Kit And Kisses Read Free Page A

think would be the best way to get it off?"
    "A crowbar. Do you have one?"
    "No. But I'm sure Eric does. He lets me borrow whatever I need."
    "He's a nice guy," Grey agreed.
    "Maggie was lucky," Kit responded.
    Her tone was almost wistful. Certainly a woman like Kit could date any man she wanted.
    Finding a pen, she unfolded the slip and pressed it flat on the counter. The phone rang. "The machine will get it," she said as she signed her name.
    After the first ring, Kit's lilting message played. Then a woman's voice came over the line. "Ms. Saunders, you don't know me. A friend of mine told me I should contact you, even after all this time because it might give me some peace of mind. I've wanted to tell you how much I admire what you did, how you went after Trent Higgins so he got what he deserved. The sentence he got isn't long enough for all the women he's hurt, but I guess it will have to do."
    She paused then hesitantly continued. "I was one of them, too, but I was afraid to do what you did. I was afraid to come forward. The trial. The publicity. Everything. I didn't want everyone knowing how stupid I'd been. He took the money I'd saved for my daughter's college education." She stopped for a moment. "I'm sorry I didn't come forward when you pressed charges. But I'd really appreciate it if we could have lunch or something some time, though I'll understand if you'd rather not." The woman gave her name and number and hung up.
    The silence in the kitchen was thicker than a pea-soup fog. Kit's head stayed bent over the delivery slip. Grey knew he had no right to ask, but he wanted to know more about this woman who intrigued him. "What was that all about?"
    "It's over," Kit said in such a low voice that Grey took a few steps closer. She looked pale as she raised her head.
    "Kit?"
    His voice brought her gaze to his. "I'm sorry. What?"
    "Are you all right?"
    Her back straightened and her shoulders squared. "I'm fine. Just fine."
    "You were involved in something sticky?"
    She leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "You don't read the local papers?"
    He gave an off-handed lift of his hand. "I haven't had much time for that."
    She sighed. "Simply put, I got taken. I thought I was in love but it turns out I was in love with an image." She nodded to the living room. "I haven't had decent furniture in there for three years. I had to sell almost everything to pay the debts he ran up. I'm finally getting back on my feet financially."
    "How did it happen?"
    "Do you mean how could I have been so stupid?" Her voice was pained.
    "No. You're an intelligent woman. How did he get to you?"
    "It doesn't matter. What matters is that I caught on to him before we got married."
    Grey stuffed his hands in his pockets, not pleased with the picture of her with another man. "You were engaged?"
    She raised her chin combatively. "Do you think I'd let just anyone tamper with my savings and credit cards?"
    "No," he said softly. "That's why I asked how he got to you. And I think it does matter."
    Her arms tightened around her as she studied him. "I don't know you, Grey."
    At least they were back to a first name basis. "Sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger. Apparently the whole thing still bothers you or her phone call wouldn't have affected you."
    "Playing therapist?"
    "No. Just providing a listening ear."
    She shook her head. "I've talked about this to Maggie until I'm blue and so is she. I've got to get over it, not whine about it."
    "Whining about it is one thing. Talking about it to find out why it happened and why it still affects you is entirely another."
     
    Frowning, Kit rubbed her fingers across her arms. "I know why it happened."
    "Why?"
    Turning away from him, she stared out the window. After a long pause, she answered, "Our family history. We had a father who drank and a mother who was afraid to leave him. She taught us to be compliant. But Maggie learned it better than I did."
    "You were rebellious?"
    Kit gave a mirthless laugh.