Dreams Don't Wait (Contemporary romance) Read Online Free PDF

three different pizzas just for her, Linc. One—the first one she ordered—should have been enough."
    "She's young. She has trouble making up her mind. How in hell is a four-year-old going to know she doesn't like pineapple?" He sounded defensive.
    "You might have stopped her from complaining long and loud enough to disrupt the whole restaurant, and besides, she didn't have to eat the pineapple. And—" Enough said .
    " And? " His blue eyes locked on hers.
    Cursing her big mouth, she lifted her eyes to his and steeled herself. "She was... bratty. I didn't see any of that behavior today—when you weren't around. It's as if the child knows she can get away with anything as long as Daddy's there."
    "She's high-spirited and—"
    "Jenny's restless, young, high-spirited. Yes, she's all those things, but she's also a little girl. You're the adult. If you choose to let her run over you like a pint-sized steamroller, that's your business. I'm merely suggesting she needs a firmer hand."
    "Yeah, that's what her mother said," he drawled, his voice hard and low. "Before she backhanded her across the room. And here I always thought women were the gentler, more loving sex."
    Evan looked at him in stunned disbelief. "Jenny's mother abused her?"
    He moved away from the door and went to lean on the balcony rail, hands wide apart, head hanging low between his broad shoulders. "She didn't get the chance. That blow was the first and the last. Fortunately for Jenny, her mother wasn't around much. Moira preferred high living to her daughter's company. Mostly, Jenny was in the care of, as her mother put it, 'cool, objective professionals.' " He stopped talking suddenly and looked at her. She'd come up beside him and was also leaning against the rail.
    He went on. "The funny thing is, I was the one who insisted Moira stay home more, make a real home for Jenny. I thought it would be better for Jen. Wrong. Moira wasn't cut out for motherhood. Oh, she made a stab at it for a while, but it was clear, damn fast, she didn't have the temperament for it. Apparently, she had loftier goals." He almost snorted this last comment before continuing. "The day she hit Jenny was the day we left. I didn't expect a custody battle, and Moira didn't disappoint me. A fat check took care of everything. That was two years ago."
    "I'm sorry," Evan said, not knowing what else to say.
    Linc straightened, gave her a sharp look. "Don't be. It was the best decision I ever made, and long overdue. I don't want your sympathy. I want your understanding—for Jenny's sake. What she needs is love, attention. What she doesn't need is another firm hand. Do I make myself clear?"
    "Perfectly." And he had but... Her doubt must have shown on her face.
    "But you don't agree with me?" His expression hardened.
    "It's not up to me to agree or disagree. I've raised Cal my way. You're entitled to raise Jenny any way you see fit. It's not my place to interfere."
    "Good. I'm glad you see it my way."
    "Can I say one more thing?"
    He eyed her warily before giving a crisp nod.
    "Like I said, I won't interfere, but I think being permissive with a child can be damaging, too. A firm hand can be loving as well as harsh." As if to prove her point, she touched his hand briefly. "But thank you for telling me about Jenny."
    * * *
    Once in his bedroom, Linc headed directly for the shower. He was tense, frustrated, and angry. Who the hell did she think she was anyway? Miss Evangeline North. When he wanted her opinion, he'd ask for it. And she damn well better live up to her promise not to interfere. There'd been enough cold-hearted women in Jenny's young life—and his. She didn't need another. And he damn sure didn't.
    He stopped mid-stride on the way to the bathroom. Hard to think of Evan as cold-hearted.
    Her brief empathetic touch wasn't cold. Those marvelous green eyes weren't cold. They were warm and, except when she was looking at him, filled with laughter. Her smile was warm, even when she smiled at