Midsummer Sweetheart Read Online Free PDF Page B

No sign of her or her dimples. She was probably still naked in the shower. He clenched his jaw once then shook his head.
    “I’m not a babysitter, Ing.”
    “She’s been through a lot, Erik. She’s Sam’s cousin. It’s more for us than for her.”
    “No, I get it. I just—” I just don’t think it’s a good idea for me to get attached to her dimples. “You know, I’m going up there to start a new job and all. I don’t think—”
    Ingrid sighed loudly. “You can’t just check on her from time to time? For me? You don’t have to babysit her. She wouldn’t want that. Katrin’s really strong. She walked away from this guy and I’m sure that hurt, but she did it. And we sprang this move and new job on her today and you know, she’s good, she’s going. But, it would just make us all feel better to know you were checking up on her. Just swing in once in a while? Make sure she’s doing all right? You’ve got a protective streak a mile wide, Erik. This is right up your alley. Come on.”
    Erik didn’t know what to say. He was sympathetic to Katrin’s situation. He wouldn’t even mind taking a swing at her lush-scumbag ex-boyfriend. But to commit to driving a three-hour round-trip down to Skidoo Bay and back with any regularity? It sounded like the sort of scenario that could get messy, and Erik didn’t like messy.
    “I only get Sundays off while I’m training.”
    “Then stop by the next couple of Sundays.”
    “Aw, Ing. Come on. I don’t even know her that well. What excuse am I going to make for stopping by?”
    “You’re her cousin’s brother-in-law and you’re like a brother to me, and anyway, you’ll both be up there without family. Think of her as your cousin . Like Jenny or me up there all by ourselves.”
    “I know you and Jenny. You are my family. She’s not.” I certainly don’t ever imagine you or Jenny soaping up in the shower.
    Distracted by that luscious thought, he didn’t realize how long Ingrid had paused in the conversation until her sour voice muttered, “Okay, Erik. Bad idea. Clearly. Just forget it.”
    Aw, crap. Here we go. Erik ran a hand through his bristly blond hair. They always do this, her and Jenny. Damn it, why can’t I ever say no to them? There was something about his sister…and Ingrid too, for that matter. His heart had a veritable wall of ice around it when it came to any other girl in the world, but those two had always managed to get around it, the pair of them. Like a couple of human blowtorches.
    He sighed in frustration and defeat. “Fine. Okay. Okay. I’ll—I’ll check in on her from time to time.”
    He heard the warmth return to her voice when she answered. “You’re a good egg, Erik.”
    “Keep your compliments to yourself, smärta i nacken .”
    Ingrid chuckled.
    “Pain in the neck,” he muttered in English. “Do you want written reports?”
    “A text here or there would be fine. Just to let us know she’s okay.”
    “If I said no, Jenny would’ve been on the phone, putting the screws to me in two minutes flat, right?”
    “Good chance, Minste .”
    “You two are quite a team. And in no way do I say that with admiration.” He cleared his throat. “Fine, I’ll swing in from time to time and check on her for you. Skidoo Bay isn’t that far from Kalispell, I guess.”
    “Hey Erik,” she started after a beat. “You seeing anyone?”
    “You have to ask, you’re not as thick with my sister as I thought.”
    “She thought there might have been someone over the winter.”
    “Didn’t last.”
    “Does anything with you?”
    “Geez! I’m doing you a favor—no, favors , multiple favors , Ing. Maybe not the best time to pick on me?”
    She continued like he hadn’t spoken. “It’s not so bad, Erik. Loving someone. Being with someone. It’s actually pretty nice. Look at me and Kris. Jen and Sam. Your parents, for heaven’s sake!”
    Yeah, look at my parents. Look what happened to them. His heart clutched in a twist of