First and Again Read Online Free PDF Page A

trip to the country. He supplemented his winter income by holding sleigh rides that ended with a moonlight skate on the pond next to the horse pasture. His two Percherons, Peggy and Babe, seemed to look forward to the work every winter.
    He booted up his computer, intending to immerse himself in pasture rotation records and updates to the ranch’s website, but found himself staring out the window, unable to concentrate. Instead of the lawn and flower garden views, all Jack saw was Bridget’s face. He chuckled as he remembered how determined she’d looked as she marched down the gravel road in her pink apron. Determination was one thing about her that hadn’t changed. Her determination to leave Paradise had ended things for them twenty years ago.
    He gave up all pretense of working and put his feet up on the desk. Despite the prickly exterior she now showed to the world, he’d caught intriguing glimpses of the girl he’d fallen in love with. Bridget was still a beautiful woman and he found her just as attractive today as he did all those years ago.
    He grunted in disgust. He’d have to be crazy to get involved with her again. She’d broken his heart back then, and his life had changed drastically after she’d left him.
    But he’d gotten over it, over her. He’d never let himself fall into that trap again.
    His mother’s car rumbled into the yard, pushing the unwanted thoughts away. Jack made his way out to the deck. A moment later his mother unbuckled his daughter’s seat belt. She burst from the car and hurried toward him with her awkward gait.
    “Daddy, Daddy!”
    He walked down the steps to meet her. Leslie threw herself at his legs and clung to him, nearly bringing him to his knees. He laughed, then bent over to hug her.
    “Did you have fun with Grandma?”
    “Oh yes!” Leslie’s slightly crossed eyes were shining, her round face pink with excitement. “Grandma’s friend has kittens! They were purring when I held them.”
    “That means they were happy. They liked you.”
    “I liked them too.” She hugged his neck. “I love you, Daddy.”
    He buried his face in his daughter’s hair. “I love you too, baby.”
    He wouldn’t change the past even if he could. If he hadn’t gone through his difficult marriage to Victoria he wouldn’t have Leslie today. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. Though she’d been born with Down syndrome, she was his sunshine, his bright star in a cold and dreary world, and he loved her with a ferocity that sometimes scared him.
    He held her a little closer. No, he wouldn’t change anything. But sometimes he couldn’t help wondering what his life would have been like if Bridget hadn’t left him.
    * * *
    Bridget fought to control a rising sense of panic as she waited outside the principal’s office. Rebecca had only been in Paradise High School for three weeks and this was already her third visit to the principal. She was on a first name basis with Sally Smith, the school secretary, and with Keith and Mark, two teenaged hellions who were also frequent visitors.
    Principal Stewart bustled into the room carrying an armful of papers. Gloria Stewart was an energetic woman in her thirties who wore stylishly casual clothes and wore her blond hair in a ponytail. The first time Bridget had seen her she’d mistaken her for one of the students.
    “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Grant. I was getting ready for tomorrow’s pep rally.”
    “I understand,” Bridget said, nodding her head slightly. “I know you wouldn’t call me unless it was important.”
    “Yes,” Ms. Stewart said. “Why don’t you step into my office? I need to deal with my two young friends first.”
    She got to her feet as the principal addressed the boys. “Now, what do you think is appropriate punishment for being unruly in Miss Dillon’s English class? I’m leaning toward having you two wash the spitballs off the ceiling of her classroom. What do you think?”
    If there was one thing