Montana Skies (You, Me and the Kids) (Harlequin Superromance, No 1395) Read Online Free

he saw her.
    Without greeting or comment, he took in her appearance of jeans and a T-shirt, his mouth pursed. Maura had told her to dress casually. Bad advice?
    The man glanced at the waitress standing by the cash register. “What do you think?”
    â€œHer looks and newness to town will sure draw ’em in, but…you got any experience, honey?”
    â€œA little. I waited tables in high school.” For three whole days before she got fired for dumping a plate of spaghetti on a patron’s head after he’d groped her behind.
    â€œYou’re hired.” Porter nodded at the waitress. “Charlotte’ll get you an apron and things. Be here at five-thirty sharp. You’ll stay until we close at ten and then help clean up. Weeknights are slow. We’re usually out of here by ten-thirty or quarter ’til. That a problem?”
    â€œI—” Rissa wet her dry lips. “No, not at all.” Except next week she wouldn’t have time to pick Skylar up after detention, drive her back to their cabin at the Second Chance and make it back here on time.
    Four hours in a car unattended? Her daughter was a walking, talking disaster waiting to happen.
    â€œYou don’t seem too sure,” the waitress added suspiciously.
    â€œOh, I’m sure. I want it.” She nodded firmly. After all, it was only a week. “I’ll be here. Thank you, Porter…Charlotte. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Head held high, Rissa gave them a cheerful wave and left, ignoring her nerves, the sick twist in her stomach and her aching head. But halfway down the block she spied a bench out in front of the barbershop and her body refused to take another step. She dropped down onto the weathered surface and buried her face in her hands, not caring who saw her looking so utterly pathetic. She needed a moment of peace, a chance to regroup.
    She’d gotten the job. When added to the fairly steady tips she received by working at the ranch as the temporary housekeeper, and what money she’d managed to put back from liquidating everything before their move, she should be able to make all her payments with some creative timing. But while the job ended one worry, she dreaded the night—the next week—to come.
    The Klines’ comments resonated in her head, and a self-indulgent moan sounded, followed by the sharp sting of tears.
    Larry, what happened to her? What did you do?
    Blinking away the moisture, Rissa shoved herself to her feet and retraced her steps to the truck, her gaze zeroing in on Skylar once she was close enough to make out her daughter’s dark form.
    Before her Goth change, Skylar had looked like the best of both her parents. Her daughter had gotten her blond hair, blue eyes and curvy figure from her and hadtaken after her father when it came to his height, bone structure and blinding smile. An anchorman for the local television station, Larry attracted attention with his wide grin and jaw-dropping looks the camera loved. Sadly, it hadn’t taken too many trips through the sky flying Larry to and from the special assignments he covered with him murmuring outrageously flirtatious comments into her headset for her to agree to his whirlwind proposal.
    They’d been the perfect couple. The one people talked about when they entered a room. But it had all been a sham—looks were deceiving—and even before finding out proof-positive about his affair, she’d suspected his infidelity for years. Nearly from the beginning.
    Rissa climbed inside the truck and waited, wondering if Skylar would comment. Seconds passed. Skylar ignored her, didn’t ask if she’d gotten the job. Unbelievable. Rissa stabbed the key into the ignition, more than a little tired of Skylar’s indifference.
    The accident had done some major damage emotionally, she knew that, but something had to give soon. Otherwise she feared she’d lose Skylar forever. And a big part of