Read Online Trust in Me by Kathryn Shay - Free Book Online

full of false bravado, Joe said, “Hi, everybody. Sorry I’m late. There was heavy traffic coming out from the city.”
    Eight heads turned toward him.
    Don’t look at her
    A tall, balding man rose. He approached Joe. “I’m Al Hunsinger.”
    “I know who you are, Mr. Hunsinger.”
    The man cocked his head. “Have we met? You look familiar.”
    Here goes. “It’s because I grew up here, but I left town six years ago. I’m Joe Murphy.”
    A small gasp drew everybody’s attention, including Joe’s. His ex-wife—all compact five feet of her—had frozen like a trapped animal. Next to her, his ex–best friend gripped her arm.
    Linc hadn’t changed much. He was still stocky and muscular and had the irrefutable aura of a gangster. Of an Outlaw. It was Annie who looked different. She was still as slender as she’d been six years before, with the long muscles and lean lines of a dancer. But all that glorious hair was gone.
    A memory assaulted him. Pete had told him to be prepared for these ambushes. Over my dead body you’ll cut your hair. Now get over here and shut up.
    He nodded to her.
    With grim resolve, he scanned the others. “I know some of you,” he said with a smile that cost him. “I’m sure my presence here is a surprise to you, but I’ve been working in the Youth Division of Social Services in New York for a while now, and I asked to be sent to Glen Oaks.” He gave them a self-effacing grin. “You’re probably surprised to see me in this role, so if you want to get coffee and take a seat, I’ll pass out my résumé. You’ll be able to tell that I’m fully qualified to be Director of Social Services here. I’m confident I can facilitate this worthwhile committee, and I hope you’ll accept me for who I’ve become.”
    Several people got up to get coffee; all of them shot concerned looks at Annie and Linc, who remained rooted to the spot by the window.
    Joe set his briefcase down on the table, took out copies of his résumé, shook hands with the still slick-looking Roman Becker, the Council’s lawyer, and with the probation officer with the tired eyes. The secretary, Jane Meachum, was a pretty, innocent type, who gave him a shy smile. Then he distributed the papers to the six people near him, introducing himself and shaking hands as he went along.
    His heart beating like a drum, he forced himself to head for the window. Remember the plan. If you could recover, you can do this. Too soon, he stood in front of them.
    Linc’s arm slid around Annie’s shoulders. God, she was so little Joe had to keep himself from wincing. He topped her by a foot, and had close to a hundred pounds on her.
    She’d never stood a chance against him.
    Viciously pushing the thought away, Joe looked her straight in the eye. “Hello, Annie.” He glanced to her left. “Linc.”
    Annie straightened and moved away from Linc. Her warm amber eyes were frosty, and her mouth a grim slash in that beautiful porcelain-skinned face. “Joe.” She cleared her throat. “What are you doing here?” Her voice was strong. He was glad she’d gotten some backbone.
    “I came home, Annie. I want to see my son.”
    Her gaze flew to Linc’s, panicky. Before they could say any more, Joe added, “I hope you two will look at my résumé. I think it’ll help to calm your fears.” He shrugged. “It’ll be a start, anyway.”
    Annie shook her head.
    Though he’d expected this, it still made his heart trip in his chest. “Linc, will you try to convince Annie to give me a chance? I’m back to stay, and I promise I won’t do anything to hurt anybody. But I want to see my son.” He handed them his résumé. “Read this.”
    With that he turned and walked back to the table. He could feel their eyes bore into him, could still see the traces of fear in Annie’s. Rightly so.
    Unbidden, the ghosts came. The last time he’d seen Linc, they’d been in a shadowy waiting room at Glen Oaks Hospital, where Annie was having a miscarriage.