Page 14 of If We Never Met

Her comment intrigued him, so once again he opted to follow her rather than go to his room. Keira had told him that her mom was ill, but this woman looked vibrant and happy. Keira, on the other hand, looked like a storm cloud about to burst.

"Mom," Keira said. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"What about, dear?" her mother asked.

"Why don't we go to the other room?"

"That would be rude. Why don't you introduce me to this handsome man you've been talking to?"

Keira followed her mother's gaze to him. "Oh, this is Dante."

"Hello, Dante, I'm Ruth," the woman said. "Keira's mother."

"You two look like sisters."

"And you're quite charming. This is my friend, Mark Langley."

When he looked more closely at the older man, he realized the man was staying in the room next to his. "Dante DeAngelis," he said, extending his hand. "I think we're neighbors."

"Yes, I saw you this morning," Mark replied with a friendly nod.

"Mark is the administrator of the new rehab center," Lizzie put in.

"Then I'll probably see you again. I'm rehabbing my arm and shoulder there for a few weeks."

"That's excellent. We'll take good care of you."

"Why don't you both sit down?" Lizzie suggested. "Can I get you some wine, Dante?"

"Actually, I'm going to head upstairs."

"Oh, don't run off," Ruth protested. "Tell us about yourself. How long will you be staying in Whisper Lake?"

"A few weeks, depending on my rehab progress," he answered.

"And then you'll be going where?"

"Miami. I play baseball there."

"Oh, that's interesting," her mom said. "Are you sure you don't want to join us?"

"He already said no, Mom," Keira interjected. "In fact, we should go, too. I can drive you home and save Mr. Langley a trip across town."

"No. I'm going to stay and chat with Mark. I'll meet you at home," Ruth said firmly.

Keira blew out a frustrated breath.

He didn't know why Keira was acting so crazy about her mom being out with Mark Langley, but clearly there was something going on he didn't understand.

"I'll make sure she's not out too late," Mark said quietly, giving Keira a reassuring look, but she didn't look at all reassured.

"You go on, dear," Ruth said, waving Keira toward the door.

"All right. I'll see you at home," Keira said.

As she left the room, he followed her into the entry. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.

"That man is wrong."

---