Free Belonging by Samantha James Page A

the broad, tree-lined streets, the scent of freshly mowed
grass drifting in through the open window. His eyes shifted away
from the street toward the woman who sat on the other side of the
car. He wondered at her thoughts as she stared silently out the
window.
    He felt like an intruder as he casually
commented, "Your friends seem nice. Have you known them long?"
    Angie turned her head slightly to look at
him. "About eight years. Ever since we moved into the neighborhood
from across town."
    His mind zeroed in on her use of the word
"we." Did she mean she and her daughters? Or she and her ex-
husband? He had a sudden urgent compulsion to know everything about
her. His instinct told him she wouldn't welcome an inquisition into
her background. Angie Hall was one cautious woman, and he realized
at the same moment that it was altogether possible that what he'd
perceived as icy distance was no more than cautious restraint.
    He settled for a gentle probing. "So you're a
local, then?"
    A faint smile curved her lips as she nodded.
"Born, raised and educated in Westridge--from kindergarten to
college."
    "College?" He shook his head. "Don't tell me.
Political science major, right?"
    "Wrong." She laughed. It was a tentative
sound but a laugh nonetheless. "Economics. I worked as a financial
planner a few years ago," she found herself confessing. "And
believe it or not, all in Westridge."
    "I see." Matt chuckled. "No dreams of seeing
the world and setting it on its ear after graduation?"
    Her smile faded. She'd had the world at her
fingertips already—or so she thought. What need had there been to
search for more? "No," she answered quickly. "I...got married." She
focused on her hands for a moment as her mind traveled fleetingly
backward.
    She and Evan had met on a warm, brilliant
summer day much like today. Angie's studies had been too important
for her to devote much time to the social aspects of college life.
But Evan had changed that. He was a very masculine and attractive
man, intelligent with a smooth, polished manner. He had given her
glorious sun-filled days of laughter, moonlit nights of loving. It
had been an irresistible combination. Evan was a man who had known
what he wanted, and what he had wanted was Angie. They had married
during their last year in college.
    There was a hint of wistfulness in the soft
lines of her face, a silent wish for what might have been. But her
eyes were dark with sorrow. Life had been so full then, so
promising. She had had everything in the world to look forward to.
Her career, her future with the man she loved, the joys of
motherhood. She felt a dull, familiar ache. How had it all gotten
so... so twisted?
    "Angie?"
    With a start she realized Matt was speaking
to her, and she snapped back to the present. "Yes?"
    He smiled crookedly, and she noticed he had
pulled over to the curb. "I lost Bill at that last turn. Where do
we go from here?"
    Angie forced a laugh. "You'd better be
careful, Chief. We can't let it be known that the chief of police
hasn't mastered the city's geography yet."
    His eyes crinkled at the corners. For an
instant, just for an instant, Angie let herself appreciate the
genuine warmth she saw reflected there. "Offering to help me with
my homework?" he asked. His smile widened when she shook her head
and hastily averted her eyes. Matt made her feel nervous--damn
nervous.
    "Never mind," she muttered. "I'm sure it'll
come in time."
    In time. It would indeed, Matt thought as he
listened to her voice guide him the rest of the way to the
ballpark. He hadn't missed the half-wistful, half-sad expression on
her face the moment before. In time he would know all of her, all
that had shaped her into the complex woman she was. The resolution,
as well as the strength of the conviction with which he made it,
surprised him. Was it because he needed a friend?
    He did want Angie Hall as a friend. But he
also wanted more from her. He was aware that it wasn't just desire
for an attractive woman that