The Lance Temptation

The Lance Temptation by Brenda Maxfield Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: The Lance Temptation by Brenda Maxfield Read Free Book Online
Authors: Brenda Maxfield
oils with the jojoba, but the combination smelled like a stuffy cabin. I’d even let it sit longer than two weeks trying to mellow it out, but the musty smell remained.
    Last week, I’d bought some cypress oil. Maybe if I put eight drops into the jojoba with a few drops of cinnamon it would balance out into a nice scent. I opened my log book where I kept careful notes of all my perfume recipes. Then I began lining up my supplies. If it came out well, I could try it out on Lance to see if he liked it.
    There was a knock.
    â€œYeah?”
    The door opened and my sister, Sarah, stuck her head in. “What are you doing?”
    â€œMaking perfume.”
    She waltzed through the door — Sarah waltzed everywhere. She wanted to be a famous ballerina, so she pretended she was on stage all day long. The thing was, she kind of looked like a ballerina, flowing blonde hair, long skinny legs, nose in the air.
    â€œCan I smell it?”
    â€œI’m not even close to being finished.”
    She plopped on my bed.
    â€œDad’s gone again. Won’t be home for dinner.”
    â€œHim missing dinner is nothing new,” I said.
    â€œYou think he stays away on purpose?” she asked, searching my eyes.
    â€œWhy would you think such a thing? He has two jobs. He hardly has any free time.”
    â€œI’d rather go to public school. Then he wouldn’t have to work every single minute of the day.”
    I grimaced. “Mom and Dad won’t hear of it, especially Mom. It’s Bates Academy or nothing. How many times have we had to listen to her go on and on about what a great school it is? At least she doesn’t volunteer all the time like that batty group of moms in the Booster Club. But I thought you liked Bates. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”
    â€œStill, it’d be nice to see Dad,” Sarah said. “Plus, Mom’s a super crab tonight.”
    â€œShe’ll get over it. Give her some space. You can be a bit clingy.”
    She stood up in a huff. “Thanks a lot. You’re such a comfort.”
    â€œSorry.” I sat and patted my bed. “Sit with me for a minute. How was school today?”
    â€œI can stay?” She jumped back onto my bed and scooped up some of my stuffed animals, hugging them. “It was great until Jonathon punched Bradley at recess. Then the whole school had to listen to this huge lecture about how bad fighting and bullying are. It was totally unfair.”
    I laughed. “Sounds like it.”
    â€œI actually liked Jonathon before. Now I can’t stand him. Anna likes him, though, ‘cuz she told me.” Sarah beamed as if revealing the most delicious secret in the world.
    â€œWell, I guess it’s good for her you don’t like him anymore.”
    Sarah’s eyes lit up. “You’re right, Emili, thanks. I guess I better go do my math assignment. I hate math, don’t you?”
    I grinned. “Go do your homework.”
    She dropped my animals and sashayed out of the room. I stared at my phone. Marc should’ve already gotten my text. Like a total coward, I picked up my phone and turned it off, dropping it onto my bedspread like it was hot. I didn’t want to talk to him or read whatever he’d text back. I couldn’t bear it. I just couldn’t.
    I glanced upwards. How many times had I lain in bed counting all the circular brush strokes on the ceiling? Other than my perfume, it was the perfect distraction from one mess or another. I started counting them again, but I didn’t get far. It wasn’t going to work this time. A gripping sadness settled over me, and all I wanted to do was stop my brain from thinking.
    I felt like a limp doll. I stayed in my room for the next couple hours, my gaze going again and again to my silent phone. I still couldn’t make myself turn it back on. I tried to do some English homework but couldn’t concentrate. Marc’s face kept

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