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“Have you decided?”
Her hair shimmered in the light streaming through the window as she nodded. She looked down and closed her menu. When she looked up, the shadow in her eyes was gone. “I’ll have antipasto…and bread sticks.” She gave a rueful smile. “I can’t resist their bread sticks.”
David grinned. “I know what you mean.” He leaned back against his chair and set himself to put her at ease. “So, Erin Kelly, what part of Ireland are your ancestors from?”
She gave a little shrug. “I don’t know. That information was never passed on.” She smiled and reached for her glass. “I have a suspicion the earliest Kelly to reach America’s shores didn’t want that knowledge made public.”
“Aha! Skeletons!” David rubbed his hands together.
Erin laughed. “Careful. Your reporter radar is showing.” She took a swallow of water and put her glass down. “What about you? Where do your people come from?”
“I have no idea. I’m just glad they had the good sense to come here.”
“Amen to that.”
She sounded sincere and utterly natural. Was she religious? David’s smile faded. It was the first flat note struck since he’d met her.
“Your lemonade, Mr. Carlson.” The server placed it in front of him, then gathered the menus under his arm. “And your order?”
David glanced at Erin. She nodded. He looked back at the server. “We’ll have the antipasto tray with choice of dressings on the side. Bread sticks—” he smiled “—double up on the bread sticks. And minestrone for me. Erin?” She held up her hand with the thumb and forefinger only an inch or so apart. He nodded. “Make that two minestrones—one large, one small.”
“Very good, sir.” The server hurried away.
David took a swallow of his drink, then put down his glass and leaned forward. “Professor Stiles seems like quite a character. Do you enjoy working with him?” Her face warmed. It was the only way he could describe it. He knew before she spoke she admired Robert Stiles.
“Yes, I do. Very much. I know he seems rather a clichе character—you know, rough exterior, heart of gold—but in his case it’s absolutely true. He started the center, and he fights like a lion when anyone threatens to stop funding the literacy program. Our slogan is When You Open A Book, You Open The World. That’s why this grant is so important. You have no idea how many adults there are who cannot read or write—or do so at a minimal level.”
She looked fully into his eyes, and for a moment he lost the thread of the conversation.
“—and when a person can read and write their possibilities are endless. At the center we see these adults go from hopeless to hopeful.” Suddenly she stopped. “I’m sorry, Mr. Carlson. I didn’t mean to make a speech.”
David put on a mock frown. “That’s David, remember? We agreed on that earlier. But, to get back to the point—please don’t apologize. I like people who are passionate about the things they believe in.” He gave her his most charming smile. “I think there’s a little of the lion in you, too, when it comes to the literacy program.”
“Perhaps so. It’s very important to me.”
David stared at her, taken aback by the quiet acknowledgment. He wasn’t accustomed to having his openings for a little flirting ignored. He took another tack. “Professor Stiles said you were the program coordinator. I’m not familiar with the way the program is set up. Is that a paid position?”
“It will be starting in July—thanks to the grant. At the moment no one in the program is salaried. It’s all volunteer. Our funds have been used only for needed teaching supplies.”
“What about rent?”
“Professor Stiles owns the building we use and he doesn’t take a dime for rent. He even pays the taxes out of his own pocket.” Affection warmed her smile. “I told you he has a heart of gold.”
Or a comfortable tax writeoff. That would have to be investigated. David took another swallow of lemonade, then leaned back out of the way while the server returned and placed their food on the table. When the man left, David laid his napkin over his leg, filled his plate from the antipasto tray and drizzled dressing over it. “I know Professor Stiles works at the university, but what about you, Erin? Since you’ve been volunteering all your time and talent, you must be one of the idle rich.”
Her laughter sounded like music.
“I’m afraid not.” She looked up from fixing her plate. “I’ve only been able to volunteer at Westwood a few evenings a week. But that will all change now. School will be out in three weeks, and I’ll begin full-time work at the center.”
“School?” David lifted the wicker basket, folded back the napkin and held the basket out to Erin. “You’re a teacher?”
She nodded, took a bread stick and broke it in half before putting it on her bread plate. “I teach kindergarten at Living Hope Christian School.”
The moment turned sour—not to mention his stomach. “I’m sure that’s very rewarding.” It was a lame response, but it was the best he could dredge up.
“Yes, it is.” She gave him a long, measuring look, then bowed her head.
She was saying grace! David resisted the urge to get up and walk away. He set the basket down, sliced off a bite of prosciutto, stabbed it with his fork, then added a sliver of green pepper and began to eat.
Erin lifted her head and their gazes met. David ignored the reactive quickening of his pulse and turned all business. He wanted to wrap up this interview, say goodbye and bolt out the door. It was a good thing she had insisted on driving her own car—they could go their separate ways when the meal was over. “I think I’ll find enough general information about the center in the brochure you gave me, Erin. Why don’t you tell me about the grant.”
Erin opened her car door, then turned and swept her gaze over the stucco and beam exterior of Carlo’s Villa. She wasn’t used to eating leisurely business lunches in fancy restaurants—she belonged to the “grab a sandwich and get back to work” crowd. And that’s exactly what she needed to do—get back to work.
Erin slid into the driver’s seat, secured her seatbelt, switched on the ignition and looked in the rearview mirror. A man and woman, standing beside a car in the row directly behind her, were locked in a passionate kiss. The man ran his hand over the woman’s body, pressing her close against him.
Erin jerked her gaze away, shifted into Reverse and looked over her shoulder as she backed out. The man stopped whatever he was doing to the woman’s neck and lifted his head to glance toward the moving vehicle.
Jerry!
Erin gasped. Of its own volition, her foot jammed on the brakes and the car jolted to a stop. The woman turned her head to look. Dr. Swan’s new receptionist!
Erin’s stomach knotted. She whipped around to face front, locking her gaze on the mirror. Jerry mouthed something to the young woman, and they resumed their embrace with increased ardor. Erin swallowed back a surge of nausea, shifted gears and drove away. All thought of her pleasant lunch disappeared as a wave of anger washed over her at seeing her sister’s live-in boyfriend with another woman.
Chapter Two
“You were off your game big-time tonight, Dave. The ‘Tiger’ didn’t show up, you were more like a pussycat.”
David yanked the towel from around his neck, scrubbed it over his still damp hair and glanced at Ted. “Is that right?”
“It sure is.” Ted jammed his own towel in his duffel bag. “Your concentration was way off. What’s up?”
“Nothing. I just had a bad night.”
“Yeah, right. That excuse might work for mere mortals, but you, my friend—” David braced himself for the solid thump that hit his shoulder “—you need a better reason. Anything I can help with?”
“Nope.” David pulled his T-shirt on and stuffed it into his jeans. “Not unless you’ve turned into an expert on women.”
“Oh?” Ted’s eyebrows raised, a grin spread across his face. “You’re asking me for advice about women? How the mighty are fallen!” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m going to enjoy this! So spill it. Just what is the difficulty between you and the illustrious model?”
David shot him a look. “Her name is Brandee. And she’s not the problem. I met a woman I can’t get out of my mind, that’s all. Hence my lack of concentration—” he thumped Ted back “—and your bogus win.”
“That’s as good an excuse as any.” Ted’s grin slipped into a frown. “I thought you and Brandee only dated for mutual professional benefit—that you were each free to see others.”
“True.”
“So what’s the problem?” Ted leveled his “lawyer look” on him. “Why don’t you just call this other woman? Is she married?”
“No.” David scowled. “She’s religious.”
“Ouch!”
He nodded. “My feelings exactly. Now it’s time for me to go home and put the finishing touches on tomorrow’s column. Why don’t you go chase an ambulance and drum up some legal business? Unless you want to get a pizza or something?”
Ted’s grin returned. “No can do, Tiger. I’m booked for the night. And believe me, when I leave here, it isn’t an ambulance I’ll be chasing after.”
David laughed and crammed his playing clothes in his gym bag along with his damp towel. “How is Darlene?”
Ted zipped his bag. “Fantastic! I proposed last Saturday.”
“Wow! I didn’t see that one coming.” David lifted out his shoes and slammed his locker door. He turned and stared at his lifelong friend. “What happened to ‘Mr. Confirmed Bachelor’?”
Ted laughed. “He took one look at Darlene and died a sudden death. When it’s right—it’s right.” He sobered. “There’s no way I can fight what I feel for her, Dave. I don’t even want to try.”
“That’s great, Ted.” David stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Ted shook hands, then shifted his stance. “Looks like it’s going to be a no-holds-barred wedding. Will you be best man?”
David gave him a crooked grin. “What do you mean, ‘will I be’? I always have been.”
Ted snorted. “Not in Darlene’s eyes—and that’s all that matters.” He picked up his bag and headed for the door. “I’ll tell her you said yes and she can scratch you off the ‘things to be done for the wedding’ list.” He pulled open the door, stepped outside, then hesitated. “See you next Wednesday. And make sure the ‘Tiger’ shows up, okay? I like a little competition.”
David threw his shoe at him. He wasn’t quick enough. The shoe crashed against the closed door. He grinned, grabbed his other shoe and cocked his arm. He didn’t have long to wait. The door eased open and Ted stuck his head through the crack. David let the shoe fly.
“Whoa!”
Ted’s head disappeared behind the door. The shoe sailed through the narrow opening into the hallway. David laughed. Not a bad shot.
A moment later the door opened wide and a grinning Ted tossed his shoe back to him. “Told you you’re off your game tonight, pal. That woman must really be something!” The door closed on his laughter.
David shook his head, retrieved his other shoe and sat on the bench to put them on. Erin Kelly was “really something,” but not for him. He frowned and shifted his thoughts to his friend. Ted married!
David gave a disbelieving snort, zipped his bag and left the locker room. He might have been off his game, but he’d worked up an appetite just the same.
“The penny glee…aaams.”
“Not quite, Amber.” Erin smiled at the teenager sitting beside her. “Remember the rule. When there are two vowels, the first vowel says its own name and the second vowel is silent.”
The girl nodded her head, then bent forward over the children’s reading book. Her forehead furrowed in concentration. “The penny glee…mmms. Gleems!”
“That’s right! Good job, Amber.” Erin’s heart swelled as the teenager lifted her head and smiled. “Friday night we’ll start a new book.” Erin smiled encouragement. “You’ll be reading and writing with the best of us in no time. I promise.”
The tension in the girl’s face eased. She nodded, and rose to her feet. “I hope so. I need to learn to read so I can get a better job. Doing dishes in a restaurant doesn’t pay enough to live on, and I’ll be on my own when I graduate this month. I don’t know what good school did me!” She shrugged and tugged her purse strap over her shoulder. “Thanks for your help, Miss Kelly. I’ll see you Friday.”
“You’re welcome, Amber. Good night.” Erin picked up the child’s reading book they’d been using and carried it to the cupboard.
“Miss Kelly? Will you help me with this word? I don’t think it obeys the rules you taught me.”
Erin turned and smiled at the frustrated fourteen-year-old. “Sometimes words don’t obey rules, Janine. Let me see. Oh. You can do this one.” She put her hand on the teenager’s shoulder urging her forward. “Let’s go sit at the table and I’ll help you figure it out.”
Almost ten o’clock. Another long day. And she still had papers to correct. Erin dropped her shoulder bag on the couch, slid her feet out of her pumps and wiggled her toes into the carpet. Wonderful! What was it about taking your shoes off? She could almost purr.
Erin reached for the TV remote resting on the coffee table beside the framed picture of Alayne she’d requested for her birthday a few weeks ago. She picked up the picture and studied her sister’s face. Alayne was smiling in the photograph, but there was unhappiness in her eyes. Did she know about Jerry’s affair?
Erin frowned. If only she could talk with Alayne about it. If only she could talk to their mom and dad about it! But that was out of the question. The familiar sadness swept through her. Erin sighed, put down the picture, picked up the remote and clicked on the TV. All she could do was wait and make herself available.
Piano music filled the room. Erin sank down onto the couch closing her eyes as a voice started touting a concert in the city. What would it feel like to play like that?
“A Channel Four News exclusive! This is Robert Sheffield reporting live. Only minutes ago there was a shooting here on Humbard Street—”
Erin opened her eyes. The flashing lights of an ambulance and two police cars blinked behind the man on her TV screen.
“—We’ve been unable to talk with police and obtain details as yet, but initial reports place two witnesses on the scene at the time of the shooting. And as you can see…” The reporter stepped aside, giving a graphic description of the scene while the TV camera panned to the sidewalk across the street. Two men knelt beside a body.
“Ugh! Sorry, Robert Sheffield, but this is nothing I want to see.” Erin reached for the remote, then stopped when she caught sight of two men standing with a policeman in a darkened doorway in the background. Poor men. They must be the eyewitnesses. What a horrible experience!
A flash of brilliance from the rotating light of the ambulance swept across the recessed entrance highlighting the men’s faces for a moment and Erin jerked forward. That was David Carlson! She stared at the man on the left. She must be wrong about the witness thing. He was probably just covering the story for The Herald. But he wasn’t talking to anyone. He was just standing there. She leaned closer to the TV, watching David.
Suddenly a hand appeared, and the screen went black. A voice, obviously connected to the hand covering the lens, ordered someone to turn the camera off. There was an indistinguishable mumble in reply, and a moment later the hand was removed, revealing the reporter standing in front of the Channel Four News van. “This concludes our live coverage at this time. We’ll have updates as details become avail—”
Erin snatched up the remote, clicked the TV off and leaned back against the couch. David Carlson. She had enjoyed the time she spent with him, which was unusual because she was always so tense around men. It was probably his professional interviewing skills that had made her relax. Of course, it helped that his behavior had been impeccable. He’d been polite and nice. And he was so intelligent.
Erin bent down, scooped up her shoes and headed upstairs to change into comfortable clothes. Why was she thinking about how nice David Carlson seemed? She’d never see him again—except occasionally on TV. She pursed her lips in speculation. She could be wrong, but it sure looked as if he’d witnessed that shooting. For his sake she hoped not.
David unlocked his door and stepped into his entrance hall. The leather globe light, suspended from the plastered ceiling, shone onto the objects atop the red-lacquered chest below it. He dropped his keys into the brass bowl, then tugged his necktie loose and moved down the two steps into the living room.
It had been quite a day. Witnessing that shooting had shaken him more than he cared to admit. He’d never seen a man’s life snuffed out in the space of a moment before. He’d almost lost his dinner. And then there was the police questioning, and his own limited account of the story to write for the paper. Too bad he had to report in general terms. This story could have been his big break. Maybe it still could be.
David rotated the tension from his neck and shoulders, then flipped the switch that turned on the indirect lighting and punched the button on his answering machine.
“David, darling? Are you there? It’s after eight.” A tiny bit of impatience crept into Brandee Rogers’s honeyed tones. “I thought you’d be home by now. Even reporters— Oh, never mind. I’m calling because I want you to take me to Charlene’s this Saturday night. She’s having one of her fabulous spur-of-the-moment parties, and you know everyone who is anyone in town will be trying to wrangle an invitation. I happened to run into her at lunch today so I’m in. And so are you, darling. She made a point of mentioning you. I’m jealous.”
David frowned at the coy words and tone. He could almost see Brandee’s full lower lip sticking out in an affected pout. She was getting a little too possessive. Maybe he should call a halt to—
“Call me, darling, and I’ll give you all the particulars.” She gave a throaty laugh. “Well, maybe not all of them. Wait until you see me in my new dress. Byeeee.”
Or maybe not. David lifted his hand and rubbed the muscles at the nape of his neck. Brandee might be using him to polish up her social image, but it didn’t do his prestige any harm to have a beautiful model draped on his arm either. And you never knew who would show up at Charlene’s parties. She definitely traveled with the high crowd. Saturday night was a must. So why didn’t he feel his usual enthusiasm? Was it because he couldn’t get a cloud of dark red hair and a pair of beautiful green eyes out of his mind? Let alone the power-packed smile that went with them.
David frowned, leaped the two steps up into the kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator door. He hadn’t been able to get Erin Kelly out of his mind all week. She’d even cost him his Wednesday night handball game with Ted.
David scowled and poured himself a glass of orange juice. He’d dated quite a few women, but none of them had attached themselves so firmly to his thoughts that he couldn’t concentrate. That had never happened before.
When it’s right—it’s right.
Ted’s words set his teeth on edge. “Buddy, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Erin Kelly is definitely not right for me. So you and Ms. Kelly can both get out of my head!”
David guzzled the orange juice, rinsed the glass, then stuck it in the dishwasher and grabbed the handset from the kitchen phone. He was in a lousy mood tonight, but he knew the cure. He pushed a button with his thumb.
“Hello?”
