Part 296 (1/2)

”I'll ask him. He's ... Dad,” she said on impulse. ”What is it

that makes you so comfortable with Michael?”

”He's steady as a rock. And he loves you as much as I do. He'll make

you happy. That's all I've ever wanted.”

”I know. I love you, Dad. I'll see you soon.”

Maybe it was just that easy, she thought as she hung up the phone. She

had a man who loved her, and who could make her happy. She'd never

doubted Michael's feelings, or her own. The doubts came from whether

she would be able to give anything back.

Bundling into a slicker, she raced into the rain. The least she could

give Michael when he returned was a hot meal.

She enjoyed pus.h.i.+ng the cart up and down the aisles of the market,

choosing this, selecting that. By the time she checked out, she had

three bags loaded. Drenched, she settled back into the car. It was

only three, but she had to turn on her lights to cut the gloom. Jet lag

had set in, but the fatigue was almost pleasant, and suited to the rain.

The road was all but deserted. Other shoppers had planned more

carefully, or were waiting for the storm to pa.s.s. Perhaps that was why

she noticed the car behind her, turning where she turned, always keeping

two lengths behind. Turning up the radio, she struggled to ignore it.

Paranoia, she told herself.

But her eyes kept flicking to the rearview mirror, and she could see the

twin headlights glowing steadily behind her. Emma increased her speed,

a little more than safety allowed on the slick roads. The headlights

paced her. She eased off the gas. The trailing car slowed. Catching

her lip between her teeth, she swerved into an abrupt left turn. Her car