Calamity Mom Read Online Free PDF Page B

got to his feet, towering over her. “I can manage my own private life.”
    “Heavens, what kind of life is it?” she asked, searchinghis silver eyes. “You aren’t happy. Neither is Ben. Haven’t you learned that business isn’t enough?”
    Her assessment of his life hurt. He’d already had enough of Marie’s criticism that he was too soft with Ben, and here was Shelly telling him he was too hard. He reacted more violently than he meant to. “What is enough?” he asked abruptly. “To turn out a penniless, scruffy little college student like you?”
    Probably if his assumption about her had been right, his attitude would have hurt. But it didn’t. She smiled mockingly. “I wouldn’t presume to think so,” she said. “Marie’s just your style. But I feel sorry for Ben. He’s sensitive, despite his brashness. She’ll destroy him if you let her.”
    He gave her a speaking glare and strode off with anger evident in every line of his hard body.
    * * *
    S HE DRANK TOO MUCH that night. She hadn’t eaten right, she’d been too annoyed at Mr. Sexy, and before she knew it, she’d had much too much beer. Three cans of it, when she hardly ever had more than a sip of white wine. If Nan hadn’t been there to look after her, her carelessness could have had terrible repercussions. Pete, who’d had four cans of beer on his own, was more than willing to take advantage of her condition. But Nan warded him off, parceled up Shelly and herded her back to the motel.
    “Idiot,” she muttered as she helped a swaying Shelly into the lobby. “What on earth would you do without me?”
    “I’m not drunk, Nan,” Shelly said, and smiled vacantly.
    “Of course not! Come on, hang on to me.”
    She got into the elevator with her heavy burden and was about to select the proper floor number when Faulkner and his ladylove joined them.
    “Of all the disgusting things I’ve ever seen,” Marie said with a haughty glare. “You college girls have no morals at all, have you?”
    Nan stared at the other woman without speaking, her liquid black eyes full of muffled insults. Marie flushed and looked away, but Nan didn’t stop staring.
    “Hello, Miss Ribs,” Shelly said, smiling at the thin brunette. “If you had a little meat on those bird bones, you’d be much more attractive. I expect Mr. Sexy over there bruises his fingers every time he touches you.”
    “How dare you!” Marie exploded.
    “Here’s our floor. Out you go, my dear,” Nan mumbled, helping Shelly out of the elevator.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow, Marie. Go on up.” Faulkner got off the elevator and, without breaking stride, lifted Shelly in his arms. “Lead the way.”
    The elevator closed on Marie’s startled gasp, and Nan hesitated only a minute before she started off down the hall toward their ocean-facing room.
    Shelly looked into Faulkner’s hard, dark face with dazed curiosity. “I’m sorry you don’t like me.”
    He smiled gently. “Don’t I?” he asked. “Hold tight, little one. I wouldn’t want to drop you.”
    He pulled her very close and eased her hot face into the curve of his neck, enveloping her in his warm strength and the seductive scent of his cologne. She felt like heaven in his arms. He had to stifle a groan.
    Shelly was barely aware of his reaction, but she was feeling something similar. Smiling, she sighed and drifted into a warm, wonderful sleep.

CHAPTER THREE
    S HELLY WOKE THE NEXT MORNING with a frightful headache and vague memories of being carried to bed in a man’s hard arms.
    Nan held out a bottle of aspirin and a cup of black coffee the minute Shelly walked into the living room. “Here,” she said curtly. “And next time you pull a silly stunt like that, you’ll be sharing a single room at this motel, all alone, by yourself.”
    “Don’t yell,” Shelly groaned.
    “I’m whispering, can’t you tell? ”
    “Oh!” Shelly put her hands over her ears. “You’re horrible!”
    “One of us is, that’s for