Читать книгу Tempting Janey - Mary Baxter Lynn - Страница 12

Just one healthy swig. What could it hurt? Keith asked himself, reaching for the bottle of bourbon. Who could it hurt? That was the important question. No one except himself, and he didn’t give a damn.

Right now, he wasn’t seeing Sabrina. After she’d more or less given him an ultimatum, then walked out in a huff, he hadn’t even bothered to call her. But that was all right. The bitch had served her purpose, anyway. They had been together nearly three years. Following the split with Janey, she’d kept his bed warm. That was all he’d cared about.

Now Janey was back.

That thought suddenly panicked him, and he took a drink straight out of the bottle, but not before gazing out from the glass cubicle that was his office and making sure no one was watching.

He felt the liquor burn all the way to his gut. Yet it gave him a much-needed shot of adrenaline. He found he had to have that to begin his day, and to end it.

Selling cars sucked.

He couldn’t quit, though. He made too much money at it. He couldn’t afford to give it up. Not only were his tastes expensive, but he had Robin’s child support to pay. And pay he had, until recently. Suddenly he had fallen behind.

He winced against the prick of his conscience. He’d made some bad investments, and they had come back to haunt him. Even so, he intended to make good on his financial commitment to his kid. He wasn’t dead broke, just strapped for the moment.

Anyway, he didn’t have much choice. Something told him he’d better adhere to the court orders, or Janey just might file charges.

He couldn’t have that. Besides, he wanted to do right by Robin. That was important to him. He might have fucked his wife over, but he would never do anything to hurt his daughter.

Despite what Sabrina had said, he wasn’t using Robin to get to Janey. He suddenly felt another prick to his conscience. Well, maybe that wasn’t entirely true. But he did care about Robin. He hadn’t realized how much until she’d returned from Colorado and they had had time alone, without Janey’s mistrustful influence.

Maybe that was why he’d been having these crazy thoughts about getting his family back together again. Raising a teenager hadn’t turned out to be nearly as scary as he’d imagined.

And he missed Janey.

Dammit, he hated to admit that, but he couldn’t deny it any longer. Since she’d been back, he’d been by the store, had even parked across the street and watched her as she’d worked. Once she’d come out onto the porch to sweep it off, and he’d gotten a good look at her.

The sight of her had actually shocked him. She had lost so much weight, yet she looked great, especially her breasts. They were as voluptuous as ever.

Something he’d thought was dead—his attraction for her—had roared back to life. He’d been hard-pressed to remain in the vehicle. Yet he’d known better than to approach her, fearing she might clobber him with that broom.

Besides, he hadn’t been ready, either. He had to be a hundred-percent sure Robin was on his side. She was the key that could reopen the door into Janey’s heart.

Although Robin herself hadn’t said outright that she would like them to be a family again, he sensed it. However, he was treading softly with her, as well, though he wasn’t sure it was necessary.

So far, Robin hadn’t stopped loving him.

Should he thank Janey for that, or was Robin enough of her own person to make that choice? He didn’t know the answer to that question yet.

He wasn’t even sure Robin knew the truth about why he and Janey had gotten divorced. But it didn’t matter. If she hadn’t found out by now, she probably never would. If she did, he would handle it. When necessary, he could turn up the old charm another notch.

He shouldn’t have let Janey go so easily. Moreover, he should never have gotten caught with Elaine in his arms. But he had, and he’d paid the price. He’d lost Janey and Robin.

And he was a damn poor loser.

The idea that Janey hadn’t and wouldn’t forgive him had festered all these years. He’d learned a hard lesson, though, and he was definitely smarter. When he got Janey back, he wouldn’t make the same mistake again. If he dallied, he would make sure he didn’t get caught. That way he would have his cake and eat it, too.

“Hey, Mayfield, whatcha doing in there?” A coworker stuck his head around the door. “Playing with yourself?”

“Go to hell, Kendrick,” Keith shot back at the big, burly man with a beard and mustache. “I can do what I please. I’m on my own time now.”

“So you’ve clocked out?”

“Yeah, not that that’s any of your business.”

Kendrick held up both hands and backed out of the doorway. “Hey, man, don’t be so touchy.”

“Get lost,” Keith muttered darkly.

Kendrick merely laughed. “I’ll be glad when you get that bug out of your ass. You’ve been hard to live with this entire month.”

Keith gave him another threatening look.

“I figure you’re not gettin’ any.”

“Get the hell out of my face or be prepared to get yours smashed.”

“All right already. I’m outta here.”

Kendrick swaggered off, though not before Keith saw the strange look he threw him.

Thank God he hadn’t seen the bottle, Keith told himself, or there would’ve been hell to pay. Or had he? The blood in Keith’s veins suddenly ran cold. Was that what that look had been about?

Nah, he was just paranoid. Still, he couldn’t let anyone get an inkling that he was drinking his breakfast and his dinner. The only meal he was eating was lunch.

So far, he’d managed to keep his drinking problem to himself. However, he was playing a dangerous game. Even though he was not on company time now, he was still on the premises. His boss wouldn’t take kindly to his drinking on the job. He would get fired in a heartbeat, which would be another big and stupid mistake.

If he had to work, he couldn’t beat selling cars. He was a natural at it, having sold two just today. If that pace kept up, he would be out of debt in no time.

To reward himself, he was about to get his little girl and take her out to dinner.

That reminder gave him the courage to walk away from the drawer that held the booze. Seconds later, he was in the bathroom, straightening his tie while scrutinizing himself in the mirror.

Not bad. At forty-five, he didn’t have a speck of gray in his dark hair. He was tall enough, and despite his penchant for booze his stomach was only slightly pooched. He had no complaints about his eyes, either; the whites didn’t look like a road map.

But the best thing he had going for him was his gift of gab. More often than not, he could talk his way into or out of anything. His features suddenly turned grim. He was going to need that gift and more to lure Janey back into his life.

But he had no doubt he would succeed—especially thirty minutes later, when he was sitting at a table at Chili’s Restaurant facing a smiling Robin.

They had just placed their orders for two bacon cheeseburgers, curly fries and colas.

“So how was your day, sweetheart?” he asked, realizing again just how important it was for him to get Robin on his side. Without her, he knew his chances of getting Janey back were slim to none.

“Great, Dad.”

“So you’re not having any problems keeping your grades up?”

Some of the light went out of her eyes. “Well, Trig’s starting to give me fits, but Chad’s promised to help.”

Keith’s eyes widened. “Chad? That’s a name I haven’t heard before.”

Robin’s cheeks turned rosy. “He’s the team quarterback.”

“And?”

She giggled. “And I went out with him the other night.”

“And he’s about the coolest thing on two feet.”

“How did you know?”

“Your old dad’s been there before.”

“I wish Mom saw it that way.”

Keep your cool, he cautioned himself. “She has a problem with your friend?”

“We haven’t really talked about him yet, but I don’t think she likes him.”

“Oh, I bet she does. She’s just being her usual protective self.”

“Maybe,” Robin replied, her expression still on the glum side. “Chad doesn’t think she likes him, either.”

“How many times have you been out with him?”

“Once.”

“Then give her a chance, okay?”

“Why are you taking up for Mom?”

He forced himself not to react. “For one thing, because she is your mother, and for another, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the young man.”

“Well, he’s drop-dead gorgeous.” Robin grinned. “And every friend I have is green with envy.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Oh, Dad, I’m so glad I came back. I wouldn’t be having nearly this much fun in Colorado.”

“How’s your mother adjusting?” he asked with what he hoped was casual concern.

Robin shrugged. “I’m not sure. The candy shop’s doing okay, I guess. Mom tries to shield me, but I know she’s had some problems.”

“Problems go with owning your own business. But if I can help, I’m around.”

“I just wish you lived with us,” Robin whined.

“Me too, sweetheart.”

His words appeared to stun her. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“You mean you still love Mom?”

“And you, too.”

“But what about Sabrina?”

He hadn’t wanted Robin to know about the other women in his life, but in a weak moment he’d given in to Sabrina’s demands and invited Robin to dinner. Only once. Consequently, he was taken aback that Robin still connected them.

“I haven’t seen her in a long time,” he lied.

“Good. I didn’t care for her much.”

“Me either.”

She giggled again, then her pretty face sobered. “Oh, Dad, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be a family again—you, me and Mom?” Tears welled up in her eyes.

God, he needed a drink, if for no other reason than to celebrate. His plan was coming together much faster and better than he could have imagined. He could barely contain his excitement. This was the first time his daughter had ever said anything like that to him.

Of course, he had the biggest hurdle yet to jump—Janey. But he was confident he could meet that challenge. Suddenly he felt like Superman. He could do anything—except take a drink.

“Dad, are you all right?”

“Of course,” he said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “Why?”

“You look funny. I mean—”

“Now is that a nice thing to say about your old man?” he interrupted, feigning anger.

She smiled, though it failed to reach her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that you sorta turned green, and I thought you might be getting sick. You know, there’s a flu bug going around. Lots of kids at school are out with it.”

“I’m fine,” he said, averting his gaze while trying to get his shakes under control. “Ah, here comes our food,” he added, hearing the relief in his voice.

“Mmm, that looks yummy.”

“Once we chow down, I have something for you.”

“What?”

“Not now. Be a good girl and eat all your dinner, then you’ll get your surprise.”

Again her face clouded. “I just wish Mom was here. I remember we all used to have such fun together.”

“If I have my way, we will again.”

“You mean you want her and me back?”

Keith reached over and squeezed her hand. “You bet I do, sweetheart.”

Robin’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Daddy, that’s wonderful.”

“But for now, that’s just between us, okay?”

She nodded.

“I want to be the one who tells your mother.”

“You have my word,” she promised, the tears no longer in evidence. “Mum’s the word.”

“Good girl. So how’s your burger?”

“I’ll let you know,” she said, taking her first bite.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, though it was all he could do to force his food down. He wasn’t the least bit hungry. But God, he was thirsty, and not for water. He needed a drink in the worst way.

Robin pushed her empty plate aside, then groaned. “I’m going to have to go on a diet tomorrow.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“You know we’re not allowed to gain an ounce, which makes Mom mad.”

“How’s that?”

“She doesn’t like for Mrs. Morrison to harp on our weight—says it’s not healthy, that we’re growing girls.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Robin frowned in the direction of her plate. “I’m depressed now. I wish I hadn’t eaten all that.”

Keith reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a small wrapped package. “See if this doesn’t make you feel better.”

Robin reached for the gift, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Go on, open it,” Keith told her.

Seconds later, she gasped, then stared at him. “Are these real?” Her voice was filled with awe.

“You betcha.”

Robin jumped up, ran to his side and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the greatest.”