The Traveling Kind by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online Page B

sink, he turned on the cold-water faucet and let it run while he took a glass from the cupboard.
    “I fixed a pitcher of lemonade,” Charley said as she walked to the refrigerator.
    “No, thanks. I prefer water.” Shad filled a glass and drank it down, then turned to lean a hip against the sink counter and watch her. “Did your boyfriend come acourting this afternoon?” He nodded in the direction of the living room.
    “He isn’t my boyfriend, but, yes, it is Chuck Weatherby from the next ranch,” Charley admitted.
    “If he isn’t your boyfriend, it isn’t from lack of trying,” he observed dryly and ran more water into his glass.
    She didn’t see any reason to argue the point. “You’re welcome to join us.”
    “It’s only a guess, but I’d say your friend wouldn’t like it.” His mouth slanted in a wry line. “So thanks for the invitation, but I think I’ll pass.”
    Charley didn’t try to change his mind because she knew he was right. His presence would irritate Chuck. With the pitcher of lemonade in hand, she returned to the living room. Stopping first near Chuck’s chair, she picked up his glass to fill it with the lemonade. He tipped his head in her direction.
    “Did I hear you talking to someone in the kitchen?” he asked.
    “Yes. Shad came in for a drink of water,” she admitted offhandedly to downplay any significance. Replacing Chuck’s glass on its coaster, she glanced at her brother. “More lemonade?”
    “No, thanks,” he refused.
    Charley refilled her glass then carried the pitcher back to the kitchen. While she had been out of the room, Shad had slipped quietly out of the back door. She glanced out the window and saw him crossing the yard to the machine shed. Fighting the twinge of disappointment, she returned the pitcher to the refrigerator shelf and rejoined Chuck and her brother in the living room. She quietly resumed her listening post in the recliner chair.
    When the Black Forest cuckoo clock on the wall sang out half-past four, it roused Charley from her chair. “I didn’t realize it was so late. It’s time I started supper.” She politely hinted that it was time Chuck left, but her brother thwarted it.
    “Why don’t you stay and eat with us, Chuck?” he invited.
    Charley could have screamed. She tried to catch her brother’s eye but he wouldn’t look at her. Meanwhile Chuck was silently debating whether or not to accept.
    “No. I’d better be getting home,” he said finally, and Charley nearly sighed aloud with relief. When he turned to look at her, she fixed a bright expression on her face. “I did want to invite you to have dinner with me Friday night.”
    “I don’t know,” she stalled, seeking an adequate excuse to refuse. “We’ll be baling hay all this week. I’ll probably be too tired. Besides, I wouldn’t like to leave Gary alone.”
    “Nonsense!” her brother scoffed at that reason. “I’m not an invalid. All I have is a broken leg, for heaven’s sake. You’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. You need to go out for an evening and enjoy yourself.”
    “But who would feed you?” she argued, wishing he would keep his mouth shut.
    “Fix a casserole. Something Shad and I could warm up,” Gary reasoned with a twinkle in his eyes.
    “It seems Gary has found a solution to your problems, Charley,” Chuck inserted. “Will you come out to dinner with me on Friday?”
    It appeared that she had little choice. “Yes.” It was a clipped acceptance as she gave in to the pressure with ill grace.
    A few minutes later, after Chuck had made arrangements to pick her up at six on Friday, he rose to leave. Charley walked him as far as the front door and watched him climb into his car and drive away. She was fuming when she turned to confront her brother.
    “You really were a lot of help, Gary. With a brother like you, I don’t need enemies,” she snapped. “I’ve done everything but beat Chuck over the head trying to make him understand that