Fan The Flames (Man Of The Month Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

a prince. Mommy says I need to be at least twenty and besides, they’ve all been taken. Mommy also said that no prince is going to find her because she was married to my daddy. Princesses are single until they find their one true love.”
    “I did not know that,” Brad said, holding back a chuckle.
    As Colleen went back to eating her cereal, Scarlett’s face reddened and she made a beeline for the center island, putting Brad squarely on the opposite side. Out of the mouths of babes …
    She gestured to her cup. “Would you like some hot cocoa?”
    “It’s good,” Colleen added to her mom’s offer. “But the marshmallows don’t last long. We usually use whipped cream, but Granny forgot to bring that.”
    “You’re right. I can see that the marshmallows are gone. We’ll have to buy whipped cream. I’ll remember that next time.” He smiled at her, directed his question to Scarlett. “Did you by any chance make coffee?”
    She shook her head. Pointed to the Keurig. “I have no idea how to use that thing.”
    “Here. I’ll show you.” He slid out of his parka, tossed it over the back of a kitchen chair. Underneath he wore a fisherman’s knit sweater and tight jeans that did little to conceal. Were women crazy? Why hadn’t someone put a ring on his finger? Todd had always told her Brad had had no issue meeting women. He opened a cabinet, took out two of the K-cups. “Want one?”
    She held up her mug. “I’m good.”
    “Sure? It’s French roast.” He showed her the package top. Gave her a megawatt grin that melted her insides. Made her suddenly want to find out what all those other women he’d dated had experienced. Seriously, she had to get a grip. It had been a long time since she’d felt the full effects of a man’s smile. That was all.
    “Already have cocoa.” She sipped quickly, pushing aside the silly glow his attention had created.
    The smile didn’t diminish. “We can buy some of that. The machine makes it too.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with the old-fashioned way and those cup things aren’t recyclable.” She winced. She sounded testy. No need for him to suspect the physical effect he was having on her. Had to simply be the stress from the move. Right?
    He didn’t appear to notice or take offense. “Hmm. Never thought of that. Good point. We want to help Mother Nature. So, you going to make me old-fashioned coffee then?”
    Something wicked and mischievous slipped into his eye, as if he were daring her. “I can.” But the words didn’t come out as strong and unaffected as she’d hoped.
    “Might take you up on that coffee then.” The machine began to hiss. Colleen set her spoon next to her bowl. Wiped her lips with a paper towel. Surely napkins were somewhere, but Scarlett hadn’t yet found them.
    “Mommy, may I be excused?”
    “Yes, but…” She had no idea what to do. The books were still packed. While Colleen’s bed was assembled, most of her toys were still in boxes.
    Brad sensed Scarlett’s concern. “I hooked the TV up yesterday. Cable’s already on. My mom also sent over some animated movies that Lisa’s outgrown.”
    Lisa was Brad’s niece. She was ten, and his sister Cynthia’s child. Unlike Todd, who’d been an only child, Brad had three other siblings.
    “Thank you,” Scarlett said gratefully. “We’re going to unpack her room first thing. Shall we see what’s on TV? Or if maybe there’s a princess movie in the bunch?”
    “Okay.” Colleen scrambled down from the bar stool. “I liked the Lego movie too. Maybe that’s there.”
    “Probably not, but we can look,” Scarlett said, following Colleen up the back stairs. “Feel free to help yourself to anything. After all, you bought it all,” she called over her shoulder.
    Brad digested her parting words, wondering if there was hidden meaning. Her bare feet climbed up the hardwood stairs he’d polished to a sheen himself and then she disappeared out of sight.
    He ran a finger over the granite