Ace-High Flush by Patricia Green Read Free Book Online Page A

Rosenbaum paid her a few dollars to teach him how to heel and come when called, too."
    Gabby was pink-cheeked, and Ace thought about his own dog and how much effort and patience it had taken to teach the energetic border collie to be civilized. Gabby's talents seemed formidable. "Have you considered sellin' some animal trainer services?"
    "Oh, gosh, no. I'm not doing anything special. Animals are fun to work with."
    "Hmm." Ace saw Anita wince and put down her utensils. Gabby didn't miss it.
    "Mama? Are you okay?"
    "I think it's time for some more medication, Gabby. Help me over to my chair."
    Immediately, the young woman stood.
    Gabby crooked an arm toward her mother, and Ace stood up and offered his stronger one. "Let me help you, ma'am." He nodded at Gabby. "Finish your dinner, sweetheart."
    "But—"
    "Mind."
    She frowned, but resumed her seat.
    Anita gave him a strange look, but took his arm and allowed him to help her into her chair.
    When he came back to the dinette, Gabby was in the kitchen doling out pills into an empty shot glass. "Are you done with dinner?"
    She nodded and took the pills and water to her mother.
    Ace cleared the table and was rolling up his sleeves to do dishes when Gabby returned. They wrangled for a few minutes over his helping, but Ace won the argument and wielded the drying towel. Once again, she'd talked back to him. Her infractions kept piling up. It was self-destructive of her, and showed that her self-control needed adjusting.
    "Your mama seems bad off, li'l girl. She needs professional care. Have you thought about a nurse or a convalescent home?"
    "I can't stick my mother in a home, but I am looking into getting an aide. Even if it's only for during the day while I'm at work."
    That seemed sensible to him, but he remembered Anita's bill collector comment and considered the clean but modest way they were living. "Do you have insurance to pay for it?"
    Gabby shook her head. "I have to work a little harder, that's all."
    "Take more jobs?"
    She kept her eyes on the sink full of plates. "Right."
    "Why haven't you done that before now?"
    "It hasn't always been an issue."
    "I see." He put a dry dish down and turned her face toward his. "Let me help you."
    "They're just dishes, Ace."
    She was being dense on purpose. "You know what I mean. I can help with the cost."
    Gabby pulled her chin out of his hand and went back to washing. "No."
    "Why not? I can afford it. I wouldn't mind."
    "No. I can do this. I have a plan."
    "Oh? What’s the plan?"
    Plates clattered in the drainboard as she angrily shoved them into their slots. "I don't need your help, Ace. Stay out of it."
    He should stay out of it, he knew. But she was so young. No one should have to deal with issues like this before they were even old enough to buy a drink in a bar. It made him irritated and frustrated that she wouldn't take his help. She was too feisty by half.
    Ace didn't say another word until the dishes were clean and put away. Finished, he took her by the shoulders and turned her toward him. "I don't want another temper tantrum from you, li'l girl. You need to learn to take help when you need it."
    "I didn't have a temper tantrum!"
    He eyed her skeptically.
    Anita shouted from the living room. "Dancing With the Stars is about to start, Gabby! You're gonna to miss it!"
    "I have to go."
    "We'll take this up again, Gabriella."
    "I have to go. I promised I'd watch this with my mother. It's her favorite show. She wanted me to be a ballerina when I was a little girl, but we couldn't afford the lessons. She likes to watch the dancing on TV and daydream about what if."
    Gabby was graceful, and would have made a lovely—if curvy--ballerina. She was a woman with surprising potential and hidden talents. He gave her a quick kiss and took her hand to lead her out to the little loveseat where he spent the next hour watching TV with her and her mother.
    Anita was dozing in her chair when Ace rose and turned off the TV. "Time to deal with that