Marking Time by Marie Force Read Free Book Online

on her face, only to be hit again by another intense blow to the belly at the sight of him. His dark hair was wind blown and his face red from the chill. The nervous, uncertain expression on his face tugged at her heart.
    “Hi, come on in.” She stepped aside and wondered if ringing the bell at the house that used to be his felt weird to him. The all-too-familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the earthy smell of decaying leaves that followed him in. “Can I get you some coffee or something cold?”
    “No, thanks, I’m fine.” He took off his black wool coat, put it over the back of a chair in the family room, and turned to her. “You look great.”
    “You look beat.”
    He grinned. “Such is life for the father of twins. They’re killing me. Now I know why people have kids when they’re young, not old like me.”
    She smiled. He didn’t look a day over thirty-five. Like her, he was forty-six, but unlike her, he looked as good as he had the day they met. “Do you have a picture?”
    He reached for his wallet. “Here you go.”
    Clare took the photo and walked past him to sit down. “ Oh , look at them. They’re adorable.” They each had a full head of shiny dark hair—his hair—eyes that appeared to be hazel, and were clearly identical. She handed the photo back to him. “How do you tell them apart?”
    “We put their initials on their diapers with a marker,” he said. “Andi ordered ID bracelets with their names on them, but they haven’t come in yet.” He checked his watch. “I wonder where Kate is? I told her to be here at four.”
    “She didn’t get your punctuality gene. Give her a few minutes and then we can try her cell phone.”
    “What did you want to talk to me about?”
    “Let’s talk to Kate first.” Clare heard a car door close outside. “Here she comes.”
    Kate burst through the front door. “Hey, sorry, have you been waiting long?” She kissed them and flopped down on the sofa.
    “No, I just got here,” Jack said.
    “I was out doing a few things and got stuck in a huge line at Target.”
    Jack groaned. “Ah yes, Target , where my daughters spend half my annual income,” he said with a grin. “I should buy stock in the company.”
    “Very funny, Dad, but I spent my own money,” Kate said, sticking her tongue out at him.
    Jack turned to Clare with a look of disbelief. “Did you hear that? She spent her own money? Is that what she said?”
    Clare laughed even though she didn’t want to be sucked into his easy charm and effortless humor. His amused befuddlement over their daughters had always been something she adored about him. “I think that’s what she said. Well, Jack, you called this meeting. What’s on your mind?”
    “I was just thinking we should talk about your move, Kate, and what happens after you get there.”
    “I’m glad you asked about that. I’ve made a few plans I want to tell you about, but first I just want to thank you again for letting me do this. I know it’s not easy for you, and you’d rather be sending me to college.”
    “We want you to be happy,” Jack said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Why don’t you tell us about these plans you’ve made?”
    “I’ve signed up at Belmont University to take a couple of classes.”
    “You have?” Clare asked, stunned.
    Kate nodded. “Belmont has an excellent Entertainment and Music Business program. I’m not saying I’m going to get a degree, but if this is going to be my business, I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m taking Survey of Music Business and Survey of Recording Technology starting in January.”
    Jack and Clare exchanged glances as she continued.
    “I’ve also taken my graduation money and some of what I’ve earned at the hotel to record a demo CD with two covers and two of my own songs. Everything I’ve read says you should have a demo if you want to get anywhere in Nashville.”
    “When did you do all this?” Jack asked, incredulous.
    “In October. I knew you