Marrying the Playboy Doctor Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’m renting until I have enough for a down payment.”
    Smart not to overextend herself. He saw the mangled red bicycle off to the side of her driveway before he saw anything else. Geez, the kid had been lucky. If the car had been going faster, the boy’s injuries would have been far more serious. He could only imagine how terrified Kylie must have been.
    He could remember all too clearly the night the police had come to their house to tell them about the accident that had claimed his father’s life. They’d all been teenagers, he the youngest of three. His older sister and older brother now lived in other parts of the country. His father’s death had hit them all hard, but together they’d managed to weather the storm.
    Kylie was alone, though. Who would have helped her if something awful had happened to her son?
    No one. Losing the people you loved was difficult at any time, but he couldn’t imagine anything worse than losing a child. All the more reason to keep his distance. Kylie and her son were a family, and he wasn’t in the market for a family. He didn’t know if he’d be a good father to his own kids, let alone someone else’s son.
    He’d offer friendship, nothing more.
    “Do you need help?” he asked, when she awkwardly got out of the car.
    “I can manage.” She held Ben close, avoiding his gaze.
    He went ahead, opening the front door for her, not surprised to find it unlocked. She would have been more concerned over Ben’s welfare than about insignificant details.
    “Thanks,” she murmured, slipping past him to gently set Ben on the sofa.
    He took a moment to glance around her cozy house, noticing one whole wall was dedicated to pictures of Kylie and Ben—mostly Ben.
    None of the pictures included a father.
    “Is there anything else you need?” He felt bad, just leaving her alone.
    “Seth, I’ve raised Ben on my own for the past six years. Trust me, I’ll be fine.”
    She’d raised Ben alone since he was born? The idea troubled him. Especially since she didn’t seem to have a lot of money. Didn’t the guy pay child support? Obviously not. He didn’t really doubt Kylie was more than capable of raising Ben on her own, but it didn’t make leaving any easier. “Don’t forget to make that appointment for Ben to see an ophthalmologist.”
    “I won’t.” She walked him toward the door. “Thanks for the ride.”
    “You’re welcome.” He was oddly reluctant to leave. Where had his normally casual attitude toward women gone? He needed to get himself back on track, and quick. At the door he glanced back at her. “Kylie, since you’re new to the area, feel free to give me a call if you need anything, okay?”
    Her brow puckered in a puzzled frown. “Thanks, Seth. But, like I said, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
    He wanted to pull her into his arms for a reassuring hug, but they’d only just met the other day. He barely knew her. She was smart, and a good mother to Ben. Yet he knew she wasn’t his type. She had responsibilities. He couldn’t imagine Kylie going out and having a wild, fun night on the town.
    But knowing that didn’t change how he felt. He wanted to see her again. Outside of work.
    He turned and left her house, walking quickly back to his car, knowing it was for the best not to take the seeds of their friendship any further.
    No matter how tempted he was.
     
    Kylie fed Ben a light dinner of tomato soup and half of a toasted cheese sandwich. Comfort food was always good when you were feeling sick. When he complained about his arm hurting she gave him some children’s pain medicine.
    All evening Ben talked nonstop about Dr. Seth. And football. She made a mental note to pay more attention to the football games on television, so she’d have a clue who the Packers and the Bears were. It was up to her to fulfill both parental roles in Ben’s life.
    Especially considering how easily Seth Taylor had made an impression on her young son.
    Too bad Seth’s entire attitude