Page 40 of Hank

"I know, but you have to let us out."

"Mom, you guys?—"

"Wait…" He held his breath as she hesitated, before glancing over her shoulder at him. "You don’t understand," she said, staring down at him. "I have a date to get ready for."

"Michael’s has really good food," Jo said from behind her menu. Then she peeked over the top and gave him a smile. "Mags and I eat her a lot."

"She seems like a good friend."

"She is. She’s my best friend." From her expressive eyes, it was obvious she loved the other woman. "Along with Colleen and Faith too, of course. But Mags and I, we’re more like sisters."

"I understand. I still have a group of friends in Colorado that are the same way."

"Colorado?" Her brow crinkled. "That’s a big jump to Parson’s Ridge. How in the world did you end up here?"

The wine they’d already requested was placed in front of them, breaking in on what they were saying.

Dammit.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Jo?"

"Mmm…" She looked at the menu again, then back at the waiter. "The filet medallions with the mushroom and wine sauce, and…" She pursed her lips. "The wild rice risotto and asparagus."

"That sounds good. I’ll have the same."

"Very good."

The man took their menus. At least now she had nothing to hide behind.

"So," he said. "How does a guy from Colorado wind up in a small, mountain town in Georgia?" He took a sip of his wine, then set it back down and looked into her eyes. "He turns down a university teaching job with a fast track to tenure, and one that would make a lot more money, so that he can make a difference with younger kids."

"But why Parson’s Ridge?"

"Internet ad." Strange how something so simple had changed his life. "It looked like a nice town, I could handle the pay, and the school had a good reputation."

"Wow, I’m impressed. Not many?—"

"Well, look who’s here."

Jo stiffened and her face blanched at the woman’s voice from behind him. Seconds later, she appeared at the side of their table. He’d seen her before. She was… Oh, yeah, the sour-facedwoman at practice who’d ended up being Dennis Snodgrass’ mother. He couldn’t remember her first name.

"Carolyn," Jo said. "It’s nice to see you."

"Yes," Carolyn said. "I’m sure it is. And it’sinterestingto see you here, and with Dr. Lawton." Hank had seen Jo happy, aroused, aggravated, and several other emotions. But he’d never seen the current look on her face before. It was pure dread mixed with a whole lot of true anger. He didn’t like it. "I guess the rumor is true then."

"What rumor," Hank asked, looking between Jo and the woman looking down her nose at them. The man who he had to assume was her husband, stood meekly by not saying a word.

"Why, the one about you and Jo here, of course." She turned her accusing stare on Jo. "So much for your denial that anything was going on between the two of you."

"There’s no rumor," Jo said, her words hard. "Only perhaps among you and yourfriends. And my business ismybusiness and not up for commentary."

Hank stood. He didn’t like the idea this woman thought she could be intimidating to him or to Jo. Plus, he didn’t like her.

Carolyn’s eyes flashed up to his. Not that he towered over her, but he was taller.

"Jo and I are here for a private dinner. I would assume you and Mr. Snodgrass are as well. And since neither of us wants youhere,I’ll just suggest you can go to?—"

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