Read Online Ask a Shadow to Dance by Linda George - Free Book Online Page A

and would find something else he might not be able to tolerate.
    The barbecue was great. Joe had grilled sirloins, Polish sausage, and chicken. There was so much pork barbecue in Memphis that the other meats were a welcome change. Shawna had fixed potato salad, slaw, red beans, a green salad and homemade rolls. Everyone ate until stuffed. When apple cobbler was brought out, David begged off for at least an hour. Joe’s recliner would have felt wonderful, but Candy suggested they take a walk. Shawna piped her approval and dragged Joe away to the kitchen for a trumped up chore. David doubted Joe would burst her bubble with news of David’s breakup with Candy. He’d leave that little task to David.
    It was a beautiful night for a walk. In the spring every yard would be resplendent with azaleas and dogwood and a dozen other blooming plants, but there were plenty of fall flowers to complement the yellow ginkgoes in November. Joe’s barbecue perfumed the neighborhood.
    Candy took David’s arm. He hadn’t thought of it as a possessive gesture until tonight. He had to put a stop to this now. Candy beat him to it.
    “David, I think we need to talk about our future.”
    “I agree.”
    “You do? You’ve never wanted to talk about it before.”
    “I think it’s best we understand each other.”
    She was quiet for a moment. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”
    “I didn’t mean for it to sound ominous. I just think we need to take a breather, that’s all.”
    “A breather? You said that before. We did. You think we need another one?”
    She wasn’t going to take the news gracefully. If there was one thing about Candy he could bank on, it was honesty, with no punches pulled. At this particular moment, though, he would’ve preferred calm acceptance. She didn’t let him answer.
    “You want us to take a breather from what? Each other? What’s that supposed to mean, David? I thought we had something special here.”
    “We do. We did. I’m just not comfortable going any further with it right now, though.”
    She pumped her chin up and down a few times and pulled her arm out of his. “I see. In other words, you’re dumping me.”
    “I didn’t say that. We ought to look at things carefully before we … that is, before I’m ready to—”
    “I get it, David. There’s no need to spell it out for me. You aren’t ready to get married because you’re still mourning your dead wife after five years. Fine. Do you have any idea how many more years you’re going to mourn before you’re ready to commit yourself to a new relationship?”
    Her remarks about his “dead wife” were uncalled for, in his opinion. He clamped his mouth shut so he wouldn’t say something he’d regret later. She saw she’d gone too far.
    “David, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I thought … I guess I was wrong. Let’s go back to the house.”
    “I really need to get home.”
    “I’ll get Shawna to take me later.”
    They walked back to the house in silence. The minute they came through the backyard gate, onto the patio, David could see in Joe’s eyes he knew it was done. Candy disappeared into the house.
    “Ready for dessert, David?” Shawna was oblivious to anything but her own agenda.
    David declined the cobbler, even though it smelled good, excused himself after asking Shawna if she’d take Candy home later, and left without seeing Candy again.
    At home, he realized he hadn’t had a chance to talk to Joe and dialed his number.
    “What’s up, Bro?” He wasn’t asking any questions or volunteering any information. David reminded himself to thank Joe sometime.
    “Listen, Joe, I have to talk to you. It’s important. Remember the woman I told you about—the one I met at Marilu’s dance?”
    “Have you seen her again?”
    “Today. In my office. With her face swollen from her stepson using her as a punching bag. I wanted to talk to you at your house tonight, but—”
    “No problem. What can I do?”
    “There are