“You don’t look much older.”He took a step toward her.The involuntary movement sent alarms ringing through his head.Being attracted to Jane would make his bid to forget the past that much harder.He didn’t want to remember what he’d lost; it had taken too long to let go.
Feel nothing.It was the only thing that worked.But his feet continued to move closer, until he stood in front of her.The need to punish was lost as the rise and fall of her breasts, the bare feet inches from his own, again reminded him of that afternoon.She’d only worn panties under her father’s shirt.Did the sundress allow much more?She’d filled out in her time away, not much, but enough.He smiled as he remembered her shyness the first time he’d touched her breasts.Her reluctance had been explainedwhen she’d finally confessed that they were much smaller than Bobbi Sue’s, with whom she shared a locker in gym class.
Adam had murmured he didn’t care about seeing Bobbi Sue, dressed or naked.That Jane was the one driving him crazy.She’d allowed him to release the catch on her bra and had arched in pleasure when he touched her pale virgin skin.
He raised one hand toward her face.There weren’t any lines to show the passage of time.Her cheek looked as smooth and soft as he remembered.She watched him fearlessly, until her eyes drifted closed.
No!He tightened his hand into a fist, then turned away.No more remembering.The past held nothing for him.It couldn’t.He didn’t want her.
“I’m late,” he said, and left the room without once looking back.
* * *
Jane measured out the correct length and cut the shelf paper.One cupboard down, three to go.She brushed her bangs off her forehead.The muggy afternoon heat sapped most of her energy.After a morning in town, during which the replacement window for Adam’s house had been ordered, Charlene had offered to take Billie for a swim at the club’s pool.Jane had been invited to tag along, but thought she’d better start getting the house ready.It was Saturday, the furniture would arrive Monday.There wasn’t a lot of time.Besides, with Billie gone, she’d work faster.
Unfortunately she also had time to think.About Adam.About that morning.One more mark against her, one more measure of guilt.
She’d lied.Not outright, of course.But a lie by omission remained a lie.He thought she was divorced.That she’d met and loved and married another.That Billie had a father somewhere out there.What would he say when he found out the truth?
There couldn’t have been another man.Despite the miles and years between them, she hadn’t been able to forget.Her daughter—his daughter—was a daily reminder.She couldn’t move on until she’d let go of the past.So why did doing the right thing have to be so tough?The answer was easy: Adam.
He’d been so unaffected.Except for that brief moment, whenhe’d almost touched her face, he’d acted like a stranger.A well-mannered host offering refuge to distant, but unknown relatives.Not by a flicker of a lash did he let on that they’d once meant something to each other.How she wanted to blast him from his damn, cool self-possession.And she could do it.But for Billie’s sake, she needed to bide her time.
Jane smoothed the paper onto the shelf.Charlene had warned her that he hadn’t waited.But he also hadn’t married.It was probably because she’d taught him not to trust anyone.
The back door slammed and Billie bounced into the room.
“We’re back.”
“How was it?”
“Great.I met tons of kids at the pool.The girls are kinda dopey, but I talked to some boys about the softball team.”Billie dropped her towel onto the counter and raised up on tiptoes to offer a kiss.“They didn’t believe me when I told them I was a pitcher.”
“So she threatened to beat one of them up.”Charlene entered the room.“I declare, we’ll have our hands full trying to tame this one.”
“I don’t need taming.”Billie thrust out her lower lip.“He said he didn’t fight girls, but I knew he was scared.”She assumed a fighter’s stance, feet spread, fists raised.One strap of her bathing suit slipped down her shoulder.
Charlene ruffled her hair.“She’s a tiger.And she dove off the high board.”
“I’m impressed.”Jane measured the next shelf.“Anything broken or lost?”
“Nah.”Billie climbed onto the counter and wiggled to get comfortable.“Besides, Charlene told me that lots of kids break things.Adam kicked a football into his mom’s chandelier when he was in high school.”
Jane smiled.“I’d forgotten that, but now that you mention it, we could hear the screaming all the way over here.”
Charlene inspected her work.“Sometimes it’s easy to forget Adam wasn’t always the responsible man he’s become.”The older woman lifted Billie down from the counter.“You need a bath, young lady.”
“But I just went swimming.I can’t be dirty.”
“The pool isn’t clean, it’s wet.”
“Mo-om.”
Jane raised her hands in the air.“I’m staying out of this one, kid.You’re on your own.”
Charlene led her to the back door.“Let’s go out to dinner tonight.They serve fried chicken at Millie’s diner on Saturday, and Billie told me you rarely make it at home.”
“I hate cleaning up afterward.I’d love to go to Millie’s.Is the food still terrific?”
