A Guilty Mind Read Free Page B

married.” Her eyes narrowed. “I mean it,” he said. “I’ll graduate next month and we can have the wedding right after that if you want.”
    She looked away. “What about your girlfriend? What about her?”
    â€œI told you I was through with Mary Helen.”
    â€œYeah, right.” Sarah stood and took a few steps toward the river, her back to him. “I saw you, remember?”
    â€œThat wasn’t my idea. It was my father’s. He invited her to dinner, not me.”
    Her back stiffened and she whirled, eyes flashing. “You know, George, I may not be part of your la-­di-­da society or born with money or anything else for that matter, but that doesn’t make me stupid. Even if your father did invite Mary Helen, it’s because he thought you were still with her.” Hands on hips, her top lip curled into a sneer. “That’s what you want, isn’t it, George?”
    â€œNo,” he said, and lurched to his feet.
    She yanked her arm away. “Don’t touch me.”
    Hand outstretched, he froze. The young man understood her anger, knowing in his heart it was well deserved. When she’d told him about the baby, he’d been scared, behaving in the immature way many college boys would. But later, after she’d walked out on him, he’d been ashamed. Worse, he realized his affair with the townie girl had turned into something real, something that mattered. Hiding out from his family, his friends, and Mary Helen, he’d spent the last ­couple of days thinking, making a decision on his own. It wouldn’t be easy, but he knew it was right.
    â€œI don’t want your pity,” she said, eyes boring into his.
    Swaying, he made a promise. “It’s not pity, Sarah. I want to marry you and raise this baby. I really do.” She was quiet, but he saw the doubt in her eyes. He reached out for her again, and this time, she didn’t stop him. “I know you don’t trust me and you have every reason not to, but I mean it. I’ve been thinking about it all weekend and I’m sure. Please believe me.”
    â€œI don’t know.” Tears slipped over her cheeks and she brushed them away. “I don’t even know what I want.”
    He pulled her close and stroked her silky hair. She reached up and circled his neck, fingers brushing the hair skirting the collar of his shirt. Kissing her forehead and her cheeks, he moaned. She arched closer to him, quietly sobbing. Without words, he took her hand and led her inside. Together they slowly climbed the stairs to the bedroom, the one he thought of as theirs.
    The jarring sound of the telephone interrupted the dream, yanking him back from the past and into the present. The hazy images, both beautiful and heartbreaking, vanished. He lay still, savoring the memory. The phone rang a second time, insistent and loud. Head aching, he stirred. Bright sunlight streamed through the windows and stung his eyes. He glared at the digital clock and swallowed, fighting the rising nausea. The phone rang again. He threw back the covers.
    â€œHello?” George’s throat hurt and his mouth tasted like ash.
    â€œMr. Vandenberg? It’s Sandy Watson from Dr. Michael’s office.” The woman’s voice was little more than a whisper.
    He flopped back down and squeezed his eyes shut. “Yes?”
    â€œI was calling to let you know your appointment with Dr. Michael this afternoon will have to be canceled.”
    â€œOh.” He sat up again. The extra session had been Dr. Michael’s idea. After the way their appointment the day before had ended, George had readily agreed. Had something changed? “Can I reschedule?” He wanted to tell his therapist that the dream was back, more detailed and vivid than ever. “I need to see him.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Mr. Vandenberg, that won’t be possible.” He thought he heard a muffled sound, a