[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
as one on the dance floor. Never had she felt more connected to another human being.
The song ended and one of Trick s slow ballads had started to play. George had
immediately tensed and tried to pull away, but Carol had held him tight. She had felt the
growing erection in her lover s jeans as the two of them had danced to Trick s deep voice. For
the first time, she had really listened to the words of the well-known recording.
Was this written for you? she d asked.
George had nodded. A long time ago.
The song spoke of loving someone so completely you ached with it. Carol had been able
to tell by the tension in George s body that he was uncomfortable. It s okay that you still
love him, she d whispered in his ear.
BENT-NOT BROKEN Carol Lynne
40
George had pulled back. No. It s not. I m sorry.
Gazing into George s eyes, she d known he was being torn apart. She knew from past
experience that some men believed that if you didn t love your lover exclusively, you didn t
really love them at all. Carol knew that wasn t so. Maybe it was up to her to show George he
could love more than one person at a time.
Carol? Nate s voice brought her out of the past.
Sorry. Did you say something?
Nate chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. Good night I take it?
Does everything always have to be about sex with you? she asked.
The smirk on Nate s face as he tried not to laugh was answer enough.
Here s your mail. There s a letter on top from Trick Allen, she informed him, handing
over the stack of paper.
Nate s brow rose. Okay. I get it now. He gave her a knowing smile and disappeared
into his office.
She noticed Ethan giving her a questioning look. Carol shook her head and waved her
hand. Inside joke, sorry.
Ethan shrugged and turned back to the stack of mail he was sifting through.
Carol? Can you come in here? Nate called.
She knew exactly what he wanted, and grabbed her coffee cup on the way into his
office. After shutting the door, she filled her cup from Nate s private stash and took a seat.
What do you think?
I was about to ask you the same question, Nate answered.
Carol took a drink of her coffee as she stalled. I think you should say yes.
What would George say if I asked him?
Carol squared her shoulders. I think he d tell you no, but I also think he d come to
regret it.
Nate leant back in his chair and crossed one leg over his knee. Still no movement on
that front?
No. Every time I try to talk to him about it, he changes the subject. But I see him
staring off into space sometimes, and I know he s thinking about Trick.
BENT-NOT BROKEN Carol Lynne
41
Nate leant forward and picked up the letter before holding it out towards Carol. Why
don t you call Mr. Allen and discuss dates with him? I m sure a nice concert in the park
would do the city good.
What about outsiders? I think Trick wants this to be a fundraiser, she reminded Nate.
Nate shook his head. No. What Trick wants is an excuse to come back to town. See if
he s got any pull with one of them cable networks. Maybe an intimate concert in the park for
residents only, but the cable company could tape it to be broadcast later. I bet we d raise
more money and wouldn t upset our residents as much.
Carol liked the idea. Maybe one of the gazebos for a stage?
Nate nodded. Yeah. The one by the lake would be pretty all lit up at night. Just make
sure you tell him the press can t find out about it. I won t have my town overrun with news
vans again.
Carol glanced down at the paper in her hand. Are you sure I should be the one to call
him?
Nate leant against his desk. I think you re the perfect person to talk to him.
He stood and walked around the edge of the desk. I m going to take off for a while. I
think I ll head out to check on Asa. Feel free to use my office for your call.
How is Asa?
Nate shrugged. Different. He s still pretty much confined to bed. Although I think he
likes it when I take him for a ride outside in his wheelchair.
Despite her injuries being more severe, Carol knew she was lucky to be up and active in
only a month and a half. Poor Asa would probably have months of therapy once the doctors
let him start walking again. Give him my best.
I will. If I m not back before you leave for the day, give me a call later to tell me how
the conversation went.
Carol nodded. She moved to Nate s comfortable chair and picked up the phone. She
wasn t sure how long she stared at the number before she finally dialled.
Hello?
Carol almost hung up in a panic. His voice sounded even deeper over the phone. Trick
Allen?
Who is this?
BENT-NOT BROKEN Carol Lynne
42
Carol McGowan. I m calling from Mayor Gills office in Cattle Valley. She held her
breath waiting for his response.
Hi. You sound like you re doing much better.
Carol exhaled. She was relieved he hadn t immediately hung up. Yes. I ve started
working half days again.
That s good to hear.
The silence seemed to stretch until they were both uncomfortable. But I think he
misses you, she blurted out.
Trick cleared his throat. Did he say that?
No, but I see it in his eyes.
D& do you love him? Trick asked, his voice thick with emotion.
Very much. I ve been trying to gather the guts to call you, but I wasn t sure if you d
want to speak to me.
Carol heard someone yelling Trick s name in the background. I m sorry. Did I catch
you at a bad time?
They re all bad lately. But you re right. I do need to go. May I call you later?
Um& before six?
Is that what time George gets home?
Yeah. She heard the same person yelling for Trick once again. Do you have a piece
of paper? I can give you my number.
I have it.
You do? She wasn t listed in the phone book. All she had was a cell phone.
Yeah. George left it for me last time he joined me on tour. He said if there was ever an
emergency, and I couldn t reach him, to call you.
Carol s hand went to her chest. The pain in Trick s voice was so thick she could feel it
seep into her own body.
I m sorry, she whispered.
So am I. Listen, I ve got to go tape a commercial, but I should be finished in a few
hours. Will you be available then?
Yes.
Okay. Thanks for talking to me.
Trick? she said before he could hang up.
BENT-NOT BROKEN Carol Lynne
43
Yeah?
Do you still love him?
She heard a noise she couldn t identify. More than I ever have, he finally said and
hung up.
By the time Carol put down the receiver, she was in tears. She buried her face in her
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]