Whisper In The Dark (The McKinnon Legends-- The American Men Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page B

brother and had offered to pay for the funeral. Robert had refused to let the old man pay knowing it was most likely a good chunk of his life savings. He was wondering when she would figure out the funeral was not free and if her pride would keep her from accepting any more of his help.
    Walking her back into the house, he shut and locked the front door and windows on the ground floor. Personal security was his business, and given Kyle had been murdered, he saw where there was potential for a breach in her defenses as well. He could not take any chances.
    Tomorrow he would come by and better secure the premises. He owed it to Kyle, who would have done the same thing had the roles been reversed and his sister needed help.
    “Katherine, it is almost midnight and you need some sleep. Go on up and tuck in. Tomorrow is going to be difficult for all of us. I’ll stay down here tonight and be here if you need anything.”
    She was not just a little surprised by his offer. However, she could not impose.
    “I’ll be fine, Robert. I live in New York for goodness sake. Go on home to your wife and get some rest yourself. I appreciate the gesture, but really, I’ll be fine.”
    “Kate?” He ran his hands down her arms. Taking her hand and kissing her fingers was unconscious on his part. “I hate to leave you alone.”
    “I’m used to taking care of myself, Robert,” she said nodding, feeling very old and tired.
    Getting on tiptoes she placed a lingering kiss on his cheek and whispered in his ear.
    “Kyle loved you like a brother. Thank you, Robert.” She hugged him again. Any other circumstances and any other woman and he might have taken it as a come on, but not tonight and not with her.
    “My pleasure,” he replied, hugging her back holding her longer than he probably should have, sensing she needed his strength. He had enough for both of them.
    Feeling her take in a deep breath and slowly release it, he knew she was exhausted as she swayed on her feet.
    “All right, Katie Bug. I’ll go, but call if you need anything, even if you just want to talk.”
    Hating to leave her, but understanding her need for independence, he walked back through the kitchen.
    “Here is my cell phone number. Don’t lose it.”
    Jotting it down, he left it on the note pad by the phone. “If you need anything, Kate, call me. I don’t care what time of the day or night. I’m close and just a phone call away.”
    On impulse he cupped her chin.
    Realizing what he was about to do and fighting the urge, at the last minute he kissed her on the forehead.
    “It is late, Robert. I appreciate you and your support, but go home to your family. I’m sure your wife is worried by now.”
    Robert looked into those pools of warm chocolate wondering how there could possibly be so many shades of warm brown. Her eyes were a kaleidoscope of color ranging from gold to velvet black.
    “I’ve never married.”
    “Oh,” she was surprised. “What about Marilyn? I thought you guys were fated for each other.”
    She had always figured he and Marilyn would have been the ones to defy the odds and make it work. It must have been something drastic for the wedding never to have taken place. She just had no idea how drastic.
    “Marilyn died just before the wedding.”
    “Oh, Robert, I’m sorry. Now, don’t I feel like the jackass? I’m truly sorry to hear it.”
    He shrugged. “Don’t feel bad. There was no way you could have known.”
    “I was young, but from what I remember she was a sweet girl.”
    And she was a sweet woman, Robert thought.
    However, it was ancient history and life moves on with you or without you. He chose to move forward, but not before he wrestled with his own demons and guilt of finding he would go several days without thinking of her. Then days turned into months. Now, after more than fifteen years he hardly thought of her at all, but when he did they were good memories he remembered. He came to the realization several years past that