Out at Night Read Online Free PDF Page B

peace as she knew it.
    “Okay,” she said finally.
    Mac was leaning up against the door jamb, waiting for Grace when she got into the bedroom.
    “She hears everything,” Grace said pleasantly, her voice low.
    “I got that.” He smiled back pleasantly. “But let’s talk about you. What I especially liked was the bit about how hot to make the water. I think I can figure stuff like that out.”
    Grace picked up a straw hat and a pair of espadrilles and carried them to the suitcase. She and Mac hadn’t danced this one before, but she remembered it from the times her parents did the steps.
    “Go on, say the rest. The even-though-I’ve-never-had-the-chance-to part.”
    He smiled. “Even-though-I’ve-never-had-the-chance-to.”
    “Thanks to me,” she prompted. She lifted a clump of underpants and dumped them into the suitcase.
    “Thanks to you. Here. Let me help you.”
    “Gladly.” She was keeping her voice down, but it rang with hurt and her need to be right.
    His eyes were bright with calculated interest. As if he’d waited a long time to play this game. As if he’d spent years studying the rule book. As if all bets were off.
    He went to the set of drawers, yanked open the top one, and carried it over to the suitcase, upending the bras and tank tops into the suitcase, shaking the drawer hard.
    “There. All set.” He tucked the drawer under his arm and carried it back to the dresser, shoving it back into the slot. “Anything else?”
    I’m good.” She unhooked a row of hangers and flung the shirts and pants in a clattering heap into the suitcase. “Ready to leave.”
    “Works for me.”
    The air left her body. A bullet of pain lodged in her belly. Not exactly a direct hit. He just needed more practice.
    She was certain he’d been aiming for the heart.
    She straightened. “I’ll be back in San Diego Monday night. Tuesday morning at the latest.” It sounded like a warning.
    “Take your time.”
    “You’re not keeping her.” It slipped out and the ferocity of it took her by surprise and made real the possibility of Katie leaving for good.
    He looked at her as if he were seeing her for the first time and not quite liking it.
    “Why are you doing this?” His voice was even. “She’s my daughter, too. Mine. And frankly, that’s all I’ve been thinking about. What you did. What it cost.”
    She slipped the shirts and pants out of their hangers, one by one, not looking at him. The hangers were wooden, well made. She carried them back to the closet and hung them up. They clicked together. The only clothes that hung now were the dresses that belonged to Katie, a small bright row of pink and lime green, splashes of yellow and orange.
    “Grace?”
    “Don’t think I won’t be checking with the school Tuesday, to make sure she gets there safely.”
    “Nice.” He shoved past her into the hall.

    ___

    “Okay, so it’s going to be really fun.” Grace cradled Katie in her lap as she dried her hair with a towel.
    “Why are you going?” Katie sounded worried.
    Grace kissed her. “Oh, honey, I have a couple of days of work to do, that’s all.”
    “But I want you to stay.”
    “I do, too, sweetie.”
    “But Daddy’s going to be here, right?”
    “Right here.”
    “With me.”
    “Every second.” Grace lifted Katie down from her lap. The towel had left a damp splotch on her shorts. “Okay, what do you want to wear? A sundress, shorts?”
    “Do you like Daddy?”
    The question caught her by surprise. She turned away from the closet. “Very much. Why?”
    “I think shorts. Those pink ones.” Katie dropped the towel and scampered to the set of drawers. “And the pink underpants. Everything pink.”
    From the back, she was golden except for the pale band where her bathing suit had been. “Does Daddy like you?” Her voice was muffled as she dug through her underpants and pulled out a pair.
    “I hope so. Sure. Maybe. Probably. The main thing is, Daddy likes you. Lots. I’m going to get