A Family For Ronnie (Harlequin Treasury 1990's) by Julie Caille

Author:Julie Caille [Caille, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Sensual, Hearts Desire, Mismatched, Nephew, Family Life, Suddenly A Parent, Guardianship, Once Engaged, Ten Years, Different Backgrounds, Orphaned, Dyslexia, Divorced, Belonging & Inadequacy, Massachusetts, Insecurities, sister's Shadow, Struggle, Texas, Married Siblings, Parents Death, Painful Past Issues
Publisher: Harlequin Treasury-Silhouette Special Edition 90s
Published: 2012-07-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“Thanks so much for the lift home. That car of mine is about as reliable as my horoscope.” Sharon Redford kicked off her heels and popped open the can of diet soda she’d taken from her refrigerator. “And thank God it’s Friday.”

Alicia sipped her own soda and raised an eyebrow as Ronnie and Brian hurtled through the kitchen and up the stairs to the second-floor game room. “They’re full of energy, aren’t they?”

“If I only had half of it. I’m still worn out from last night’s book fair. Make yourself at home while I get out of this dress. I’m dying to get in the pool. You brought your suit, I hope.”

“Sure did. I’ll meet you out there.”

As Sharon hurried off, Alicia retrieved her swim wear from the car and changed her clothes in the bathroom. She and Ronnie had become frequent visitors at the Redford home after school when Jim and Luke were at work. Usually the two boys chose to swim, but today they’d elected to watch TV instead.

Outside, she settled on the pool edge and applied sunscreen to her exposed areas, her bare legs dangling in the water. For once, she and Sharon would have the whole pool to themselves and enjoy some peace and quiet without splashing and noise. If only some of that peace could find its way into her soul.

“This is the way to live, eh?” Sharon’s voice preceded her as she stepped out onto the patio. She plopped down next to Alicia with a blissful sigh. “So how’s it going with you and the big guy?”

Alicia passed over the sunscreen, a little surprised by the question. “Oh, all right, I guess.”

“Uh-huh. So what’s that blush mean? Things heating up between you?”

“No. Not really. It’s just that he...asked me to go to bed with him.” Confidences had never come easily to Alicia, but with Sharon they just seemed to slip out. She’d even told her new friend about Kenny and Tracy.

“And you didn’t,” Sharon surmised.

“No.”

Sharon’s gaze slid sideways. “I bet you were tempted.”

“More than you can guess.” Alicia studied her toes. “But it would only complicate things. My life is complicated enough without that.”

“Did he understand?”

“I’m not sure.” Alicia wrinkled her brow, trying to remember exactly what had been said. “Maybe not.”

Sharon slid into the water, her hands on the rim of the pool while her legs made slow, lazy kicks. After awhile, she said, “By complicated, do you mean this business with Ronnie?”

Alicia hesitated. Why was it such a difficult question to answer? This was Sharon, for pete’s sake, not her mother. Talking would probably be therapeutic.

“It’s more than that,” she replied. “In a way I guess I’m still getting over my divorce. And my job at Crandon is competitive and stressful. I didn’t realize how much I needed a break until I’d been here a few days. I hadn’t taken any vacation days in four years.”

“Good grief, why not?”

Alicia scooped up a handful of water and splashed it onto her thighs.

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