Then hed never asked her out again.
Annie doubted that Jack had any idea how much poor Ellen had hoped that he would want to see her again. And because
she knew Jack, she couldnt help wonderinghad he had married Annie because hed guessed how she felt about him? Because hed felt sorry for her?
It was possible. Oh, yes, it was only too possible. You want to feel safe, he had said, and I want to make you safe.
Charlie stood. The swing groaned, swaying from the sudden loss of his weight. Youve gotten yourself in one hell of a mess, half pint. I dont think youll be able to straighten it out until you figure out what you want. His footsteps were quiet as he headed for the door.
I know what I want. I just dont think I can have it.
Charlies voice was gentle. What, then?
I want to have Jack back. She swallowed the quick stab of pain. I want things to be easy and comfortable between us the way they used to be. I want us to be friends again.
Then why are you still married to him? Seems like you would have changed that at some point in the last two months if you really wanted to just be friends. Her brother opened the door without waiting for an answer. Light spilled onto the porch, then was swallowed up by the night once more as the door closed behind him.
It was the third thud that did it.
Normally Jack could sleep anywhere. Hed slept in shacks, sheds, hotels, tents and palaces; on feather beds, cots, couches and a pile of smelly hides tossed on the earthen floor of a herders hut. But hed had trouble falling asleep last night.
Seeing Annie again had been part of the problem. Being in his aunts house was the rest of it. Memories that were gentled by daylight often came out to prowl at night, and he had felt trapped from the moment hed lain down on the bed hed slept in as a teenager. After tossing and turning, even getting up to pace a couple of times, hed abandoned his old bedroom and gone downstairs with a pillow and a blanket.
Jack had never been allowed to lie down on the long sofa in the parlor; it was for sitting, his aunt had always said, and for company. He liked to think it was the novelty of stretching out there that had made it possible for him to finally fall asleep, rather than some lingering trace of adolescent rebellion.
Once he had dozed off, though, hed slept like the dead. So the first series of knocks didnt rouse him. He just worked the sound into his dream.
Whoever was there knocked again. This time he managed to get his eyes open and glance at the clock on the wall. Good God. It was barely 6:00 a.m. Who could be so blasted eager to see him at this hour?
But he didnt respond until a single loud, forceful thud landed on the front door.
He flung back the blanket, dragged himself upright and limped to the entry hall.
There he zipped up his jeans, opened the door and frowned at the man who had been his friend since the sixth grade. I figured it had to be either you or Ben. I hope you havent come here to beat me up. Im not awake yet.
I havent decided if you need beating up or not. Here. Charlie handed him a foam cup.
Belatedly Jacks nose caught the scent of freshly brewed coffee. He took the cup, pulled off the plastic lid and stepped back, inhaling the aroma and watching warily as Charlie came inside. Youre not going to punch me while Im distracted by caffeine, are you?
Spoken like a man with a guilty conscience. Charlie hadnt been here as often as Jack had been at his house when they were younger, but he knew his way around. He headed for the living room, flipped on the light and glanced at the couch. Camping out?
Something like that. Jack sipped at his coffee and watched his friend.
Charlie had been a tall, lanky teen, a forward on the basketball team in high school. Hed added muscle to his inches as he got older, but he was still long and lean, standing three inches over Jacks six feet. He didnt look much like his sister. His hair was redder, and he had a craggy face with a nose that would have done a Roman emperor proud. Ive got some questions to ask you.
Figures. Jack took another sip of coffee. It was hot and bitter and just might be strong enough to jump-start his brain. I dont suppose youve got any doughnuts to go with this coffee?
I ate them on the way here.
Jack grimaced. That figures, too. He took another sip. He needed to be alert in case Charlie changed his mind about pounding him. You might as well go ahead and ask whatever you came here to ask.
Did you marry Annie because shes pregnant?
Jack choked, coughed and managed to clear the coffee from his windpipe. What kind of question is that?
A pretty obvious one, Id say. Charlie set his cup down on the coffee table and moved restlessly over to the window. This marriage happened awfully damned quick.
Jack sipped his coffee and watched Charlie
pace as if the floor were covered in hot coals instead of bland beige carpet. Charlie was certainly uncomfortable with the idea of his little sister having had sex. I dont know why you woke me up to ask such a stupid question. Even you arent dumb enough to believe Annie would lie to you about something like that.