Page 101 of Winter Vows

“Nothing.”

“I thought we knew each other well enough to speak our minds,” Kelsey scolded. “You don’t have to censor yourself with me.”

Trish still seemed hesitant. “I just don’t think I should get into this. Dylan wouldn’t want me saying anything.”

“About?” Kelsey asked, then waited.

“It’s just that this has been incredibly hard on him,” Trish said finally.

Puzzled, Kelsey stared. “Why? I’m sure he’s a caring man who’d be upset to see anyone suffering, but you make it sound as if something more is going on.”

Trish hesitated.

“You’re making me nervous, Trish. What don’t I know?”

“Did you know he has a little boy of his own?”

Kelsey was stunned. Dylan had never mentioned him. “No. He hasn’t said a word.”

“He doesn’t talk much about Shane.”

He certainly hadn’t said anything to her, she thought, hurt by the omission. How could he not share something so personal with her, especially in the past day or two when they’d been getting closer?

“Why?” she asked Trish.

“Because he gave up custody. Shane is with Dylan’s ex and her new husband. He pretty much tries to pretend his son doesn’t exist, but it tears him up inside that Kit has the boy and he never sees him.” In that instant Kelsey realized why Dylan had kept his distance, why disdain had once crept in just when she thought they were getting closer.

“I see,” she said, fighting the feeling that she’d been had, that he had betrayed her. It wasn’t an entirely rational reaction, given how hard he’d been working for her and the secret she had deliberately kept from him, but that didn’t seem to matter. She had to wonder just how hard he really had been working. Had he only been going through the motions, because it was expected of him by people whodidmatter to him?

Trish studied her worriedly. “I’ve made it worse, haven’t I? I knew I should keep my mouth shut. Now you don’t trust him. This is exactly what Dylan was worried about.”

“I do have to wonder whose side he’s really on.”

“Yours,” Trish said adamantly. “He would never let his personal feelings interfere in a case.”

“I should have known about this, just the same.”

“I agree,” Trish said. “I told him to tell you.”

“Then why didn’t he?”

“He said he needed you to trust him, if he was going to help you.”

“He was right about that,” Kelsey said coolly. “I need to trust him.”

Trish squeezed her hand. “You can, you know.”

Kelsey shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Numb, she fell silent. A short time later, she made an excuse that she had a raging headache and sent Trish away. Then she called Dylan at the sheriff’s office.

“I want to see you,” she said, when he came on the line.

“Can it wait?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Has Paul called again?”

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