Yes, she knew. “So when did his future change for the better?”
“When he was about twenty. He dropped out of college after deciding he wanted to see the world. He was gone for a year without us knowing where he was most of the time. All we know is that when he returned he had a new outlook on life. He went back to college, graduated with honors and then came to work at the Steele Corporation, starting from the bottom. He was determined to learn everything he could. Now he’s a vital asset to the company. I depend on him to keep me in the know and to put out small fires.”
“What about the other two?”
“Morgan is Morgan. He has this thing about finding the perfect woman and until he does he won’t settle for less. Then there’s Donovan, who thinks he was born to have fun. He’s serious enough while at work but otherwise there’s really never a serious moment with him. My mother predicts he’ll probably be the one who lives the longest because he enjoys life too much to get stressed about anything.”
“Does that also mean he’s having too much fun to settle down and get married?”
“So he claims. He just hasn’t met the one woman to tame his game.”
“Quite an interesting bunch.”
“Yes, they didn’t refer to us as ‘Forged of Steele’ for nothing.”
Kylie lifted a brow. “‘Forged of Steele’?”
“Yes. We were known for our endurance. We thought we could outlast anything.”
She decided not to ask their endurance in what. “The possibility that Marcus might be a chip off the old block now has me worried. Should I be?”
Chance chuckled. “No, he’s a good kid.”
“Yes, I noticed and I’m appreciative of that. I was prepared not to like him, you know.”
“Yeah, I know, and it was likewise with me and Tiffany. But I like her. You did a good job raising her, Kylie.”
“So did you with Marcus.”
“Thanks.”
Kylie stretched and then stood. “Well, I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Already?”
“It’s probably close to two in the morning, Chance, and I still have to take a shower. That checker game you played with the kids lasted quite a while.”
“Only because your daughter didn’t know how to play. I’ve never heard of such a thing. That’s un-American.”
“Well, I hate to tell you but her mother doesn’t know how to play checkers, either.”
“Then I guess I’ll add that to my list of all the other things I intend to teach you.”
“Don’t do me any favors.”
“Trust me. It will be for my benefit as well as for yours. The more you know and understand, the better off we’ll both be.”
Kylie knew they weren’t talking about checkers but about the intricacies involving a male and female.
But was she willing to learn?
CHANCE LAY IN BED AND could only stare up at the ceiling as he heard the shower going, imagining Kylie, naked and standing beneath a full spray of water that flowed down her breasts, flat stomach, thighs…
He tried tuning out the sound and turning his attention to his snoring son, who was sleeping on the opposite bunk. Damn, he sounded just like Donovan. Chance chuckled as he remembered that while growing up no one wanted to share a bedroom with Donovan because he snored.
After a few moments he released a groan and decided listening to Kylie in the shower was a lot better than putting up with Marcus. He smiled, thinking he had really enjoyed their conversation on the porch tonight. She seemed interested in his family, which was just as well, since if he had his way the Steeles would be her family one day.