She nodded but remained silent.
“He’s still in town,” said Max.
“I know.”
“He knows Logan is here.”
Her head jerked up, and fear flashed in the depths of her eyes.
“He’s taking great relish in feeding the rumor mill.” He clenched his jaw, anger making his voice harsh, but she had to know the facts. “His version is that I’m the father and left town to avoid manning up.”
She sunk down in her chair like a balloon with a slow leak. “Oh no.” Unnerved eyes connected with his. “It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry, Max.”
He wanted to agree but knew that wasn’t true. Takes two to tango. “Cade shares responsibility in this, too.”
“I thought he’d grow out of his dislike for you. Or at least grow up.”
“Guys like him rarely do.”
“I never thanked you for what you did.” One red-tipped nail made circles on the table. “Trying to talk to Cade, I mean.”
He gave a non-committal shrug. “No big deal.”
“It was to me.” This time the smile was genuine and reached her eyes. “My knight in shining armor to the rescue again.”
“For all the good it did.”
“Well, he did get the ass kicking he deserved.”
Max grunted. Ancient history.
“He called me the day before you left town.”
This was news to him, and he jerked upright.
“He said if I knew what was good for me, I’d keep my allegations to myself.”
“He threatened you?” It took tremendous effort not to shout. “And you didn’t tell me?”
She pulled at a thread on the hem of the coat in front of her. “I knew he was bluffing. Besides, I had no intention of staying around at that point and told him so.” She sighed and looked at him again, her gaze open and assessing. “I often wondered what might have happened had I taken you up on the marriage thing.”
He shook his head slowly. “We both know that would have been a mistake.”
“Why?”
“Aside from the fact that we were kids ourselves,” he said firmly, “we didn’t love each other. Not in that way.”
“Well, with the hindsight of adulthood,” she said softly, “I can’t help but think it might have worked.” She paused. “You’d make a great father.”
Uncomfortable with her train of thought, he changed the subject. “Have you lived in Dallas since you left here?”
She watched his face closely, then nodded. “Yeah.” She leaned back in the chair. “The money you sent helped me get set up in a small apartment.”
“Your folks?”
“Logan is their only grandchild. They helped out until I was able to go to work.” She straightened, then tugged on that thread again. “They moved to Frisco when he was four.”
“You never married.” It was more statement than question.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Both shoulders rose as she sighed. “I dated some, but most weren’t interested in a ready-made family.” She looked up, emerald eyes probing his. “What about you?”
He shook his head and changed topics. “What do you do? I mean, your job?”
“I work at a bank in North Dallas.” She gave a timid smile. “Made vice president two weeks ago.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
Max broke the extended silence. “Why Logan?”
She rested her chin on her palm. “It reminded me of you.” Her voice grew soft and reflective. “The only good thing that ever happened to me here.”
Another uneasy silence ensued.
