Indomitable Spirit Read Online Free PDF Page A

town was across from the hardware store.
    “You’ll keep an eye on her?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’ll be home by four?”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay. I’ll let grandma know.”
    Jacob gave him the slightest hint of a smile.
    When the oven reached temperature, John pulled down the door and slid the pizzas onto the rack.
    “Will you get your brother out of the play pen? I have to wash those other two monsters up and by then we can eat.”
    “Sure.”
    As Jacob passed by, John ran his hand over the top of his head. “Thanks, bud.”
    But Jacob said nothing. John knew he was tired of having any responsibility around the house and he wished he didn’t have to ask, but that wasn’t how it was at the Larson house. Four kids—one man. Life hadn’t played fair and they were all paying the price.
     
    ***
     
    Kym had bought half a dozen muffins at Malory’s and a mint mocha coffee. As she looked around the bakery she saw that not much had been done on the renovation in the past two days.
    “He’ll be in later,” Malory said with a grin curling up the corner of her mouth.
    “Oh, Mr. Larson?” Kym asked as if she didn’t know she’d been caught looking for him. “Your customers will have a reprieve from his cursing.”
    Malory chuckled. “His bark is much worse than his bite.”
    That’s what had kept Kym up all of the night and had her mind elsewhere yesterday as well.
    “I’m sure he’s nice when you get to know him.”
    Malory nodded. “He’s got it tough right now.”
    Before Kym could continue her investigation into the mysterious John Larson, the door to the bakery opened and a tall, handsome man with long dark hair walked in. The smile on Malory’s face widened.
    The man walked up to the counter, rested his elbow down and his chin in his palm. “Hey, Wil, someone knocked you up.”
    She laughed. “Yeah, only trouble walks in this town.”
    “I’ve heard that.”
    “So what do you want?” She’d inched in over the counter as much as her swollen belly would allow.
    “I want you to close shop and let me show you what a real man is like.”
    She laughed easily and rested her hand on his cheek. “Damn, I thought I could forget all about you Christopher Douglas.”
    “Nah, I’m unforgettable.”
    Malory kissed him softly on the lips and then he turned his head and looked at Kym, who had been caught up in the banter between them.
    “Ah,” he said standing up straight. “I didn’t notice you already had company.”
    Malory laughed again. “This is Kym O’Bryne. She owns the karate school.”
    “Oh, yeah.” He held his hand out to her. “I’m the one who knocked up Wil.”
    Malory snorted. “That would be my husband.”
    Kym shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” She looked him over. “Christopher Douglas. Hockey?”
    “You know hockey?”
    She nodded. “I have two older brothers.” Kym could feel the heat from the cup she clenched in her hand. “I should go. I have lesson plans to finalize and classes starting at three. Thanks for the coffee.”
    “I’ll see you soon,” Malory gave her a wave.
    “It was nice to meet you,” she walked past Christopher who hurried to open the door for her.
    “Likewise.”
    Kym walked out of the warm bakery and out to her car. When she looked back toward the building she could see Christopher walk behind the counter and lay his hands on Malory’s stomach. He bent down and kissed the lump beneath her apron and lingered there as if he were talking to the baby. An ache moved through Kym’s body. She’d never been in one place long enough in her life to find a man she could settle into such comfort with. What a wonderful thing it must be, to be loved like that.
    She set her cup of coffee on the top of her car and pulled open the door. She set her bag of muffins on the passenger seat, retrieved the cup of coffee, and climbed in.
    It took a moment for the heater to whirr up warm air, but when it did she backed out of the parking lot and headed toward