Finding Sky (A Nicki Valentine Mystery Book 1) by Susan O'Brien Read Free Book Online Page B

collection of water toys that filled two beach pails. We ate waffles with syrup for breakfast (one step away from cake and icing), so I hoped they wouldn’t get sick from landing repeatedly on their bellies.
    I spread the Slip ’N Slide on the grass next to our house and connected the hose. A blow-up ridge at the end collected water like a tiny pool. Nothing could stop me from laughing as the kids splashed into it and screamed with abandon. It was only 9 a.m., but so hot I could practically feel skin cancer forming on my arms. The sparkling water looked irresistible.
    “You do it, Mom!” Jack urged with perfect timing.
    “I don’t have a bathing suit on.” I surveyed my black polyester shorts and red tank top, thinking I could get away with it if I wanted to. I didn’t fit the size guidelines on the box, though.
    “Come on. Just do it.” He must have sensed my deliberation.
    “Go Mommy! Go Mommy!” Sophie chanted.
    Has anyone ever compared kid pressure to peer pressure? Kid pressure must have the edge. Parents are totally disarmed by love and exhaustion.
    I took a few steps back from the tarp, ran forward, and dove. Water blinded me as I flew down the mat, right over the pool into the muddy grass, where I collided like a bowling ball with Sophie’s pails, water guns and plastic boats. I arose soaked, disoriented, and determined to be enthusiastic.
    “Woohoo! Go Slip ’N Slide!” I rubbed my eyes and saw something blurry, yet familiar, moving toward us.
    “Good one,” Dean said. “You really had some momentum there.”
    I brushed hair clumps out of my face and forced myself to smile. “Wow. What are you doing here?” I glanced around for something, anything, to hide behind. A towel, sunglasses, a tree. Nada. I pulled my wet shirt away from my chest.
    “I brought you something.” He held out a book on missing children. I didn’t want to take it for several reasons. I didn’t want to get it wet, my hand was busy separating my shirt from my thin, clingy bra, and I hadn’t showered, shaved or put on makeup. Only my mouth moved.
    “Thanks. Could you put it on the porch? I don’t want to ruin it.”
    “Yeah.” He stood still, as if he was waiting for something. “Sorry I didn’t call first. I was in the area, so I thought I’d stop by. I had your address from the class roster.”
    “That was really nice.” It was also a mistake. Memo to all: Never expect a stay-at-home mom (or her car, home, children, etc.) to be ready for unexpected company. Many of us need at least an hour to stuff things in closets and make it look like life is under control.
    My gaze turned to Jack and Sophie, the blessed reasons for my near-insanity, who were staring at Dean. “These are my kids, Jack and Sophie,” I said. “Guys, this is one of my teachers, Mr. Summers.”
    “He has really big muscles,” Sophie said. “Is he Superman?” I stifled some follow-up jokes and apologized for her.
    “You must be strong,” Jack agreed.
    Dean smiled at me. “I do alright. Anyhow, here you go.” He stepped away and placed the book on my porch. “See you in class?”
    What? I’d almost forgotten about class. It was the next night, Wednesday. “I’ll be there.” I smiled bravely as drips rolled down my forehead. “Thanks again.”
    He waved at the kids with a wink and a bemused grin. “Nice to meet you guys.” His blue eyes focused on me. “I want to hear how things are going. Maybe you could stay after class a few minutes?”
    “Sure.” I felt inappropriately nervous, as if he’d asked me for a date, which he hadn’t.
    His next three words made me want to head straight for the nearest mall, beauty salon, and fitness center. (Okay, maybe just the mall and the salon.)
    “See you soon.”

      
    The sky got overcast and the kids got goose bumps, so we hung the Slip ’N Slide over a railing to dry and rushed up to the bathroom. I stripped off my wet clothes, threw on a robe and gave them a warm bath. Then, to keep