worth more to you than Esther?” He got up, patting the younger man on the shoulder. “And don’t worry about her. I won’t let anything happen to her. But we can’t let Darrin take away everything her mother had without fighting back. The man killed my daughter,” he added, and his blue eyes glittered. “He’ll pay for it.”
“I’m sorry about your daughter,” Butch said, finally finding his voice.
“I’m sorry that I had to disrupt your life,” the old man replied. “Things happen. But it’s how we react to them that matters. Esther will keep in touch with you while we’re away.”
Butch managed a smile and nodded as he got up. The old man noted that he took his own slip to the counter to pay for his meal. Esther’s grandfather wouldn’t have tried to pick up the tab. Butch and his pride were going to have some conflicts before this was over, but he was certain that the man loved his granddaughter enough to overcome the obstacles. What Esther felt was more than obvious. They’d manage.
* * *
Esther waited on the curb for Butch to pick her up. He was late—a first, because he’d never been late before. He got out of the truck and helped her into the passenger seat before he got back in and drove them away.
He didn’t say a word all the way home. Esther tried to make conversation, but it was so difficult that she finally just gave up and sat quietly beside him until they reached the cabin. He helped her out and went ahead to unlock the door.
“I’ll get supper,” she said.
He glanced at her. “I’ll need to feed the animals out back.”
He went out. She changed out of her uniform into slacks and a loose blouse and went into the kitchen to find something to cook.
By the time he came back, she had a nice omelet and fresh biscuits on the table, along with perfectly cooked bacon.
“Please notice that the biscuits don’t bounce,” she said, trying to lighten the atmosphere at the table.
He didn’t seem to notice. He finished his meal and turned on the television set, intent on the news.
Esther cleared the table and washed dishes. One of their future purchases was going to be a dishwasher. She didn’t dare mention it now.
She sat and worked on a crossword puzzle, watching him covertly while he settled down with a documentary program after the news went off.
He still hadn’t said a word.
When he turned off the television, she just looked up at him with sad eyes. “Do you want me to leave?” she asked.
“If you like,” he said. His voice was flat. He looked around. “You’re used to crystal and silver and probably half a dozen people to keep up the houses your mother owned. What a hell of a comedown this must have been.”
“Actually, I spent most of my life avoiding my mother’s boyfriends. I had our housekeeper, Agnes, to make my birthdays special and fix presents for me at Christmas. I don’t remember my mother ever being home for any holiday at all.” She averted her eyes. “It isn’t where you live, Butch. It’s how you live, the people you live with, that make it a home. I’m happier here in Benton than I’ve been anywhere in my life. I don’t expect you to believe that.” She shook her head. “I should have told you the truth at the very beginning. But you were so kind.” Her blue eyes lifted to his cold, dark ones. “I’d never had kindness from a man, or real affection. It was . . . like magic.”
He felt guilty. But only for a few seconds. She was rich and he was poor. His pride couldn’t get past that. How could any man live with it?
“I’m sorry,” he said. He shrugged. “Sometimes relationships just don’t work out.”
“I’m pregnant,” she pointed out.
He swallowed. Hard. “Well, it’s early days yet,” he said, biting down hard on the agony it cost him to say that. “If you want to do something about it . . .”
She got up from her chair, walked past him into the bedroom, and started filling a duffel bag with her few items of clothing.
He watched her, his mind on fire with doubts and aching loneliness. She was going away, and he’d forced her into that decision. Him, with his pride and his insecurities.
“Your grandfather said to give it a few days,” he said curtly.
“Sure. We’ll give it a few days.” She was furious and