Read Online Whistler's Angel by John R. Maxim - Free Book Online Page A

would do that, a clamp on a holster?”
    “Claudia…it’s just an old belt.”
    “I’d like us to go camping. Just you and me.”
    “Why camping all of a sudden?”
    “I want us to go camping so that we can be alone. Two days, just us, no one else within miles. You can kick back and take all the time you need to tell me who Adam Whistler is.”
    “I already have. There’s not much more to tell.”
    “The silences, Adam. All those long thoughtful pauses. Those times when I knew that you wanted to say something, but you couldn’t quite bring yourself to say it.”
    “There’s no...wife or anything. If that’s what you think.”
    “My mom got that much from your dad.”
    “There’s no one. It’s true.”
    “I also saw the look between you and your dad when mom asked if there were brothers or sisters.”
    “There are none.”
    “You say are . Were there ever?”
    Whistler took a long breath and let it out slowly. He picked up a rock and he threw it before answering.
    “Claudia...not all evasions are sinister. I did have a sister. She died very young. It is not the sort of thing one would chat about at dinner. It remains a hurtful subject for both me and my father. I am asking you to leave it alone.”
    “Oh, boy.”
    They walked on a little farther. He asked, “Oh, boy, what?”
    “It’s personal and it’s hurtful. I understand that. But you can’t drop a thing like that with a thud and expect me to leave it alone.”
    A sigh. “For now, then. Please leave it for now.”
    “Could I at least know her name?”
    Another breath. “It’s Alicia.”
    “How young?”
    “Nineteen.”
    “I have one other question. Then nothing more, ever, unless you bring up the subject.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “Is the subject so hurtful because you caused her death?”
    Whistler blinked. “God, no. What would make you think that?”
    “It’s...more that I don’t want to think it.”
    “Well, I didn’t. She was in school in California at the time and I was here in Boulder at UC. You thought what? Drunken driving? I ran us into a tree?”
    “Adam, give me a break. Who wouldn’t have wondered?”
    “You saw regret and assumed it was guilt. I regret that I was so far away. I regret a hundred things that I wish I’d said or done. People always do when it’s too late.”
    “I realize that, Adam. And I’m sorry.”
    “Let’s forget it.”
    “I have another question...different subject...involves us. But maybe I’d better let it wait now.”
    He grunted. “Look who’s talking about thuds.”
    “Well, it’s a little personal. And you might take it wrong.”
    “When has personal stopped you? Dive right in.”
    “Better not.”
    “If you don’t, I will tie you up and leave you for that cat. But don’t let that effect your decision.”
    “Okay, here it is. Do you find me attractive?”
    “Are you kidding?”
    “No, I’m serious. Do you?”
    “On your worst day, Claudia, you’d still be world class. On the inside, you’d rate even higher.”
    She said, “Hmmm.”
    “Okay, what?”
    “So, maybe it’s the inside that’s holding you back? You think you shouldn’t mess around with Snow White?”
    “ Uh-oh ,” thought Whistler. He could see what was coming. He said, “That’s not it at all.”
    “Well, then, that’s the other reason why I want to go camping...I would like you either to make love to me, Adam, or explain to me why you haven’t tried.”
    His color rose. He was no good at this. He said, “I don’t know. I...guess I’ve been afraid...”
    “Of what? That you’d ruin it? You’re not that straight-laced.”
    “Well...”
    “And you can’t tell me now that it’s been fear of rejection. I think I just busted that bubble. Do you think I’m too young? Is that it?”
    “Maybe partly.”
    “You won’t ruin me either. My high school prom date did that.”
    “Could we just...back up to where you wanted to go camping?”
    “And talking. That’s part of the deal.”
    He