Final Deposit by Lisa Harris

with an excuse but couldn’t.
    â€œNow, don’t tell me that dating her hasn’t crossed your mind at least once during the past twenty-four hours.”
    â€œNope.” He shot her a wry grin. “It’s crossed my mind at least a dozen.”
    She beamed. “I knew I was right.”
    â€œBut now’s not the time.” He dried his hands on a dishcloth and wiped down the counter. How his sister always managed to rope him into helping in the kitchen, he had no idea. “Her father’s in the hospital and we’re trying to do the impossible by tracking down this Internet scammer—”
    â€œSo a man can’t woo a girl because she’s in trouble?” She smoothed down the bottom of her tank top and frowned. “What happened to knights in shining armor showing up to save the day? Sounds like the perfect fairy tale if you ask me.”
    â€œMaybe you’ve been reading too many of those to the girls,” he retorted.
    â€œAnd you’ve been spending too much time working. You should settle down.”
    Leave it to his sister—she didn’t mince words, that was for sure.
    The back door slammed. Lindsey stood in the doorway with a puzzled look on her face. How much of their conversation had she heard? Her cheeks were red, but he couldn’t tell if it was from exercise or embarrassment.
    She slid on her sandals. “Did I interrupt something?”
    â€œNo.” Kyle wasn’t about to give his sister a chance to interfere with Lindsey in the room.
    Maybe his brilliant idea of keeping her safe at his sister’s wasn’t quite as ingenious as he’d first thought. On the other hand…he studied Lindsey’s face. Rosy cheeks, clipped-up hair, wide smile. It was going to be hard to ignore his sister’s candid advice.
    The twins raced in from outside and grabbed Lindsey’s hands, trying to pull her back outside.
    â€œThat’s enough, now. Shut the door, girls,” Kerrie said.
    â€œI’d forgotten how much energy six-year-olds have,” Lindsey said with a smile.
    â€œTry two,” Kerrie said.
    Both women laughed. Kerrie shot him a knowing look. Boy, he was in trouble.
    Kerrie wiped her hands on a towel, still smiling. “Simon called and is stuck in traffic, so I thought I’d give the girls a bath before we eat if the two of you don’t mind.”
    â€œOf course not,” Kyle said.
    â€œThe park behind us is beautiful. Why don’t you take Lindsey for a walk, Kyle. It’s cooled off enough to be pleasant.”
    Kyle grinned at Lindsey. There was no getting out of this. Not that he wanted to.
    â€œI like your sister,” Lindsey said once they’d started down the street.
    â€œShe’s more of a mother than a sister, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything.”
    Kerrie had been right about two things. One, the park was beautiful with its well-kept lawns and stately trees. Kids played on the jungle gym, while a Little League team practiced on the softball field. A mother pushed a baby carriage, joggers ran by…
    Kyle glanced at Lindsey. Kerrie had been right about Lindsey, too. In college, he’d wavered between what majors to choose and what girl to ask out. Lindsey had been the uncomplicated, safe friend—for the most part.
    Now he knew what he wanted, but the timing was all wrong. No woman had ever made him seriously consider settling down. Until now.
    Kyle stopped. The open field blurred before him. Players ran. Fans cheered.
    Maybe part of him had spent the past decade wishing for something he’d missed out on years ago.
    â€œKyle? You okay?”
    â€œSorry, I was just…” Wondering what it would be like if we were together. “Just enjoying the scenery.”
    Coward.
    â€œI called the hospital about an hour ago,” she told him as they started walking again. “They’ve moved my dad to a monitored bed, and he seems to be