Count on Me (Bayview Heights Trilogy) by Kathryn Shay Page B

it and she refused to fall victim to the pain again. Dropping the magazine she held, she stood and smiled pleasantly when Kurt’s door opened and he and Erica came out.
    “Things okay?” The issue of Erica’s dislike of Kurt needed to be addressed openly.
    “Just fine,” Kurt said. “Right, Erica?”
    She saw Erica struggle. Her chin came up and her hand closed around the strap of her purse. But finally she smiled. “Yep, just fine. Dr. Lansing and I have a schedule all worked out.”
    Unexpectedly she walked over and hugged Zoe. “Don’t worry, Ms. C,” she whispered. “I won’t let you down.”
    Touched by the sentiment, Zoe hugged back. “I know you won’t.”
    Erica left with a lukewarm, “Goodbye, Dr. Lansing,” and suddenly Zoe and Kurt were alone.
    The late-day sun shone through the windows and glanced off Kurt, accenting his high cheekbones, kissing the cleft of his chin. He looked tired—and alone. A wave of sadness swept through her, but she ignored it. “I’m glad things went well with her.”
    He leaned against the doorjamb, looking at Erica’s receding back. “She’ll do anything for you. They all will.”
    “Years of building their trust,” Zoe said simply.
    “Mmm. Trust. That’s the key, right?”
    “Absolutely.”
    “They ever abuse it? Your trust?”
    “Of course they do. They’re kids.”
    “And you forgive them.”
    “Yes.” Pique arose in her. “Where are you going with this, Kurt?”
    “Nowhere. I’m sorry.” He straightened. “Do we need to meet?”
    She glanced at her watch. “Yes. If you have time, I’d like to do it now.” She didn’t want to schedule another meeting and spend days dreading it.
    “I’ve got nothing but time.” He sighed.
    “May I use your phone first? I left mine in the car.”
    “Sure.” He stepped aside so she could enter his office; tactfully he waited in the outer area.
    His office was bigger than the one in the city, but just as jammed. Unpacked boxes, walls bare of photos and certificates told her he hadn’t settled in yet. She crossed to the oak desk and picked up the phone. Dialing quickly, she waited. The call went unanswered. She dug into her purse, looking for the cell-phone number she had in her pocket directory. After several rings, he finally answered. “Ransom.”
    “Hi, Alex, it’s me. I’m running late.”
    “That’s fine. I’m caught up in something here, anyway.”
    She smiled into the phone. “You work too hard. Is six-thirty good?”
    “Great. We can still have dinner and make it to the football game.” He pitched his voice low. “Don’t dress in heavy clothes. I’ll keep you warm.”
    “Stop. I’m going home to change.”
    His laugh was happy and uncomplicated. “I’ll pick you up at your condo.”
    “See you then.”
    “Zoe?” he asked, concern in his voice. “How’d it go today?”
    “Just fine. See you soon.” She hung up and pivoted; Kurt stood in the doorway watching. Listening.
    There was an unmistakably possessive look on his face. His whole body was tense as he came toward her. “I thought you wouldn’t date him because he was too young.”
     He is . “I’m not dating him.”
    “Sounds to me like you are.”
    “Look, this really isn’t any of your business.”
    Raking a hand through his hair, he circled around her and sat behind his desk. He looked like a student who was so full of emotions he didn’t know if he could contain them. “I knew it was going on.” He swallowed hard.
    “You have no right to say anything about what I do, Kurt.”
    “I realize that. It doesn’t change the facts. I’ve been imagining you with him for the past year—”
    She held up a hand. “Stop right there. I won’t listen to this. We’re history. Dredging up the past and how you felt when you went back to your wife is not of any interest to me.’’
    He blew out a heavy breath. “Fine. Let’s talk about the kids, then. What do you need from me?”
    She cleared her throat. “We’ll