Status Updates From Renegade Hearts (The Kinnis...

Reasoning that the more time they spent together, the more she’d be able to trust him…ironically. “Why wouldn’t she tell me? Why’d I have to find out like this? As if it didn’t matter--as if I don’t matter.” I have a little girl who’s almost seven--seven.” He tried to understand, but just couldn’t. He looked at Rebecca. “I’ve missed out on seven years.”

Your mama loves you very much,” he said, giving her a gentle tug. Emilee leaned back, her smile fading. “What is it, punkin’?” He wiggled one of her braids. “I think my mama misses my daddy.”

“Just please leave me alone. Leave Emilee alone. Please.” “Angel? What the hell? Just tell me what I’ve done.” “It’s not you, Dalton. All this time, I’ve been living a lie. I’ve lied to you, to my daughter, and worse, I’ve lied to myself, thinking it wouldn’t matter.” “You’re not making any sense.” He shut off the truck. “No, please, you have to leave. Just go,” she said, her sobs choking out the words.

“There is no us, Dalton.” He shook his head. “Yeah, well I’m not making that same mistake twice.” He looked away, then challenged her with a steely look. “Unless you tell me right now you don’t feel a damn thing for me. Then, I swear to God, I’ll leave you alone.”

She glanced at Dalton. “And the answer to your questions is, yes. Men can drive women bat-shit crazy.” She tipped her gaze to Rein. “And not just in bed, darlin’. Guys can be just as hard to figure out as women.”

Angelique sighed. “I can’t just go traipsing after Dalton.” “Who said anything about going after him? I’m only suggesting that you talk out whatever it is between the two of you so the rest of us don’t have to deal with it every time you’re in the same vicinity. It’s bad juju for the animals, not to mention little Emilee.”

Ugh. I really hate when women lie about paternity and keep the truth from the father for YEARS, especially when they just assume he doesn't want kids. Why was he good enough to bang unprotected, but not good enough to at least tell that you Re pregnant? If he doesn't want to be responsible, at least you gave him the choice.

Dalton stared for a moment at his hands uncertain he could put into words how he felt without sounding like a whiny-ass baby. Hearts-to-heart were not his thing. He’d just as soon take his fishing pole, head up to the cabin in the woods that Jed had built for hunting and sort things out on his own.

“I understand.” He leaned forward and put his hands on the keys. “Yeah, I don’t think so.” “Trust me, Dalton,” she said, placing her hand over his.” I know what it’s like to have to put your dreams on hold.” “It sucks,” he responded quietly, not looking at her, not moving away from her touch. She was playing a dangerous game. God help her, she was on fire.

But deep down, tarnished by time, jaded by life, flickered an almost imperceptible hope of a wounded nine-year-old-boy—that by some miracle he’d be able to recognize his father. Hell, if that much of what she’d told him was even true. He snorted quietly, admonishing the notion. His mother hadn’t exactly been the pillar of motherhood--not by a long shot.

“He just pretends to be mean, doesn’t he?” That stopped Angelique. Dalton Kinnison was perhaps reckless, arrogant, and drank too much, but he didn’t have a mean bone in his body—finely honed as it was. She swallowed before she spoke, choosing her words carefully, her past with Dalton notwithstanding. “Emilee, it’s not nice to say such things. He’s never given you reason to believe he was anything but kind.

still sweet and heartwarming. like these two!

so far so good! kinda sweet story! :)