The House on Sugar Plum Lane by JUDY DUARTE Read Free Book Online Page B

going on?” he asked. “What are you doing here?”
    She could be asking him the same question. And while she was tempted to level with him, as had been her habit in the past, she wasn’t sure what kind of an explanation she owed him now that they were separated.
    Yet with Callie standing in the midst of them, her bright-eyed smile proclaiming that she was certain the surprise visit had pleased them all, Amy found herself scrambling for a response.
    â€œWe’re going to Chuck E. Cheese’s,” Callie announced.
    Now, that was unexpected. Amy and Callie had always been at the bottom of Brandon’s priority list. So why the change of heart?
    When she shot him a quizzical glance, he shrugged. “I had some free time and thought I’d spend it with Callie.”
    Apparently the separation was having a positive effect on their almost nonexistent father/daughter relationship. But if he’d called ahead of time, Amy wouldn’t have had to get a sitter.
    Last night, she’d asked Stephanie Goldstein to watch Callie again, since they often helped each other by trading child care. But it hadn’t worked out this time, and Amy had hired Sylvia Griswold to sit with her instead.
    â€œIt was just a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Brandon added.
    Apparently.
    But it still didn’t quite ring true.
    â€œWhen I found Callie with Sylvia,” he said, “I tried your cell, but you didn’t answer.”
    She hadn’t heard the phone ring. Had she forgotten to charge the battery?
    â€œI asked Sylvia where you were, and she said you’d gone to Fairbrook. She mentioned Sugar Plum Lane, and so I drove by and spotted your car.” Brandon scanned the porch and yard of the neglected house, his brow furrowed as though trying to connect the dots.
    â€œDo you want to come with us to Chuck E. Cheese’s?” Callie asked. “It’ll be fun, Mommy.”
    â€œI’d like to, honey, but I’ve got some work to do here.” Amy looked at her ex-husband and added, “I’m helping out a friend.”
    Brandon furrowed a brow, clearly perplexed, and she could understand why. When they’d been together, she’d stuck pretty close to home and always kept him in the loop, even if he hadn’t seemed too interested in play dates, dance lessons, or mommy-and-me gym classes.
    Footsteps crunched on the dried leaves and twigs that littered the side of the house, and they all turned to the sound and watched the landscaper approach.
    The dark-haired man aimed a friendly smile her way. “Have you got a minute, Amy?”
    Brandon’s stance stiffened. “Is this your friend? ”
    What was he asking her? Did he think she was dating, and that she had something to hide?
    Amy crossed her arms. “No, this is…the gardener.” She felt a little guilty referring to the man by his occupation, but to be honest, he might have remembered her name, but she’d forgotten his.
    The man in question reached out to greet Brandon. “I’m Eddie Gonzales. Are you Mr. Davila?”
    â€œNo.” Brandon paused for a moment, then gripped the man’s hand, yet his body remained tense. “Brandon Masterson.”
    Eddie turned his attention back to Amy. “Is this a bad time?”
    Apparently it was. And it seemed to be getting worse by the minute. “No, what’s up?”
    â€œDo you mind coming to the side of the house so I can show you something?”
    â€œNot at all.” She turned to her soon-to-be ex. “Excuse me for a moment, Brandon. I’ll be right back.”
    A part of her enjoyed toying with him, especially since she didn’t appreciate the surprise visit. But she wasn’t the kind to resort to games, especially in front of their child.
    She followed the gardener to the side yard, where a tree limb from the house next door hung over the wood fence. Or maybe leaned on it was more accurate.
    â€œThis