Marta Perry by Search the Dark Page A

give up on learning anything about Aaron and Laura.” He was beginning to sympathize with Samuel in his need to keep his sister from being hurt.
    “If that’s what Jeannette intended, she’s wrong. I’ll make her eat those words before she’s done.”
    Meredith looked like some avenging fury at the slight to her father. She’d reacted with that same kind of passion when he was the accused, but it hadn’t done any good. They had been kids, easily outmaneuvered. But they weren’t kids now.
    “Look, forget Jeannette. The truth is the best weapon against someone like her. What did your neighbor have to say?”
    Meredith seemed to wrench her thoughts back. “Rebecca? Not much, unfortunately. I did get Lainey’s address from her, so I could contact her if necessary, but I’m not sure she can help.” She frowned. “Rebecca insisted she didn’t see anyone that night, and she wouldn’t lie. Still, I had the feeling she was holding something back.”
    “It seems like a lot of people in Deer Run are doing that.”
    She nodded, running her hands up and down her arms.
    “You’re cold.” He yanked down the zipper on his jacket. “Take my jacket.”
    “No, I—”
    He draped it around her shoulders while she was still trying to argue, and he flashed back to another moment, another time, when he’d done the same thing. They’d been up at the lake, sitting on a bench, talking, and he’d realized she was cold. He’d slipped his jacket around her, and...
    Her gaze caught his, startled and aware, as if she knew what he was thinking.
    She drew away quickly, but she hugged the jacket around her. “I...I suppose you need to be getting back to your job soon.”
    She was putting up barriers, reminding him that his life was elsewhere.
    “My boss told me to take the time I need. He seemed to think I had things to settle here.” He skipped on, not sure he wanted to explore that with Meredith, of all people. “I haven’t even gone to the house yet.”
    “Why not?” Her steady gaze didn’t let him duck away from the question.
    “Too many memories, I guess. I have to make a decision about it soon.”
    “Let me go with you.” She reached out to clasp his hand, momentarily depriving him of speech. “Please. I could meet you there tomorrow afternoon.”
    He should say no, but he wasn’t going to. “Sounds good. Around three?”
    “I’ll be there.” She stood, slipping the jacket off and handing it to him. “I’d better get inside.”
    Was she regretting her offer or that impulsive touch? He couldn’t tell. “I’ll walk you.”
    “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
    “Now you’re asking the impossible.” He lifted his hand to touch her cheek lightly, meaning it to be the briefest bit of encouragement and comfort. But her skin warmed under his hand, and he couldn’t seem to break the contact.
    Meredith was the one who spun away. “Good night.” The word floated out behind her, and she was gone.
    He stood immobile for a long moment, trying to get himself under control. He’d better stop kidding himself. The feelings he’d had for Meredith years ago were back, twice as strong, and he hadn’t the faintest idea what he should do about it.
    * * *
    “I’ M PERFECTLY FINE , M EREDITH .” If she wanted Meredith to stay with her on a Sunday afternoon, Margo thought, her daughter would be eager to leave. “Go and visit your friend Rachel for a while. I’m just going to sit here and do the Sunday crossword or maybe take a little nap.” Margo flipped up the footrest on her recliner and settled the newspaper on her lap.
    “If you’re sure.” Meredith grabbed her handbag and jacket as if she expected Margo to change her mind. “Call my cell if you need anything.”
    “Of course, dear.” Margo bent convincingly over the newspaper, pretending to study the crossword grid. She held the position until she was sure Meredith had walked past the windows and disappeared in the direction of Rachel’s