma out on a date?”  She waited half a beat.  “Yes!”
    “How do you know?  Who squealed?”  He imagined it was his parents.
    “Actually, I’m friends with her sister, Janna.  We interned together.  Jemma was concerned about the billing.”
    “Why is monthly billing so hard for anyone to grasp?  You’re as bad as Dad.”
    “Well, most places like ours require payment weekly.  Just like you do every other customer.  What are you going to do if someone ask her?”
    “I’ll cross that bridge when it breaks.”
    “So when are you going to ask her out?”
    “She’s still grieving for her husband.  I’d feel like a jerk asking her out now.  Especially with her daughter.”
    “Kassie is fine. I heard she said a few words last week.  I’m not saying the first date has to be a two tablecloth affair, but you better make your move.  Or she’s just going to think you’re a nice man who treats her daughter really nice.”
    “Yeah, yeah, I know.  I’ll see how this week’s lesson goes.  Maybe I can start nosing around and find out if she’s still mourning her marriage.”  Kyle hated small talk, but sometimes a man had to step up to the stall and take care of business.
    “Of course she is.  That man was the love of her life.  According to Janna, they were blissfully happy.  So yes, those are big shoes to fill.  But you’re a big boy, I know you can.”
    Kyle saw the mountain before him.  It was a monumental task, but he could do it. He was a Cosgrove, damn it!  “You’re right, Krista.”  He glanced at the clock on the wall.  Those late nights were starting to catch up with him.  He yawned as his sister droned on about possible dating scenarios.  “Hey, sis, I’m going to have to hit you back.  I’m going to take a quick nap before Kassie’s lesson.”
    Krista snickered.  “Perks of being the boss, huh?”
    “Yep.  Later.”  He ended the call and turned off his computer, grabbed his keys and headed out of his office.  His mother and Tiffany were behind the counter, while Chutney was helping a customer.  “Mom, I’m going to the