One of the Boys by Merline Lovelace Read Free Book Online Page A

glance taking in both his daughter and her guest. “What’s up?”
    â€œMaura and I went sharding this afternoon and I invited her back for supper. She didn’t want to come, but I told her you wouldn’t be home until late and I couldn’t eat a whole pizza by myself. You owe her seven dollars for my half.”
    Maura reddened slightly as she met Jake’s amused gaze. Even if Lisa hadn’t blurted it out, they both knew very well she wouldn’t have set foot in the house if she had any idea he would be there.
    â€œAny pizza left?” he asked, reaching down to ruffle his daughter’s hair.
    â€œSorry, we didn’t save any.”
    â€œAnd it was my treat,” Maura put in, pushing to her feet. “I’d better be going before it gets too dark to find my way.”
    â€œI’ll drive you home,” Jake said. “Just give me a few minutes to change.”
    He crossed the room, dragging the checkered scarf from around the neck of his flight suit. Maura had to admit there wasn’t anything the least bit loose or baggy about the way the fire-retardant material clung to his wide shoulders and lean torso. Sternly repressing the memory of that lean torso mashed against hers, she swiped her hands on her shorts and reached for Bea.
    â€œIt’s just a short way, and I really need the exercise after all that pizza.”
    â€œIt’s too dark to walk back. Wait here.”
    The brisk tone probably had lieutenants snapping to attention but produced the opposite effect in Maura. Lips pursed, she made a face at the broad back disappearing up the wide oak staircase.
    â€œYes, sir! Anything you say, sir!”
    Lisa’s giggles brought her head around.
    â€œDoes he order you around like that, too?” she asked the girl.
    â€œSometimes. But I keep my Discman on and pretend not to hear him when he gets too bossy.”
    Jake came back downstairs just as Maura and Lisa finished cleaning up their impromptu supper. He had on a short-sleeved Air Force Academy sweatshirt and a pair of athletic shorts that made Maura’s throat go dry. She couldn’t remember when she’d seen quite that much male thigh before.
    â€œI’ll be right back,” he told his daughter.
    Guiding Maura out through the kitchen, he led her past a low, gleaming sports car to an older Jeep Cherokee.
    â€œSmart move,” she commented as she climbed into the cab. “You must have guessed what Bea’s claws can do to leather seats.”
    â€œI saw what they did to my ankle.”
    A small silence settled between them as they drove through the winding streets of the exclusive development. Jake broke it with a glance in her direction.
    â€œThat was an excellent briefing this morning.”
    â€œThanks. I won’t tell you how nervous I was.” Idly, she stroked Bea’s fur. “Splashing around with Lisa in the bay this afternoon helped me recover. She’s a great kid, Jake.”
    â€œI think so, too. Did the two of you find any treasures?”
    â€œA few small pieces. By the way, I did some checking up this afternoon. I’m fairly certain we won’t go to jail if we keep what we’ve found so far. It becomes somewhat of a moral issue, though, if we turn up anything resembling a whole pot or bowl.”
    â€œYou think you’ll have much time to go sharding with the Maverick project looming over you?”
    Instantly, the barriers went up. “Don’t worry, Colonel. I’ll get your precious project done. What I do in my spare time is my business.”
    Jake’s breath hissed out. “I wasn’t challenging your right to some free time. I just don’t want Lisa to become a pest.”
    â€œSorry,” she murmured. “Don’t worry about it. I like her, and she seems to have hooked me on this pottery business.”
    He glanced over at her and hesitated. “At the risk of putting my foot in it again,