That Touch of Pink Read Free

either.”
    â€œWhat type would that be?”
    â€œOne who would donate to charity. The type to give back to his community.”
    â€œIt was a debt.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œThe foundation gave me interest free start-up capital for my business.”
    â€œAnd when one benefits from the auction proceeds, one is obligated to give back.”
    â€œI always pay my debts,” he confirmed.
    â€œVery reassuring. That’s why I’m here. My daughter, Kimmie, belongs to The Bluebonnets—”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s an organization that sponsors outdoor activities for girls in her age group—”
    â€œHow old?”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    What did that have to do with sleeping outside and starting a fire with two sticks when she was on a very tight schedule? She’d be wasting less of her remaining time if he would impart information in sentences ofmore than three two-syllable words. And she had no illusions. When the allotted time was up, he would throw her out. She stole a glance at his biceps, the intriguing place where the sleeve of his T-shirt clung to the bulging muscle. There was no doubt in her mind that if he wanted her out, he would and could pick her up bodily and make it so.
    â€œHow old is your daughter?”
    â€œSix. When I saw the weekend listed for auction, I knew it was exactly what I needed. And I figured I could kill two birds with one stone.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œYes.” Maybe he was finally listening and they could wrap this up quickly. “I could do my civic duty in support of the town charity. Buying your services to get my daughter her hiking and nature badges—”
    â€œYou can’t take her camping?”
    â€œI could,” she said. “But her survival might be in question. I’m afraid you were right about me. My idea of the outdoors involves a lounge chair, a pool and a sissy drink with an umbrella in it.”
    â€œWhat about your husband?”
    Now who was digging for personal info? Although she had to admit Riley had a better reason. It was a logical question. “I don’t have a husband.”
    Not any more. And she couldn’t be happier. She was glad she no longer had to rely on flaky Fred Walsh. As an unwed pregnant teenager whose baby needed a father, she’d seriously relied on him. If only she could blame it on pressure from her parents. But they’d made it clear they would support her decisions. As it turned out, the decision she’d made hadn’t been worthy of support.
    â€œSo you’re going to dump the kid on me for the weekend?”
    â€œOf course not. Do I look like the kind of mother who would turn her child over to a complete stranger? The two of us will be going on the outing—”
    He stood suddenly, interrupting her. “No way.”
    She blinked. “What?”
    â€œI said no. It’s a survival weekend.”
    â€œI’m aware of that.” She got to her feet. He was dangerously close to looming and she would not be loomed over.
    â€œI won’t be nursemaid to a kid.”
    â€œHer name is Kimmie. And she needs her two badges. If the necessity for nursemaiding arises, I’ll be the one doing it.”
    He shook his head. “You don’t need me for this. It’s overkill.”
    â€œMaybe. But I’ve already paid for you.”
    â€œI’ll reimburse you.”
    â€œI don’t want your money. I want my weekend.”
    â€œNo.”
    Â 
    â€œI want you to sue him, the foundation, Mayor Wentworth, the rest of his family, every person he’s ever known and anyone else I can think of.” Abby paced the length of her small living room.
    She loved the fifteen hundred square feet of space she’d purchased six months ago. Unfortunately when she was this angry, the state of Texas wasn’t big enough for the amount of pacing she needed to do. Fortunately, her daughter was upstairs in her room