The Blackstone Legacy Read Free

introduced her to some of the other employees, but tonight would be the first time she would interact with all of them socially. It would also be the first time she would meet the parents of the children who would become her responsibility.
    Attending the dinner would also bring her face-to-face with Ryan Blackstone again. He’d caught her off guard when he’d entered the schoolhouse undetected, but she made a solemn promise it would be the last time he would catch her off guard.

Chapter Two
    K elly parked her Honda between two late-model pickup trucks and stepped out into an area set aside for parking. It was fifteen minutes before six, yet the lot was almost filled to capacity. She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when she saw him.
    Ryan was dressed in black: linen shirt, slacks and low-heeled boots. The color made him appear taller, more imposing. Although he’d slowed his stride to accommodate the pace of the young child clinging to his hand, Kelly still admired the fluidity of his beautifully proportioned physique. There was something about Ryan that reminded her of her Simeon even though the two men looked nothing alike.
    â€œIt’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it, Miss Kelly?” Cooling mountain breezes ruffled the leaves of trees, bringing with it the cloying sweetness of wildflowers blooming throughout the valley.
    Kelly stopped in midstride, her breathing halting momentarily before starting up again. Ryan had also stopped and turned around to face her. He stood several feet away, flashing a wide, white-tooth smile.
    Recovering quickly, she returned his smile. “Yes, it is, Dr. Blackstone.” Her gaze shifted to the boy staring up at her. Kelly knew the child was a Blackstone. He had inherited his father’s features. His eyes were a mirror image of Ryan’s. She extended her hand. She knew from the records Sheldon had given her that Sean Blackstone had recently celebrated his fourth birthday.
    Bending at the knees, she said, “Hi.”
    Ryan placed a hand on his son’s head. “Sean, this is Miss Kelly. She’s going to be your teacher. Miss Kelly, this is my son, Sean.”
    Sean stared at her hand and inched closer to his father’s leg. Vertical lines appeared between his large eyes. “I don’t want to go to school.”
    Ryan hadn’t registered his son’s protest because all of his attention was directed at the woman dressed in a sheer white silk blouse, slim black linen wrap skirt and black heels.
    He hadn’t known Kelly was behind him until he’d detected the scent of her perfume. Her exposedarms and legs shimmered with a dewy glow from a scented cream that sent a jolt of electricity through his body. Biting down on his lower lip, he struggled for control.
    Sean tugged at his father’s hand. “Do I have to go to school, Daddy?”
    â€œYes, you do.”
    Sean pushed out his lower lip. “But I don’t want to.”
    â€œWe’ve talked about this, Sean.” Ryan’s voice held a thread of hardness.
    â€œNo! I’m not going. I hate school!”
    Kelly stared at Sean for several seconds. It was apparent the child was as stubborn and opinionated as his father. “School’s not so bad,” Kelly said, trying to calm the little boy down. “How about coming by the schoolhouse after dinner to check it out?”
    Tears filled the boy’s eyes. “No!”
    Ryan opened his mouth to reprimand his son for being rude, but Kelly shook her head. Threatening or bullying the child was not the solution. She’d discovered gentle persuasion usually worked well with young ones.
    She met Ryan’s gaze. “I’m going to hold an open house for all of the children tomorrow morning at ten to show them their new school.” She stared at Sean. “You are more than welcome to come.”
    She hadn’t planned to show the children their newclassroom until Monday morning, but