Their days settled into a pattern, free time spent together. In the mornings, she left him asleep with Lulu for work, though some mornings he got up and surprised her in the shower for an early lovemaking session. By the time she got home he had dinner ready and they snuggled on the couch, or went for a walk in the park, to the store or wherever else they desired. The days Caleb worked, he came to his and Bowen’s place and crashed. Waking around the time she got home form work, he met her at the house for dinner or played with Lulu until she arrived.

Caleb slowly was getting to know her brothers, they were around a fair amount, watching movies with them or eating pizza. Lulu waited enthusiastically for him every night at the gate, the first to welcome him.

Cora was amazed by his stamina. Frequent lovemaking, yet the intensity behind it never wavered, some nights they just lay together, too tired to do anything but hold each other, but Cora knew by now she was in love with him. When he wasn’t there, her heart ached, and time at work dragged on. The nights he had to spend at the station house were cold and empty, even with Lulu stretched out alongside her. Some mornings she woke to find him there, snuggled against her. Sleeping so soundly she never knew when he came in, but as she woke to the warmth of his body wrapped around her, her day was brighter.

One cool summer night, they lay together in her bed, silent after lovemaking, bodies pressed closely together as he played with her hair. He still hadn’t gotten used to the fact she didn’t say much afterwards, that he was the talkative one. All he knew was that he wanted to spend every night like this.

“When are we getting married?” he asked suddenly, pushing himself up onto one elbow. She opened one eye and chuckled.

“I thought you gave up on that.”

“Why, because I hadn’t mentioned it?” he brushed her hair from her face and kissed her.

“Yep.”

“Oh no, my love, you will be mine. I shall have you as my wife,” he jokingly laughed in a take-over-the-world way. She smiled at him but the sadness was unmistaken in her eyes.

“Cora, why don’t you want to get married? What happened with your ex?” he asked softly. Her eyes averted immediately.

“I just didn’t enjoy it. I’m not suited to the domestic, settled down life.”

“Settled down doesn’t have to mean boring, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“No, I just. .didn’t enjoy it.”

“What did he do to you?” Caleb asked. Cora tried to roll over but he had his leg over hers and wouldn’t let her.

“Nothing, I just-“

“Cora, I need to know what happened so that I don’t do the same thing. I couldn’t hurt you. I love you,” he said softly.

Her head turned in surprise to his. It was the first time he had said that to her, out loud, that she had been fully awake for. But the words slipped off his tongue, feeling right.

“I love you, Cora. I need to know what happened.”

She hesitated.

“You have to trust me, honey,”

“He cheated on me,” she finally said. He studied her.

“There’s more.”

“He was into all kinds of disgusting pornography that I found. Then I found all these emails to other women about. .vile things. I worked mostly nights so he was out. .doing whatever. I don’t know all of it. He lied to me aboutit , pretended it was his friend’s stuff. I just. .couldn’t deal with it. We had vicious fights. I finally had to leave him. I just left,” her eyes stared up at the ceiling as she went back in time mentally.

“While we were separated, I met someone, with whom I fell in love. He was married, I was vulnerable. Gave me the standard story of how he hated his wife but couldn’t leave because of finances, etcetera, etcetera, totally used me. I don’t know if he ever cared about me for real. I loved him. More than my husband. He and his wife up and moved to Denver. That’s how I ended up in Colorado. He was appalled that I had followed and when I threatened to tell his wife he cut me off. So I told her. She had already suspected and I don’t know what happened with them afterwards. He told me if I came near him again he’d get a restraining order against me. I loved him, so completely. What I felt for him was ten times as intense as I what I felt for my ex-husband, even at the peak of our relationship.” The blue eyes were blank, emotionless, and it left Caleb cold. “The emotional stress and the new job was too much. .I had a miscarriage. I didn’t even realize I was pregnant at the time. I had just found out and then. .just too much for me to handle I guess. Better in the long run but still . . .

“That’s when I met Matt and Bill. .they became such great friends. They ended up here when they transferred and their families are here. .then the support center shut down Boulder and moved us here.”

“How long ago was it?” he asked softly. She paused.

“Three years? Maybe four. I’m not sure, I don’t dwell on it.”

Caleb gathered her close, kissing her forehead gently.

“I’m not him. I would never do something like that. You’re the only one for me Cora, I knew it the moment I saw you that I had to be with you. I love you,” he whispered. Turning to him she pressed her body up against this as if trying to melt into him.

“Don’t promise anything. Ever,” she whispered. He smoothed her hair back.

“I can promise that I will always love you, no matter what. You stole my heart the moment those beautiful blue eyes looked up at me. And you can keep it. Keep it close to yours,” he kissed her, wanting to make love to her but she was silent, just wrapping her body around his as tightly as she could. Caleb held her tightly until she drifted into sleep.

***

The next day was Saturday, and they both slept late, bodies and legs intertwined. Cora woke first for once, but as soon as she began to stretch, Caleb snaked his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. Smiling sleepily she snuggled against, loving the just right amount of hair covering the muscled torso and the strong arms enveloped her.

“Let’s go to the zoo,” he murmured in her ear.

“Mmm. Why?” she ran her hand over his back and his desire flamed instantly.

“See the wild animals,” he said hoarsely, knowing she was fully aware of his body. Her fingers teased him slightly.

“I have my favorite wild animal,” she giggled. Groaning, knowing that in the morning he was always hot for her, he reached behind him to find a condom. Slipping it on he rolled her over and entered her swiftly, delighting in the moan that escaped her as she wrapped her long legs around him.

Making love in the morning was so enjoyable, the warmth of their bodies heating them, from a night of cuddling so closely. Nine times out of ten, Caleb woke ready to take her, and had found various ways to wake her up, aroused and ready for him.

Finally spent, they lay together, kissing as he brushed her hair back.

“Remind me to go to the store later,” he said softly, nuzzling the side of her cheek.

“Why?” she asked.

“We’re almost out of condoms.”

“Ok,” she said sleepily.

***

They never made it to the zoo, falling back asleep again. Lulu’s insistence got them up and he made breakfast, his eyes watching as she moved around the house in his shirt and her panties. He wore only his boxers as he made waffles and bacon.

After a leisure shower together, Caleb stopped at the drugstore on their way to the zoo. As he handed his debit card over to the cashier he heard a soft, purring voice.

“Caleb Vista, is that really you?”

Turning he flinched when he saw the petite, thin brunette in front of him. Her bright green eyes bore the popular white eye shadow, the sleek bob haircut wasn’t flattering to her round face but her low cut tank top displayed a nice show of cleavage that he knew was a credit to a skilled plastic surgeon and her boyish hips were wearing low cut jeans.

“Sharon,” he said without thinking. The pretty girl grinned and threw herself at him, hugging him tightly.

“I heard you were around but never dreamed I’d run into you! How are you, Luscious?” she smiled slowly, seductively. Caleb swallowed. Why the hell was she back?

“Don’t call me that.”

“You sure filled out nicely,” she walked around him slowly, appreciating the broad chest, sculpted backside that his jeans showed off. Caleb signed for his purchase and took the bag.

“What do you want?” he asked abruptly. She pouted, one perfectly colored lip sticking out.

“Is that anyway to treat your-“

“Nothing. You’re nothing. Again, what do you want?” he asked, bordering on anger.

“Just to see my old lover,” she purred, running one hand with flame orange acrylic nails over his arm.

“Well, you’ve seen me. Now, someone is waiting for me, so have a good day,” he said coldly, leaving. He didn’t see the calculated smile cross her lips. Her return to Denver was going to be better than expected.

Hurrying out to the car, he got in quickly.

“What’s wrong?” Cora demanded. “You came out of there like a bat out of hell.”

“Nothing baby, nothing,” he leaned over and kissed her eagerly, more forcefully than he intended too. She touched his cropped hair.

“Caleb, honey, what’s wrong?” she asked, pulling away and searching his eyes. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m fine,” he whispered, kissing her again. “You ready?”

Confused, she nodded.

***

Cora suddenly pulled away from Caleb, tears in her eyes.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” he demanded, sitting up.

“What’s her name?” Cora whispered.

“WHAT?”

“You’ve been acting strange all afternoon. When I kiss you, it’s like you’re not even there! You saw someone this afternoon. A girl, didn’t you?”

Caleb sighed and sat up, facing her. Her auburn hair tumbled over her shoulders, one strap of her negligee falling down her shoulder, the dark blue silk glowing against her fair skin. She was so beautiful, he thought, touching her face and kissing her gently.

“Now listen to me, very carefully. There is no other woman. I want that to be clear. Ok?” She nodded, one tear sliding down her face. “And don’t cry, baby. I did see someone today. You never asked so I didn’t think to mention, but I was engaged once.” No reaction. “I broke it off because she was a whore and I caught her in bed with one of my best friends, and I was too young anyway to know what I was doing. I haven’t seen her in years. She saw me today and came up to me. It completely stunned me. I just wanted to bolt.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked in a small voice.

“I didn’t want to upset you. I hadn’t told you about her. She’s part of my past and not an important part at that.”

“You wanted to marry her.”

“Like I said, I was young and stupid. Cora, she means nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. Please don’t think that she’s going to come back into my life. I don’t want her, there is no place in my life for her. The only woman in my heart is you.”

Her blue eyes stared hard at him.

“Do you believe me?” he asked slowly. She nodded.

“Yes.”

A weight rose from him and he leaned over to kiss her.

“I love you, Cora. Nothing and no one can change that.” There was no answer as she tried to move closer to him. Caleb lay awake long after she had fallen asleep.

***

Caleb woke early, having slept fitfully. He kept dreaming of Sharon, remembering walking into the room to find his drunken friend naked and on top of her in Caleb’s bed, and she was crying out for more.      

 “Harder, harder,” Sharon cried as his friend was thrusting enthusiastically into her. His grunts were the only other sound. Caleb stared in horror at the couple in his bed. Anger shot through him as he crossed the room, reaching for Nick. Grabbing him by the shoulders he wrenched the man from her and threw him across the room, into the desk. Nick lay still as Sharon screamed.      

“What are you doing? Oh my god, you’ve killed him!”      

“I should kill you, you goddamn whore,” he seethed. With a shriek she attacked him.      

“Maybe you should have been around more!” she screamed. “You’re always off partying, what was I supposed to do?”      

Caleb grabbed her wrists and overpowered her easily. Without a word, ignoring her accusations, he lifted her off the bed.      

“Where are you taking me?” she shrieked, her dark hair wild and rumpled. Caleb dragged her to the front door, opened it, and shoved her outside.      

“Caleb I’m naked!” she screamed. “What are you doing? Caleb!” he shut the door and locked it, made sure the windows were locked and returned to his room, ignoring the screams and pounding outside. Gathering up what he could find of her clothes, which was only a lacy black teddy and robe, he returned to the front door, opened it and threw them at her before locking the door again. Returning to his room he sat on the edge of the bed, watching Nick. His friend was breathing and after a few minutes, began to come around.      

“What the hell- Caleb?” he asked thickly, touching his head where a trickle of blood had appeared.      

“Why’d you do it, Nick?” he asked      

“Do what,” Nick said woozily. “Everything is spinning. I can barely make you out.”      

Caleb was on his feet and grabbed Nick by his throat, pulling him up. Though Nick was taller, Caleb was stockier and livid.      

“Why’d you fuck my fiancée, Nick? Have you been waiting all this time to get her alone? You didn’t even have the courage to do it somewhere that I wouldn’t find you? You did it in my own bed? WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING?”      

Nick shook his head.      

“Caleb- I didn’t- I can’t remember-“      

“You can’t remember the last hour? The one where I just walked in and found you fucking my fiancée? The woman I love, the woman I was supposed to marry?”      

“No. .her name was Sherry. .”      

Caleb punched his friend and Nick fell backwards.      

“Have you gone nutters?” he demanded, getting to his feet. Caleb’s eyes blazed as the adrenaline raced through his body.      

“Tell me what happened, Nick, before I tear you apart limb from limb.”      

Nick was holding his nose which gushed blood.      

“I don’t know. .I came over to see you and she was wearing this little scrap of lace. I was going to leave, but she invited me in for a drink and I didn’t want to appear rude.”      

“So what, you were gonna fuck her on the couch instead?” Caleb seethed.      

“No! Listen!” Nick pleaded, his voice muffled. “She went and brought me something, I don’t know, scotch maybe. It took her a while to get it and I was getting ready to leave when she came back with it. Yeah, she looked hot, man, I won’t deny that. We started drinking and then everything got blurry minutes later.”      

“We’ve been drinking together since we were fifteen Nick, you don’t get drunk easily and not after one drink!” Caleb roared. Nick held up his free hand in defense.      

“I’m telling you, Caleb, there was something in that drink. Next thing I know she’s purring and smiling and leans over and starts kissing me. I tried to push her away but I . . .I couldn’t control myself. I started kissing her back and then she was bringing me back here, taking off my clothes. . . then it’s all just super hazy until someone grabbed me. I feel like I hit a brick wall.” Blood was now seeping through his fingers and down his chest.      

“Get your clothes on and get out of here,” Caleb said quietly.      

“Can you take me to the hospital?” Nick asked gingerly.      

“Get out before I hurt you beyond where a hospital can fix it!” Caleb roared. Nick managed to locate his clothes and headed for the front door where it was silent. Caleb followed and slammed the door shut before Sharon, who had been sitting next to it, still naked, clutching her nightie and mascara streaking down her face, could get back in. She began a fresh wave of assault on the door, never looking once at Nick as he limped his way to the car.      

Caleb returned to his room and sunk to the floor, adrenaline gone, hands shaking as tears began to roll down his face.      

For days she had begged, pleaded, called him, tried to make up, claiming Nick seduced her. Caleb had thought about all the times he had walked into a room and she seemed to be a little too close to one of his buddies, or Bowen. She was always smiling at them, always wearing low cut tops and short shorts. At first he had been proud, to have a girl that all his friends wanted but looking back over the last week as he removed every trace of her from his apartment, the signs were all there. Too flirtatious, too seductive, too everything. The way she’d lean over to give everyone a view of her cleavage. He didn’t apologize to Nick for months afterwards, but it wouldn’t have surprised him if she had slipped him something. But why do it where Caleb could find her? If she was going to cheat on him and seduce his friends, why not do it secretly? That part he had never figured out. Bowen theorized she wanted Caleb to find them, so it looked like Nick had seduced her, but it got out of hand. A twisted, lousy attempt at making Caleb jealous. If Caleb’s friends weren’t around, then she would have him more to herself.

Caleb sighed and stretched. He had to be back at work in a couple hours and needed to run home and change. While he would have loved a shower with Cora, he knew she was in a fragile state. Throughout the night she had mumbled in her sleep but he couldn’t discern the words. It had happened a couple times before but she never elaborated in the morning, in fact she often acted like it didn’t happen when he questioned her.

Opening the back door he heard Bowen’s low voice in the living room.

“Hey, I’m back,” Caleb froze. Sharon was sitting on the couch opposite a stiff and less than pleased Bowen. “What’s she doing here?”

“I looked you up in the phone book. Well, I found Bowen anyway. Thought I’d drop in and say hi.”

“I have nothing to say to you, Sharon, so you can leave,” he snapped. She pouted again, and Caleb realized she had too much makeup on. It was revolting, he thought, thinking of Cora’s petal soft skin that radiated her beauty, no need for makeup there.

“Don’t be rude, Caleb,” Bowen said, though it was obvious he wanted to be as well.

“I just wanted to come by and see my old guy,” she smiled but her crooked teeth did nothing for Caleb, who thought of the blindingly bright, even smile of his beloved redhead.

“You saw me yesterday,” he snapped.

“Bowen, would you mind giving us a moment alone?” she asked. He nodded and left, grateful for the excuse.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” he snapped. She nodded.

“I know. But I’m different now. I wanted to- maybe-“

“We’ll never get back together, Sharon. I’ve found someone, someone real, that I don’t have to worry about her fucking my friends when I’m at work.”

The hit scored and she flinched.

“I thought you at least deserved to know the truth,” she said quietly, looking down.

“I very clearly remember you screaming that I should have been around more, then sobbing on my answering machine that he seduced you. You swore that was what happened. So when it comes to you and truth, I’m not buying,” he snapped. He could feel the anger coursing through him, old hurts opening.

“If you’ll sit down for a moment, I’ll tell you exactly what happened,” she said. Against his better judgment, he did so.

“I was hurt because you were always off with the guys. Always off partying without me. I thought for sure you were looking at other girls, flirting with them, maybe wanting them instead.

“I was waiting for you to come home that day, when Nick showed up. That’s why I was dressed the way I was. I thought for sure if I could get him to stay and have a drink with me, then you’d come home and realize that other men find me attractive, too.”

“Go on,” he said stiffly when she paused. She looked up at him from under her lashes.

“I- I knew Nick was the honorable type, so I slipped him something I had, that would numb his mind and spike his libido, so to speak. While we were talking. . .I realized how lonely I was, and you know he had just broken up with that girl. .we kissed once, then again and the next thing I knew he was all over me and. .I didn’t stop him. It felt so good knowing someone else wanted me, things got carried away. We ended up in the bedroom, then you arrived.” Tears shone in her big green eyes. “I never meant for it to go that far, Caleb, I didn’t. I just wanted you to come home and find another guy attracted to me.”

Caleb hesitated. She seemed sincere enough.

“What did you give him? And where did you get it?”

She looked away.

“I wasn’t taking birth control, Caleb. I lied to you about that.” His heart sunk. Dear God, what was next? “It was an experimental drug to boost the libido, a hormone pill or something, I don’t quite remember. I- I thought that if I wanted sex more often, if I could keep up with you, that’d you’d want me more. Those nights when I seemed so dazed and loopy, after we were done making love- those were the nights I had taken it.”

“And you made me believe I had left you in that state,” he said quietly, sympathy for her rapidly fading as more hurt crept in.

“You did. But sometimes, because of my depression, I didn’t want to be touched, so I needed it to get going.”

“So you drugged my best friend, knowing it would screw up his memory and haze the events out, which left you free to spin your little tale about him seducing you,” Caleb snapped. Sharon nodded.

“Yes,” she answered simply. Caleb shook his head.

“I think that’s the first thing you’ve ever told me that was true,” he said harshly.

“I never lied about loving you, Caleb. I just needed you to pay attention to me. I was desperate.”

“Get out of my house,” he said evenly. “You’ve had your say, now go. I want nothing more to do with you.”

She stood and walked to the door, then turned back to him.

“I still love you, Caleb,” she said.

“Good bye, Sharon.”

After she left he stood there shaking until Bowen popped his head into the room.

“Is she gone yet?

“Yeah.”

“I was totally stunned when I saw her. I didn’t even realize it was her for a moment.”

“What do you thinks she wants?”

“You. Watch your back, little bro. Though I think Cora would knock her on her ass.”

“I’m not happy about this, Bowen. Cora flipped last night when she thought I had met someone else. She finally opened up to me the other night and then to have Sharon pop up like this. .Cora told me everything. She’s suffered so much, I’m not about to let that little tramp cause her any grief.”

“Well, if she drops by again I’ll tell her she’s not welcome here.”

“Thanks, man. Cora’s worth a million of her. I’m not about to let her go.”

***

Cora shut the door to her car and strolled into the fire station, carrying the brown bag. Caleb wasn’t expecting her so she was going to surprise him.

When she walked in, there was no one up front. Quietly she walked in, then called out.

“Hello?”

A tall, thin man with bulging eyes appeared.

“Well, hello there. Can I help you?” his mouth was too wide for his face and his eyes looked eerily like a frog’s.

“Um, I’m looking for Caleb,” she said softly. He grinned, revealing slightly yellow, uneven teeth.

“I’ll get him for you. You are?”

“Cora,” she answered. He smiled again and disappeared. Moments later Caleb hurried out.

“Hi,” he hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, just brought you lunch,” she gave him the bag with a wink unseen by his teammate who stood in the doorway watching. He raised one eyebrow and she smiled seductively at him.

“You’re great,” he kissed her again.

“Thanks. I’ll see you at home,” she said softly. Nodding, he kissed her again. She left, the creepy fireman’s eyes on her. Smiling to himself, he turned to Toad.

“Is that the reason you’ve been so happy lately?”

“Yeah,” he grinned. Toad nodded.

“Good choice. She’s pretty hot.” vCaleb glared at him.

“Hey, no offense intended,” he protested. Caleb nodded. Toad wandered off. Bowen wandered in.

“Did I hear Cora?”

“Yeah she brought me lunch,” he said absently, watching her car pull out of the station. Bowen frowned slightly then started laughing.

“I wouldn’t open that at the table,” he said quietly, still laughing. Caleb looked puzzled then his eyes widened.

“Oh right,” he grinned.

When he was alone, he opened the bag and grinned. It only content was a pair of lacy black panties that he recognized immediately. Grinning he stuffed them in his locker so no one would see them.

Later, she called. “Did you enjoy your lunch?” she asked, amused. He chuckled.

“Can’t wait for dessert,” he said quietly, making sure none of the others were nearby to listen.

“Mmmm, me either,” she chuckled. Just then the alarm went off.

“I gotta go, baby. I’ll see you tonight.”

He hung up and leaped to his feet.

***

Cora was sound asleep by the time Caleb reached the house. He had taken a shower at the station house, scrubbing off the soot and ash. Exhausted, he had driven home, played with LuLu only momentarily before entering the bedroom. Sound asleep on the bed, on top of the covers, a book was near her hand. Obviously she had fallen asleep reading. Moving the book, marking her page, he pulled the covers over her as he stripped down and snuggled in next to her. The heat of his body woke her and she stretched slightly, arching her back against his and causing him to harden. Pulling her closer he kissed the back of her neck, his hand stroking her shoulder. Eagerly she pressed her back into him and without thinking, he slid into her, wrapping his arms around her tightly as they rocked in rhythm slowly, climaxing together. Fully relaxed now, Caleb plummeted into sleep, still entwined with her body.

He woke with a jolt the next day, immediately panicking she wasn’t there. Lulu lay next to him instead, thumping her tail.

“Good morning,” she appeared in the doorway, wearing his shirt. “I heard Lulu.”

“Good morning,” he smiled and held out his arms. She set her juice down and joined him. Wrapping his arms around her tightly he pulled her onto the bed and rolled on top of her, kissing her.

“I didn’t give you a proper greeting last night,” he murmured. She answered by pulling him closer. Without hesitation he unbuttoned the shirt, fighting the covers to get to her. Suddenly he pulled away from her, his hazel eyes, wide.

“We didn’t use a condom last night,” he whispered. She paused.

“I. . .it’s ok. I know my cycle pretty well,” she assured him. The worry didn’t fade.

“Cora, if anything happens-“

“I’m not worried, Caleb,” she assured him.

“No, listen. I want you to know it will only give me reason to marry you sooner,” he grinned. She laughed.

“You know we would have a beautiful child,” he brushed her bangs back. She eyed him warily.

“We would. She’d have your smile, your red hair and blue eyes, my wit,” he kissed her again, growing hard again.

“You’re silly,” she pulled him into a deep kiss to end the conversation as they began to make love again.

***

Several nights later, Cora had started making dinner at the boy’s house when the door bell rang. Knowing they wouldn’t be home for a while yet, she figured it would be a solicitor. Instead she found a short, thin girl about her age with sleek, dark hair and big green yes.

“Yes?” she asked politely, towering over the girl.

Sharon was stunned as she stared at the beautiful woman in front of her. She had the lush curves Sharon had always wanted, the height of an Amazon and the look of a goddess, thick dark red hair pinned up.

“I- was looking for Caleb,” she said stiffly, knowing this had to be Caleb’s new girl.

“He’s still at work, can I help you?” Cora felt her blood turn cold. This was the ex-fiancée.

“I’m an old friend. Would it be ok if I wait for him?” Sharon started to move inside but Cora blocked the way.

“No, it wouldn’t. I don’t think Bowen would appreciate someone here.”

“I just told you-“ Sharon was annoyed now.

“And I told you,” Cora said firmly. “Leave your name and I’ll tell Caleb you were here.”

“You must be the new flavor,” Sharon said coolly.

“Excuse me?” Cora felt her temper rise.

“You have that old fashioned girl look that he always loved. Rita Hayworth-ish,” Sharon’s eyes swept over her. “Just be careful of him.”

“I don’t think I have anything to fear from Caleb,” Cora snapped.

“Just your heart. Did he tell you the first night you met that he was going to marry you?” Sharon demanded. Cora froze. How would she know that?

“Did he tell you he didn’t want to make love just yet because it needed to be something special? Befitting his feelings for you?”

Cora’s blood turned to ice.

“Yeah I thought so. Wake up honey. That’s his game,” she turned and walked down the drive, leaving Cora shaking.

Shutting the door, Cora leaned against it. How could she know? Had Caleb used that on her as well? Was that the way Caleb got his women?

Shivering, Cora returned to the kitchen and sat down at the table. No. She wouldn’t believe it. Not until she asked Caleb himself. Taking a deep breath, she rose and tried to concentrate on making the sweet and sour chicken.