Read Online Undeniably Yours by Heather Webber - Free Book Online Page B

too.”
    Ice cubes clinked against my glass as I slid it between my hands. “How much do you recall about Dustin McDaniel?”
    “Not as much as I’d like right now. My files on him are at the office.”
    “Do you recall the parental situation?” I asked. “How did the state get involved in the first place?”
    He said, “Mother had a problem with drugs, father is in prison. I don’t know how the CFC became involved. There was supposed to be regular checks by his social worker, but somewhere along the line, he fell through the cracks in the system. After his disappearance was uncovered, his case worker was fired and her supervisor was suspended.”
    Sometimes the cracks in the system felt like chasms. “We’re going to have to talk to Dustin’s case worker and possibly her supervisor.”
    Aiden slowly shredded his straw wrapper. “It might be best if we split up tomorrow. Can you drive with that boot?”
    “Yep. I mastered it last week.”
    Raphael set two plates on the table. He slid into the booth next to me. “You two look quite serious over here. Working?”
    “New missing person case,” I said.
    “Adult? Child?” Raphael asked.
    “Both,” I said.
    I was about to launch into the whole story when the front door swung open and a loud female voice said, “You’re impossible!”
    The man she was with said drolly, “So I’ve been told a thousand times.”
    “If the truth fits,” she returned.
    “A thousand and one.” The man sighed.
    Raphael smirked and elbowed me. “True love.”
    “Where’s Raphael?” the woman said as she spun around. “He’ll agree with—LucyD!” my mother squealed when she spotted me. She rushed over to the table, immediately abandoning her companion.
    He didn’t look fazed. My father was used to it.
    Raphael scooted out of the booth, and my mother gave him a quick hug, and set a pile of binders on the table before taking his spot next to me.
    “Let me look at you,” she said, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. She tsk ed. “You look tired.”
    “Thanks, Mum.”
    She beamed, her hazel eyes bright and shiny. “What are mothers for if not telling the truth?”
    I was about to give her a whole list that didn’t including telling their daughters they essentially looked like crap, but then I glanced at Aiden and remembered a little girl who didn’t know where her mother was. I took another bite of my sandwich as Mum launched into hellos with him.
    My parents were also a case of opposites attracting. Dad was polished whereas Mum was wild. Her platinum hair was cut short in a messy pixie style, and her eyelids glittered from sparkly eye shadow. A deep purple tunic with white embroidery flattered her shapely figure, and bangle bracelets clanked on her arm as she spoke with her hands. She was a flowerchild at heart and was a tireless defender of every cause around. She loved fiercely. Everything from the sound of the ocean to delectable desserts; her music students, her family, and her strange complicated relationship with my father.
    My dad and Raphael had their heads bent—no doubt my father was ordering something not on the menu. My dad was classic Hollywood handsome. Tall, dark and debonair. Montgomery Clift with brown eyes (minus the addiction problems). Impeccably dressed, his silver-flecked hair was slicked back, and as his gaze turned to me, his eyes warmed. He leaned across the table to give my forehead a peck, then shook Aiden’s hand and sat next to him.
    “I hear you’re being impossible,” I said to Dad.
    He straightened his tie. “I fear people across town heard as well.”
    My mother silently mimicked him, then said, “It’s good to see you, Aiden. I heard you were missing for a while.”
    Aiden looked at me. “It doesn’t get old.” Sarcasm dripped from his words.
    “Were you undercover?” Mum asked him. “Dressed as a motorcycle gang member or infiltrating a drug cartel? Did you get a tattoo?” Before he could answer, Mum turned to me.