Chasing Second Chances Read Online Free Page B

cheeks to stain his shirt.
    “Everything will be all right,” he repeated.
    She nodded, surrendering to his embrace, his chest just as firm as she remembered, his arms just as strong, his scent still the same. She closed her eyes, drawing comfort from them, but just when she felt herself relaxing, she heard footsteps and she looked up in time to gaze into a pair of brown eyes.
    A very familiar pair of brown eyes.
    “Bryan?”

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Bryan’s eyes widened before slowly softening, the sadness in them making Kate’s chest feel heavy.
    “Bryan, it’s not what you think. I…” She pushed herself away from Lloyd, compelled by the small voice inside of her that told her it was the right thing to do, only to regret it the moment she felt the air upon her damp, bare breasts.
    Shit.
    Bryan looked away and was about to open his mouth to speak when the phone on the quartz bathroom countertop rang.
    Lloyd stood up and reached for it while Kate grabbed the opportunity to wrap her towel around her chest, grateful that she had been saved from the awkward situation.
    For now.
    “Who is it?” she asked as she stepped out of the tub.
    “It’s an unknown number,” Lloyd answered, handing her the phone.
    At once, Kate stiffened, reminded of her bigger predicament, and as her gaze met with Lloyd’s, she knew that he was thinking the same thing she was thinking—that the caller could be the kidnapper asking for a ransom—and she took a deep breath before answering the call.
    “Kate Evans speaking.”
    “Kate?” A familiar voice sounded on the line.
    “Anne?” Kate heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh, I’m so glad to hear your voice. Your number didn’t register on my phone so for a moment there, I thought it was…” She paused suddenly.
    “I’m using the phone here at my mother’s house,” Anne explained. “You thought I was who?”
    “Anne, Jack and Lena have been kidnapped,” Kate blurted out.
    “Oh my God.”
    “When I came home, they were gone.”
    “Oh, Kate, I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have left…”
    “It’s not your fault, Anne,” Kate quickly told her. “I doubt it would have made a difference if you had stayed.”
    Anne kept silent, probably in shock.
    “The police might get in touch with you since I mentioned that I asked you to check on the kids,” Kate continued. “I gave them your number, but I didn’t know your address. I’m sorry to cause you trouble.”
    “It’s no trouble at all,” Anne said. “I’ll do everything I can to help.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Oh, I wish I could be there by your side right now but my mother still isn’t feeling too well.”
    “Don’t worry about it. I’m okay.”
    “You are?”
    “No, I’m not,” Kate admitted. “But I’ll be fine. Bryan’s here and Lloyd, too.” She looked up at Lloyd who was standing just inches away from her.
    “Lloyd’s there?” The surprise was clear in Anne’s voice.
    “Anyway, I’ll let you know when I find them,” Kate said, not wanting to explain Lloyd’s presence.
    “You do that,” Anne said. “And don’t lose hope. You will find them.”
    “I certainly hope so, Anne.”
    “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    Kate wanted to tell her there was no need, but knew that there was. She did need a friend, after all. “Thank you. And tell your mother I hope she gets better soon.”
    Anne sighed. “You’re going through hell and still, you worry about others. My mother’s fine. You hang in there, okay?”
    “I will,” Kate promised.
    “I know you will,” Anne said. “I better go get breakfast ready. Bye.”
    “Bye.”
    Hearing the click at the end of the call, Kate set her phone back down and turned to Lloyd. “That was Anne. You remember her?”
    “I can’t say that I do,” he answered truthfully.
    “We used to work together. She was at Lena’s baby shower,” Kate said. “I asked her to keep an eye on the kids for me while I was away.”
    “But she left.”
    “It’s not