Touching Stars Read Online Free PDF Page A

not.”
    She answered by moving to the dresser and lifting a handmade basket filled with everything from cans of nuts to muffins. “What else do you need? The boys made a basket of goodies for you to snack on.”
    “I’ll devour everything eventually, I’m sure.”
    “We aren’t having guests this week. With Jared’s graduation and party tomorrow, and your arrival, it seemed easiest. So you’ll have peace and quiet to rest.”
    “I can imagine what losing a week of income is going to do to your budget.”
    She let that pass, since she couldn’t disagree. “The bathroom is stocked with more toiletries than you can use in a lifetime. We change towels daily and sheets twice a week, unless you need them changed more often. No television in the rooms, but lots of books. And there’s a flat screen in the guest parlor whenever you want to watch it.”
    “It’s better than fine, Gayle. It’s a gift I don’t deserve, and I know it.”
    “It’s a gift I’m happy to give the father of my sons. I want you to be here. They need to have you in reach for a while.”
    He looked more tired by the moment, but he stopped her before she could leave. “Where was Jared off to?”
    “Graduation practice.” She hesitated. “And I imagine he has to pick up Brandy so she can watch. They’re inseparable.”
    “Brandy’s the girlfriend, right?”
    “She is. The first serious girlfriend. They’ve been together all year.”
    “Why do I think you don’t like her?”
    She was sorry her tone had given her away. “I’m not sure I understand teenage girls, never having had practice raising one and being pretty far away from those days myself. But Brandy’s absolutely committed to chaining Jared to her side.”
    “Pretty?”
    “Long black hair, a lush figure, a cute little pout when she doesn’t get her way.”
    “You definitely don’t like her.”
    Gayle considered. “Not true. She’s a nice girl. She doesn’t have any career aspirations, but she’s helpful and sweet tempered most of the time. She just wants to be part of the family a lot sooner than I want her to be.”
    “The lioness protecting her cub.”
    “Jared has his whole life ahead of him. He’s been such a star in high school, and he’s going to need the stimulation of MIT. I just want so much for him. Unfortunately, he’s utterly devoted to her happiness.”
    “I’m not sure where he learned that kind of devotion. Not from me, I guess.”
    She was surprised he would bring up their past so soon. She didn’t know what to say.
    He sighed. “That was supposed to be a joke. But it wasn’t a very good one, was it?”
    “You look exhausted. I’m going to stop fussing and let you get a nap. Do you need any help before I go?”
    “I think I can still undress myself.”
    That was an image she didn’t want in her head. “Or nap in your clothes. Who’ll care?”
    The door opened wider, and Dillon charged in. “Do you like the basket? You like chocolate, don’t you? I put M&M’s in there, and some chocolate-covered raisins.”
    “It’s great,” Eric said, looking, if possible, paler. “Really thoughtful.”
    “I can open anything you want me to.”
    “Not right now.”
    Gayle put a warning hand on Dillon’s shoulder. “Your dad’s tired, honey. He’s going to rest. You’ll have plenty of time to talk later.”
    Eric seemed to take pity on his son, although he looked as if it was an effort. “Just tell me quickly what you’re up to these days, Dill. Before I take my nap.”
    Under her hand, Dillon was squirming with excitement. “There’s going to be an archaeology dig at the farm next door. I think maybe I can register, even though everybody else’ll be older.”
    “Jared and Leon are planning to be counselors,” Gayle explained. “And Travis—he’s the neighbor who teaches history at the high school—is considering whether to let Dillon join in.”
    “Leon?” Eric seemed to be surfing through his memory.
    “Leon’s the boy