McDonald_SS_GEN_Nov2014 Read Free

covered boobs. The questions cleverly masked Ann Lynx’s maternal hope that her tomboy daughter had finally found a man.
    “Do you think I’d actually date someone with kinky Santa fantasies?” she asked back, shamelessly earning another laugh. Her mother’s sense of humor was keen. She and David had both become wicked smart-asses because of it.
    “Let me see if I can make a better guess then. David is making you wear the nearly naked suit to guard Nicolas in the Christmas parade this weekend. The Cincinnati Enquirer ran an article when he was chosen for master of ceremonies. It was about all the money Nicolas has raised for his father’s children’s charity. I’m glad Crystal isn’t guarding him. The woman is nice, but gets silly around good looking men.”
    Her mother raised her eyebrow when she swung a shocked gaze her way, but frankly she had been surprised by her Mom’s accurate answer. “Wow, Mom. You’re more in the know than I am, and I’m guarding him.”
    “Didn’t you think your brother would tell me about the stalker? He knows I like Nicolas—always have. Who on earth would have any reason to shoot at him?”
    “I have no idea. I haven’t even seen Nicolas since I’ve been home, but that’s about to change. Is St. Nick still as geeky as he used to be?”
    “You answer first. Am I right about David making you wear those clothes?”
    “Yes. The outfit is David’s idea of creating a distraction.”
    Megan grinned at her mother’s husky laugh.
    “Well, it certainly is that. And the answer to your question is ‘yes’. Nicolas is still geeky, but has filled out into a man quite nicely. Now I’m not suggesting anything, so don’t start blasting me for saying he’s turned out well. I know he’s probably not your type, but evidently he’s someone’s type. The man never lacks for female attention. . .when he wants it. . .which doesn’t seem to be often if what David reports is true. There was a time when they were in college when I thought Nicolas might not like girls at all.”
    “Great. First David accuses me of being a lesbian. Now you think Nicolas is gay. What is with everyone’s assumptions these days? Not dating does not mean you’re sexually confused about your orientation.”
    Megan turned because her mother was too adept at reading her expressions. Still—she couldn’t help but defend the man’s masculinity. Maybe she was defending both of them.
    “Nicolas likes girls, Mom. Trust me—I know this for a fact.”
    When her mother raised an eyebrow, Megan swore under her breath.
    “I see. Am I allowed to ask how you know for sure that Nicolas likes girls?”
    “Of course you can ask. You’re my mother. You can ask me anything,” Megan replied innocently.
    Before really answering, she twirled her red-suited body in the mirror again, finally satisfied about what could be seen—and not seen as she moved.
    “But. . .if I tell you how I know for certain, you’ll eventually slip up and tell David who will razz me without mercy. Then I would have to hurt my own mother. That would definitely not please my VA counselor who has already stamped my shrink exam and declared me as normal .”
    Megan snickered when her mother fisted one hand on her hip as she glared over the threat.
    “Megan Lynx—I know you’re a hard-ass Marine after eight years, but you should still be kissing the feet of an amazing woman like me. Who taught you how to jump up on the merry-go-round after you got it running faster than any of the boys could make it go? Don’t you think I have earned some slack for expressing idle curiosity about my daughter’s secret love life?”
    Megan giggled. Her mother and Kendra were the only females who had ever understood her. . .and accepted her just as she was.
    “Okay, Amazing Woman . You win. But if you ever tell David, I swear I’m never sharing another thing with you. Geeky Nicolas was my first kiss. He was also my introduction to what happens when a guy gets