Page 94 of A Matter of Time

I watched Kurt’s eyes, saw the same misery there.

“We usually just talk.” His smile was bittersweet as his hand tangled with hers. “Don’t we, baby?”

She nodded. “And sometimes we don’t.”

“Did you use Mom’s key to get in here?” Sam asked her.

“Yeah. She’s going to wonder where her spare is, since I guess she gave the one off her key chain to Jory yesterday.” Her eyes were locked on him.

“I’ll give her back the one you borrowed and say I didn’t realize she’d already given one to Jory,” he told her.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “I left it on the nightstand.”

He nodded.

“What’re you guys gonna do?” I asked her.

“I have no idea.” She smiled at me through her tears.

She had the same beautiful eyes as her brother, the same mouth with the full lips, but his nose was long and straight and his profile belonged on coins. In comparison, her nose was small, and upturned at the end. They had the same golden-brown hair, the same bronze, copper, and auburn highlights in it, thick and wavy. She was the kind of woman men would watch walk by on the street, with her hourglass figure, flawless skin, and flashing eyes. I appreciated her beauty even though Sam was the one who had me mesmerized.

“Hey,” I said softly. Sam looked at me. “Could you get the fire going again? It’s getting cold in here.”

“The radiator’s on.”

“Like I said.” I smiled at him. “It’s cold. Make it happen, Kage.”

Exasperated sigh as he crossed the room to the fireplace.

“Jory.”

I looked back at Jennifer.

“Who are you again?”

“Just a friend.”

She nodded, glanced over at Sam and then back at me. “Will I see you at the house tomorrow for Sunday dinner?” Her eyes were absorbing me, and I had no idea why.

“I dunno.”

“You should come. You really should.”

“We’ll see.” I reached for her hand. “What can I do right now?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. We’re gonna leave, and you and Sam are going to keep our secret.”

Sam stayed busy with the fire and didn’t turn around to look at her.

“Okay, Sammy?”

“Whatever you say.”

I hugged her tight, and then she walked over to Sam and put her hand on his back. Because he didn’t move, I cleared my throat. His exhale was loud; I heard it across the room before he rose and stood in front of her.

“I’m sorry, Sammy.”

He nodded, just staring into her eyes. I watched her tremble, knew what she needed.