The Courtship of Dani Read Online Free PDF Page A

Chad still had the cast-iron stomach and bizarre tastes of an adolescent. "So what did you want to talk to me about?"
    "When I called?" Chad hitched himself onto a high bar stool and hooked his boot heels on the lower rung, his long skinny legs sticking out like bent broom straws. He popped the tab off a soft drink can and took a long swig. "Oh, I just wanted to borrow your wheels to drive up to Conroe, but when I didn't hear from you I bummed a ride with Jerry," he replied vaguely, studying his sandwich for the best spot to launch another attack.
    "And to what do I owe this visit today?"
    "Mmmm, Mom wanted me to tell you that she's planning a family get-together next week," he said around a mouthful of food. "She wants you to come if you can."
    "She couldn't call me and ask herself?"
    "She did, but she got your answering machine and hung up. You know how Mom is. That thing makes her tongue-tied. She knew I was coming over so she asked me to tell you."
    "I see." And Dani was very much afraid that she did. Sophie Edwards talked daily to Charlene, Chad's twin, as a matter of course, but she called Dani only when she had to, and then it was a duty call, or, like this time, an occasional invitation. Dani tried to tell herself it didn't matter, that it was only natural to love your own child more than an adopted one, but it still hurt when she let herself think about it. "Well, tell her I'll be happy to come and I'll call her later in the week about it."
    "Sure." Chad downed the last of the sandwich, polished off the cola in one long swallow, and slid off the stool. "Well, I gotta run. I need to hit the books. Got a biology exam tomorrow."
    Dani followed him out of the kitchen, surprised, and faintly pleased. "You mean that's it? That's all you came by for?"
    "Sure. Well, that is.. .there is this one other little matter," he amended as he reached the door. "You see, the thing is, I'm broke, and I've got a date with this really great-looking chick next weekend and—"
    "How much do you need?" Dani asked wryly, stifling the absurd feeling of disappointment that pressed at her chest. Don't be a fool. You didn't honestly think he had just dropped by to see you, did you?
    Chad grinned devilishly. "How much can you spare?"
    She gave him thirty dollars, and he gave her a peck on the cheek.
    When Dani closed the door behind him the apartment seemed silent and empty, and there was a strange little ache in her chest. "Thanks, little brother. That was just what I needed to top off a perfectly rotten day," she murmured dejectedly as she wandered into the bedroom, absently stripping off her clothes.
    Chad's presence had temporarily banished her earlier anger, but the words had no sooner left her mouth than it returned full force. With jerky movements Dani hung up her dress, stepped out of her shoes and peeled off her panty hose. Every time she thought about that interview with Jason St. Clair she felt as though she were about to splinter apart.
    The man is an arrogant, opinionated, small-minded fool, she told herself icily. You're lucky not to have to work with him.
    All day she had told herself the same thing, but it did nothing to alleviate her icy rage. Dani made a frustrated sound, stalked across to the antique four-poster and flung herself across the wide expanse. She lay on her back, arms extended, fingers unconsciously clawing at the candlewick bedspread. Her pink satin slip flowed lovingly over her curves, its smooth surface glowing with the rosy pearlescence of a summer sunrise.
    Lord, how she hated—hated—being dismissed. And all because of that spineless parasite, Lewis!
    And Frank. By all means, she told herself with a small bitter laugh. Let's not forget Frank's part in all this.
    But at least, if nothing else, today's fiasco accomplished one thing; she had gotten rid of Lewis. A small, satisfied smile curved Dani's mouth as she recalled the ultimatum she had given Frank when he joined her in the car after leaving Jason St.