About That Man Read Free Page A

and the Ten Commandments, all of which they had studied thoroughly in Sunday school, she instead asked, “Why?”
    â€œTo buy me some food.”
    Molly meowed plaintively, as if to lend her support to Tommy.
    â€œThere’s plenty of food downstairs in the kitchen, if you’re hungry,” Daisy said.
    â€œThat’s now. Sooner or later you’ll send me packing. I need to have the money for backup supplies. I figured I could pawn this stuff over in Colonial Beach or maybe even down in Richmond. Then I could head someplace brand-new where nobody would be on my case all the time or tell me how sorry they are that my mom is dead.”
    She brushed aside Tucker’s restraining hands and rested her own against the boy’s cheek. “We’ve been over this. I will not send you packing,” she said very firmly. “However, nor will I tolerate you stealing from me. You’re grounded until we can discuss this further. Go to your room.”
    She wasn’t sure who was most surprised by her pronouncement, Tommy or her brother. But Tucker had known her longer. He heaved a resigned sigh and stared at Tommy. “I’d get a move on, if I were you, son. My sister generally means what she says. Take it from someone who knows, don’t mess with her.”
    Relief washed over Tommy’s face, though he was quick to duck his head to hide it. He started to scoot down the hall, but Tucker halted him with a sharp command.
    â€œAren’t you forgetting something, son?”
    Tommy’s gaze rose to clash with his. “What?”
    â€œEmpty those pockets.”
    Tommy dug his hands into his pockets with obvious reluctance, producing more of her jewelry. Most of the rest had more sentimental than monetary value, but its glitter clearly had appealed to Tommy.
    Tucker took the baubles and handed them to Daisy. “Costume jewelry or not, I’d get this stuff into your safety deposit box if you ever expect to wear it again.”
    Daisy met Tommy’s gaze. “I don’t think that will be necessary, do you, Tommy?”
    He looked for a moment as if he might make some sort of defiant retort, but Daisy’s gaze never wavered, and he finally wilted under the stern scrutiny. “No, ma’am.”
    When he had gone, the cat on his heels, she turned a smile on her brother. “Satisfied?”
    â€œFar from it, but I can see you’re not going to listen to a word I say.”
    She patted his cheek. “Smart man. And don’t try sending Dad over here to raise the roof, either.”
    â€œI won’t have to send him. Once he hears about this, you’ll have to bar the door to keep him out.”
    â€œWell, he can rant and rave all he wants, but it won’twork. For once in my life I am going to do exactly what I want to do, what I know is right.”
    Not that her declaration would stop her father from trying to interfere when he finally found out what she was up to. Despite the precautions she’d taken by warning Frances off, Daisy predicted it wouldn’t take long.
    Trinity Harbor was a small town. Cedar Hill, the Spencer family home for generations, was the biggest Black Angus cattle operation in the entire Northern Neck of Virginia. Her neighbors would probably fight for the chance to be the first to tell Robert “King” Spencer that his sensible spinster daughter had just taken in a stray troublemaker.
    The story would be even juicier if anyone found out Tommy had already tried to steal her jewelry and her car. She was pretty sure she could keep a lid on the attempted car theft, but Tucker might not be so discreet about the jewelry. In fact, since that necklace had been in her father’s family for generations, he might feel obliged to tell their father that it had come very close to heading for a pawnshop.
    And then, she concluded with a resigned sigh, this little squabble with Tucker was going to seem like a romp in the