True Devotion by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Susannah glanced at her watch as she pulled the car up to the front of the lodge on Saturday evening. It was late—later than she’d expected to be returning with Jen from working on the homecoming float. Her lower back ached, and she longed for the comfort of her bed.

But Jen had seemed in a talkative mood when she picked her up, and the girl had been chilled after working on the float in the unheated garage the youth group had borrowed. So Susannah had suggested hot chocolate, and they’d stopped at the café.

The minutes had stretched into an hour as Jen talked and Susannah listened. And tried not to wonder which of the cozy booths Trevor had sat in, waiting for a call every evening.

She now knew a lot more about Jennifer than she’d known before. Certainly more than Nathan knew. But how she could translate that into a better relationship between Jen and Nathan—well, that she didn’t know.

It wasn’t her business, or her responsibility. The reminder didn’t seem to absolve her of the need to try.

“It’s later than I thought it was.” Jen’s hand halted its movement toward the door handle as she looked at the time on the dashboard clock.

This was probably not the right moment to remind Jennifer that Susannah had suggested the girl call to tell Daniel that she’d be late.

“I’ll walk in with you,” she said casually. “There’s something I want to mention to Nathan, if he’s here.”

Jen’s face seemed to stiffen at the name, but she got out and waited while Susannah negotiated the steps. Did Jen feel the need for moral support? That seemed likely.

That need was justified the moment they walked into the hallway. Nathan stood waiting at the bottom of the steps, his face an eloquent storm. Probably only the murmur of voices from the lounge saved them from thunder and lightning.

He took a quick step toward them. Susannah’s heart quailed, but his gaze was locked on Jen, not her.

“Where have you been?” The fact that his voice was low didn’t disguise the anger in it. “Don’t you know how late it is? Why didn’t you call?”

Barraging Jennifer with questions wasn’t the way to get answers, but she didn’t think she’d point that out to Nathan now. She could hear the concern under his anger, but Jen probably didn’t.

“Sorry,” she put in quickly, before Jen could get out the sharp retort that was undoubtedly on her tongue. “It’s my fault. I suggested we stop for hot chocolate, and I’m afraid we lost track of the time.”

The look Nathan shot her was annoyed. Clearly he’d prefer her absence to her presence. Well, he wouldn’t get his wish this time.

“That’s nice of you, but Jen knows it’s her responsibility to call if she’s going to be late.” He frowned at the girl. “Don’t you?”

“It’s not that late.” Jen retreated behind a sulky mask, the lively, interesting face she’d shown to Susannah wiped out in an instant. “Anyway, what do you care?”

“Of course he cares.

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