“Yes, with both exits covered.”
It was Skye’s turn to smile.“You know, I’d do anything in the world to help you.”
“We know, Skye, and thanks, but Brad’s pride is at stake now.You’ve done too much already.”
Skye studied her sister-in-law seriously.“Don’t let pride get in your way, Peg.”
She paused, searching Skye’s face.“You’ve met someone, haven’t you?”
Taken aback by Peggy’s directness, Skye flushed slightly and lowered her gaze.“What makes you say that?”she said, trying hard to hide any telltale inflection of surprise in her voice.
“You look, well...”Again Peggy hesitated, as if searching for the right word.“Happier...brighter, as if some spark has been ignited again.Brad mentioned something, too.He said you’d obviously been dating someone because you closed up like a clam the minute he asked about it.”
“I guess you could say I’ve met someone,” Skye admitted reluctantly.
“And?”Peggy probed.
“It’s someone from the hospital.He was in a car accident and has a broken arm.It was in traction for a while, but he’s been discharged now.”
Peggy’s eyes rounded at the information and twinkled with delight.
“It’s no big deal, Peggy.Honest,” Skye stressed.“I enjoyed his company, but it’s not what you think.He’s from LA and has returned home.”
“Is he handsome?”
Skye tilted her head thoughtfully and shrugged noncommittally.“I’d say he was, but not strikingly so.”Unconsciously she stiffened; this was dangerous territory.Her own feelings for Jordan were a mystery.How could she explain them to another?
Peggy seemed to understand her indecision and smiled inreturn.“Anytime you show this much interest in a man, I can’t help getting excited.I don’t mean to pry, but honestly, Skye, Glen’s been gone a long time.Too many years for you to continue on the way you have been.”
A guarded expression came over Skye’s face.Glen’s name was rarely mentioned.Brad and Peggy had always been sensitive to her grief.“What are you saying?”she asked brusquely.
Peggy sighed, almost as if she were unwilling to continue.“You’ve been living your life in a shell.For eight years there hasn’t been anything or anyone who has been able to bring you back to reality, and it’s time you realized that.”
It was unlike Peggy to be so blunt.“That’s not true,” Skye said defensively, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck bristling.“Glen and I shared something unique.Our life together would have been very special, but for you to insist I’ve built a wall around myself is totally false.”She paused, gathering the strength of conviction.“I have to think very hard to clearly remember what Glen even looked like.”
Peggy was watching Skye with concern.“We seem to have gotten off the track, haven’t we?”
Swallowing determinedly at the tight lump in her throat, Skye gave a wavering smile.“We certainly have.I came to congratulate you and discuss Janey’s birthday present.I bought her a shell necklace, but how would you and Brad feel if I got her a puppy?”
“A puppy?”Peggy echoed, sounding aghast.
“Sally’s dog recently had a litter, and she’s offered me first choice.You remember Sally, my friend from St.John’s.”
“Of course.”Peggy’s eyebrows arched thoughtfully.“You know, it might not be a bad idea.With the baby coming it could be just the thing for Janey.I’ll talk to Brad.”
The remainder of the visit was strained, with both women pretending an ease neither felt.Skye left shortly afterward.
Confused and unsettled, Skye drove home in a thoughtful mood.How could Peggy have been so blunt?Skye had worked hard to overcome her grief.It was true that for a while she had lost her will to live.Something deep within her had died with Glen.But she was a free spirit now, free to love and be loved.Hadn’t she always been?Peggy had never hurt her this way before.It was true Skye seldom dated anyone for long, but that wasn’t because she was carrying a torch for Glen.There were very few men who interested her.Certainly all the dates Sally had arranged over the years should prove that to her sister-in-law.Nonetheless Peggy’s attitude stung.
About a mile from home the car coughed and sputtered.Skye tensed.“Not again,” she said, groaning inwardly.Suddenly the buzzer to her seat belt began to hiss, although it was connected.The radio began making eerie, high-pitched screeches, fading in and out.She had purposely turned it off in order to think.Quickly she pulled her small Ford to the curb before it gave one final cough and died.
“Blast it.”Her hand banged the steering wheel impatiently.First Peggy’s comment and now this!She tried turning the ignition key but was met with silence.
“I can’t believe it!”She opened her car door, climbed out, and in a burst of frustration slammed the door shut.She didn’t even bother to look under the hood, knowing it was useless for her to try to figure out what was wrong.
It began to rain about halfway home, an angry torrent that added fuel to her bad mood.She was drenched by the time she arrived at her apartment building.Heavy drops of rain ran off her hair and face as she paused to unlock her door.
John Dirkson stuck his head out of his apartment and greeted her with a flashy grin.“I see you got yourself all wet and cold.I’m perfectly willing to warm you up,” he offered, with all the subtlety of a serpent.
