Read Online Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online

thought. Impulsively, she leaned over and kissed the woman’s dry, powdered cheek. She smelled wonderful, like fresh flowers on a warm spring day. Something caught in Olivia’s throat when she tried to smile. She had to get out of there. Immediately!
    â€œRemember, now—call if there are any problems. We’re here to help.”
    â€œI will,” Olivia gulped as she practically ran to the car.
    On the drive back to the house, with the dogs cuddled in her lap, Olivia thought about motherhood and mothers in general. Obviously, she had missed a great deal by not having a mother. She knew in her gut, though—and there were her father’s words to back it up—that Allison Matthews, Adrian Ames, or whoever, was no Mrs. Pellecone.
    As Olivia swerved into the driveway, she saw her father and the two dogs waiting for her. All of them crowded around the car as she climbed out with the two new guests. Alice and Cecil sniffed, stared, barked—then barked some more. Inside, they raced around chasing each other, snapping and snarling. Finally, Olivia blew her whistle and was rewarded with instant silence. “Okay, here’s the drill, so listen up….”
    Dennis laughed until his sides hurt. “This is just an observation on my part, honey, but I don’t think you’re going to be able to give those dogs to Jeff. Now, would you like ham and turkey or turkey and ham on your sandwich? I just made fresh coffee. Your ducts are clean, and your studio is toasty warm. Don’t thank me”—he twinkled—“that’s what fathers are for.”
    Olivia sat down at the kitchen table. That’s when she saw the white envelope. If she closed her eyes, she wouldn’t have to look at it. “I met the rescue lady’s mother, Dad. She was in a wheelchair. She had the sweetest disposition, and she smelled so nice. It…it was easy to see how much she and her daughter loved each other. They both love the dogs, too.”
    Dennis turned toward her, his face sad. “And your point is…”
    â€œDidn’t your wife show any…you know…loving qualities? How can you be so sure she wouldn’t have made a good mother? Maybe in time—”
    â€œStop right there, Ollie. Allison never wanted children. We didn’t love each other the way most couples do. I’m not even sure we liked each other, which doesn’t say much or explain why we got married. I always thought she considered me a safety net, and I’m not sure why that was. Just a feeling. She didn’t want to see you when you were born. She didn’t want you, period. Based on that, no, I don’t think she would have made a good mother. Allison did love herself. She thought she was smarter than everyone else. She graduated summa cum laude. Her main goal was to be rich and famous. She constantly reminded me of that when we were married. She said she couldn’t depend on me to make her rich, so she would have to do it herself. Now, why don’t you read the damn letter and get it over with. Maybe all the answers to your questions are right there.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    â€œWell, you did. You are. We can’t change anything. I say, read the letter, make decisions, and move on. Refusing to acknowledge things isn’t going to help. Deal with it, Ollie,” Dennis said, slapping the plate down in front of her. “I’m going to take the dogs out back. Do what you want.” Dennis stuck his head back in the door for one last parting shot. “And make a damn decision where that guy Clarence is concerned. For once in your life, stop waffling and take the bull by the horns. I know that’s a cliché, but you damn well know what I mean.”
    Shit. Now my father is angry with me. The last time he used that tone of voice with me I was twelve years old .
    Olivia bit into the ham-and-turkey sandwich. It