Dad In Blue. Shelley Cooper
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Название: Dad In Blue
Автор: Shelley Cooper
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Зарубежные детективы
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“Do you have a key?” he asked Jeffrey.
Jeffrey placed the weights and the T-shirt on the porch floor so that he could rummage through his pants pockets. He pulled out a crumpled pack of gum, a battered toy soldier, the yo-yo and three marbles before finally producing a key. When he slid it into the lock, the door swung silently inward.
“Why don’t you run upstairs, put your things away and wash up, while I go check on your mom.” Carlo needed to get the boy safely out of the way, just in case something really was wrong with Samantha. “It’s important that you wash your hands and arms thoroughly, because you might have picked up some germs at the gym. Since your mom’s sick, you want to be careful not to pass them on to her.”
His reluctance obvious, Jeffrey slowly mounted the stairs. When he reached the top, Carlo headed for the den.
It was hard to see in the dimness, but he definitely glimpsed the outline of her body beneath the blanket. It looked as though she hadn’t moved since he’d left with Jeffrey.
He hated to wake her. But he couldn’t leave until he knew she was alert and able to care for her son.
“Samantha?” he said, switching on a light. She didn’t answer, and he called louder. “Samantha?”
“What?” She sounded groggy as she opened her eyes and blinked against the brightness. “Oh, you’re back. Did you have a nice time?”
“I think it went well.” Except for Jeffrey’s startling revelation about his plans for vengeance. “How are you feeling?”
“Thirsty.”
He poured her a glass of water and helped her to a sitting position. “Better?” he asked, when she’d drained every drop.
“Much. What time is it?”
“Five o’clock.”
Her eyes widened. For a woman who’d slept the afternoon away, she looked anything but rested.
“Already? It feels like I just closed my eyes.”
“That’s because you’re sick.” A lot sicker than she wanted to let on. Leaning down, he rested his hand against her forehead. While still not into dangerous territory, her temperature had definitely risen.
He knew then what he had to do. It was the last thing he wanted. But he would be less than heartless to leave an eight-year-old and a defenseless sick woman to their own devices.
“That settles it,” he said. “I’m staying.”
Chapter 4
Samantha was determined to stand, even if it took every ounce of her strength. Pushing the blankets aside, she swung her feet to the floor and placed her hands flat against the sofa cushions for support. If only her head wasn’t so woozy and her limbs didn’t feel like they each weighed a thousand pounds.
After drawing a deep, bracing breath, she leaned forward and centered her weight on her legs. For a second or two, she was certain she’d collapse. But finally, through sheer determination, and not a little perspiration, she gained her feet.
She didn’t even want to think about how awful she must look.
“You don’t have to stay,” she said, locking her knees when they threatened to give way beneath her. After being huddled beneath a blanket all afternoon, the air in the room felt cool, and she shivered. “I’m feeling much better.”
“Liar,” he said mildly.
“No, really. I know you’re used to taking charge, but it isn’t necessary. I’ll be just fine. You can go home now.”
She heard a hint of panic creep into her voice and bit her lip. She couldn’t concentrate enough to figure out why it was so vital that he leave. All she knew was that every instinct of self-preservation she possessed was screaming how it was imperative for him to go.
“Face it, Samantha, you need help.”
Sick as she was, the sound of her name on his lips still managed to send shivers of awareness up her spine. Those six words, spoken softly and with concern, penetrated the haze clouding her mind. In a moment of clarity, she knew exactly why she was so desperate for him to leave. She didn’t like the way he made her feel when he looked at her, all soft and feminine and trembly inside. Even less did she like the way her breathing went haywire when he smiled; how her heart raced when he spoke her name.
She’d had her chance at love, and it had been wonderful. No woman could have asked for more. Then James had died, and they’d buried her heart with him.
Apparently, however, her hormones had stayed behind.
When she was well again, none of this would matter, she told herself. When her weakness disappeared, so would her vulnerability.
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