Suspicions of the Heart Read Online Free Page B

never
know."
    That blind trust had driven a wedge
between her and her father when the divorce became final. Her
father defended Fargate's actions. Defended them! And she couldn't
quite forgive that.
    Cheating was cheating, and she wasn't
putting up with it even for her father. Fargate made his choices.
Three months after they were married she caught him in his office
with his secretary. His defense was that Candy was a cold fish and
refused to be a real wife to him. It was true. After her wedding
night she was adamant.
    As charming and good-looking as Fargate
was, he was a barracuda in bed, and Candy wouldn't let him touch
her. He had been drinking, and had expected much more than she
could ever dream of giving. She'd never forgiven him for that.
Perhaps she had been a cold fish. Without a mother's guidance she
had little to base a marriage on. But she wouldn't allow his
brutality again. She had a choice, and she took it. It cost her a
marriage.
    And he went elsewhere.
    "Are you all right?" Fargate leaned to
touch her arm when she closed her eyes for too long.
    "Yes," she said and quickly opened
them. "Did Munroe say what he wanted with the land?"
    Fargate studied her, evaluating her
question obviously. "No, but his land borders yours and I'm sure he
wants to expand. It makes sense. He mentioned something about
Longhorns, but I wasn't interested enough to pay close attention.
Why, is something wrong?"
    "Wrong? No," she replied too quickly.
"I was just curious. Well, I'd like to thank you for handling
things for dad. I know how much he cared for you. He trusted you to
his discredit. Now, I'll see myself out unless there's something
more to discuss?"
    "You never did, did you?" Fargate's
voice stopped her.
    "Never did what?" She half turned to
look at him.
    "Trust me?"
    "I don't think it matters
now."
    Fargate dropped his hands to his side,
as though he had given up the battle he had begun. "I think I
mentioned lunch. And you do have to go by the bank."
    "All right." Candy didn't argue. She
knew better. She couldn't win an argument with this man. "But let's
take care of the business first."
    "Fine."
    "Are you free now?"
    "As a matter of fact, I'm free all
morning."
    Not on her account, she
hoped!
    The late June sun was practically
blistering the sidewalk as they left the building and walked the
short distance to the bank. Exercising his authority, Fargate took
complete charge of the matter and they were through within an hour.
The deposit box was nearly empty. There were a few titles and
securities. Odd and ends that only she would find
valuable.
    And there was a picture of her mother
and a set of keys to her father's old Ford that wouldn't start; she
smiled reflectively.
    Moments later she and Fargate sat at a
small table for two at a rather exclusive Italian restaurant. She
stirred the sugar into her iced tea, squeezed a lemon and glanced
at Fargate across the table.
    "So, where have you been keeping
yourself, Candy?" he asked, his eyes locking onto hers with a
serious expression.
    "Rodeos mostly, since dad
died…"
    "It's been a long time, hasn't
it?"
    "Yes, it has." She knew she was
blushing, and sipped her tea. This conversation was too personal
for her liking.
    "I've missed you. I'd like to start
seeing you again, Candy." He reached for her hand.
    She had been prepared for almost
anything, but this took her completely off-guard. He couldn't be
serious. She let him take her hand into his, influenced momentarily
by the dim lights and soft background music. But only for a
moment.
    Jerking her hand from his, she shook
her head. "What on earth for?"
    As though she had stung him, he
flinched, and then frowned. "You're bitter--aren't you?"
    "No," she rushed to deny. "I found out
a long time ago that I wasn't in love with you, Charles. That's
why…"
    "Are you sure of that? You didn't give
us much of a chance you know. One mistake and you half caused it
yourself."
    "Sometimes once is enough."
    If she allowed him, he would