She glanced around before she followed Jo up the street and met Lawton’s gaze. He nodded and touched his hat brim before striding briskly off to his truck.
Melissa watched him go, longing tugging at her heart. Much of her mistrust of him had faded today. She found added relief in proving they could talk and even touch without her falling apart. Perhaps the time would come when it would be possible to do more, at least to be friends.
Surely anyone who could be so patient and understanding with a group of handicapped kids couldn’t be the cold, distant person Lawton often seemed. Maybe it’s just me—I wish I knew. Will the real Lawton Kane please stand up? But Lawton, real or otherwise, drove away, leaving her still without answers or comprehension.
* * * *
At mid-morning, Melissa stepped
