Free The One Safe Place by Kathleen O`Brien Page B

levered himself out of the car without opening the door, a youthful trick he undoubtedly knew would impress the women. He plopped on the ground in front of Faith, who couldn’t help smiling.
    â€œWard Winters,” he said, holding out his hand. “The guy behind the wheel is my friend Granville Frome, but he’s just a pale imitation. I’m the real thing.”
    â€œDon’t listen to that jealous old fool, Faith.” Granville Frome shook his head, the autumn sunlight sparking off silver threads. “I taught him everything he knows, which God knows isn’t saying much.”
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you both,” Faith said with a small laugh. She shook Ward’s hand, her own disappearing into his. He was huge, well over six feet,with hair as richly white as his Irish wool sweater. His weathered face was full of life.
    Heavens. Were there any men of any age living in Firefly Glen who weren’t sinfully handsome and charismatic?
    â€œWell, this is fun, but I’ve got work to do.” Justine’s voice was flat, and Faith wondered whether her unhappiness left her unable to enjoy anything, even these roguish charmers. Faith herself was enchanted.
    â€œOuch,” Ward murmured as Justine strode away, Gavin watching them round-eyed as he bounced against her shoulder. “Seriously sour. Guess that’s what happens when you pluck the fruit from the tree too early.”
    â€œThat’s enough, Ward,” Mrs. Millner put in coldly. “I don’t think it would particularly please Alton to hear you talking about his daughter like that.”
    Ward laughed. “Hell, Dee Dee. You know better than I do that nothing has particularly pleased Alton in thirty years.”
    Mrs. Millner seemed to puff up, her chest thrusting out indignantly, her blue eyes popping and flashing. Faith was shocked to see that much energy in the woman. Apparently all the emotion she had left resided in her ego.
    â€œDon’t you dare talk about Alton, either, or I’ll—”
    The impressive redhead made a disgusted sound between her teeth. “For God’s sake, Dee Dee, don’t bust a vein. Believe me, nobody has the slightest interest in talking about your idiot husband.”
    â€œYou’d better watch your tongue, Bridget O’Malley.”
    Mrs. Millner marched over to the Cadillac, and Faith decided that this might be a good time to retreat. A catfight could erupt any minute. Judging by size alone, Amazon Queen Bridget O’Malley might seem to have the advantage, but Faith suspected that Ice Queen Dee Dee Millner might know a few tricks herself.
    She looked over at Ward, who was watching the women with eager anticipation. Apparently he expected a similar outcome.
    â€œI’d better get back to work myself,” Faith said with a smile. “It was lovely to meet everyone, though.”
    He grinned, showing strong white teeth. “You’ll miss the good part.”
    â€œStill.” She tilted her head toward the house. “I think I’d better get inside.”
    â€œAh, well, maybe so. You’re new here—no need to let you see all our warts in your very first week.”
    He gave her an adorably sly wink and held out his hand again.
    â€œI have a feeling our friend Reed wouldn’t like it if we ran you off.”
    Â 
    O N AN IMPULSE , Faith stopped at the clinic on her way back to the house. She could hear a baby’s furious bawling even through the closed door. She didn’t take time to think. She just went on in.
    Justine was pacing the waiting room, bouncing Gavin on her shoulder, begging him to stop crying. But she was still crying herself, shiny tracks of tears crisscrossing her cheeks. The baby obviously had picked up on the tension and was screaming himself red.
    â€œMay I try?” Faith held out her hands. She didn’t know much about babies, really, but she’d always been good with Spencer, and