No, he interrupted, and his eyes grew cold. I dont like women. Especially brunettes.
That was awful of me, she apologized without looking at him. I told you I dont mix well with people. I dont know how to be diplomatic.
I dont mind blunt speaking, he said surprisingly. So its my turn now. He waited until she looked at him to continue. You were hurt, badly and physically, by a man somewhere in your past.
The bag went flying. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.
He wanted to draw her close and hold her, comfort her. But he moved toward her, and she shot to her feet, her head lowered.
God, Sara, what happened to you? he asked through his teeth.
She swallowed. Swallowed again. I cant...talk about it.
He was going to find out from Gabriel. He had no right to be curious, but she was too beautiful to go through life locked up inside like that. He stood up, too, but he didnt move closer. You should be in therapy, he said softly. This is no sort of life.
I should be in therapy? she returned with a short laugh. What about you?
His face shuttered. What
about me?
At the ballet, she said. You have no idea how you looked...
His chin lifted. His pale eyes flashed. We were talking about you.
Something happened to you, too, she said doggedly. I thought you hated me because I ran into you with the car. But that wasnt it at all, was it? You hate me because I look like her, because I remind you of her.
His face was like stone. Beside him, one big hand clenched.
You...loved her, she guessed.
His eyes fragmented, like icy shards cutting into her face. Damn you, he whispered in a vicious undertone. He turned and walked away.
Sara, watching him, wasnt even offended. She began to understand him, just a little. There was something traumatic in his past, too. Something that tied him up in knots, that left him no peace. Hed loved the woman. She saw it in his eyes.
Perhaps shed died. Or left him for another man. Whatever the reason, he was still tied to it, wrapped up in it. He couldnt get past it, any more than Sara could forget what had been done to her.
Damaged people, she thought, and smiled sadly. She picked up her bag, tossed it in a nearby trash receptacle and went back to her apartment.
* * *
GABRIEL CAME HOME that weekend. He looked tired, and he wasnt smiling.
Bad week? Sara asked. They were at the ranch in Comanche Wells. She only stayed there when he was at home. She was nervous of being so far out of town on her own.
Very bad, he said. Were having some problems over the oil fields. Terrorists, kidnappings, the usual, he added with a smile. How are you?
It was a throwaway remark, except that his eyes were very intent on her face as he waited for the answer.
Im...the same. Why do you ask?
Because Wolf Patterson called me and asked what had happened to you that made you back away from him if he came too close.
Her heart jumped. He had no right, she began furiously.
He reminded me that he waited for a tow truck with you one night after an opera in Houston, when you had a flat, and that you almost ran to get into the wrecker with the driver. Then he told me about a conversation you had in the park. He said you were afraid of him when he moved close to you.
Only because he was being sarcastic and obnoxious, she shot back. I cant abide the man!
His eyes narrowed. I know you too well to believe that, he said. You find him attractive.
She flushed.
He drew in a long breath. He went through hell because of a woman who resembles you, he said after a minute. Hes not an evil man. He wouldnt hurt you deliberately. But he might not be able to help it. Hes carrying scars. Bad ones.
Can you tell me why?
He shook his head. Its much too personal.
I see.
Hes had some very hard knocks from women. His mother hated him.
What?
She didnt want a child, but her husband did. When he died, she farmed Wolf out to one set of friends after another. In one of those households, the father was an alcoholic. He beat Wolf until he was old enough to fight back. His mother thought it was funny when the authorities tried to make her take him back. She said that she had no use for a sniveling little brat that she didnt want in the first place.
Sara sat down. She was getting a very sick picture of the mans background.
But he ended up in law enforcement. He was with the FBI, she recalled, having heard him say that.
Gabriel almost bit his tongue off not replying. He was a cop in San Antonio for a while. He went into other work, and they farmed him out to various agencies over the years. But he left the old life behind when he came here and bought the ranch.
He seems an odd fit for a small town, she said slowly.
Its not the usual small town, he replied. He has enemies. Jacobsville is overflowing with mercs and ex-military, and he has friends here. Including me.
She frowned. He has enemies?
Deadly ones, he replied. Theres already been one attempt.
Someone tried to kill him? she asked, shocked, hating her own reaction to those words, because it mattered to her that someone had tried to kill him.