Read Online Key to Love by Judy Ann Davis - Free Book Online

down the road from our farm with the Johnsons.”
    “There may be extenuating circumstances to prevent it, you know,” he said, hedging. “If it’s a special case, you’ll have to go through the department head, Mrs. Pedmo. You’ll have to go through her anyway to become eligible as a foster parent.”
    Elise sighed. “Do I have to go through Miss Congeniality out there to get an appointment?”
    Rubbing his jaw, he chuckled. “I suppose I can see what I can do.”
    The words were like the harps of heaven singing out to her. She wanted to ask when , but dismissed the urge, not wanting to appear too eager. She caught him checking her hands, obviously looking for a ring. She hoped he wouldn’t stray too far from the subject at hand. She had promised Lucas she’d meet him at the garage at noon, and she was already a half hour late. Luckily, she had already visited her father at the hospital, but she still had to pick up a list of names of private duty nurses from the local Home Health office.
    “I see Fritz once in a while,” Jack said. “He handles my insurance. He told me you were a big shot architect in San Francisco. How’s it going?”
    “It keeps me busy.”
    “It seems like it’s agreeing with you. You look wonderful, simply stunning, Liz.”
    “Thank you.” Pinned by his leering gaze, she squirmed in her seat, wondering how much longer she could keep up the endless chitchat. “So how long have you been with Children and Youth Services?” she asked.
    “For a couple of years. It works for me. Benefits are good and all that jazz.”
    She gave him a killer smile. “I’m sure you’re excellent at it. Listen, I hate to rush off, but I have a luncheon engagement.” She started to rise.
    He moved quickly from his seat to round the desk, adjusting his god-awful tie flapping at his stomach like a huge tongue. “Elise, if you’re free Saturday, maybe we could have dinner and discuss old times? It’s so good seeing you again.”
    He moved close to her, much too close.
    “That might be nice, Jack. Maybe if you can squeeze in an appointment for me with Mrs. Pedmo in the next few days, we could figure out the details for the weekend?” She patted his tie. “Nice tie.”
    “Sure, sure, thanks.” He grinned. “How about I call you later today?”
    She rested her hand on the doorknob. “If I happen to be out, leave a message on the answering machine at the farm, will you? I wouldn’t want to miss it.” She forced out another of her killer smiles.
    He nodded, not hiding his pleasure, and she left quickly, heading straight to the parking lot where she slumped against the gleaming car. She blew out a puff of air, scattering tendrils of hair around her face. “Well, Springer, not a bad day’s work,” she mumbled to herself. “One caseworker down, one to go.”
    ****
    Lucas stood outside the office of the old garage and felt the warm April sun beat down on his back. Somewhere lilacs scented the soft afternoon breeze swirling around the parking lot. Elise was already an hour late, and he was beginning to worry. She had promised him she’d meet him as soon as she finished at Home Health. He heard the hum of the motor before he saw the Trans Am’s sleek black finish. He lifted his gaze toward the highway. Seconds later, she barreled down the road and tore into the parking lot, tires squealing in alarm. The car slid to a stop, and she jumped out. In a black suit with a white blouse and three-inch heels, she could have passed for the Flying Nun on stilts. She crossed the lot toward him in quick, efficient strides, trampling the weeds growing through the cracked cement.
    “Christ almighty, Liz, who taught you how to drive?”
    “I’m a little rusty with standard.” Her voice was clipped and irritated. She removed her sunglasses, slipped them on top of her head and squinted up at him. “How’s the head?”
    “Fine. How’d you make out?”
    “Fine.”
    “What took you so long?”
    “Traffic and