Lost Identity by Leona Karr Page B

question—why in heaven had he let himself become emotionally involved? Their lifestyles were worlds apart. He should have handled the whole situation in a sensible, detached way.
    Now, she knew who she was, and even if she didn’t quite accept it at the moment, she was surrounded with people who would reinforce that identity. When he heard her footsteps in the hall, he was suddenly convinced that the wisest thing for him to do was to withdraw from the whole situation as speedily as possible. This conviction was reinforced when he saw her for the first time as Patricia Radcliffe, wealthy socialite, instead of a drowned waif with fear in her eyes.
    Instead of the inexpensive sundress he had bought her, she wore an expensive stylish tunic and pants set in a pale yellow color. Her long hair had been shampooed and swept up in a twist, softened by wispy tendrils falling around her face. She was absolutely stunning. A choked breath caught in Andrew’s chest, and he could scarcely breathe.
    “What’s the matter?” she asked, searching his face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “Like what?” he managed, making an effort to get his emotions under control.
    “I don’t know, like—like you’re looking at something you don’t like.” She smoothed the soft fabric of her narrow pants. “Janelle laid this out for me. She said it was one of my favorites.”
    “Very nice,” Andrew said, forcing a smile. “You have good taste.” The minute he said it, he knew he’d said the wrong thing.
    “Do I? I guess I’ll have to take yours and Janelle’s word for it. Nothing in my closet seems the least bit familiar.” Her face clouded. His forced reaction had not gone unnoticed. She’d taken the time to look her best for him, and she could tell that he didn’t feel any more comfortable with her metamorphosis than she did.
    “It’ll take time to settle in,” Andrew reassured her, realizing he also needed time to get his emotions back on an even keel. All day, he’d been going over what had happened that morning. He had tried to look ateach one of the people in her life with as much of a detachment as possible, but he always ended up in the same place. He didn’t like Curtis and Darlene, and the jury was still out on Janelle and Gary. “Does anything ring a bell?” he asked.
    Trish shook her head. “No. Janelle did her best to orient me, but I felt like someone taking a tour through the place. It’s strange, because when I looked over my desk, I understood what the business papers meant, but I don’t remember why. I can’t put a frame around anything, not even people. And the fear is coming back. I want to run away and hide.” She gave a feeble laugh. “Kind of childish, isn’t it?”
    “Not at all.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with a fingertip. “Give yourself some credit.”
    She stiffened against his touch. More than anything, she wanted to feel his arms around her and hear his soothing voice assuring her all of this was just a nightmare. But she knew better. The time for denial had passed.
    “Can we get out of here for a little while?” she said, taking a deep breath. “I really need some space.”
    “Sure. It’s a nice evening. We’ll take a walk and find some place for dinner.” He was relieved that she hadn’t expected him to stay and eat with her and Janelle. Having her all to himself for even a short time was an unexpected blessing.
    “I’ll tell Sasha.” A sparkle came back in her eyes. “Janelle went back to her place to pack a few things. I’m taking her up on her offer to stay around for a few days, and help me get my bearings.” She slipped her arm through his. “I warn you, though. You mayhave trouble persuading me not to run away with you.”
    “I’ll take my chances.”
     
    T HE CLEAR SUMMER evening was one of those cooled by a soft breeze and softened by a glow of myriad stars. As they walked arm in arm under a canopy of trees in Central Park, Andrew