Read Online The Comeback Girl by Debra Salonen - Free Book Online Page B

entirely true. He’d taken his first marriage very seriously, which was one reason it had hurt so damn much when it ended. “This is a marriage of convenience, Kris. Yes, it’s another move on your record, but marriage to a well-established deputy sheriff would look good to the court.
    “And, for once, our history works in our favor—the diehard romantics were probably expecting us to get back together all along. Nobody but the two of us has to know that you’re sleeping in my mother’s quarters, not my bed.”
    Something in her face changed, he couldn’t tell what.
    “Unfortunately, that’s a problem, Donnie.”
    He didn’t understand. He’d assumed she’d be thrilled to know that he didn’t want a physical relationship with her. “Pardon?”
    “I came back to Gold Creek to unburden myself—not to start a new lie.”
    Her honesty humbled him, but he’d learned the hollowness of living life to please other people. He decided to be blunt. “Here’s the deal, Kris. You’re a beautiful woman. It would be damn easy to moveyou into my house…and into my bed. But that wouldn’t be fair to you. I tried marriage once and was flat-out miserable.”
    He let out a sigh of frustration. “I can give you my home, my car, my name—even my child, but not me. So, if you choose to do this, you need to know there’s no happily-ever-after. I just don’t have that in me.”
    Kris’s blue eyes were serious and reflective, an expression he couldn’t recall seeing. There was something else—a look that told him she, too, didn’t harbor any illusions about love.
    “It’s up to you whether we keep this between us or tell the world, Kris. All that matters to me is that my son is being cared for in a safe and loving environment.”
    She was silent for a minute. Then she held out her hand as if to shake on their agreement. “I’ll agree to marry you on one condition—our sons have to approve.”
     
    Z ACH DIDN’T RECOGNIZE the car pulling into the driveway behind him, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who was driving it. That cop. The one who used to date his mom. Her old friend from high school. Was he going to be her new boyfriend? Probably. Maybe he was the real reason they’d moved to Gold Creek. Zach was beginning to believe his father was just make-believe, since he hadn’t seen the man or heard from him.
    Sarge left Zach’s side and trotted across the grassto check out the vehicle. His hackles were raised until the driver’s-side door opened and a man stepped out. “Hey, Sarge. How ya doing, buddy?”
    The old dog jumped up, his big paws landing squarely on the guy’s chest.
    “Down,” his mother said sharply. She pushed Sarge away.
    Zach rushed to his dog’s defense. “He’s only being friendly. Isn’t that what you want? For us to be more friendly?”
    He dropped to one knee and hauled the animal against him. The bloodhound slobbered across Zach’s arm then licked his face. Sarge was Zach’s only companion, mostly by choice. Zach simply hadn’t bothered to try and make new friends.
    His first week at Gold Creek Middle School had been pretty much what he’d expected. He just hadn’t decided yet whether or not he was going to make the effort to fit in. Part of his decision would depend on what happened with his father—the jerk-wad who hadn’t even bothered to show up.
    “Sorry,” the cop said. “Your mom thinks my back is messed up. I’ve told her it’s fine, but she doesn’t believe me.”
    Zach eyed the two. Something was going down. He’d seen his mom hundreds of time with clients, and she never looked this way. Sorta embarrassed and edgy.
    He stood up and started toward the house, Sarge at his side.
    “Zach, honey, I need to talk to you.”
    Oh, great, here it comes. Zach knew whatever it was, he wasn’t going to like it, so he pretended not to hear her. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
    “Zach.”
    “I got homework,” he said, shrugging off her