Chapter 7Fran watched Ben tense, emanating the latent energy of a coiled spring. For a moment, she thought he was going to try to stop her with physical force, but he didn’t. Abruptly, he relaxed.
“All right, have it your way. There’s a coffee shop across the street from the Vacation Lodge. I’ll meet you there about seven.”
“That’s fine.” She paused, seized by a sudden reluctance—reluctance to leave the protective shelter of Ben’s home, of Ben himself. After her protests, she felt silly, but opposing fears still stretched her between them like a rubber band. She didn’t dare analyze her feelings.
“That’s fine,” she repeated. “And thanks for listening, for believing me.”
Ben frowned and shrugged, a small, irritable twitch of his shoulders. “I haven’t done anything yet, but I will. I’ve g
