The Back-Up Plan Read Online Free Page B

cocky sway. “Your baby girl, too.”
    Hank Bradley . The big guy’s image abruptly kicked all else from Donna’s head. “Speaking of my baby girl.” The irritation that had died a sudden and swift death when she rolled up in front of this clinic resurrected. “Did you honestly believe that I was so narrow-minded that I couldn’t grasp the concept of a male kindergarten teacher?” Donna propped her hands on hips and glowered at her sister. “I have a feeling there’s something you’re not telling me.”
    “What in the world are you talking about?” Patty adopted a properly incensed expression.
    “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Donna fired back.
    “Please.” Patty’s gaze shot to the workmen at the end of the hall. “Don’t make a scene here,” she scolded in a low voice.
    Frustration mounting, Donna glanced at the workmen at the end of the hall. This was a very small town. Gossip was no doubt a beloved pastime, especially when a newcomer was involved. She and her sister needed some privacy to continue this conversation. She grabbed Patty’s arm and pulled her into the tiny supply room. “Look,” she demanded, shutting the door behind them, “You will tell me the deal with this teacher right now.”
    “There is no deal .” Patty shrugged, crossed her arms over her chest and propped against a shelf. “You’re overreacting. Lots of mothers go a little wacky when they send their young off to school for the first time. Trust me, it’ll pass.”
    Donna laughed. “Right.” Oh, yes. Something was definitely amiss. Something big .
    “It never occurred to me to mention the gender of Melissa’s teacher,” Patty insisted.
    “Maybe not,” Donna countered, “but the fact that I spoke to Melissa every night for the past two weeks and she never once mentioned she was a he seems awfully suspicious to me.” Donna leaned back against the door and matched her sister’s stance.
    “Are you accusing me of instructing your child to lie?”
    If the outrage in Patty’s tone had only reached her eyes Donna might have believed she was actually offended, but her eyes gave her away. “No, sis, I’m accusing you of advising my child to avoid the subject.”
    “What makes you think she would’ve mentioned it at all?”
    Donna rolled her eyes. “We are talking about a child who has always had a female caregiver. Not to mention—”
    “You’re making too much of this.”
    “Not to mention,” Donna repeated, “the fact that there has never been a male figure in our household. I seriously doubt that walking into the classroom the first day and laying eyes on a man who looks like a linebacker for the Denver Broncos is something Melissa considered the norm.”
    “That’s it,” Patty broke in. “That’s the whole issue in a nutshell.” Her eyes blazed with real anger now. “You don’t like Hank Bradley because he’s good-looking, self-confident and athletic.”
    “You know that’s not all there is to it.” Donna had her reasons and they were damned good ones.
    “Oh, yes.” Patty threw up her hands in exasperation. “I forgot the most important part—he’s nothing but a no-good heartbreaker just like Melissa’s father.”
    “Don’t start,” Donna warned.
    Patty’s eyes narrowed in accusation. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you. There’s only one kindergarten class and Hank Bradley’s the teacher. I knew you’d overreact when you found out. You’re completely unreasonable when it comes to men.”
    “I am not unreasonable.” The idea was ridiculous. “I’m entitled to my own opinion. I simply don’t like Hank Bradley’s type.” Between Melissa’s father and Donna’s former partner, she had a legitimate reason to feel this way.
    “What difference does it make what he looks like? A teacher is a teacher—as long as they’re good.”
    “It’s the attitude that goes with the look that I despise. The whole I can take whatever I want and no one else matters