Page 135 of Confessions

“He had a basketball scholarship.”

“That was taken away when he couldn’t keep up his grades.”

“He just had some bad breaks,” she said quickly. “How about a cup of coffee?”

“I can’t.” He stood, glad for an excuse to leave. “I’ve got a million calls to make before it gets too late. But thanks.”

“Anytime,” she said as if she meant it. She walked to him and touched his arm with featherlight fingers. “The door’s always open for you, Ben. It does Randy a world of good. He...he needs a...man. Just wait a minute and I’ll get him. He’ll want to say good-night.”

She hurried down the hall and a few minutes later, she practically pushed Randy forward to shake Ben’s hand.

The boy licked his lips nervously. “Glad to meet you—” he shifted his eyes to his mother, struggled for the words and added “—Uncle Ben.”

“You, too, Randy. Maybe I’ll see you at the ball field.” Ben clasped the kid’s hand.

His sullen face broke into a smile. “Would you?”

“You bet. Can I bring my dog?”

“You’ve got a dog?” Randy’s eyes widened and all evidence of his pained expression disappeared. “What kind?”

“A mean one.”

“Really.”

“I call him Attila.”

Tracy’s lips tightened.

“He just showed up at the office with his belly sliced open.”

Randy’s eyes were wide. “Wow!”

“He’s a German shepherd—a black long-haired one.”

“Cool!” Randy said, grinning ear to ear.

“You’re allergic to dogs, Randy,” his mother reminded him gently as she nudged him back down the hallway. “And so am I—at least I’m allergic to big dogs that shed.” She walked with Ben to the front porch and Ben felt as if she expected something from him, something he couldn’t give her.

“Thanks for dinner. It was great.”

“We could do it again,” she suggested, her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

“I’ll let you know.” He felt a jab of guilt when he recognized the hope in her eyes.

“Good night, Ben,” she said as he started across the parking lot. “Call me.”

He didn’t bother to turn around and lie to her. He wasn’t about to start a romance with Tracy and he felt that whether she realized it or not, Tracy hoped to use Ben as a replacement for his dead brother.

“What a mess,” he growled as he climbed into his truck and let out the clutch. He thought of Carlie again. Beautiful Carlie. Seductive Carlie. Lying Carlie.

The old Dodge leapt forward and he flicked on the windshield wipers. Women, he thought unkindly. Why were they so much damned trouble?

Chapter Eight

“WHEN YOU LEFT town, you thought Carlie was pregnant—with Kevin’s baby?” Nadine was clearly astonished. Hauling a huge suitcase out of her new Mercedes, a wedding gift from her husband, she shook her head, then slammed the door shut with her hip.

“That’s what the letters said.”