A Family Kind of Gal Read Free Page B

She’d known J.D.—James Dean Santini—too many years to trust him. She’d let down her guard a couple of times, and in both instances she’d gotten herself into trouble—the worst kind of jeopardy. It wouldn’t happen again. Too much was at stake.
    â€œYou know, Tiff, you’re still a member of the family.”
    â€œSince when?” she retorted, skewering him with a look that, she was certain, could kill. She pointed a long finger at him. “I’ve never been considered a part of the family. Over fourteen years of marriage and neither one of your parents accepted me.” Nor did you , she silently seethed, but held her tongue. There had been enough pain borne on both sides. She had always longed to be part of a real family, one with a father and mother and siblings, unlike her own small group of relatives. Shivering inwardly, she pushed those thoughts aside and stubbornly refused to think of them, even though, at the end of this very week, her father—her biological father, for that was all he really was, a man who had donated his share of genes to her DNA—was marrying his longtime mistress.
    Wrapping her arms around her middle, she walked to the window that overlooked the backyard. A smile teased her lips as she watched her daughter.
    Right now, the little girl was chasing after the cat, Charcoal, as he darted between the shrubs.
    â€œWhat kind of trouble is Stephen getting himself into?” J.D. persisted. She’d forgotten how determined and maddeningly single-minded her brother-in-law could be.
    â€œNothing that serious.”
    â€œJust serious enough that you had to talk with the authorities.”
    Silently counting to ten, she rotated her neck and worked out the kinks. “You know, J.D., the last thing I need right now is to be grilled or given some kind of lecture by you. I don’t know why you’ve decided to come to visit right now, but I’m sure it wasn’t just to harass me.”
    He snorted. “Just a simple question.”
    â€œDon’t give me that. Nothing you’ve ever done is simple or without a purpose.”
    â€œAnd you’re dodging the issue.”
    â€œBecause it’s none of your business, counselor. ”
    â€œThe kid’s my nephew.”
    She whirled on him. “And you’ve never given a damn.”
    â€œI’m giving one now.” His expression was hard and demanding, just as she remembered, his eyes relentless and piercing. He hadn’t changed much except for the fact that she’d never before seen him seated in one position for so long. He’d been too restless, too filled with nervous energy. But now he was waiting.
    â€œHe got caught with alcohol about a month ago,” she admitted as if it wasn’t the big deal she knew it was.
    â€œAt thirteen?”
    â€œYes, at thirteen. He was with an older boy, the brother of one of his friends, who was throwing a party. Anyway, the neighbors complained, the police showed up, everyone ran, but Stephen and a couple of other kids were caught. Even though Stephen hadn’t been drinking, he got himself into some hot water. A juvenile counselor was assigned to his case, and just a few minutes ago I was speaking with her.”
    J.D.’s eyebrows slammed together. “And you don’t think this is serious.”
    â€œSerious enough,” she admitted, though she wasn’t going to let her bachelor brother-in-law, a man who’d never had any kids, know just how worried she was. It was too easy for him to criticize. “Stephen will be all right.”
    â€œIf you say so.”
    â€œHe’s a teenager—”
    â€œBarely.”
    Tiffany bristled. She stepped closer to him and tried vainly to keep her temper in check. “Don’t start passing judgment, J.D. You remember how much trouble you can get into during those years, don’t you? According to Philip, your adolescent exploits were