The Secret Sin (8 page)

Lindsey clammed up again. Now that she’d showed interest in a subject, however, Annie wasn’t about to let it go.

“Years ago all the fine old families of Indigo Springs lived in this neighborhood,” Annie said. “The mayor, the owner of Abe’s General Store, lawyers, doctors.”

“How about Ryan’s family?” Lindsey asked.

“His sister lives about a block and a half up that street.” Annie indicated the cross street they’d just passed.

“She’s the one who broke her leg, right? Isn’t Ryan staying with her?”

“I believe he is.”

“Ryan said he’d drop by today. Wonder why he didn’t.” Now that the subject was Ryan Whitmore, Lindsey was a regular chatterbox.

“He left a message that he’d gotten hung up.” Annie had been relieved, not up to dealing with his overwhelming presence. “Something about bringing home a dog.”

“A dog! Let’s go see it!” Lindsey did a complete one-eighty, heading back in the direction leading to the Whitmore house.

“That’s not a good idea,” Annie called, hurrying to
catch up to her, her hip aching a little more. Her heart started to race. “We can’t just barge in on him, Lindsey.”

“Why not?” Lindsey asked airily. “He’ll be glad to see us.”

Annie could hardly dispute that point. She anxiously rummaged for another reason to stay away. “It’s impolite to show up without calling first.”

Lindsey whipped out her cell phone and started pressing buttons. “He said I could call him anytime,” Lindsey said and put the phone to her ear. He must have answered on the first ring. “Ryan? This is Lindsey. Is it okay if we stop by to see your dog?”

Annie was so sure of the answer he’d give, her stomach sank.

“Great,” Lindsey said. “We’re almost there now.”

She pocketed the cell phone, then gave Annie a smug look. “He said it’s no problem.”

The large, pale-yellow house where the Whitmores had lived for a generation came into view. It had a steeply pitched, irregular roofline and an asymmetrical beauty. The house was notable enough that years ago the local newspaper had written a story about it, describing it as a vivid example of Queen Anne architecture.

“The most romantic house in Indigo Springs,” the newspaper had called it. An appropriate backdrop for a boy who Annie thought had grown into the most handsome man in town.

He stood in the front yard with his enviable posture, the soft summer breeze rustling his short, thick hair, holding a leash attached to the collar of a large yellowish-
brown dog. An unwelcome spurt of attraction pulled at Annie. There was something irresistible about a man with a dog, something she was determined to resist.

“Come say hello to Hobo,” he called cheerfully.

Lindsey didn’t need a second invitation. She rushed over to the dog, getting down on her knees to pet him. Annie was slower in arriving, reminding herself Lindsey thought she and Ryan were dating, vowing not to feel uncomfortable around him.

“He’s such a cutie!” Lindsey cried. “But I thought you said he was a puppy.”

“Hobo is a puppy,” he said. “An awfully big puppy.”

“That’s an interesting name for a dog.” Annie deliberately joined the conversation. “Why’d you pick that?”

“He looked like a hobo before his bath,” Ryan said. “I found him along the road a couple miles outside of town. I’m pretty sure somebody dumped him.”

So he was the kind of guy who not only braked for stray animals, he brought them home. Annie wished he wasn’t.

“How could somebody do that to a cutie like you?” Lindsey spoke directly to Hobo. The dog licked Lindsey on the cheek, and she giggled. “I think he likes me. Can I walk him to the end of the block and back?”

Ryan handed her the leash. “My guess is he’ll walk you.”

The dog took off as soon as Lindsey took hold. She followed, half running, fully giggling.

“Watch out for cars,” Annie called after her. Lindsey didn’t answer, which wasn’t a surprise.

“Maybe she’d like me better if I got her a dog,”
Annie murmured, realizing too late she’d said the words aloud.

“Tough day?” Ryan asked.

She could have shrugged off the question but he was regarding her as though he truly wanted to hear about it. The burden of shouldering the problem alone suddenly seemed too heavy. She checked to make sure Lindsey was far enough down the street before saying anything.

“Lindsey overheard me tell Jason she was thirteen years old.” Now that Annie had started to confide in Ryan, she found she wanted to tell him everything. “She’s hardly said a word to me since.”

“Had to be done,” he said gently. “Give her a little time, and she’ll come around.”

“I’ve been afraid she’ll say she wants to go home. Even if she doesn’t, I don’t want to spend what little time we have left together in silence.” She gritted her teeth. “Get a load of this. I tried to bribe her into talking to me again with ice cream.”

“Did it work?”

“Are you kidding?” She rolled her eyes. “The way to Lindsey’s heart is not through her skinny stomach.”

He laughed. “I hear you. Food isn’t the answer, but a dog might do the trick. She’s really taken to Hobo. If you meant what you said about getting her a dog, you can have him.”

“Are you serious?”

“It’s the perfect solution. Sierra hasn’t seen him yet but she’s not wild about animals. If I take him to an
animal shelter, chances are nobody will adopt him. So what do you say?”

Her inclination was to say yes. She made herself think through the ramifications. “It could work while Lindsey’s in town, but not after she leaves. I’m away too much to have a dog and my dad might not want him.”

“That’s a problem for another day,” he said.

A bark sounded. Hobo bounded toward them from a distance, Lindsey trailing him. Her face was split in a huge grin as she ran to keep up with the dog.

“You tell her,” Ryan said before Hobo pulled Lindsey the rest of the way into the yard.

“Isn’t Hobo the best?” Enthusiasm bubbled from Lindsey. “If you need any help with him, Ryan, I’m your girl.”

Annie caught Ryan’s eye. He gave her a tiny nod, urging her to take full credit for making Lindsey a very happy girl.

“I talked Ryan into letting us take him home with us,” Annie said.

“Are you serious?” Lindsey sounded like she was afraid to believe it. “You’d really let me have a dog in your house?”

“If you want him,” Annie asked.

“Yes!” Lindsey shouted, throwing her arms around Annie’s neck and hugging tight. “You’re the best, Annie.”

Annie’s eyes teared up as she savored the hug and the fruity smell of Lindsey’s shampoo. The girl let go
far too soon. She added an additional thanks to Ryan, then transferred her attention to the dog, showering him with affection.

Annie blinked to clear her eyes. Ryan winked at her. In that moment, she felt like hugging him, too.

A
NNIE HESITATED
halfway to the reception desk of the Whitmore Family Practice on Monday afternoon when she saw who waited for her, then kept going. Turning back now would only make the next time they met more awkward.

“Hello, Annie. It’s nice to see you again,” Sierra Whitmore said in the overly solicitous way she’d been greeting Annie since high school.

Annie felt as though she was looking at Sierra through new eyes. With her long, straight brown hair pulled back from her face, a hairstyle that emphasized her high cheekbones and delicate features, the other woman bore a striking resemblance to Lindsey. Sierra had a coolness, however, that was absent in Lindsey.

“Hi, Sierra.” Annie didn’t add that it was good to see her. It never was. No matter how many years went by, running into Sierra made her relive one of the most agonizing moments of her life.

It had been the day after she’d made love with Ryan, mere hours after he’d left for Spain. Annie had been in town running errands, still savoring the experience.
She’d been both hopeful and naive, believing she and Ryan had started something that could survive a long separation.

Then Sierra had tentatively approached her on the sidewalk outside the bank, her eyebrows drawn together as though she wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing. Annie still remembered every word Sierra had spoken.

“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you really need to know.” That’s all the warning Sierra had provided before delivering the devastating news. “Some guys at school bet to see who can get you to sleep with them first.”

The rest of the encounter was hazy, but Sierra had tried to console her, saying something about how immature the boys were. She’d told Annie she knew it hurt, but that it was better she find out sooner rather than later.

Sierra hadn’t known it was already too late.

Annie’s impulse to touch her port-wine stain was so strong, she clutched at her thigh with her left hand. No need to remind Sierra the birthmark was there, although she could hardly miss it.

“I was sorry to hear about your accident,” Annie said.

“Thank you.” Sierra’s speech was as stilted as Annie’s. “I can’t be on my feet for long so I’m helping out any way I can.”

“I’m sure your patients are glad you’re here in any capacity.”

“I don’t know about that,” Sierra said. “Ryan’s very popular.”

Annie wasn’t sure how to respond. She could com
prehend how patients would prefer Ryan’s warmth, but there was a lot to be said about a doctor who exuded Sierra’s cool competence.

Sierra checked the book in front of her, then raised her eyes. “I don’t see you in the appointment book.”

Hadn’t Ryan told his sister he and Annie were dating?

“I’m here to see Ryan on personal business,” Annie said. “He has some things for Hobo we didn’t take with us yesterday.”

“We?” Sierra asked.

“A friend of the family is visiting.”
Your niece,
she thought. “A teenage girl. She’s watching Ryan’s dog for him while she’s in town.”

Annie felt her muscles tense as she waited for Sierra’s reaction. She’d long ago concluded Sierra hadn’t been aware Annie had already slept with Ryan when she’d told her about the bet, but she was Ryan’s sister. She could know about Lindsey now.

Sierra nodded, apparently unphased by the mention of Lindsey. Annie relaxed but only slightly.

“Ryan’s with a patient. If you take a seat, I’ll let him know you’re here,” Sierra said. Annie only got two steps away when she heard her name. “Annie?”

She turned to find Sierra gazing at her with an odd expression. She heard the other woman clear her throat, which was even stranger; Sierra usually oozed confidence.

“Yes?” Annie prodded.

“I know you use another doctor, but I hope you’ll reconsider. I can promise that we’ll treat you well here.”

“Thanks,” Annie said, at a loss how else to respond.
She wondered if Sierra’s offer had been motivated by the past, if the other woman realized how much her “warning” had affected Annie’s life.

Annie settled down to wait in one of the vinyl chairs in the reception room. She picked up the nearest magazine, which happened to cover fashion and thought of Lindsey while she flipped through it. The girl had been unremittingly cheerful last night after they’d brought Hobo home, the argument over Jason forgotten.

Ryan appeared ten minutes later, filling up the room with his energy. He was dressed in the same casual manner as at the pediatrician’s office, in navy slacks and a blue long-sleeved polo shirt that made his eyes look even bluer.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, ladies.” He addressed both Annie and a woman nearby obviously suffering from a cold. “We’re a little backed up today, Mrs. Martinelli, but I promise it won’t be much longer. Just hold on.”

“I’m trying,” she said, and seemed to settle more comfortably into her chair to wait.

He caught Annie’s eye and inclined his head toward the exit. She got the silent message, standing up and walking with him to the door.

“Hey, Annie,” he said in a low voice, his smile reaching the eyes that looked so much like Lindsey’s.

“Hi,” she whispered back.

Something had changed between them. They were still two people thrown together because they had a treasured teenager in common, but now it felt as though they were a team.

That was a good thing. It was in their best interests to get along, to make the most of their brief time with Lindsey.

“The rest of Hobo’s stuff is in my car.” He jiggled the keys in his hand and held the door open for her.

The bright August sunshine seemed to bathe Main Street in light, causing the scene outside the office to come alive. It was approaching midday so traffic was heavier than normal, both on the streets and the sidewalk. The town seemed to emit a bright cheerfulness, or maybe that was Annie’s mood.

“I’m parked over here,” he said. Even though she knew he was in a rush, he didn’t hurry. “How’d it go last night? Did Hobo keep you awake?”

“Lindsey slept on the sofa beside his crate. When I woke up this morning, she was asleep with Hobo curled up against her. I think they fell in love at first sight.”

“Hobo has excellent taste,” he said. They shared a smile, and again Annie had the sense that they were a unit.

“I already called the animal shelter,” he added. “Nobody’s looking for Hobo, so the next step is to take him to the vet.”

“Already have an appointment for later today.”

“Tell the vet I’ll be by later to pay for it.” He unlocked his car remotely, then reached inside, emerging with a bright-blue plastic water bowl and a teething toy. “This should do it.”

“Thanks,” she said.

“I can at least finance him,” he said. “After all, I’m the one who picked him up off the side of the road.”

“I don’t mean thanks for that, although I do appreciate it,” she said. “I mean thanks for helping me smooth things over with Lindsey. It meant a lot that you let me take the credit for Hobo.”

“You’re welcome.”

She liked having him on her side, she realized. While she doubted the two of them could become close friends after all that had happened between them, they could certainly be friendly.

“You’re coming over tonight, right?” she asked.

“I’ll be there,” he said. “What time’s good for you?”

“Is seven-thirty too late?” she asked. “I have some paperwork I need to finish up.”

“Perfect. It’ll give me a chance to get in a workout,” he said. “How about if I bring a pizza?”

“Sounds good,” she said.

He handed her the dog supplies, his hand inadvertently brushing hers. “See you tonight.”

“Tonight,” she repeated.

He turned and waved before disappearing into the office. She rubbed her hand, recognizing the thrill that had shot up her arm as physical attraction.

So what if it was?

She was too smart to get involved with him a second time.

Besides, what could happen with Lindsey acting as a chaperone?

R
YAN CAUGHT
the inbound pass, weighed his options, drove to the basket and went up for a score. Another
body came hurtling across the court, leaping at him with a hand outstretched to block the shot. The basketball reversed direction, bouncing off Ryan’s head and out of bounds.

“That’s what I call a headbanger!” Chase Bradford shouted.

Ryan rubbed the top of his head and located Johnny Pollock on the outdoor court, which wasn’t tough to do. Monday was usually a slow night for pickup basketball, and there were only four of them present. Added to that, Johnny wore black safety goggles because he’d been poked in the eye last week.

“Hey, Pollock,” Ryan called. “You should have warned me Chase was obnoxious.”

“What can I say?” Johnny was bent over, breathing hard, his hands resting on his thighs. “That’s just his personality.”

“Come on!” Chase protested. Ryan had heard he was a forest ranger. He looked the part—tall and fit with sun-lightened hair and tanned skin. “You told me to get in his head.”

“Damn, Chase,” Johnny complained. “Tell him our strategy, why don’t you?”

“Just keep taking it to ’em, Ryan.” Michael Donahue, Ryan’s teammate in the two-on-two game, returned from retrieving the ball from some nearby bushes to stand on the sideline. Like Johnny, he’d been a few years behind Ryan at Indigo Springs High. “They’re afraid of you.”

“He’s missing all his shots,” Johnny said. “Why should we be afraid of him?”

“You gonna take that?” Michael asked before tossing the ball to Ryan.

He caught it, squared up to the basket and launched a three-pointer that felt good coming off his fingertips. He raised his hands in the air in triumph before the ball swished through the hoop with perfect backspin.

“Lucky shot!” Chase yelled.

Ryan scored again on a pretty defensive move the next trip down the court, then followed it up by dishing the ball to Michael for the winning layup.

“That’s it!” Chase declared as the four of them gathered at the bench on the side of the court where they’d left their water bottles. “I’m done with the trash-talking.”

“Good idea.” Ryan picked up his water bottle and drank thirstily. “You suck at it.”

“Tell me about it,” Chase said. “Everything about my game’s rusty. I need to play more.”

“Chase was a single dad for a while.” Johnny was sitting down on the bench, his legs spread in front of him. “Now his girlfriend helps out with his son.”

“Fiancée,” Chase corrected. “We’re getting married later this year, then we’re going to legally adopt Toby. Kelly’s already a great mom.”

“Congratulations.” Ryan thought there was probably a story there. “I’d like to meet her sometime.”

“How about tomorrow night?” Michael’s face was damp from where he’d splashed water on it. “A group of us are getting together at the Blue Haven. You and Annie should come.”

“How do you know I’m seeing Annie?” Ryan asked.

“Sara told me.” Sara Brenneman was Michael’s girlfriend and a lawyer with an office a few doors down from Whitmore Family Practice. “She hears everything so she knows everything.”

“Then she knows about the teenage girl visiting Annie.” Ryan figured it was best to talk about Lindsey openly as though he had nothing to hide.

“Only because I told her,” Michael said. “Her name’s Lindsey, right? Nice kid. I met her the other day with Annie.”

“Annie won’t want to leave her alone.”

“Does Lindsey babysit?” Chase asked. “I’d rather not ask my dad. He and his wife are settling into their new house.”

“Charlie and Teresa got married!” Michael exclaimed, while Ryan figured out that the Charlie Bradford who’d been in for a physical last month was Chase’s father. “When did that happen?”

“My dad talked Teresa into flying to Las Vegas last weekend,” Chase said. “He didn’t want to give her a chance to change her mind about marrying him.”

“Sounds like something Charlie would do,” Michael said, chuckling. “So you and Kelly didn’t go to the wedding?”

“Hell, yes, he did.” Johnny joined the conversation, answering for Chase. “Kelly got my wife to agree to watch their little boy, then told Chase no way were they missing the big event.”

“She can be a bossy little thing,” Chase said as if he minded, but he sounded like a man in love.

Ryan wished there was a woman who cared enough about him to make sure he did the right thing. His mind skipped to Annie and the night they had planned. He tossed his water bottle in the trash just as he spotted another player approaching the court. “Here comes a fourth. I need to call it a night anyway.”

He headed away from the men, fishing his cell phone out of his bag, intending to order a pizza, then take a quick shower.

“Ask Lindsey about the babysitting,” Chase’s voice trailed him. “I’ll call to see if it’s a go.”

“Sounds good,” Ryan responded casually, as though getting together at the Blue Haven wasn’t a big deal. On the surface, it wasn’t. Couples met friends in bars every night of the week.

Except this
was
different because he and Annie weren’t a couple in the traditional sense. Sometime in the past few days, though, he’d gradually realized he wanted them to be.

Joy had suggested he spend more time with Annie. If she agreed to the Blue Haven, she might start wanting to be with him instead of feeling it was a duty.

Those, however, were very big ifs.

T
HE DOG
leaped in a blur of yellowish-brown fur. Ryan stood his ground, holding the cardboard takeout box above his head while withstanding the assault of oversized puppy paws scratching at his legs.

“Down, boy,” he said.

The dog’s eyes were bright, his tongue hanging from
a mouth that looked as if it was grinning. Ryan laughed aloud and reached into his pocket, withdrawing the rawhide bone he’d picked up at the drugstore and giving it to the eager dog.

“Bad boy, Hobo!” Lindsey appeared, pulling the dog away from the door by his collar so Ryan had a path to enter. She slanted Ryan a narrow-eyed look. “Did you just reward him?”