The Comeback Girl Read Online Free Page B

time they’re filming,” she said haughtily. “If they blow something up and they need a second take—oh, why do I bother trying to explain things to you? The bottom line is I’m not going to be able to take Lucas after all.”
    Normally Donnie accepted Sandy’s self-involvement as a fact of life, but it really irked him when Lucas wound up shortchanged. He knew his son had not only been looking forward to the move, but he’d been bragging about it. Donnie had advised him not to burn any bridges, but lately, nothing Donnie said seemed to count for more than wasted breath.
    “I’m sure they have schools in South Africa. Lucas will have one helluva learning experience,” he said, then added pointedly, “You agreed to takehim, Sandy, and I’ve made plans to be out of town for an extended period, so he’ll have to go with you.”
    Instead of flying off the handle, she sighed. “I suggested that. But this is going to be a complicated job, and we’ll be moving between sites. There’s no way to provide a steady home life for a young boy. I’m afraid he’d fall further behind in his studies.”
    Donnie’s anger bubbled just below the surface. “Oh, please,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Don’t pretend this is about Lucas’s well-being. You and I both know your only concern is making sure Boyd isn’t screwing some wardrobe girl behind your back. That’s what comes from a guilty conscience, Sandy.”
    “You’re being a jerk, Donnie. I can’t help it, but this is the way things are,” she said with finality. “I have two weeks before we leave, and I’d like to pick Lucas up on Thursday and keep him a few days. It’s Labor Day weekend. He won’t miss much school, and I thought he and I could run to Redding to visit my mom.”
    “But that Monday is his birthday,” Donnie said inanely, unable to formulate any kind of rebuttal.
    “I know. I thought we’d stop at the outlets and buy school clothes. Do you have a problem with that?”
    “Would it make a difference if I did?” His brain was scrambling to try to come up with a plan B. As long as his mother was willing to take over while he was away at training, he could still pullthis off. Once he had his permanent assignment, he could move them both to wherever he was stationed.
    “Well,” Sandy said, her tone surprisingly mild, “it would be nice for Lucas’s sake if we could be civil.”
    Rather than get into all old hurts, verbal fights and open hostility, he shook his head. “I’ve got to go. Fax me your itinerary, and I want a copy of your Africa plans, too. Americans are targets all over the world, you know.” Because of his interest in becoming an air marshal, he’d been researching air-travel safety on a global basis.
    “Boyd mentioned that, too, when I suggested taking Lucas with us. You should be thankful he cares enough to put his foot down.”
    If he hadn’t been in the office, Donnie would have employed one of his son’s favorite gestures—two fingers in a gagging motion. “I’ll talk to you later. Goodbye.”
    After he replaced the receiver, Donnie scrubbed his face with both hands. His long day had just gotten longer. Bad enough he’d had his morning disrupted when Kristin popped in—an encounter that had left him feeling slightly off-kilter.
    Ed Olson and Margie had commented on Donnie’s absentmindedness. Ed, the officer who’d been first on the scene the night of Donnie’s high-school altercation with Tyler Harrison, had muttered something about “old home week.”
    Margie, who’d apparently talked to Bethany, hadscolded Donnie for “entertaining lady friends in her booking room.” Margie’s tough bluster was actually a form of mothering.
    “Who are you calling a lady?” he’d teased in return, but his heart hadn’t been in it. Kristin had changed. Gone was her carefree attitude. She seemed more serious, focused.
    “Kris was always my favorite triplet,” Margie had added. It didn’t surprise Donnie