Read Online About That Man by Sherryl Woods - Free Book Online Page A

hell,” she snapped. “This is all your fault.”
    â€œYou’ll have to explain that one to me.”
    â€œIt just is.”
    Walker bit back a grin. “Now there’s a rational bit of logic. How very female.”
    She slammed on the brakes so hard, he almost banged his head on the windshield. When he’d recovered, he turned to find her staring straight ahead with what might have been tears glistening on her cheeks.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said so softly he almost didn’t hear her.
    â€œWhat? I thought I heard you apologizing.”
    â€œDon’t let it go to your head,” she retorted.
    â€œMaybe we ought to start over. I don’t think we understand each other’s point of view here.”
    â€œProbably not,” she conceded with a sigh. “It’s just that Tommy means a lot to me. I don’t want to see him hurt.”
    â€œBelieve it or not, Ms. Spencer, neither do I.”
    She finally turned to face him. “Since it looks like it’s going to be a long night, maybe you ought to call me Daisy.”
    Walker chuckled. “I always prefer to be on a first-name basis when I’m spending the night with a woman.”
    â€œYes, I imagine you do.”
    He was pretty sure he saw a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It wouldn’t do to focus on that, though. He had the feeling that thinking about those lips could get him into a whole lot of trouble.
    â€œHow well do you know Tommy?” he asked instead.
    â€œBetter the last few days, but even before that, he and I had a certain rapport. He was in my Sunday school class. He has an irreverent attitude that reminds me of the way I always longed to be when I was his age. Because of that I let him get away with quite a lot.” A full-fledged smile spread across her face. “I suppose this is payback for that leniency.”
    Walker seized on the hint of wistfulness in her voice when she talked about yearning to rebel. “Somehow I can’t envision you ever having a rebellious streak.”
    â€œYou’d have to talk to my brothers and my father, then. They could tell you. Especially Tucker. He knows exactly how many times I came really, really close to trying to break free of my father.”
    â€œBut you never did it?”
    â€œNot until now,” she confessed with obvious regret. “Well, my moving into town put his nerves on edge, but he got over that.”
    â€œAnd what have you done recently?”
    â€œI took in Tommy. Believe me, it has my father in an uproar, though he hasn’t shown his face around herehimself. He’s sent everybody else to do his dirty work. I’m sure Tucker and Bobby showing up tonight was no accident. That pie they were carrying came straight from my father’s kitchen. They were probably here with yet another lecture on how I’m trying to ruin my life.”
    â€œBy taking in a little boy?”
    â€œA little boy who tried to steal my jewelry,” she said.
    This was the first Walker had heard about any jewelry being taken. His gut clenched at the thought. “Tommy tried to steal your jewelry?”
    Her expression fell. “Damn, me and my big mouth. Yes, he tried to take it. He intended to sell it to get money for food in case I wouldn’t let him stay.”
    â€œBut you caught him?”
    â€œActually, Tucker caught him. It was incredibly inconvenient since it only added fuel to the fire, but I managed to assure them both that it would not, under any circumstances, happen again. I think Tommy got the message.”
    Walker sighed. “I hope you’re right,” he said, envisioning his nephew well on his way to a life of crime.
    â€œTommy is not a thief,” Daisy said, as if she’d read his mind.
    â€œWhat would you call it?”
    â€œHe’s scared and he’s acting out.”
    â€œStealing is stealing, no matter the reason. Don’t make excuses for