His Hotcakes Baby by Sabel Simmons Page A

I carry your baby does
not mean I am your property!”  Mackenzie snapped back.
    “We still have a lot to discuss,
honey.  For now, introduce me to your brother.”
    “Aiden, this is Ch  … Ha …”
    Aiden jumped up and stormed closer,
his face alive with awe.
    “Hawk Carter!  Sis!  This is Hawk
Carter!”
    She nodded and Chase shook his hand,
his eyes shuttered.  Mackenzie clearly did not trust her brother to want to keep
his real identity a secret, so she was clearly wary to give Aiden his real
name.  She bit her lip, watching her brother’s wide smile.
    “I can’t believe this!  How … where?” 
His confused gaze swung to her.
    “Remember the signed copy of his
latest book you asked me to get?”
    “Oh, yes!  I still don’t understand
what you are doing here with him though?”
    “Your sister and I have become very
close, Aiden.”
    “Close … you’ve become his groupie? 
Wow, Sis!”
    “Be careful young man.  I do not appreciate
you belittling my future wife.”
    Mackenzie stiffened and swung her head
at him furiously. He ignored her and kept his eyes on Aiden whose eyes widened
and his smile even more.
    “Jeez, Macks … you really worked fast!
 Who would have guessed you had it in you!”
    Chase growled and Aiden’s smile
slipped when he realized that the large man next to his sister was angry.
    “I think it is time you and I had a
little chat, Aiden.  We’ll be right back, hotcakes,” Chase said with a hiss and
kissed her on her temple.
    He nodded his head in the direction of
the house and Aiden followed him reluctantly, looking back over his shoulder at
Mackenzie.  She watched them disappear through the wide arch and turned to
Billy with a sigh.
    “Has he been giving you a hard time?”
    Billy shrugged and looked at her with
a frown.
    “Why do you allow him to aggravate and
disrespect you, Mack?”
    “Some days it is just easier to ignore
him, but the older he gets the more difficult it’s been. I … know I tend to be
overprotective and that means he gets away with murder. It’s just … he was so
little when our parents died …”
    “He is not little anymore, Mack.  It
is time he takes responsibility for his actions.”
    “I know, it is just easier said than
done.”
    She glanced back to where the two
disappeared earlier and worried her lip with her teeth. 
    “You look ready to charge through that
door.  Sit down and tell me where you’ve been.”
    “Ehm … what do you think Chase is
talking to him about?”
    “Probably giving him the third
degree.  Don’t worry, Mack.  It is high time that your brother realizes you
have your own life and he has to start earning his keep."
    Mackenzie knew Billy was right, but
she also knew Aiden.  On the other hand with his hero worship of Hawk Carter,
Chase might just achieve what she has been unable to do. She frowned, realizing
suddenly that her brother’s actions over the past two years proved how much of
a failure she was as a parent!  She startled when Billy called her name.
    “So are you going to tell me where you
were?”
    “At my aunt’s place.  She was not
there however.  She went to Hawaii with my little cousin for a short break.”
    Mackenzie sighed.  Gaby was going to
give her the fifth degree when she got back.  She was highly upset when she
phoned her to tell her she was leaving.  Chase gave her a nod at the time and
she told her where she was going.  Knowing her fiery aunt, she would not let up
and Mackenzie would not be surprised if she arrived on the island to check up
on her.
    Essie came rushing out informing them
that dinner was ready.  Billy rose to go and call Chase, but Mackenzie jumped
up and offered to go instead.  Billy told her where the study was and she
walked there quickly, eager, yet full of trepidation on finding out what Chase
discussed with Aiden.
    The door was closed. She knocked
briefly and opened the door to step inside.  They were sitting on the
comfortable lounge chairs