No, she thought. Be honest. Teaching wasnt all shed wanted. But it was an attainable goal, unlike the foolish longing that was sending her away. The doorbell rang. She threaded her way through the boxes to the door, wondering which of her friends from school had dropped by. Shed be glad of some company. Packing was a melancholy business.
But it was an old friend, not a new one, she opened the door to.
His hair was shaggy, his shirt was wrinkled and his jeans were old. He looked wonderful. She wished with all her heart he was still on the other side of the world. Jack! II wasnt expecting you. I didnt think you were due back for another few weeks. Shed been counting on that.
What do you think youre doing? he demanded.
Packing. She turned away, going back inside. As Im sure you can see. She hadnt expected him to be angry. It disconcerted her.
Dammit, Annie. Why didnt you tell me? He followed her into her apartment that had pleased her so much when she first moved in, the first place of her own shed ever had. The complex had been brand-new then. After living in an old house all her life, followed by an old dorm while she was at college, shed thought she would enjoy the newness. That was yet another thing shed been wrong about. After a while the new apartment had seemed cold and impersonal instead of fresh and exciting.
She moved to an open box, and began wrapping a glass bowl in newspaper. You werent here, Jack. How could I tell you?
Your brother managed. He called me the day before yesterday. I chewed him out for not calling me sooner and got here as quickly as I could.
She stopped, her back to him. Which brother? Charlie?
Of course. Ben doesnt like me. He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her around, studying her face intently. Aw, hell. Annie. He lifted a gentle hand to her cheek.
She managed not to flinch. The bruising had faded, and the swelling was mostly gone. But it was still tender. Im okay.
You dont look it. He sounded grim. And if you were really okay, deep inside, you wouldnt be moving back home. What happened?
I thought Charlie told you. She moved away, unable to bear his scrutiny for long, and tucked the bowl into a box.
He said you were beaten. Two weeks ago. By a couple of punks at your school. The words came out flat, staccato. And youve quit your job because of it and plan to move back to Highpoint.
The attack wasnt the only reason shed decided to move home, but it had clarified some things for her. Thats pretty much what happened, though the attack wasnt the only reason I quit. I havent been happy here.
I know you havent been crazy about the large classes and all the paperwork, but I hate to see you chuck it all in. After all the years you worked to get your teaching certificate, it doesnt make sense!
Im not planning to give up teaching. I just dont want to do it here. Not anymore.
Dont tell me youre still homesick. He shook his head. Youve been away from that stupid town for years now, what with college and then your job here. You cant still be pining for Highpoint.
She felt a familiar pang. Jack would never understand how deep her roots went in the small town where shed grown up, the town hed been only too happy to leave after high school. He didnt understand roots. Thats part of it, too. But only part. I dont like the big city, Jack. You know that. And She hesitated. But he was her friend. He would understand. I just dont feel safe here anymore.
I hate what happened to you. I really hate that it happened while I was gone. If Id been here
It still
would have happened. But Im okay now. A little sore still, but everything is mending. Onlyyou know how news reports always say, the victim was treated and released from the hospital? Thats what happened. Nothing broken, just a cracked rib and a lot of bruises. But I always thought that treated and released made it sound as if no one was really hurt. She tried to smile. Wrong!
He frowned. Would you quit trying to be brave and plucky? Its annoying the hell out of me.
That surprised a laugh out of herwhich she suspected was what hed intended. They looked at each other for a moment in silence before he spoke again, his voice carefully level.
Charlie said that the attack wasnt sexual.
I wasnt raped. Ioh, good grief. Her eyes irritated her by filling with tears. For days after the attack shed wanted nothing more than to have Jack there, holding her. But hed been in Paraguay. I dont know whats wrong with me. The doctor said it could have been a lot worse. He said I was l-lucky.
The doctors an idiot. No one needs that sort of luck. Come here. He put his arm around her and urged her over to the couch, which was covered with neat piles of clothing she had yet to pack. He dumped one of piles on the floor.
Jack! My clothes
Never mind your clothes. He tugged her down onto the couch beside him. Annie, Im so sorry. So terribly sorry.
He just held her then, unspeaking, his body warm and hard and comforting. She rested her head on his shoulder and let his warmth soothe her, let herself cherish this moment. Shed needed this, needed it badly. Too badly. Thatalthough she would never tell anyonewas the main reason shed decided to leave Denver. She couldnt afford to need Jack Merriman.