Free Promising Angela by Kim Vogel Sawyer Page B

made.”
    “Okay. Thanks for your help.” Ben shoved his hands into his pants pockets.
    “Do you mind telling me what you said to get him so upset? I might be able to smooth the waters for you.”
    “This woman who’s staying in Tower Two has given him the idea that she’s his girlfriend, and—”
    “You mean Angela?”
    Ben frowned. “You know her?” Just how often had Angela come around?
    The caretaker nodded. “Yes. She’s great with Kent. She gets him talking, and they’ve taken long walks all over the grounds in the evenings. I’ve never seen her be anything but appropriate with him though.”
    Ben stood for a moment, uncertain whether or not to believe her. Maybe he’d misjudged Angela. But there was still the issue of community service. Even if she hadn’t been deliberately misleading with Kent, he had big concerns about the reason for her sentence.
    “That may be,” he finally said, choosing his words carefully, “but somehow Kent’s gotten the idea there’s more than friendship between them. It needs to be nipped now before he really gets hurt.”
    “You might be right on that.” The caretaker sighed. “As much as I hate to get in the middle of friendships, part of my job is to protect Kent. I’ll see if I can keep some distance between the two of them. At least until we can get Kent’s feelings sorted out.”
    Ben heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
    The caretaker patted his arm. “Go on home, Ben. It sounds like Kent has settled down. I’ll go in and sit with him for a while.”
    “Okay. Thanks again.” Ben waited until the caretaker went into Kent’s apartment before heading to the elevators. Riding down alone, his thoughts turned once more to Angela. The caretaker’s description of her time with Kent made him regret his subtle accusation, yet at the same time he still felt uncertain whether or not to trust her with his cousin.
    The elevator doors opened to the lobby, and he headed to the doors leading outside, his mind running for ways to prove or disprove Angela’s suitability to be with Kent. He’d tried twice to talk to Angela about her life before starting work at New Beginnings. Both times she’d sidestepped his questions and turned the conversation elsewhere. There were many unanswered questions hovering in Ben’s mind.
    For the sake of Kent’s protection, he had to know what Angela had done to warrant a sentence of community service. He needed one-on-one time with her if he intended to uncover her secrets. He slipped behind the wheel of his truck, a decision made. Tomorrow after church, he’d invite her to lunch. Just the two of them.
    By the time Sunday afternoon arrived, he’d have his answers. No matter what it took.

nine
    Ben trotted across the parking area to catch Angela before she climbed behind the wheel of the silver rocket. Amazing how fast she could move through the muggy August heat on those high-heeled strappy shoes.
    “Whew, I caught you!” He came to a halt beside the driver’s door and grabbed the frame before she could pull it closed.
    “Did you need something?”
    The apprehension in her gaze troubled him, but he pushed the feeling aside. “Yeah. I wondered if you had lunch plans.”
    She shrugged. “Not really. Why?”
    “Want to go somewhere?” He shrugged, too, feeling as tongue-tied as a nervous teenager. “Grab a bite with me?”
    She looked at him for a long time, her expression puzzled, while he squirmed under the silent perusal. Finally she sighed. “I should probably call Aunt Eileen and make sure it’s okay.”
    He waved a hand. “That’s fine. I’ll wait.” He turned his back and pretended not to listen to the one-sided conversation.
    “Aunt Eileen? Hi, I just wondered if it would be okay if I didn’t come back to the apartment for lunch…. I’m not sure. Ben asked if I’d like to get something with him. No, it probably won’t be too late.” She laughed softly, causing fresh sweat to break out under his arms.