Read Online A Bridge to Love by Nancy Herkness - Free Book Online Page B

the recollection would have
made her smile through a haze of tears. Now she wanted to scream at David for
ruining even her memories.
    Kate
dropped onto one end of the wicker porch swing as Oliver seated himself two
feet away on the other end. She tucked her legs up under her, giving Oliver the
job of keeping the swing going.
    “I
didn't know that you had decided to start dating,” Oliver began. “Patrick told
me that you went out to dinner last weekend. With a man who owns a helicopter.”
    Kate
laughed without much humor. “That wasn't a date; it was a mistake.”
    “I'm
not surprised. Randall Johnson isn't exactly in your league.”
    “Excuse
me?” Kate said in a slightly frosty tone.
    Oliver
smiled as he said apologetically, “I didn't mean it that way. I meant that he has
a certain reputation, which wouldn't appeal to you.”
    “What
reputation is that?”
    Oliver
shrugged. “He's a womanizer. Here today, gone tomorrow. He attracts starlets
and fashion models.”
    “All
blond, according to Georgia,” Kate added.
    “Exactly.
The very rich live by a different set of moral standards than you and I do.”
    Kate
couldn't repress a bitter laugh. “Don't be so sure about that.”
    Oliver
raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.
    Regretting
her outburst, Kate stared into her wineglass for a moment. “It's not worth
discussing.”
    Oliver
looked as though he had more to say but he obligingly changed the subject. “The
boys tell me they're walking dogs to make money.”
    “Yes.
It was all their own idea, and I'm about to burst with pride.”
    “They
also said you sold the Porsche.”
    “It's
hard to keep a secret with the two town criers in residence,” Kate said
lightly.
    Oliver
reached over and took Kate's free hand. “Kate, are you in that much financial
trouble? I don't want you to struggle. Let me help.”
    Kate
let out a shaky breath as she gave Oliver's hand an affectionate squeeze. “I'm
just trying to plan for the future. This old house is expensive to maintain,
the boys' expenses are going to keep going up, I have to save for college
tuition... the list goes on and on. The bottom line is that I have to go back
to work.”
    “Clay
and Patrick are still pretty young, Kate. You don't want them to be latchkey
kids, do you?”
    Kate
pulled her hand away. Oliver was making her feel guilty so she snapped at him,
“No, I don't, but sometimes one doesn't have a choice, does one? David didn't
make any provision for his death, so I'm left to cope with the consequences.”
    “You
seem angry with David.” Oliver sounded shocked.
    Yes,
she was but she wasn't about to tell Oliver why.
    “No,
no. Just upset and a bit overwhelmed. I didn't expect to be in this position
and I wasn't prepared for it,” Kate said, sagging back into her corner. She
mustered a weak smile. “I'm sorry. I don't want to leave Clay and Patrick alone
either.”
    “I
have no business commenting on your decisions,” Oliver said with an apologetic
touch on her hand.
    “Sure
you do. You're my friend and that's what friends do.”
    Oliver
was silent for a while. His long legs were stretched out and crossed at the
ankles, his knees folding and unfolding with the swing's motion. Kate couldn't
help comparing his short straight nose and classic features to Randall
Johnson's strong profile and slashing cheekbones. Kate shook her head to banish
the image. Oliver was a very attractive man with clear blue eyes and a slow
smile. He was considerate, caring – the exact opposite of Randall Johnson. He
was also slightly dull.
    Kate
sighed and Oliver spoke at the same moment. “Have you considered marrying
again?”
    “You
and Georgia!” Kate said in exasperation. “This is not the Dark Ages, you know.
Women don't solve all their problems by getting married. Besides, I'm sure that
my hypothetical husband would be just delighted to know that I married him so I
didn't have to get a job.”
    Oliver
laughed. “I'm not suggesting that you marry someone