What a Rich Woman Wants by Barbara Meyers Read Free Book Online Page A

with the mess on the floor and quickly cleaned it up, setting a “Caution Wet Floor” cone out as he did.
    The parents were murmuring to their sons and to each other. A few of them made sympathetic overtures to Niko and Lesley. Lesley swiped at Ricky’s sodden uniform with a wad of napkins. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to him. He looked at her with tear-filled eyes but said nothing.
    â€œThanks, guys,” Niko said to Carp and his friends. “We’ll be okay. Come on, buddy, let’s hit the restroom.” Niko offered his hand to Ricky and the boy took it. “We won’t be long. I’ll meet you back at the table,” he told Lesley.
    Lesley pushed her soda away and stared at Niko’s half-eaten sandwich. Her stomach tied itself in knots. The image of Ricky, humiliated, his shoulders hunched, tears filling his eyes but not falling, wouldn’t go away.
    â€œYou okay?”
    Lesley looked up to find Christa gazing at her.
    â€œI’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “A little shaken up, I guess.”
    â€œZachary Chapman is a bully, and everyone knows it. Irwin lets him do whatever he wants.”
    Lesley didn’t know how to reply so she said nothing.
    â€œIs there anything I can do?” Christa asked. Lesley decided Christa was a nice person. She seemed genuine in a way so many of the other parents were not.
    â€œNo, but thank you for offering. Niko, er, Deputy Morales took Ricky to the restroom. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
    â€œHe seems like a nice guy. Deputy Morales, that is. Plus, I couldn’t help but notice, he’s pretty hot.” Christa’s giggle made Lesley smile. “If you ever want to get together, for lunch or drinks or something, give me a call.”
    â€œI’ll do that.”
    â€œI better go. If I’m not there when Don gets home, I’m in trouble. Bye.”
    Lesley watched Christa collect her son and bid the other mothers good-bye. She wondered what Christa’s life was like. Leisurely, Lesley supposed, if she only had one child. She probably didn’t work. But maybe being married to Don, whoever he was, was a full-time job.
    When Niko and Ricky approached the table, Ricky’s clothes were almost dry and he was beaming. Niko evidently had worked a miracle in the restroom, on Ricky at least.
    â€œReady to go?” Niko asked abruptly.
    â€œDon’t you want to finish eating?”
    â€œI lost my appetite.” He gathered up his food and his drink and dropped them in the trash on the way out. Lesley discarded her drink as well.
    â€œListen,” Niko said when they reached Lesley’s car. She opened the back door for Ricky. He climbed in and buckled his seat belt. “I told Ricky I’d ask you about taking him to Cambier Park on Saturday for some soccer practice. I’ve been working with Carp and those other kids who were in there, too.”
    Lesley didn’t know why she hesitated. She trusted Niko even though she barely knew him and had been in his company on only two occasions before today. She’d revised her opinion of Carp and his friends the moment she’d seen them come to Ricky’s defense. “I can bring him. What time?”
    â€œAround two?”
    â€œI’ll see you then.”
    â€œBye, Ricky,” Niko said.
    â€œBye, Niko.”
    Lesley gave him a wave and got into her car. Niko waited until she’d backed out and driven away.
    That night Lesley waited in nervous anticipation for Ricky to finish his bath. She’d asked Lita to let her know when Ricky was ready for bed. In the meantime, she’d gone over and over the events of the day while pacing her room. After her run, she’d showered and changed into a pair of lightweight cotton yoga pants and a short-sleeved hoodie.
    It was hard to see Maria as a genuine threat, but Lesley had learned never to underestimate her opponents. Not in business and not