Read Ring of Fire for Free Online Page B

smiled. It was a warm, genuine smile, and for a moment Lark had a glimpse of the more that was inside Eric. “It’s okay,” he told her son. “Tell you what, since we’re riding buddies, I’ll give you a special dispensation—”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œIt means a free pass,” Lark clarified.
    â€œRight,” Eric said. “You can ask me one question and I won’t think it’s rude.”
    The boy considered, then came out with his question. “Can I see it?”
    Lark winced, but Eric only said, “You can. But I have to warn you, it’s not pretty. It’s mechanical. It doesn’t look anything like a real leg.”
    â€œCool!”
    Again, Eric smiled. “I can only show you the bottom part. The prosthesis starts at midthigh. For you to see the whole thing, I’d have to drop my pants, and I can’t do that in the company of ladies.”
    â€œThey won’t care,” Jayden said.
    Lark glanced at Sally and Corrie, both of whose eyes met hers with a glint of humor. She guessed that they, like she, wouldn’t mind one bit seeing more of Major Weaver’s superfit body. Not that any of them was likely to admit to it out loud.
    Wondering if Eric had noted their interest, she turned her gaze on him but he had bent down to tug the hem of his jeans leg upward. Above his boot—one with a good heel for riding—was a shaft that looked far too thin to support a grown man’s weight. The denim bunched at his knee and he couldn’t roll it any higher.
    â€œHuh,” Jayden said. He didn’t seem at all put off by the prosthesis, but nor was he impressed. “That’s all? Just that stick thing?”
    â€œIt’s called a pylon. And there’s an artificial foot inside my boot, and I have an artificial knee, too. With a microprocessor—well, a computer—in it.”
    â€œA computer in your knee? Wow!” The boy’s eyes widened in awe. “Like Cyborg in Teen Titans! ”
    â€œHey, give me a break. Most of me’s real.” Fortunately, his joking tone indicated that he wasn’t offended. “But the computer stuff is very cool. There are things called an accelerometer and a gyroscope, the same kind of technology used in some gaming systems. And I have this remote control device that I can program for different kinds of activities like running or driving.”
    That really was pretty cool. Maybe Eric wasn’t being unrealistic in thinking that he could return to the army.
    â€œI want to see it,” her son demanded. “I want to see your computer knee.”
    â€œJayden,” Lark said. “That’s enough.”
    â€œBut he said I got one question and I asked to see his leg, and I onlygottosee—”
    â€œJayden.” She cut him off. “Try acting more like a grown-up.”
    Like any kid his age, he could get carried away, whine, be pretty much a brat. His CP didn’t give him any special dispensation—to use Eric’s apt term.
    The boy pressed his lips together in a pout, but said, “I’m sorry.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Eric said. “And fair’s fair. One day, when the ladies aren’t around, I’ll show you the whole leg. A soldier doesn’t go back on his word.”
    The pout transformed immediately into a smile. “Yay! Thank you.” He watched the man roll his jeans leg back down. “I’ll give you one, too. A special disp . . . disp . . .”
    â€œCall it a free pass,” Eric said.
    â€œI want to learn the word. I have a little trouble with the muscles of my mouth and tongue, but I’m not stupid. I like to learn new words.”
    Eric straightened again and studied Jayden. “I never thought you were stupid,” he said solemnly.
    Lark’s heart warmed to him. She liked the respect he showed her son.
    â€œOkay then,” Eric said, “it’s