Chesapeake Tide Read Online Free Page A

mouth dropped. “You’re not serious?”
    What had she ever seen in him? “Are you saying you don’t think it’s a good idea?”
    â€œI can’t have her live with me.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œThe circumstances aren’t right.” His voice crept up. “I’m gone a lot. I haven’t arranged my life to accommodate a child.”
    â€œShe’s not a child, she’s a teenager.”
    â€œThat’s not the point. She’s a minor. She needs a schedule and regular meals and bedtimes. What do I know about that?”
    Libby’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re surprising me, Eric. I had no idea you were even aware that raising a child requires sacrifices.”
    He stared at her, his eyes narrowing. “You’re playing with me. You never intended to give her to me, did you?”
    â€œI considered it,” she lied. “However, your arguments make sense. If you really can’t take her, I suggest you hold this trip up to Chloe as a good idea. She isn’t happy about it and you’re not helping.”
    He ran his hand through his perfectly groomed hair. “I see your point.”
    â€œThank you.” She turned away.
    â€œYou’ve changed, Libby,” he said softly. “You’ve lost your sweetness.”
    â€œIt didn’t get me very far, did it?” she returned. “Goodbye, Eric.”
    Eric, waiting in the school parking lot for his daughter, would have missed her if she hadn’t called out and flagged him down. Her appearance shocked him. “Chloe, for God’s sake, what have you done to your hair?”
    â€œColored it.” She tossed her pack onto the floor of his Corvette and climbed in beside her father. “I don’t want to go to Marshyhope Creek.”
    â€œWho colored it?”
    â€œI did. This trip will ruin everything. Besides, Mom’s making noises about staying for a long time. I don’t want to live in the South.”
    â€œYou need a professional for such a drastic color change. Why did you choose black? You have beautiful hair. It’s just like—”
    Chloe arched an eyebrow. “Yours?”
    â€œYes, as a matter of fact. What’s wrong with that?”
    â€œIt isn’t black, Dad, at least not all of it.” She held up a piece of hair. “These are streaks. Can we get together on the same subject? I want to stay here with you.”
    He signaled and maneuvered into the line of traffic. “Hold on, Chloe. I need to concentrate.”
    She simmered in self-righteous anger and stared out the side window. They were heading west and the glare was directly in her eyes. She closed them. Life wasn’t fair. Children were chattel, no better than pets, at the mercy of their parents’ every whim, just like in the nineteenth century. If only she were two years older. She could get a job and live on her own. She folded her arms and relaxed against the headrest. Supporting herself wasn’t the answer. She’d done enough shopping in Beverly Hills and on Wilshire Boulevard to know that minimum wage wouldn’t cut it. What she really wanted was for her father to step up to the plate and offer to have her live with him.
    â€œDad,” she began experimentally. “I think it’s great that you’re living close by.”
    He smiled.
    Encouraged, she continued. “Isn’t it terrific that we can see each other whenever we want to?”
    â€œYou bet.”
    â€œIt’s too bad that Mom wants to go back to Maryland just when you and I have started to really get to know each other.”
    He nodded.
    â€œI wish it was possible for me to stay here. Don’t you?”
    He fiddled with the radio. “Yes, I do, Chloe.”
    She pounced. “Maybe there’s a way.”
    â€œA way for what?”
    â€œTo have me stay here.”
    He turned to her, a frown marring his forehead. “What are you talking