A Better Father (Harlequin Super Romance) Read Online Free Page B

tapped her pencil on the blotter. Sam glowered. “What are
you pulling, Libby?”
    “Pulling? Not a thing. I simply think that you’ve been gone for
a long time, and there have been many changes since you were last here. Rather
than jump in and try to learn all of them right away, it will be easier for you
to understand the new systems if you are a counselor, working within the
program.” She pretended to check her notes, then looked up with a broad smile.
“Of course you would be held to the same standards of conduct as any other
staff. Live in the cabins, time off according to the schedule, drug testing,
latrine duty and so on.”
    A muscle twitched in his cheek. “And if I don’t obey all the
staff rules, who will punish me? You?”
    Well, if he was looking for a volunteer...
    Rather than answer him directly, she appealed to Myra. “You
have always followed the same rules as the counselors during the summer
sessions, haven’t you?”
    A slight grimace played around the older woman’s mouth. “Well,
I must confess it’s been a long time since I’ve slept in the cabins. But yes,
I’ve done my share of latrine duty and dishes and craft house cleanup over the
summers. I wouldn’t have thought of suggesting it, but I believe it’s a good
idea. Working side by side with your staff lends a closeness and understanding
that can’t be duplicated.”
    “Fine.” The scowl on Sam’s face told Libby that fine wasn’t his true sentiment. “I wasn’t planning to
spend the summer holed up in the office anyway, but if you think I need to lead
a group, fine. I’ll do it.”
    Libby looked down at her clipboard, focusing on the sunlight
glinting off the silver clasp to keep Sam from seeing her grin. Mr. NHL was in
for the workout of his life. By the time she finished with him, he’d be crawling
back to the ice.
    “But I’m living in the house,” he continued, folding his arms
across his chest. “Personal reasons.”
    And what was that supposed to mean? She’d never heard anything
about him getting married, and a fast peek at his ring finger showed it to be
empty. Did he have a honey he planned to bring along with him? She sucked in a
hard breath. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. That would never do.
    “Does this personal reason have a name?”
    He stared at her as if she were a puzzle he needed to put
together, but wasn’t sure where to start. Then his eyes lit up in a way that
made her squirm with unease. A smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.
    “Yes, actually.” He all but purred the words. “A very nice
name.”
    Oh, crap. He was planning to
install a woman in his house.
    Not that she cared. Sam Catalano had ceased to be anything but
a heartbreaking memory the day she called him in tears to tell him her world had
just fallen apart, and he hung up on her. To this day, the sound of a dial tone
could still make her stomach twist. If some other woman was idiot enough to want
Sam, she was more than welcome to him.
    No, Libby’s concern was solely for the camp.
    “Are you married?”
    His lips thinned. “No.”
    She clutched her clipboard. “Well, if this personal reason with the very nice name happens to be female, and
you’re not married, I strongly suggest you rethink your plan. Parents can be
very particular if they think their kids are being exposed to something they
consider unwholesome.”
    Over in the corner, Myra coughed. Sam’s smile widened.
    “Oh, don’t worry,” he said with far too much glee to trust. “I
know all about what parents want for their kids.”
    Right. And she would be the one who ended up fielding the phone
calls from irate parents when Sam’s so-called knowledge backfired.
    “You said you had two suggestions.” Sam’s too-casual words cut
into her indignation before it could reach full strength. “What’s the
other?”
    She took her time in answering. “Well. It’s just a formality,
really. Shouldn’t be a problem for you, since you’ve already eased Myra’s