McFarlane's Perfect Bride by Christine Rimmer Page A

though his sister couldn’t see. “News travels at the speed of light around this town.”
    â€œIt does, absolutely.” Melanie lowered her voice. “Did you enjoy the evening? Isn’t Tori great? I’m glad to see you dating again. It’s about time.”
    â€œI did. She is. And come on. It’s only been a year since the divorce. For your information, I have dated before last night, though the two other women I spent time with were nothing like Tori Jones.”
    â€œYou never told me.” She faked a hurt tone.
    And suddenly, he could see her as she was at seven or eight years old. A skinny little red-headed thing, wanting attention from her big brother. And never getting it.
    He swallowed down the sudden lump of guilt in his throat and kidded her, “Melanie, no matter how well we get along now, I’m not telling you everything.”
    â€œAnd just when I thought I knew all your secrets.” Her joking tone turned distracted. “Hold on a minute…”He heard her giving instructions to someone. Then she came back on the line. “Where were we?”
    â€œI’m not going to keep you. But I did want to ask…”
    â€œWhat? Name it.”
    â€œAbout that job offer Russ made, for CJ?”
    â€œStill open. Just say the word.”
    â€œGreat. But I’m thinking CJ’s more likely to agree to the idea if it comes straight from you—or from anyone but me. Somehow, whatever I say to him nowadays, he thinks it’s an order. An order he’s honor-bound to reject out of hand.”
    â€œAll right, then. Sunday, when the time is right, I’ll offer him a job.”
    Â 
    Tori called Jerilyn at nine Saturday morning to invite her to the Sunday picnic at Melanie’s guest ranch.
    The teenager answered the phone in tears. “Oh, Ms. Jones, I don’t know what to do…”
    â€œWhat? What’s the matter?”
    â€œCan I…would it be all right if I came over?”
    â€œYes. Right now. Do you want me to come and get you?”
    â€œOh, no. It’s okay.” The girl paused to stifle a sob. “I can ride my bike. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    â€œI’ll be right over.”
    When Jerilyn appeared, pedaling fast down the street, Tori was waiting for her, out on the porch.
    â€œOh, Ms. Jones…” Jerilyn dropped her bike on the front walk. Fresh tears welled. She ran up the steps and into Tori’s waiting arms.
    Tori pulled the girl inside and shut the door. “Shh…shh. There now. Okay…”
    When the sobbing settled down a little, Tori led her to the sofa, passed the tissues, and got the story out of her.
    â€œMy dad got a warning Thursday. From his supervisor. My dad hasn’t been getting the summer maintenance done. And if his work doesn’t improve in the next two weeks, he’s going to get fired.”
    â€œOh, Jerilyn.” Tori hugged her again. “Did your dad tell you this?”
    Jerilyn blew her nose. “No way. He doesn’t tell me anything. I found the warning notice on the kitchen table, wadded up in a ball. And he started drinking Thursday night. He called in sick yesterday. He drank all day, late into last night. He was still at it when I finally went to bed. This morning, he won’t get up. I made breakfast. Just what he likes, scrambled eggs and home fries, sausage and English muffins. I tried to get him up to eat. He just growled at me to leave him alone.”
    â€œHas he…hit you?” Tori hated to ask, but she knew that she had to. “Or hurt you in any way?”
    Jerilyn sobbed and shook her head. “Oh, no. He just sits at the kitchen table and drinks and doesn’t say anything. Sometimes…he cries.”
    Tori grabbed her close again. “Aw, honey. It’s okay. It’s okay.” As she gave out the familiar litany of reassurances, she knew that in