Brave the Heat Read Online Free Page B

I’m not thrilled to see you, but I figured you’d still be settling in at the house.”
    “When we spoke on the phone the other day, you mentioned that you could use some help at the shop.” Jutting a thumb toward the store, Jordan sucked in a deep breath. “I could use a job, and you could use some help.”
    “Oh my God!” Maddy clapped her hands together and pumped her fists in the air while she hooted loudly. Jordan giggled when an older couple passing on the sidewalk looked at them sideways. “Yes! I would love it. Cookie and Veronica have been going balls to the wall since March, and we desperately need someone to help man the counter. Between weddings, communions, prom, and all that other stuff, they’re going nuts. Hell, I would have asked but I figured you didn’t need the dough.”
    Jordan hated talking about money; the subject made her incredibly uncomfortable. She never had any growing up, and then when she married Ted, she had more than she could have dreamed of. She’d quickly found that it didn’t fix everything. Not by a long shot.
    “I don’t really. I mean, I get child support and I got half of the proceeds from the sale of the penthouse, plus a lump sum. I didn’t want alimony, even though my attorney told me I was an idiot for that decision. Anyway, the girls are going to be in camp all summer, and the last thing I need is to sit around with time on my hands.” Images of Gavin wafted through her mind. “I could work weekdays and—”
    “Say no more.” Maddy held up one hand, stopping Jordan’s babbling. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. The job is yours. How does Monday through Friday, nine to five, sound? Twelve bucks an hour? Do you need health benefits?”
    “No, I have insurance for the girls and me. That’s perfect, Maddy. You really are a lifesaver. It will be so great to work again and really be on my own two feet. Ted never wanted me to work.” Her back straightened as she recalled his controlling nature. “Anyway, I’m on my own now and work will be good for me.”
    “You’re free of that asshole, so I say, work all ya want. And for the record, it’s a good thing I never met him because I’d probably have punched him square in the jaw. I was thrilled when you told me you were leaving him, and when you called me about renting the cottage, it was a bonus. But I’ll be honest…I am sick about the reason. Ted sounds like a real SOB.”
    “He’s something, alright,” Jordan scoffed. “Between his temper, the drinking, the drugs, and the other women—”
    “Being abused isn’t limited to physical violence,” Maddy interjected firmly.
    “I know.” Jordan sighed. Tears stung her eyes. She leaned back against the car and folded her arms over her chest, trying her damnedest to hold it together. “That’s why I left him. Thank God I have full custody and there were no limitations on where we could move. Ted signed off on it without blinking.” Her mouth set in a tight line and her voice was barely above a whisper. “Do you know he hasn’t seen the girls in six months? He’s barely spoken to them. Most times when I have them call him, he doesn’t even pick up or he rushes them off the phone.”
    “What?” Maddy’s jaw fell open. “But you left the city this week. I thought you said you had an apartment not far from where you used to live with him.”
    “I did, but it was always something with him, even when we were married. A meeting would come up or he would have some important client to tend to. Another bar to visit and another hooker to bang.” Jordan nibbled her lower lip and bit back the tears. But they weren’t for her; they were for her daughters who’d been robbed of a father. “I think the girls and I, the family, we were part of his image. So when I filed for divorce, that image was blown. We weren’t of any more use to him.”
    “I’m so sorry, Jordan.” Maddy’s tone softened. “I didn’t know it was that bad.”
    “How