“No.”
“Gay?”
“No!”
“How do you know?”
“Because he has women to satisfy the urge when he gets it.”
“How do you know?”
Because Swansy told me, though how Swansy knew was a mystery, but Swansy was never wrong.“I know.Trust me.I know.”
“And he’s never made a pass at you.”
I stared at him for a minute, making no attempt to hide my annoyance.“Why does sex have to be involved?”
“Because you’re no slouch.”
“What doesthathave to do with anything?”
His voice was low.“Two attractive, unattached people in a secluded place, a place where winters are made for sharing the heat of a lover?”His eyes seemed suddenly darker.“If I were in Cooper’s shoes, I’d have made a pass at you.”
I felt that little heart-catch again and ignored it, just as I refused to acknowledge his claim.“But why does it matter?”I asked more quickly than I might have if I’d been perfectly calm.“What does it have to do with Cooper’s case?”
Peter was watching me closely.“I’m just trying to figure out what you two mean to each other.”
“We’re the best of friends.The very best.But that’s all.”
He eyed me cautiously.“Are you sure?”
“Very.”
For a minute longer, he studied me.Though his eyes never left my face, they seemed to take in far more than mere features.They delved into me, touching things that were deep and private and had to do with Adam and me, more so than with Cooper.They asked questions, probed territory that had been untouched for years.
I didn’t understand it.I’d met many people, made many friends in the past six years, yet none had ever gotten to me this way.It frightened me that Peter Hathaway should.He was a total stranger.But powerful, so powerful.Beneath his gaze, I felt bared.
Pulling the refrigerator door open, I ducked inside.When I emerged, my arms were filled with a jar of mayonnaise, a head of lettuce and a loaf of bread.It wasn’t that I believed they could shield me from his gaze, but I had to try something.
As it happened, by the time I straightened, Peter was looking out the window.I followed his gaze, thinking maybe Cooper was coming.He’d promised me that he would, though I’d had to work hard for that promise.
I could have used his help right about then.But there was no sign of him on the walk.
“Where does he live?”Peter asked.
I set to work mixing the tuna.“In town.It’sfive minutes by car, fifteen by foot.”
“Does he live alone?”
“No.Benjie lives with him.”
“Any other relatives?”
“There used to be,” I told him, keeping my eyes on my work.“Cooper’s lived here all his life.His father died when he was seven or eight.He had a sister, but she left when their mother remarried.”I took a breath.“Benjie is actually Cooper’s half brother, the son of his mother and her second husband.”
“Where are they?”
“His mother and stepfather?Dead.”
