It had been Tanya's sweet nature and unpretentiousness that had first attracted Chase. He recognized her insecurities and found them endearing, though he never discussed them with her. It was characteristic of her nature that while being awed by Devon Haines's panache, she could still feel sorry for her.
He said, "You link their names as though they're a pair."
"I think they would be if they could be," she said softly.
"Tanya," he said gruffly, smoothing back her fair hair, "you're going to make a wonderful mother."
"What makes you think so?"
"Because you have such a huge capacity for loving."
Her eyes grew misty as her fingers glided over the strong features of his face. "What a lovely thing to say, Chase."
"It's true."
Before they became too maudlin, she smiled. "You know, one thing that has limited capacity is this apartment. I spoke with a realtor a few weeks ago, before Lucky's troubles started. She said when we were ready to start looking for a house to contact her."
"She?"
"An old friend of yours. Marcie Johns."
"Goosey Johns!" he exclaimed on a laugh.
"Goosey?"
"That's what we used to call her."
"How awful."
"Naw. It was all in fun."
"She's very nice."
"Oh, I know that," he agreed. "She always was. We just goaded her because she was tall and skinny, wore glasses and braces, and studied all the time."
"Apparently she's getting the last laugh. She's a very successful businesswoman."
"So I've heard. She's got her own realty company now, doesn't she?"
"Mm-hmm. And even after robbing the kitty to pay Lucky's bail, I believe we'll have enough for a down payment. Know what?" Tanya said, propping herself up to look down at him. "I think Marcie had a crush on you when you were in school."
"Really?" No longer listening, he cupped one of her breasts and fanned the crest with his thumb. "Lord, that's beautiful."
"She asked a lot of questions about you, was curious to know how you were, that kind of thing."
"Goosey Johns was interested in books, not boys. Especially horny boys like me," he added, pulling Tanya astride his middle. Her body sheathed his hardness again. Breathlessly he asked, "Now can we talk about something else?"
They didn't talk about anything at all.
* * *
Chapter 15
It had a tennis court, a nine-hole golf course, a weight room, a jogging track, a library stocked with current best-sellers. For all its amenities, however, it was still a prison. Using her telephone credit card, Devon had called the warden's office from the Tylers' home the day before and scheduled a meeting with her husband for 9:00 A.M.
She had got up early, dressed, and gone downstairs. Laurie had insisted that she drink a cup of coffee before leaving. Sage was still asleep. She was told, without having asked, that Lucky had left early to return the company truck to headquarters in case it was needed.
A morning drive through the East Texas countryside in early summer should have been a pleasurable experience. Wildflowers dotted the pastures in which dairy and beef cattle grazed. She'd driven with the car windows rolled down. The south wind carried the scent of pine and honeysuckle. The peaceful hour it had required to arrive at those iron gates should have calmed her nerves and prepared her for the dreaded forthcoming visit with her husband. It hadn't.