“That would be tough to pull off,” she said.
“Why’s that?”
“I’m not married.” She tilted her head to the side as she studied him. “What about you?”
“I’m not here with anyone, either.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I’d like to think personal interest made you nosy about my marital status.”
She shook her head. “You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told. And for the record, I’m not married.”
For just a second, she looked pleased, then her mask of cool unconcern was back. His fingers itched just to touch her, to make sure he wasn’t dreaming and she was really there. But he sensed some tension in her and put his self-control firmly in place.
“So, how does it feel being back at Saunders?” he asked.
She glanced around. “The town hasn’t changed much. Unlike Los Angeles, there are no palm trees. It’s all a little run-down, just the way I remember. Although I’m sure the university Web site only highlights the green rolling hills and tree-covered campus with lots of stately buildings.”
He laughed and nodded. “You nailed it, lady.”
“How about that? Being a lawyer, you’re the one who should have a way with words.”
If she only knew, he thought. “So you’re a model.”
“Was.” Absently she traced her cheek beneath the rim of the sunglasses covering half her face.
“Did you like it?”
She linked her fingers in her lap and he could almost see her knuckles turn white. “Yes. I was lucky. A girl like me with no particular skills would have difficulty making a good living otherwise.”
“Who says you have no skills?”
“Oh, you know. Judging people on the outside. ‘If she looks like that, she can’t possibly have a single intelligent thought.’”
“That’s ridiculous. I certainly never felt that way.”
“Then you were in the minority. And it’s not an issue any longer,” she said with a huge sigh.
In his job he learned to read body language—witnesses, defendants and juries. The way her mouth pulled into a straight line told him she didn’t want to say more. And if he pushed, she was outta there. So he decided to change the subject.
“What brings you back here?”
“Do you remember Professor Gilbert Harrison?” she asked.
“Do I? He was my favorite teacher.”
She nodded. “Mine, too. He sent me a message that he’s having some sort of trouble with the college Board of Directors and needed my help.”
“I got the same message. And I’ve been nosing around.”
“Do you know what’s going on?” she asked.
He shook his head. “But where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. And that’s what worries me. I can’t imagine the administrative body of a well-respected university going on a witch hunt without just cause.”
“But what reason could there be? He was always popular. A lot of my friends took his classes and used to hang out at his office. Do you remember how crowded it always was?”
Nate didn’t because he’d never seen the professor during his regular office hours. He’d had to hold down a job and take care of his grandmother. The professor had made time for him whenever he needed it.
“He’s a good teacher and was a generous friend to me,” he said, not quite answering her question, a defense lawyer tactic. “I’ll always be grateful to him for his help.”
Without it, he might not have made it through college—in spite of his high IQ. It was the stepping stone to law school and now he was considered one of the top defense attorneys in the country. Some of his defendants were notorious, which gave him more than his share of publicity. Katie didn’t remember him from college, and she’d given no clue she knew who he was now. But the way she’d tried to hide from him when they ran into each other was a big sign she wouldn’t relish any spotlight, even if it was collateral damage from him.
“He always did his best to help. That’s the way I remember him, too,” she said. “I wonder what’s going on.”
“Not a clue,” he admitted.
As they talked, he could see her relaxing with him and he wanted to keep it that way. His gut told him if she knew the finer points of his identity and profession, she’d run far and fast. And he very much didn’t want her to run. She’d been the single bright spot in his college experience. She’d been the reason he got out of bed every day—that and a dirt-poor kid’s obsession to get an education and make money. But now that he’d found her again, he intended to be her bright spot.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“Uh-oh, there’s a dangerous prospect. I thought I just saw the lights flicker with the power drain.”
“Very funny.” She was definitely relaxing. “As I said, I’ve been nosing around here at Saunders.”
“Why?”
“Just trying to gather information. Thought it might be helpful.”
“And is it?”
He shrugged. “It might be if I had any. I’m getting nowhere. Either I can’t get in to see anyone or the people I talk to claim to know nothing about anything.”
“And?”
“It’s time for me to go see Professor Harrison.”
“And?” she said again.
“I was wondering if you’d consider going with me.”
Nate held his breath while she thought over his suggestion.
“I’d like that,” she finally said.
He’d like that, too. More than she knew. More than he wanted her to know. Because he very much wanted time with her. Time to replace the shadows in her eyes with the sparkle he remembered.
But he knew that if she remembered him, time wouldn’t be his friend.
Chapter Two
“Hello, Professor Harrison.”
Kathryn stood just inside the office doorway and felt Nate’s warm hand on the small of her back. With an effort she controlled a shudder. The contact was supportive—a gentlemanly gesture, in no way threatening. But
