Wearing her sweats and sneakers, she headed for the kitchen. The windows were dark, the house still quiet, but the others would be waking up soon. They tended to rise early, and she wanted to have breakfast on the table by the time they were ready to eat.

Conner’s sizzling but tender kiss tugged at her memory. Forcing herself to dismiss it, she tucked the thought, like an unneeded handkerchief, into a pocket of the past. She was here to be with her family, not to indulge in a fling that promised no future and would only waste her time. Conner Branch was history. End of story.

The light in the kitchen was on. To Megan’s surprise, she found Daniel sitting at the table, dressed in his robe and flannel pajamas. He was gazing down at an open booklet, his face a study in furious concentration. Glancing over his shoulder, she saw that it was a driver’s handbook for the State of Texas.

“Goodness, Daniel, how long have you been up?” she asked.

“A long time,” he said. “Somebody at work gave me this little book. I don’t want Mom and Dad to see it. They might take it away.”

Daniel’s struggle tore at Megan’s heart. She could imagine how badly he wanted to be independent and have his own car; and she knew he was going to need help. But taking his side would mean going against her parents’ wishes. She would have to handle the situation carefully.

“Shouldn’t you be getting dressed for work?” she asked.

He shook his head. “It’s my day off. Maybe you can help me learn this book. I can read the words, but some of the ideas are hard to understand.”

“I’ll think about it. For now, why don’t you go and get dressed.” She wouldn’t go behind her parents’ backs. But maybe she could talk them into letting Daniel try the written test. If he couldn’t pass, that would be the end of the argument. But she would do her best to give him a chance.

After Daniel had gone to his room, taking the forbidden booklet with him, Megan busied herself with setting the table and gathering the ingredients for her blueberry waffles. She’d spent much of the night lying awake, remembering Conner and that restrained but blazingly sensual kiss that had felt like an invitation for more to come.

Would he call her again? But never mind that, she told herself. She’d come home to be with her family and help out in any way she could. The last thing she needed was the distraction of a new, if temporary, man in her life—especially a man who’d already fallen for Lacy.