A marmalade-colored cat the size of a bear cub lazed on that porch swing. In the half hour Jack had been waiting, the sum total of the animals movement had consisted of an occasional twitch at the tip of its tail. The cat watched him pace with a certain lazy interest, much as an adult might keep an indulgent eye on a childs energetic antics.
So, Jack said, sticking his hands in his back pockets, you seem to belong here, big fellow. What time does Annie usually get home?
About now.
The voice came from behind him. Jack turned around slowly. Annie.
She stood at the foot of the steps that led onto the porch, her arms wrapped tightly around two brown grocery bags as if their weight could keep her earthbound in the gusting wind. Now that she was here, standing in front of him, he didnt know what to say. He just wanted to look at his old friend without words, without letting the needs of the present and hurts of the past crowd in.
Her hair was slightly longer than it had been the last time hed seen herlong enough for her to pull into a ponytail that the wind was whipping around. It was the same soft, reddish brown as always, though. He liked it pulled back that way, liked the way it left her face bare to the world. Annie had a pretty face, with a soft curve
to her cheeks and forehead, a stubborn chin and eyes as green as the Irish hills shed never seen. At the moment, those eyes were bright with suspicion.
He stepped closer, looking down at her. She was such a little thing. He tended to forget that. Physically there wasnt that much of Annie, yet she vibrated with so much energy it was easy to forget her actual size, as if shed been given more life than such a slight body could contain without it spilling over onto those around her. Youre looking good, he said softly.
Oh, sure. I always look my best in work clothes, with no makeup and my hair all over the place.
He shook his head. The proper response to a compliment is thank you.
Suspicion vanished in a flash of humor. She chuckled. Imagine you worrying about the proper response to anything.
His eyebrows went up. Believe it or not, I do have a few ideas about whats proper. For one thing, I think a married woman ought to wear a wedding ring. Wheres yours?
She bit her lip. Have you told anyone aboutabout Vegas?
No. Once I realized you preferred to keep our marriage a deep, dark secret, I covered for you. Havent I always?
It usually worked the other way around, she said dryly. Look, we have to talk. I know that. But could we do it inside, out of the wind?
Jack stepped aside, letting her come up on the porch. He didnt offer to take her bags, though it was obviously awkward for her to juggle them long enough to get her key out and get the door opened. He didnt offer because he was too damned angry. Still. Again. Jack was used to temper hitting fast, like a flash flood, then draining away completely. The sullen core of anger that had refused to leave him the past couple of months was new to him.
He didnt like it. He followed her, limping slightly, through the living room and dining room and into the big, old-fashioned kitchen, lecturing himself silently. Hed get a lot farther by charming Annie than by fighting with her.
The kitchen distracted him. For the first time since hed driven into town yesterday, he had a sense of homecoming. Hed spent a lot of hours in this room. This hasnt changed much. The floor is new, but its almost the same shade of green as the old one.
Annie set the bags down on the scarred oak table. The floor was new five years ago. You havent been here in a long time, Jack.
Has it been that long? Strange, he thought, it didnt seem like it, not with memories crowding up as close and friendly as puppies. He moved over to the table and automatically began helping her unload the groceries, just as hed done a thousand times before at this house.
Annie stood on the other side of the grocery sack. Close enough for him to touchif hed thought his touch would be welcome. She was frowning. Youre limping.
I had an accident a couple weeks ago, banged up my knee. Nothing serious.
The quick flash of concern in her eyes pleased him. What happened? Youre a good driver.
Yes, he waswhich was why the accident had been minor. It could have been a lot worse. He was going to have to tell her about that and a lot more, but not yet. Not yet. Hey! Jalapeños. He grinned as he took out the plastic bag holding two of the small, potent peppers. Is Ben planning to fix some of his chili?
Yes. She grabbed the milk and butter that hed unloaded and carried them to the refrigerator.
What are the chances of me getting an invitation to supper? He hadnt had any of Bens stomach-burning chili in a long time.
She glanced at him quickly over his shoulder. Good grief, Jack, dont you think that might be a little awkward under the circumstances?
His brief fling with nostalgia thudded to an end. I guess he doesnt know were married.
No.
So why havent you told anyone about Vegas? Was she ashamed of him? The idea added another layer to the anger he was trying to ignore.