Angel Falls (Angel Falls Series, #1)

kids are going on some long-weekend thing with Cole’s parents. So I’m out of options. If you can’t help me, my kids will be sitting on the sidewalk come three-o’clock.”
“Okay, fine.” My shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’ll go get them.”
“Thank you so—”
“But,” I interrupted, “I am taking them to my house, not yours. And you had better be here to get them no later than four o’clock. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Casey, yes. Thanks a bunch. Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in a little while.”
“No later than four o’clock,” I yelled, but he’d already hung up.
“Well, hell.” Feeling defeated, I hung up too.
Just in time to see Ian’s car pull up out front.
I walked onto the porch and leaned against the rail, watching him get out of the car. Even such a simple act, he performed with the powerful grace of an athlete. From thirty feet away I could see muscles bunch and lengthen as he moved. My heart did flip-flops in my chest, trying to run toward him while I stood still.
He walked toward me smiling that sexy-as-hell smile of his. “You look so good. We may not make it any farther than your bedroom.”
Not even that far. I put my hands on the broad muscles of his shoulders. “Is there any way we can hang around until about four o’clock?”
He grinned a grin that would put the devil to shame and slid his hands into the back pockets of my jeans. His long fingers cupped my butt cheeks and squeezed. “What did you have in mind?”
“Unfortunately, not what you think.” I explained the circumstances and watched the charming grin fade from his face. He knew I often helped Ben out with the kids. But this was the first time my involvement with Ben’s family had directly affected our plans.
“Ian, I’m so, so sorry.” I found myself using Ben’s words, though I knew they didn’t sound any better to Ian than they had to me. “If there was any other way...”
“Yeah, okay.” His voice was stiff. He turned away and stomped up the porch steps. “I understand.”
But it was pretty clear he didn’t. I followed him across the porch to the swing, rubbing his shoulders as I kept pace behind him. “I told Ben he had to pick the kids up no later than four. We can still make it in plenty of time, can’t we?”
“Yeah, sure.” Ian dropped into the porch swing. “Plenty of time.”
“Hey, now.” I sat beside him and scooted up against one of his wide-spread legs. “Ben called me, being pitiful to get his way. Don’t you start, too.”
Ian turned his lips down in an exaggerated pout, then allowed an unwilling smile. “All right. I’ll try to be a big boy about it.” He looked down at his watch. “Shouldn’t you be on your way to get them?”
I took his wrist, turning the watch face toward me. “Not quite yet.” I leaned against the swing’s slatted back and cuddled up to Ian, just for a few minutes.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
By four thirty, I had emptied the contents of my refrigerator into the stomachs of Ben’s offspring, and he still hadn’t shown. His cell phone connected directly to the message center every time I called. By quarter-to-five, Ian was fuming. He stalked to the front door. “I have to leave now to have even a hope of getting there on time.”
“I’m hungry,” Amy whined. “I’m tired of eating this yucky old popcorn!”
“Amy, go watch TV.” My voice rose in frustration and tears stung the backs of my eyes. “I will fix you something else in a minute.” Even though I’d already emptied the fridge and started in on the pantry to satisfy the bottomless pits Ben had foisted on me.
“Ian.” I put a hand on the taut muscle of his forearm. I could feel the tension vibrating through him. Noting the kids watching us from their spots in front of the television, I took Ian’s hand and led him out onto the porch. “Please don’t be mad.”
He shook off my hand. “How am I supposed to feel?”
I crossed my arms in front of me. “You know I couldn’t leave those kids sitting outside the school. Ben didn’t have anybody else.”
“You know, that’s the problem.” Ian’s anger brought out his accent. “He doesna have anybody else, so you come runnin’. Have you ever thought if you didna come runnin’ a time or two, he’d soon find somebody else?”
“Ian, that’s not fair. I’m not just doing this for Ben. I love those children, and I’m doing it for them more than anybody.”
“Aye,” he said, his voice calming a fraction. “I know that. I do. But I think maybe you’ve forgotten, those children in there, much as you love them, are not your children. And they’re not your responsibility. With them, just like with their father, you’ll always be a substitute for the real thing.”
Ouch. That hurt, but part of me accepted the truth in it. Another part fought back. “Ian, that’s mean. Even if it’s true, it’s not okay to say it.”
“It’s not okay to point out a truth you seem blind to?”
“I’m only trying to help. I’m not—”
“I have to go.” Ian started down the steps. “Just be careful you don’t give so much of yourself to Ben and his children that you’ve nothing left to give to anyone else.”
He drove away, and I stood on the porch for a full five minutes before going back into the house.
Ben finally showed up just before six o’clock. Madder than I’ve ever been in my life, I met him on the sidewalk. Car keys in one hand, overnight bag in the other, I shot him a look that made him take a step back. “Your children have been fed. Lock the door when you leave. I’m going to see if I can get Ian to forgive me for standing him up tonight.”
“Who?” Ben shook his head as if he hadn’t heard right. And maybe he hadn’t