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was streaked with yellow.
    Given her recent experience with Malcolm, Crystal was still gun-shy. Or was it man-shy? Either way, getting involved, even if briefly or flirtatiously, with a man like Kyle—vain and thinking himself God’s gift to women—wasn’t healthy for her. Fun probably, exciting in the bedroom, but in the long run, any kind of dalliance would just hurt Crystal, and possibly Gigi.
    When it came to dating and men, Crystal needed to pay more attention, to not let herself get caught up in the packaging and really examine what was inside a guy. In retrospect, she should have noted the signs with Malcolm, but as a single mom working two jobs trying to support her daughter—because of a deadbeat father who took off to parts unknown when he found out—she craved attention, someone to love her.
    Malcolm saw her weakness and exploited it. He put on such a good act. Convinced her he loved her, told her they could be a family, that he’d take care of her.
    He did. Just not in a way any woman would find healthy.
    However, she’d escaped the prick. Her life with him belonged in the past. She now lived for the future, a future where Gigi and Crystal would come first.
    They didn’t need no stinking man to complete them.
    They didn’t need a good-looking guy with a brilliant white smile.
    Or giant muscles.
    Or an infectious laugh.
    Time to snare her daughter back before Crystal made any other disturbing discoveries. Such as whether or not he kisses with his eyes open or shut.
    Off she marched, libido firmly leashed, pacing cougar caged in her mind.
    Gigi noted her first and waved before palming Kyle’s cheeks and lisping, “My mama is coming.”
    Well, at least she couldn’t accuse him of trying to use her daughter. Genuine surprise creased his face as he beheld her, the slack-jawed, eyes-wide-open type.
    “Crystal is your mother?”
    Blonde curls bobbed.
    “Figures,” he muttered.
    “Hey, little Houdini, where were you hiding this time?”
    “In the stable.”
    Where Crystal had just been but failed to note her own daughter’s presence. Some hunter/tracker she’d make. Goodbye Mother of the Year award too.
    She held out her arms, yet Gigi held back. What the hell?
    Instead, Gigi hugged the big caribou and beamed. “Kyle found me.”
    Kyle? They were already on a first-name basis. How nice. She reached for her daughter again. “Come on, Gigi. Time to go home and get some supper. You must be hungry.”
    This time her daughter didn’t hesitate, practically throwing herself at Crystal. She caught the armful with a grunt and a stagger, an unsteady wobble steadied by a hand.
    The simple touch shouldn’t have sent a jolt of awareness through her, but it did.
    No. No. No. Not good. She stepped away from Kyle. “Thanks for finding her.”
    “You’re welcome. She’s a great kid.”
    Ha. Like she’d fall for his compliment. Using Gigi as a ploy to get in her good graces wouldn’t work. “The best, and in need of food before she turns into a scratching and spitting hellion. Bye.”
    Not giving him a chance to reply, she strode away from him with Gigi on her hip, trying to ignore the fact her daughter peeked over her shoulder and waved.
    Before they headed outside into the cold, she zipped Gigi’s jacket and pulled hats and mitts from her pockets, placing them snugly on her daughter’s hands and head.
    Then, with Crystal holding Gigi firmly by the hand, they braved the chilly night but not dark, as the community center had lights strung at regular intervals in the parking lot.
    Light did her little good though when her car refused to start. It chugged sluggishly, once, twice, three times before it died. Nothing. Zilch, not even a click.
    Sitting in the frigid vehicle, she stared at the dash in annoyance. Stupid old piece of junk only started when it felt like it, which was getting less and less often.
    It looked like they’d have to walk home, which in good weather was only about fifteen-twenty minutes,