That Touch of Pink

That Touch of Pink Read Free Page B

Book: That Touch of Pink Read Free
Author: Teresa Southwick
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important one being his daughter.”
    â€œI understand why you’d have this over-the-top reaction. Kimmie doesn’t have a dad, and you’ve got to be both mother and father to her.”
    â€œThat’s all true. But I’ve come to terms with it.” She ignored her friend’s raised eyebrow. “Part of coming to terms with it is knowing my limitations. I bought Riley Dixon to fulfill the father role for the weekend. How was I to know that he’s a macho jerk who breaks his promises? In my book, that makes him a Fred The Flake clone.” Abby huffed out a breath that lifted her bangs off her forehead. “Like all men, Riley Dixon is ducking his obligations.”
    â€œNot all men are that way.”
    â€œNo? Couldn’t prove it by me.”
    â€œLet me rephrase. Not all men are flakes. Just the ones you meet.”
    â€œWhy is that? I’m a high school librarian. Every day I deal with kids who don’t return books, don’t turn in assignments and just generally don’t do what they’re supposed to do. It’s my job to mold them into capable, dependable, efficient, honest adults. Admittedly, I’ve only been doing this for a little over three years, but I’vehad students come back and say I’ve made a difference in their lives. So is it just bad karma that I’m surrounded by irresponsible, dishonest men? Am I a flake magnet? Should I roll over and let Mr. Macho walk all over me? What recourse do generally law-abiding people have when someone doesn’t live up to their obligation?”
    â€œDid you or did you not say he offered to reimburse you?”
    â€œHe did.”
    â€œSo take the money and hire one of those mounted police guys. I hear they’re quite impressive in their tight trousers and red coats. The hats are a little funny-looking, though.”
    One corner of Abby’s mouth twitched in amusement. “Texas is a little far from the Canadian border to make that a viable solution.”
    â€œToo bad,” Jamie sighed. “What about a Texas Ranger? The hats are better, and they’re right in our own backyard.”
    â€œThat’s law enforcement, not nature guide.”
    â€œThey’re hot, too.”
    Abby stared at her. “Maybe you need to go home and take a cold shower.”
    â€œI don’t want to go home,” she said, an odd look on her face.
    Instantly alert, Abby stopped pacing. “Is something wrong, Jamie?”
    â€œNo.” She shrugged.
    â€œDo you want to talk about it?” Abby asked. “Does it have anything to do with the guy your parents bought you at the auction?”
    A smile curved up the corners of Jamie’s mouth. “Yeah. A little. I’m dealing with it. No big deal.”
    Abby had learned that if her friend didn’t want to talk about something, nothing could drag it out of her. So they might as well go back to the problem at hand. “Okay. Let’s come up with some really creative grounds for suing Riley Dixon.” Abby was glad when her words produced a laugh.
    â€œSo you refuse to let him reimburse you and just camp out with Kimmie in your new backyard and take her to the park for a walk?”
    â€œNo can do,” Abby said. “Not authentic enough for The Bluebonnets. It’s gotta be real. At least one night living off the land. With dirt and no flushing toilets. Microwave bad, fire good,” she said in her best caveman voice.
    Jamie laughed. “That seems pretty extreme.”
    â€œDon’t tell Kimmie that. She’s got her heart set on getting all her badges. You know her. When she gets something in her head, she’s going to do it. And come hell or high water, she’ll get it perfect. I keep telling myself that determination is a good quality in an adult.”
    â€œThere’s got to be another way.”
    â€œI don’t want to find another way. I had it all figured out and paid

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