Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [170]
"Yes," she said. "I want to find out who that girl is."
"Whatever it takes? Because there's no turning back once we get started."
She bristled at his controlling tone. "Look, I'll turn back whenever I want. So—"
"Then I won't help you."
He started to leave. He was actually going to walk away from her? In fact, he was six feet away before she said, "Wait. Why are you acting like this?"
He hesitated for so long she wasn't sure he would answer. Then he said, "The only reason I'm here is because you bear a striking resemblance to that girl. The necklace and the fact that you have no concrete evidence of where you lived before the age of four are also intriguing. But I promised not to talk to anyone about that photo. I won't break that promise with you unless I know you're committed to finding out the truth about that child."
"Who would have asked you to promise such a thing?"
"Are you in or are you out? Because I tell you nothing unless we have a deal."
She could see the resolve in his eyes. If she said she was out, she'd never see him again, and she'd never know if that picture had anything to do with her. She could research it on her own, but she wouldn't know where to start. Alex would have more contacts, more information. Oh, what the hell. It wasn't like she was selling her soul. She drew in a breath, praying she wouldn't regret her decision. "I'm in. Tell me what you know."
He met her gaze head-on. "My father didn't take that picture. I did."
DANIEL'S GIFT
EXCERPT - Copyright 2011 Barbara Freethy
All Rights Reserved
Chapter One
"I want to meet my Dad." 12-year-old Danny stood in the doorway to the kitchen, his blond hair tousled from sleep, his eyes drowsy but determined.
The glass of orange juice slipped from Jenny's fingers and crashed to the floor. "Your father?"
"I want to talk to him, Mom."
"Danny -- "
"I want to ask him if he ever played shortstop. I want to know how tall he was when he was my age. I want to know when he started to shave." A curl fell down over Danny's right eye, and he flipped it back off his face in disgust. "I want to know if his hair is straight now."
"Danny, please." Jenny shook her head in despair. "We've talked about this before. I know it's difficult for you to understand that a man might not want to have a child. Maybe when you're older ..."
"I'm old enough. I'm his kid. He should know me."
Danny stuck out his chin in a show of stubbornness that was exactly like his father -- if he only knew it. A sudden pain cut across Jenny's heart.
She walked over to the counter, giving herself time to think. The toaster popped up two slices of wheat bread. She buttered them, set them on a plate, and returned to the table with a pleading smile. "Eat your breakfast. We'll talk about this after school."
"You won't have time after school. You'll be at work. You're always at work."
"I'm sorry, but I do the best I can, Danny. I think you could be a little more understanding."
"Rob's mother stays home all day. And his dad is taking him camping this weekend," Danny said, throwing out a challenge that was impossible to beat.
"Are you deliberately trying to make me feel guilty? I'm doing my best. What do you want me to say?"
"Nothing. Forget it." Danny slid out of his chair.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm not hungry."
Jenny sighed as Danny left the room. She hated to disappoint him, but lately that's all she seemed to do. Working eight hours a day at McDougal's Market, trying to build a jewelry-making business on the side, then keeping up with the house, the cooking, and the cleaning didn't