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"That virago? Do you really think I'm going to get hooked up with someone
who would most likely kill me in my sleep after the first argument?" The
older man grinned sheepishly. "Besides, she won't go out with me. She says
I remind her of her first husband."
David laughed. "From what I've heard of Trip LaSalle, you can probably
take that as a compliment. She said he was the sexiest thing alive."
Ralph cocked his head in speculation. "Do you think " Breaking off, he
shoved his hands in his pockets. "Stop trying to change the subject. We're
supposed to be talking about you." He paused and moved closer. "I'm
worried about you, son. I'm worried about Kate and Ben, too, but mostly I'm
worried about you."
David gave a short laugh. "I've recently discovered that worrying is what
parents do best."
"How long do you think you can keep this up?"
Ralph's voice and expression showed genuine concern. "You're digging the
hole deeper and deeper every day."
Turning his back on his friend, David put down his iced-tea glass and stared
at the wall. What was he supposed to say to that? He wasn't sure of anything
anymore. How could he tell Ralph what he was going to do or how he felt,
when he didn't know himself? He didn't even know how he should feel.
After some heavy soul-searching, David had finally acknowledged the fact
that he had used the situation with Ben to his own advantage. It would have
been very easy to have gone to Kate and told her that Ben was worried about
having a stepfather. She would have known exactly what to say to the boy to
reassure him, to make him feel secure.
But that wasn't the way David wanted it to happen. He had wanted Ben's
problem solved, but he wanted to be the one to solve it. He had needed to be
important to his son.
But, of course, that wasn't the only motive behind his actions. There was
something else, as strong as his desire to help his son but not as easily
defined. David had wanted, he had needed, to send Kate's men packing. He
didn't want a single one of them around her. Not even slow-talking, slow-
thinking Junior.
Feeling more harassed by his own emotions than by Ralph's questions, he
rose abruptly to his feet.
"It's getting a little complicated," he murmured, his lips twisting in a rueful
smile.
The older man responded with a loud, expressive snort. "A little
complicated, you say? That's like saying hell's just a tad hot."
Moving a step closer, Ralph reached out and laid one large hand on David's
shoulder. "You have to do what you think is right, boy. And I'd be the last
one to tell you just exactly what right is. But sooner or later, one way or
another, the truth is going to come out. And when it does, I don't want any of
you you, Kate, or Ben to get hurt by it."
An hour later, as David trimmed the small hedge that lined the driveway, he
found his thoughts returning again and again to the conversation with Ralph.
The old geezer was right. As long as David stayed here, as long as he was so
involved with their lives, there was a chance the truth would come out by
accident. The only way to retain control, the only way to make certain that
his identity would be revealed when and how he thought best for everyone,
was for him to leave.
And that was something David couldn't do. Not now. Not yet.
If he could somehow manage to examine his feelings for Kate rationally,
maybe other things would become clear as well. Maybe he would be able to
understand why he was still here, holding fast to the status quo. If he knew
that, then maybe he could figure out what the hell he was going to do next.
A moment later he heard the backdoor slam and suddenly Ben was beside
him, pulling at David's arm as he hopped up and down in excitement.
"Mac . . . Mac, it's a 'mergency! I forgot to tell my mom there's a game
today. But it's not just a reg'lar game. If we win, we'll be champions of the
whole districk. I'm the best batter on my team. They need me, Mac. Come
on . . . come on, we gotta hurry." Grasping David's hand, he began to tug at
it urgently. "Coach said we have to be there at three and it's already two and
four-oh." He held out his wrist, showing David the face of the plastic digital
watch.
"You're right. It's definitely two and four-oh, but why are you telling me?"
Rising to his feet, David glanced toward the house. "Where's Veda?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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