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“Is the ice helping?” Jane asked him.

“A little,” he answered. “I can’t believe how much it hurts.”

“Yes, well, Byron—Brian—has a very hard head,” Jane told him.

Kelly leaned his head back and groaned. “I feel like such an idiot,” he said. “I behaved like a five-year-old who was mad because someone stole his milk money.”

“It sounds like he stole a little more than that,” said Walter. “I’d have decked him too.” He looked at Jane and grinned. “In fact, I believe I threatened to do exactly that.”

“Boys,” Jane said. “You’re all impossible.” Despite what she said, she reached out and took Walter’s hand.

“Who is that guy?” Kelly asked. “Some kind of bisexual writer kung-fu expert, or what? And how weird is it that right after you had a run-in with him he came on to Bryce?”

“Not as weird as you might think,” Jane said. “Speaking of which, how are you feeling about things with Bryce?”

Kelly waved a hand in the air. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I’ve been with the man for almost ten years. And I guess if I was willing to fight for him, I must still love him. He’s going to owe me big time, though. We’re talking a trip to Europe, or maybe a country house.” He bit his lip, then raised an eyebrow. “Besides, I have to admit, there really is something about Brian.”

“Don’t you even think about it,” Jane said quickly.

Kelly laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll be a good boy.” He stood up. “And now it’s off to bed for me. This has been more than enough excitement for this city boy. I had no idea you country folk were so wild.”

“Wait until tomorrow,” Walter told him. “We’re planning a barn raising.”

Kelly went upstairs, leaving Jane and Walter alone. Jane still hadn’t let go of Walter’s hand. Holding it was reassuring. He was something solid to cling to, something real and warm and safe. I could sit like this forever, she thought.

“I like him,” Walter said.

“Like who?” Jane asked.

“Kelly,” said Walter. “To tell you the truth, I was sort of hoping he’d say things are over with this Bryce guy. I was going to set him up with Hank.”

“Hank?” said Jane. “You mean your electrician Hank?” She got a mental picture of Walter’s longtime friend and sometime co-worker. He was a big man, with a thick beard and hands that reminded Jane of bear paws.

Walter nodded. “Big Hank,” he confirmed.

“I had no idea,” said Jane. “Anyway, I don’t think they’d have much in common.”

“There you go, making assumptions again,” said Walter. “Isn’t that what you thought about us?”

“Not at all,” Jane said. “Well, perhaps a little,” she admitted.

“Hank might surprise you too,” Walter told her. “And look at Kelly there. He threw a pretty mean punch. I wouldn’t be surprised if pretty boy’s nose is a little bit crooked after this.”

I wouldn’t count on that, Jane thought. More likely, Byron had already healed from the encounter, as well as from the minor wounds Charlotte had inflicted. As for Charlotte, Jane really wasn’t terribly worried about her. Now that she’d revealed herself, she likely would be afraid to try anything more. Still, Jane would be on the lookout.

Walter squeezed her hand, and Jane looked at him. He had a somewhat worried expression on his face. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he said. “It’s a bit difficult for me to say.”

Here it comes, Jane thought. Her heart sank. Walter had figured out that there was something not quite right about her. He was going to tell her that they couldn’t be together after all.

“Things have been moving very quickly, and I feel that—” Walter began. But before he could continue he was interrupted by Jasper, who ran into the living room. He woofed and looked meaningfully toward the kitchen.

“You already had dinner,” Jane reminded him.

Jasper woofed again.

“I think he wants to go out,” said Walter.

“Of course,” Jane said. “I’ll take him. You just hold that thought.”

She jumped up and hurried into the kitchen. She was relieved to get away from Walter. She knew what he was going to say, and she wasn’t ready for it. Just when I decided that ‘maybe things can work, she thought sadly as she opened