Love With A Stranger (29 page)

“I agree, Cass, but don’t rush yourself into anything; just take it easy for a little while longer. You don’t want to over stress yourself again. You’re looking and sounding marvelous, so please stay that way. I have an idea: why don’t we go out to dinner and a movie Friday night?”

Go on a date with you?
“How would that look to others?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, uncrossing his leg.

“For us to be seen together having fun. People, especially those two detectives, might misunderstand the situation and our relationship.” For some reason, the idea of going out with him socially unsettled her. There was something about Peter tonight that both enticed and repelled her.

“I wasn’t referring to avoiding me earlier: we’re family, Cass.”

“Yes, but you’re unattached; it could look as if we’re…on a date. You know how some people gossip, so we have to think of appearances.”

You didn’t think of them when you gallivanted with Jason! Why, Cass, I do believe you’re blushing. Maybe getting aroused? Are you afraid of falling prey to me or to your own desires? Or trying to shove me aside to get to Jason? If you get too close with him, he could put bad ideas into your head. That wouldn’t please me at all.

Peter chuckled and teased, “Are you afraid I’ll make a move on you because of my ridiculous reputation? If it would calm you down, I could promise you, it’s a bunch of bull.”
I could promise you, but I won’t, and I’d be lying through my pearly whites. Yep, I’m getting to her; look at that blush deepen and those lashes lower.
“Just because I’m almost twenty-seven, still a bachelor, and have dated lots of women, that doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. I just haven’t found the right woman for myself. Besides, why would it look any different to others being seen with me than with your doctor?”

Stop looking at me with that sexy gaze and using that sexy tone of voice!
“You and I practically live together.”

“Not exactly.”

“Well, people might think we do.”

“Are you saying they’ll suspect us of…hanky-panky?”

Cass watched him grin and listened to his hearty chuckles. “It isn’t funny, Peter, and some people do have dirty minds.”

“I doubt anybody would think we’re out on a date just
because we’re having dinner together in public.
We are
family and business partners.”

“You’re right. You know what? It seems so strange to be talking with you about such things, to be sitting together calmly and enjoying ourselves.”

“Yes, it does, but it’s nice to be relaxed around each other and to be friends for a change, isn’t it?” He watched her nod. “You’re an intelligent, attractive, interesting person, Cass, and I enjoy spending time with you. I didn’t realize you were such a good and honest person, and so much fun. I just wish we hadn’t waited so long to settle our misunderstanding. It was mostly my fault; I admit I didn’t give you a chance. I honestly thought you married my father for his money, but I know now that wasn’t true. After Dad died and we got closer, I had the time and opportunity to get to know you, and I like and respect what I see. I guess my suspicions come from all the tricks women have used on him and on me just to meet us and try to land us. When you get ready to date or marry again, don’t worry about me being angry or resentful. You’re a beautiful and desirable woman, so I don’t expect you to hang around the house and pine for Dad. He’s gone, but you’re still alive.”

Cass wondered if it was only her imagination running wild, or if Peter was flirting with her in a subtle manner. Did she harbor repressed desire for him? Or had her tryst with Jason awakened her passions to where they could attach themselves to any man? Or was she, like so many women, susceptible to Peter’s numerous charms? Or was he cleverly trying to test the depth of her feelings for his father? To prevent him from worrying about her turning to another man in the near future, she said, “This is too soon for me to think about dating or remarriage, Peter.”

“Perhaps, but one never knows when one will meet the right person. Don’t allow that stipulation in Dad’s will to control your life. We’ll figure out some way to get around it so you
can get what you deserve. Hardly a legal paper exists that doesn’t have some tiny loophole to exploit.”

What appeared to be a sincere expression and tone did nothing to help her understand Peter’s intent. “It isn’t the money or will that concerns me, Peter; it’s doing what’s proper and fair.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about, because that’s what you will do; I’m certain of it.” As Peter downed the remainder of his drink, he concluded it was a bad idea to allow anything to happen between her and Jason. It would be better to marry her off to somebody else in the near future and to get Jason Burkman out of the picture fast. He held the empty glass and rolled it back and forth between his hands, wetting them with the moisture on its outside. He took a deep breath and exhaled. “When you do start dating, Cass, be very careful of whom you select.”

She sensed there was a particular meaning behind his softly worded warning, so she asked in reluctance, “What do you mean?”

“I just don’t want you being used and getting hurt. We’ve become close friends and I care deeply for you. I want you to be happy.”

“Thanks for your concern and advice, and I’ll be cautious.”

Peter stared at the floor as he murmured, “Cass…”

Her tension mounted as she eyed him. “Yes, Peter, what
is
it?” Was he about to confess romantic feelings for her? If so, what should she—

He flopped back against the sofa and locked his gaze with hers. “How well do you know Jason Burkman?”

Cass stared at him. Did he know about last Sunday or was he just digging for information? “Why do you ask?”

“Please, just tell me how well you know him. It’s important.”

“Cass revealed details of her affiliation with Jason being careful to-omit even a hint of her romantic feelings toward the
man. “We’ve gotten to know each other more during the last few weeks,” she concluded. “Why?”

Peter sent forth another heavy sigh. “I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut, but now I must tell you I don’t trust him. It just seems a little too coincidental that of all the women in this area, he would zero in on you. Unless I’m wrong, he wants to be more than a friend and your physician.”

“In light of what you said to me earlier, why does that bother you?”

“If it were any man but him, it wouldn’t.”

“Do you have a grudge against Jason?”

“Not exactly. He’s the one who has a grudge against me, so going after you strikes me as being suspicious.”

“What makes you think he’s going after me? And I take it you and Jason know each other well?”

“Yep, very well, too well; yet, not at all. This might not be any of my business, Cass, and I could be wrong about him and I hope I am, but I would feel responsible if he hurt you out of a desire for revenge.”

“Jason doesn’t have any reason to be vindictive toward me.”

“Not toward you, toward me. I don’t want him to seek vengeance on me by hurting you, and it would hurt me if he harmed you.”

“I don’t understand, Peter. Please explain what you mean.”

“He hasn’t told you about the trouble between us long ago?”

“No, he hasn’t told me or even mentioned knowing you.”

“Well, he knows me and he hates me, would probably like nothing more than to see me dead and buried. I’m the reason for his divorce, Cass, but it was an honest mistake on my part.”

“You and his wife were…lovers?”

“For about three months, over a year ago, I’m sorry to say. I didn’t know the Burkmans. I met Brenda on the beach, corny as that sounds. We had fun together, talked for hours, and had dinner afterward. I found out later her husband was out of town at a medical convention that week. I didn’t know she was
married, Cass, I swear it. She used her maiden name and had an apartment in north Brunswick. When we couldn’t see each other, she claimed she was traveling for her job, even used the name of an out-of-state business so I wouldn’t catch on to her lies. She said she did some of her work at home; she even had a computer and clothes and everything there to back up her story. There was no reason to suspect I was being duped.”

Peter knew that if Cass checked out that part of his story, she would learn it was true. “I phoned and saw her at the apartment, and thought she lived there when she wasn’t traveling. How she got away with leading a double life still amazes me. Within two months, she started talking marriage, but I told her I wasn’t ready to settle down. She was exciting and enjoyable, but I didn’t know her that well, and I suspected my money and social status were too alluring to her. Looking back, I should have known there was a reason why we almost always ate and…saw each other at her place. She would say she was too tired to go out and she wanted me all to herself. When we did go out for the day or evening, it was always somewhere away from this area; I realized later it was so we wouldn’t be seen together by the wrong person.”

Peter frowned. “One day she took me to a big house she said belonged to friends of hers, that she was watching it for them while they were out of town. While we were in the Jaccuzi and having drinks and playing around, Jason came home and caught us together. I’m positive she planned for that to happen, hoping when he kicked her out, I would take her in. I didn’t; I was furious with her, never saw her again. It was her house, Cass. Can you believe any woman would be so reckless and cruel? Of course, Jason didn’t believe me when I tried to explain how she tricked me; he’s hated me ever since. That’s why I was so shocked and worried when you changed from Hines to him. I didn’t even know you knew him. All I’m saying is be careful around him. Promise?”

“I don’t know what to say, Peter; this is such a shock.”

“If he’s willing to forget and forgive, so am I. I’ll even apologize to him again for the hundredth time if that will do any good. I won’t stand in your way if he means something special to you; I just want to be sure he doesn’t have a hidden agenda.”
If he’s sincere, let him have you. If not, I will, or you’ll be dumped on somebody else because that money and those shares are coming home to me!

“One thing Jason did do, Cass, was keep the truth a secret. to prevent a scandal, so nobody knows about me and Brenda. If I had been named corespondent in his divorce case, I would have fought that charge; I would have hired a lawyer and private detective to prove I was duped just like him. I suppose he wanted to protect his reputation, so he didn’t force my hand in that area. Maybe he decided I was telling the truth. What I can’t understand is why he would befriend my stepmother of all women.”

Stay calm, Cass.
“Maybe he didn’t know we were family.”

“That’s unlikely, Cass; everybody knows who the Granthams are. He knew you were Thomas Grantham’s wife and he knew I was his son.”

“Perhaps he does believe you’re innocent, Peter, and he’s put all of that behind him. He’s always been nice, respectful, and kind to me.”
He even sneaked into this house to save me when he thought I was in jeopardy! Or was he only trying to get to me, to ensnare me, to
—

“Cass, I’m sorry if I upset you. I had to wait until you were stronger and your head was clear before I told you. I swear to you that my only motive in revealing the truth is to prevent you from being taken in by him if he’s up to no good. Please don’t think the worst of me for what I did.”

“You said you didn’t know she was married, Peter, and I believe you,” she told him, and—oddly—she did, this time.

Peter smiled. “Thank you, Cass, that means a lot to me, more than you can imagine. Maybe I should meet with him
and have a serious talk, see if he drops any clues about his intentions toward you.”

“I would prefer it if you didn’t do that, Peter. I don’t have a doctor’s appointment with him until the twenty-nineth and I only see him as a friend on occasion. It could just bring the past to life again for naught. I promise to be on guard with him, and I won’t let him take advantage of me to spite you. If he’s up to no good as you said, he’ll do or say something to expose himself. I do like him and since I don’t have many friends here, I’d hate to lose one over a problem that might not exist.”

“Maybe I was just overreacting and he’s really only interested in you as a friend and patient. Since you’re such a special person, that wouldn’t be strange at all.”

Cass jested to dupe him, “Besides, if you approach him about ‘his intentions’ toward me, that could look and sound as if you’re trying to protect my honor and checking to see if he’s serious about me. It’s much too soon to push him into a corner about any feelings or plans he might or might not have for me. And, unless I decide to date him later, there’s no need to test him, right?”

Peter chuckled and nodded. “I guess I was sounding a little overly protective and old-fashioned. Boy, that’s a new role for me. I won’t rebuke it because it could be good practice for when I have children one day, especially if I have any daughters.” As he set his glass on a coaster, he said, “In a way, you’re lucky you don’t have many friends and acquaintances here; if you did, they’d be trying to fix you up with every single male they know. Then you’d have to worry about hurting their feelings when dates don’t pan out. Lordy, I’ve met women with some really bad problems who want nothing more than a rich and powerful man to solve them. I admit it does get lonely and I do get envious of friends who are settled down, happy, and have families. But when I marry, I want it to be for life, none of this two and three marriages. I want to be the man rearing
my children, not have a stepfather or two taking my place. It’s a shame you and Dad didn’t have at least one baby; you’d make a great mother, and I wouldn’t mind not being an only child anymore. Do you want children, Cass?”

“Doesn’t every woman?” she responded, warmed by the tender tone of his voice and gentleness in his gaze when he spoke about children. He was showing her touching and appealing facets of him she had never seen before tonight. It amazed her how he had changed since his father’s death, and perhaps no longer being in Tom’s overwhelming and dark shadow had accomplished that feat.