The Heart of the Matter by Muriel Jensen Page B

picture—at least for her.
    “You stay here,” she said, getting to her feet. “I’ll see if I can track down some coffee.”
    When she returned with a full pot of coffee and a stack of magazines, Jason guessed that she didn’t want to talk anymore.
    That was fine with him. He no longer knew what to think, much less say. “I’m infatuated with you despite your paranoia, will you come to New Hampshire with us?” somehow didn’t seem like the right thing at the moment. But he didn’t like the thought of two weeks without seeing her—even if it was just from the stage of the church auditorium.
    So she had a problem with trust. Who didn’t? It was a world that abused the unwary.
    Barry strode into the room about an hour later. “He’ll be good as new in about six weeks, but you’ll have to be sure he stays off of it.”
    Jason stood. “Should we forget the New Hampshire trip?”
    Barry shook his head. “No, it’d be good for him. You weren’t leaving until Monday, right?”
    “Right”
    “He’ll be ready to travel by then. We’ll keep him tonight so you won’t have to worry about every little sound he makes. I’ll bring in a cot for you.”
    Then he clapped Jason on the shoulder. “Come on. I’ll take you to dinner in the cafeteria. He won’t be awake for a little while yet. Want to come, Laura?”
    She shook her head, smiling politely. “Thanks, but I’ve got paperwork to finish before I go home.” She turned to Jason, her expression still glossed with the same formal courtesy. “Have a great vacation. And don’t forget tokeep up the good nutrition and exercise. We don’t want you backsliding. See you in class when you get back.”
    And she walked out into the brightly lit hallway.
    “Well,” Barry said, watching her leave. “That was disgustingly amicable. I thought you two might have it out while you were in here.”
    Jason pushed Barry toward the door. “Have what out?”
    “Whatever it is that’s turned you into a grump and her into a hermit.”
    Jason stopped him from stepping out into the hallway. “Hermit?”
    “I found her in her office this afternoon, shades closed, music off, brooding. That was shortly after you bit my head off for asking you how you were.”
    “You asked me how the date went,” Jason corrected him.
    “Same difference.”
    “Hardly. You were snooping.” Jason hooked an arm around his friend’s shoulder and stepped out with him into the hall. “And I was defensive because I don’t know what to tell you. She confuses me.”
    Barry frowned at him as though he were dense. “Have you ever met a woman who didn’t? We’re guys. If you understand them, there’s something wrong with you and you end up joining the National Organization of Women.”
    Jason turned to him and felt his sense of humor reestablish itself now that he knew his son would be fine and that he still had the weirdest and best friend he’d ever had.
    “You’re such a Neanderthal, Barry,” Jason said affectionately. “I can’t believe there are six women vying for your affections at this very moment.”
    Barry sighed as though he bore a great burden. “I’d show you how to do it, but first you’d have to sell the kids. And it’ll be hard to unload Matt with a broken leg.”
    An hour later Matt opened heavy eyelids and smiled at Jason. “I dreamed I was a Power Ranger,” he said sleepily. “And I flew all over.”
    Jason guessed the anesthetic had tapped into his fantasies.
    “Where’s Laura?” Matt asked.
    Jason opened his mouth to explain that she’d had to go back to work, but a female voice cut him off.
    “Right here, sweetie.” Laura appeared over Jason’s shoulder and reached over him to touch the boy’s face. “You were so brave, I had to get you something.”
    He tried to move but was still too groggy. His eyes struggled to find her. “What?” he asked in a croak.
    She held up a bright yellow dump truck. “The gift shop didn’t have any Power Rangers. Is