Infamous Read Online Free PDF Page A

task.
    “Absolutely,” she assured Kinsey. “No worries, I’ll just make a little stop at the store and be there in no time.”
    A few miles down the road she pulled into a shopping center with a large pharmacy. She quickly found the essential supplies. After reading the labels on several bottles, she added a bottle of “teen” Midol to her basket, too. In her experience, a bottle of wine or a stiff margarita would take care of the worst cramps, but she could imagine what Morgan would do if he came home to find his daughter trashed. After browsing a few more aisles and paying for her purchases, she was back on the road.
    Half an hour later, Kinsey buzzed her through the gate and she drove up the winding driveway to the house she hadn’t seen in four years. She squashed the impulse to slow as the house came into view.
    The warm stucco walls of the sprawling hacienda diffused the bright California sun into a soft glow. Patio furniture was scattered casually about the long covered porch that ran the length of the house. Compared to the formal Beverly Hills mansion she had grown up in, the effect had always seemed homey and welcoming. She remembered Morgan sitting in the shade of the porch most mornings while he drank his coffee and answered e-mail on his laptop.
    She was here for Kinsey, she reminded herself. This had never really been her home.
    A furry head shoved itself into the car as she opened the door. She laughed and scratched Sandy’s ears. The plump puppy had grown into a sleek Golden Retriever.
    The front door opened before she reached it. She gaped at the gangly teenager who had replaced the child she remembered. Kinsey smiled, looking a little apprehensive. Jessica dropped her shopping bags and opened her arms.
    “Look how gorgeous you are.” She squeezed her close. “When did you grow up?”
    Kinsey laughed, and the tension was broken.
    “It’s not like you haven’t seen pictures.”
    “I know, but somehow I still managed to think of you as being a foot shorter.”
    “Is that it?” Kinsey pointed at her bags.
    She handed her one of the bags. “Do you need any help?”
    Kinsey shook her head and turned a little pink. Jessica gave her a reassuring push toward the back of the house. “Go on and take care of necessities. We’ll catch up when you get back.”
    She picked up the other bag and headed for the kitchen. By the time Kinsey got back, she had dished up two large bowls of ice cream.
    “I hope chocolate chunk is still your favorite.”
    “Extra chocolate syrup?” Kinsey looked hopeful.
    “You got it, girl!” She produced the syrup from the bag with a flourish.
    The phone rang just as Kinsey finished squeezing a glob of syrup over her ice cream. She licked a drip of syrup off the side of the bowl as she reached for the phone and checked the caller I.D.
    “Hi, Dad, what’s up?”
    Jessica went on full alert. She reached for the chocolate syrup, and tried to look unconcerned with the conversation.
    “I’m really sorry about that, I was feeling really bad but … . My stomach, but … . No, I’m okay now, Jessica is here and … . Well, if you would listen, I called her when … .” Kinsey rolled her eyes at her then held the phone out. “He wants to talk to you.”
    Jessica took a quick breath and put the phone to her ear before she chickened out in front of Kinsey.
    “Hello, Mo — ”
    “What the hell is going on? What’s wrong with Kinsey?”
    “She’s okay,” she soothed, “she just panicked over some stomach cramps but she’s absolutely fine.”
    “Look, I don’t know what you’re doing there, but if Kinsey’s sick I want you to take her to the doctor right now.”
    She was very aware of Kinsey standing just on the other side of the kitchen island. She took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.
    “Morgan, I know you’re worried, but in this case — ”
    “Damn it, Jessica,” he interrupted. “Cramps can be serious. What if it’s her appendix or food poisoning?