Chapter 3
Johnny reacted first. “Mom, are you nuts?’’
Jessie whooped in delight.
Tony Riordan merely smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate theoffer.”
What had she done? Claire fought down the urge to getanother glass of wine and held on to the counter instead. She’d just invited a strange man into her life. A man whohad every capability of ruining her. Of forcing open doorsthat were far better left closed.
Of making her admit the truth.
But Claire couldn’t afford to be alone just yet. She neededsomebody who would talk to her about inconsequentialthings, and she couldn’t ask her children to understand that.
“Mom, what’s the matter with you?” Johnny protested,arm thrown out, posture straightened just a little so he couldimpress the competing male with his five feet eleven inches.“You don’t even know him.”
Claire didn’t say anything. She looked over at TonyRiordan with his ancient, smiling eyes and thought, Oh yes,I do. She’d seen him in her nightmares a thousand times,startled at the sight of his eyes on old newsreel footage andburned-out cops. She knew him, all right.
“There are some things Mr. Riordan and I need to talkabout,” she said, finally facing her outraged son. “And Idon’t think you have the right to insult a guest in this house.Please apologize.”
Johnny’s expression said it all. Nobody breached the wallsof their home without everyone’s say-so. That was how it was. How it had been since Sam walked out. But Clairedidn’t have the time or energy to explain. Her head was beginning to throb. Her stomach roiled.
“I can head on back tonight, if you’d rather,” Tony offered.
Claire’s answer was too quick and too strident. “No!”She drew a breath to quell the sudden anxiety and faced herson. “Johnny, honey, I’m not going to ask again.”
“I’m sorry,” he snapped, never taking his attention fromhis mother.
It hurt her. She wanted to explain. To make her too-adult,too-sensitive child understand why she needed Tony Riordan to stay. But she’d never been able to tell either of herchildren what it was she was so afraid of.
“If you don’t mind, though,” Tony said, “I’d rather not intrude in your house. I saw that half-finished room youhave over in the inn. There’s a shower and a cot there.”
“But that’s—”
“Plenty.” He smiled again at her, and Claire found the battle lost. “I’ve certainly lived in worse conditions thanthat.”
He didn’t even bother to look over at Johnny. Even so,Claire saw Johnny’s shoulders easing a little. The best concession she was going to get.
“Now, why don’t you go on upstairs?” she asked her sonas gently as she could. “I’m sure Pete’s waiting, and he isyour guest. Besides, if you don’t get some sleep tonight,there’s no flying in the morning. And Jess, you have practice early tomorrow. You go on to bed.”
Jess went right on point. “But, Mom—”
Claire forced herself to walk past Tony Riordan so shecould get to her daughter. Planting a big kiss on Jess’s forehead, she whirled her for the door. “Say good-night to ourguest.”
Jess waved back over her shoulder even as her mother waspropelling her the other way. “See you in the morning,Tony.”
“Mr. Riordan,” Claire instinctively retorted.
Jess scowled. “See you in the morning, Mr. Riordan.”
“I’ll be here,” he said with a grin. “Good night.”
Johnny hadn’t budged yet. Claire had no choice but towalk up to her almost-grown son and pat him on the cheeks with both hands. “I promise,” she said, wishing with all herheart that those beautiful brown eyes would sparkle for her.“If Mr. Riordan goes for my throat with a butter knife, I’llscream. Now, say good-night.”
Still he hesitated, too long her protector to give in now.Claire smiled for him. Willed him to move with only her mother’s resolve. He shot Tony a look of pure suspicion,but he relented. Claire accepted his kiss with more relief thanshe could say.
“Good night, Mom. Good night... Mr. Riordan.”
For the first time, Tony addressed Johnny directly.“’Night, John. Thank you.”
