Always Devoted by Karen Rose Smith Page B

herself in his arms.  But the realization that her husband had betrayed her, had been unfaithful, convinced her to look at Linc differently, too.  Her father hadn't known the meaning of vows.  He'd left.  And now to learn that she herself had chosen wrong...that her husband had tossed their vows as if they were worth nothing...caused her world to totter on its axis.
    She needed to know what happened.  Her mind was spinning with all the scenarios.  But did she really want to know?
    "He was older than Paige," Linc said.  "He should have been her protector, not at the worst her seducer or at the least succumbed to temptation."
    Linc sounded angry and Emma wasn't sure who he was angry with.
    "We'll never know what happened."  Maybe that was best.
    "You don't think you can look into your sister's eyes and see the truth?"
    "I don't know if I can look into anyone's eyes and see the truth."
    Linc looked as if she'd landed a blow.  She wanted to say she was sorry.  But she was just being honest with him.  Earlier she'd given into desire and a passion like she'd never known.  But Linc hadn't been able to say what he'd felt.  He hadn't been able to say she was important to him...more than an affair that could burn out if another prettier woman came along...or if his schedule got too busy...or he decided she wasn't what he wanted after all.
    Barrett had made that decision.  He'd turned away and looked to someone else.  "Can you leave me alone, Linc?  I can't think straight right now.  I can't even fathom how I'm going to face her and what I'm going to say.  For the past few months, I thought she was dead!"
    "You don't want me to help you think this through?"
    "You can't.  This didn't happen to you.  You weren't betrayed by the people you loved most."
    "I know what betrayal feels like," he reminded her.
    Yes, he did.  Someone he'd loved had betrayed him, too.
    When Linc stood, he didn't move away immediately.  "This man, Tim Levine, really put himself out for Paige.  He likes her, and I think she likes him.  Apparently this happened during the holidays before Barrett died.  I believe Paige confided in Levine because he was a stranger and she didn't have anyone else to turn to."
    "She had me!  If Barrett forced himself on her, she should have come to me."
    "I'm not sure force was involved.  I think liquor and bad judgment was.  But that's for you to pull out of Paige."
    "Why did she run away?"
    "Because she didn't want to ruin you memories of Becky's dad.  Because your marriage had been sacred to you and she didn't want to spoil that.  Because she felt guilty living with you."
    "If she felt guilty, then she did do something wrong."
    "That doesn't mean you can't forgive her.  That doesn't mean you can't forgive yourself for not seeing any of this."
    "I'll say it again, Linc.  This didn't happen to you.  I don't even know where to start to begin to deal with it."
    "By seeing Paige."
    When he bent and stroked her cheek, his thumb dragged against her jawline, reminding her of every place he'd touched...every place he'd kissed.
    Finally he did what she'd asked.  He left her room.
    After he did, her tears began falling and she didn't know if they'd ever stop.
    #
    Paige's apartment was located in a stucco building near other stucco buildings of the same ilk.  Emma guessed college students were their main renters.  She had planned to drive here herself, but Linc had insisted he'd drive her and stay in the car if that's what she wanted.
    That wasn't necessarily what she wanted, but that's how it was going to be.  She knew Paige might not come home.  If Tim Levine had told her that Emma was here, her sister could have chosen to run again.  But this time that was her prerogative.  This time if she wanted to run, Emma wouldn't stop her.  She wouldn't look for her, either.  Not again.
    Paige's apartment was located to the front of the building, so Emma knew Linc could see her as she propped against the black