“But it’s raining,” the cameraman said.
“You can’t run away from the truth,” Mrs. Penrith spat.
“The fresh air would be a welcome change,” Susan said, swift steps taking her from the kitchen to the privacy of her bedroom.
Inside, she shut the door and leaned against the hard wood while marshalling her thoughts. Someone had blabbed. She sighed and pushed away from the door. Not that it mattered when she’d changed her mind about country living.
A quick glance out the window showed her it was still raining. Too bad. She had a coat and the fresh air might clear her head. She plucked her coat from the wardrobe, and a few minutes later, she was hurrying outside. The second she breathed in cool air, the weight on her shoulders lightened. She turned her face to the sky, letting the drops of rain splatter across her skin, the cool water waking her from her stupor, washing away some of her guilt.
Mrs. Penrith disliked her and intended to lob torpedoes at her head. Maybe she should go home, despite Jennifer’s objections and arguments. Gravel crunched underneath her feet with each long-legged stomp.
Unsure of which way to go when she reached the end of the drive, she hesitated then turned right.
Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her pocket, trying to shield the screen from the rain. She read the message and some of her irritation faded.
Instead of texting back, she rang Tyler. “Did you know that we’re in the newspaper today?”
“Me? Why?”
“Someone saw us together in Auckland. They added two and two and like all mathematicians came up with a creditable answer. They implied I was seeing another man. They said I was cheating on Nolan.”
Tyler was silent for a moment. “You are having an affair with me.”
“I know, and right now I don’t feel good about myself. I stomped out of the house in righteous indignation and now I’ve no idea where I’m going.”
“Which way did you turn coming out of the drive?”
“Right.”
“Good choice,” he said. “I’ll see you in a few.”
“Wait—” She muttered a rude word under her breath when Tyler hung up. Sighing, she wiped the screen of her phone and tucked it away in her pocket. Too late to tell Tyler she didn’t think it was a good idea for them to hang out—not until the reality show ended.
Susan continued to stomp in her chosen direction, keeping to the shoulder of the road. About five minutes later, a wave caught her attention.
“Over here,” Tyler said. “You’ll have to climb the fence.”
Susan squeezed her body through two sagging wires and stood to right her appearance.
“You’re gorgeous.” Tyler stepped closer until the distance between them was gone. He stared down at her upturned face and brushed his fingers across her cheek. “I’ve missed you.”
“We shouldn’t be doing this, meeting secretly. It’s not right.” An understatement for sure.
Tyler pulled her against his chest, his comforting touch easing her scattered emotions, her anxiety. “Do you want me to tell Nolan? I can’t walk away from you, Susan.” His grip on her back tightened to a point shy of pain.
“No, if anyone tells Nolan, it should be me. I keep thinking he won’t choose me. Logic tells me that.” She pulled back to stare up at him. “I don’t understand your brother.”
Tyler laughed, the sharp bark full of tension, confusion. “Hell, I don’t understand my brother, and we grew up together.”
“Doesn’t he talk to you either?”
“In a social situation—sure. We’ll say hello if we see each other in the street or the pub, but we don’t go out of our way to promote contact.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause trouble between the two of you. I suppose I could tell Nolan I’m homesick and want to leave.”
“No!” Tyler stepped back, breaking the contact between their bodies. “Are you homesick?”
“I miss my friends, my job.”
