How are you? Maggie blurted out, hesitating just beyond the doorway, suddenly tongue-tied.
His square jaw seemed to tighten, but he smiled coldly. A bomb exploded in my face four days ago. How the hell do you think I am? he drawled sarcastically.
He was anything but welcoming. So much for fantasies. He didnt need her. He didnt want her around. It was just like old times. And shed come running. What a joke.
It amazes me that even a bomb could faze you, she remarked with her old self-possession. She even smiled. Mr. Cold Steel repels bullets, bombs, and especially, me!
He didnt react. Nice of you to stop by. And so promptly, he added.
She didnt understand the remark. He seemed to feel shed procrastinated about visiting. Eb Scott phoned and said youd been hurt. He said... She hesitated, uncertain whether or not to tell him everything Eb had said to her. She went for broke, but she laughed to camouflage her raw emotions. He said you wanted me to come nurse you. Funny, huh?
He didnt laugh. Hilarious.
She felt the familiar whip of his sarcasm with pain she didnt try to hide. After all, he couldnt see it. Thats our Eb, she agreed. A real kidder. I guess you havewhat was her name?June to take care of you? she added with forced lightness.
Thats right. I have June. Shes been here since I got home. He emphasized the pronoun, for reasons of his own. He smiled deliberately. June is all I need. Shes sweet and kindhearted, and she really cares about me.
She forced a smile. Shes pretty, too.
He nodded. Isnt she, though? Pretty, smart, and a good cook. And shes blond, he added in a cold, soft voice that made chills run down her spine.
She didnt have to puzzle out the remark. He was partial to blondes. His late wife, Patricia, had been a blonde. Hed loved Patricia...
She rubbed her fingers over the strap of her shoulder
bag and realized with a start how tired she was. Airport after airport, dragging her suitcase, agonizing over Cords true state of health for three long days, just trying to get home to himand he acted as if shed pushed her way in. Perhaps she had. Eb should have told her the truth, that Cord still didnt want her in his life, even when he was injured.
She gave him a long, anguished look and moved one shoulder restlessly. Well, that puts me in my place, she said pleasantly. Im sure not blond. Nice to see youre still on your feet. But Im sorry about your eyes, she added.
What about my eyes? he asked curtly, scowling fiercely.
Eb said you were blinded, she replied.
Temporarily blinded, he corrected. Its not a permanent condition. I can see fairly well now, and the ophthalmologist expects a complete recovery.
Her heart jumped. He could see? She realized then that he was watching her, not just staring into a void. It came as a shock. She hadnt been guarding her expressions. She felt uncomfortable, knowing hed been able to glimpse the misery and worry on her face.
No kidding? Thats great news! she said, and forced a convincing smile. She was getting the hang of this. Her face would be permanently gleeful, like a piece of fired sculpture. She could hire it out for celebrations. This wasnt one.
Isnt it? he agreed, but his returned smile wasnt pleasant at all.
She shifted the strap of her bag again, feeling weak at the knees and embarrassed by her headlong rush to his side. Shed given up her new job and come running home to take care of Cord. But he didnt need her, or want her here. Now she had no job, no place to live, and only her savings to get her through the time until she could find employment. She never learned.
He was barely courteous, and his expression was hostile. Thanks for coming. Im sorry you have to leave so soon, he added. Ill be glad to walk you to the door.
She lifted an eyebrow, and gave him a sardonic look. No need to give me the bums rush, she said. I got the message, loud and clear. Im not welcome. Fine. Ill leave skid marks going out the door. You can have June scrub them off later.
Everythings a joke with you, he accused coldly.
It beats crying, she replied pleasantly. I need my head read for coming out here in the first place. I dont know why I bothered!
Neither do I, he agreed with soft venom. A day late and a dollar short, at that.
That was enigmatic, but she was too angry to question his phrasing. You dont have to belabor the point. Im going, she assured him. In fact, its just a matter of another few interviews and I can arrange things so that youll never have to see me again.
That would be a real pleasure, he said with a bite in his deep voice. He was still glaring at her. Ill give a party.
He was laying it on thick. It was as if he were furious with her, for some reason. Perhaps just her presence was enough to set him off. That was nothing new.
She only laughed. Shed had years to perfect her emotional camouflage. It was dangerous to give Cord an opening. He had no compunction about sticking the knife in. They were old adversaries.
I wont expect an invitation, she told him complacently. Ever thought of taking early retirement, while you still have a head that can be blown off? she added.