Reflections of Yesterday Read Free

her life in twelve years. “I’ve only been in town an hour.” But it had to be today. The banks were closed on weekends.
    “Will you call me tomorrow?”
    “If you want.”
    “I want you for the rest of my life, Angie. I love you.”
    “I love you, too,” she echoed softly. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Gently, she ended the call.
    Talking to Glenn reinforced her determination to be done with the purpose of her visit. A quick check in the mirror assured her that she was now a composed, mature woman. Simon Canfield Senior would be incapable of destroying her as he had so long ago.
    Not once on the walk to the bank did Angie hesitate. Her heart leaped to her throat as she pushed the glass door that opened into the interior. That, too, hadn’t changed. Marble pillars, marble floors, marble hearts.
    The woman gave no indication that she recognized her, but Angie remembered Mrs. Wilson, who had been with Groves Point Citizens Federal for years, working as Simon’s father’s assistant.
    “I’d like to see Mr. Canfield,” she announced in a crisp voice.
    Mrs. Wilson’s lined face revealed nothing. “Do you have an appointment?”
    “No, but I’m confident he’ll see me.” She wasn’t the least bit sure, but Mrs. Wilson didn’t know that. “Tell him Angie Robinson is here.”
    Again Mrs. Wilson’s features remained stoic. “If you’ll wait a moment.” She left Angie standing on the other side of the counter as she walked the length of the bank and tapped against a frosted glass door. She returned a minute later, her face a bright red hue. “Mr. Canfield suggests …” she started, then swallowed with difficulty. “He would prefer not to see you, Ms. Robinson.”
    How dare he!
Angie fumed inwardly, but she gave a gracious smile to Mrs. Wilson. “Thank you for your trouble.”
    The older woman gave her a sympathetic look. “Nice seeing you again, Angie.”
    “Thank you.”
    Her heels made clicking sounds against the marble floor as she turned and walked toward the exit. How dare he humiliate her like this! He had no right. None. With one hand against themetal bar on the glass door, Angie forcefully expelled her breath. She wasn’t scum he could walk over. She wouldn’t let him.
    With an energy born of anger and pride, she pivoted sharply and walked the length of the bank lobby, her chin tilted at a proud angle. She wasn’t a member of the country club, nor had she been a member of the upper class, but she was going to have her say to Simon Canfield Senior whether he wanted to hear her or not.
    Not bothering to knock, Angie let herself into the office. “Excuse me for interrupting …” She stopped and swallowed back the shock. It wasn’t Simon’s father who rose from the large oak desk to confront her, but Simon. Time had altered his dark good looks. The gray eyes that had once warmed her with his love were now as grim as the storm-tossed North Sea. Tiny lines fanned from them, but Angie was convinced he hadn’t gotten them from smiling. He was so cold that in his gray flannel suit he resembled a stone castle whose defenses were impenetrable. Cold and cruel. The edge of his hard mouth twisted upward.
    “Hello, Angie.”
    “Simon.” The oxygen returned to her lungs in a deep breath.
    Neither spoke again. The chill in the room was palpable, Angie mused, and a smile briefly touched her eyes. It hadn’t always been that way with them. Years ago, the temperature had been searing and they couldn’t stay out of each other’s arms.
    “Something amuses you?”
    “No.” If anything, the thought should produce tears. But Angie hadn’t cried in years. Simon had taught her that. She lowered her gaze to the desktop. Crisp, neat, orderly.
    “You wanted to see me?” he began, in starched tones.
    “I wanted to see your father.”
    “He isn’t well. I’ve assumed most of his duties.”
    They were speaking like polite strangers … No, Angie amended the thought. They were facing each other