Paper Moon by Linda Windsor Read Free Book Online

bar, while its display cases were still filled with a variety of sweets. The menu behind the counter boasted all manner of nonalcoholic frozen drinks and concoctions aimed at the teen clientele.
    Beyond it, three steps down, tables and chairs lined each side of a huge dance floor. While Hector took care of the cover charge, Caroline picked the clingy silk of her tank top away from her skin. Until that cab ride, she’d never suspected she was claustrophobic.
    Ushers and waiters clad in tight black trousers, billowing red-and-gold poet’s shirts, and an occasional patch over one eye met their party and led them into the purple glow of the dance arena. Black lights. It had been years since Caroline had been in a club with black lights.
    â€œ Para la Señora linda . For the pretty lady.”
    Turning, Caroline accepted a fresh long-stemmed rose from one of the gallant banditos . “What a lovely idea. Thank you.”
    Even she felt a hint of the thrill that had obviously infected the girls, who coveted the flowers as if they’d been dipped in 24-carat gold. They returned iridescent white smiles to the dark-eyed charmers. There was something about that accent . . . Not only were the ladies escorted to the tables, but their flowers were arranged for them in the glass vases on each one by the ushers.
    â€œBoy, do these Mexican men know how to treat a woman,” Annie sighed, watching her escort make his way back to the entrance where more young ladies awaited seating.
    â€œThey don’t impress me,” Kurt snorted under his breath.
    Karen gave the young man a derisive look. “Well, I’d hope not.”
    Hector turned back to the students, who by now had settled around a circular table. “There is a karaoke show the first hour.
    Then there is dancing.”
    Señora Marron finally arrived with the third taxi load. “Ah, Señora Spencer, I must ask you a favor.” She leaned over, dropping her voice for Caroline’s ear only. “I am having the most terrible of headaches. Female problems,” she mouthed, backing away and crossing her arms so that her black silk tasseled shawl overlapped with them. “May I impose upon you to remain as chaperone with Hector and the students, to allow me to return to the hotel and take medicine?”
    Me? Alone with crazy Hector and eight sixteen-year-olds in a dance club? Despite her instinctive reservation, Caroline agreed. “By all means, Señora. I—”
    The rest of Caroline’s sentence was drowned out by a burst of music so loud, she could have sworn the floor beneath her feet shook. God forbid it was an earthquake, she prayed as she glanced around, looking for a sign that it was more than oversized speakers and a DJ a little heavy on the bass dial. They’d passed several places in the city where buildings had been reduced to rubble and laid waste for years due to lack of money to rebuild.
    â€œJust save me one of those headache pills in case I need it,” she shouted into the Spanish teacher’s ear.
    Grinning widely, Señora Marron mouthed, “Muchas gracias. ”
    Still a tad warm from the close ride, Caroline ordered a frozen drink at an outrageous price. Now she knew how the place got its name . . . and afforded to serve the younger set. Unlike the host ushers, the bandito assigned to their table was built more like Wally Peterman than like the larger boys. Although the server’s frame hadn’t quite fleshed out yet, when he kissed Annie’s hand, Caroline thought her daughter would swoon straight away.
    To Caroline’s left, Wally expressed his disdain to no one in particular. “I think I’m gonna puke.”
    â€œWould it be different if it was one of the banditas rolling those limpid dark eyes at you, Wally?” Caroline teased, shoving her shoulder bag under the table.
    â€œMom!”
    Thinking Annie’s indignation a bit overdone, Caroline protested. “I