Tea and Destiny by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

He figured she’d slug him if he tried. He decided he’d better change the subject.
    “I wanted to talk to you about Jason.”
    Her gaze shot to his, her nervousness apparent. “What about him?”
    “I think you’re taking a bad risk having him here.”
    She stopped in midstep and her hands went at once to her hips. Challenging. Defiant. Mother-hen protective. “Why on earth would you say something like that? You don’t even know him.”
    “Simmer down,” he soothed. “I know he’s had problems with the police. He doesn’t seem especially remorseful about it, either.”
    Her expression changed to one of astonishment. “He told you that?”
    “More or less.”
    Her face lit up as if he’d just announced that the kid had been accepted at Harvard. “Don’t you see how wonderful that is?”
    “Wonderful? It was scary sitting there with thisskinny kid talking about stealing cars and taking dope as if it were perfectly ordinary stuff.”
    “In his life, it was.”
    “And that’s the kind of influence you want around the others?”
    “Jason doesn’t try to influence the others. He practically says nothing at all. The fact that he opened up to you means he’s beginning to trust adults again. He was obviously anxious for your approval.”
    “It sounded to me more like bragging. I think he was more interested in shocking me. The boy could be dangerous.”
    She waved off his fears. “He’s not dangerous. He’s scared.”
    Deep in his gut Hank wanted to believe Ann was right. He’d seen for himself the evidence of vulnerable kid behind the tough, grown-up facade. He’d known a lot of kids just like that in his time. Some of them grew up and made something of themselves. Some of them didn’t. Those were the ones who scared the hell out of him. He reached out and gently touched Ann’s uptilted chin. “What if you’re wrong?” he asked gently.
    “I am not wrong,” she said stubbornly. “With the right environment, the right sort of support and a little unconditional love, Jason will do just fine.”
    He sighed with impatience at the Pollyanna viewpoint. “You’re too trusting, Annie.”
    “And you’re too cynical.”
    “Being a liberal do-gooder is just fine, as long as it doesn’t endanger anyone else.”
    “I’d rather be a liberal do-gooder than a self-centered jerk.”
    “It is not self-centered to worry about you and thosekids,” he retorted angrily, though he was surprised himself at the depth of his concern. That she dismissed his fears so lightly made him indignant. The fact that he wanted her anyway stunned him. His blood pounded. When Ann parted her lips to counter his last furious comment, he settled his mouth over hers. It was the only way he could think of to silence her.
    It was also the only way he could think of to still the demanding throb that had his entire body quivering with the irrational, uncontrollable need to know her touch. He expected a fight, perhaps even hoped for one to prove how foolish the attraction was. Instead her lips were velvet soft and trembling beneath his. And, after an instant’s startled stiffening, she relaxed against him. Her arms drifted around his neck. Her hips tilted into his, a perfect fit. Pleasure shot through him. Hot, searing desire replaced casual curiosity.
    And Hank knew he was in more trouble than Jason had ever dreamed of.

Chapter 4
    A nn heard the music the instant she turned into the driveway. Beethoven? At full blast? She had to be hearing things. She was used to being greeted by rock and roll at best. She listened more closely. The familiar classical strains swelled, carrying on the turbulent wind. It was definitely Beethoven. The night air was suddenly filled with violins and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. She felt as if she’d stumbled into the midst of an outdoor concert in which man and nature combined to stir the soul.
    Exhausted and drained by a nerve-racking series of sessions, to say nothing of the