Free The Secret Sin by Darlene Gardner Page B

but only because six is the limit.” Lindsey wrote down their tallies on the scorecard with a tiny pencil while they waited for the group ahead of them to finish the next hole. “The way you two are racking up strokes, I’m embarrassed to be out here with you.”
    “We’re not that bad,” Ryan protested.
    “Not that bad? You’re horrible!” Lindsey rolled her eyes dramatically, but she was smiling. “Especially you, Ryan. Aren’t doctors supposed to be good at golf?”
    “It’s not my game,” Ryan said.
    “I can’t imagine you being good at any games,” she said with a laugh.
    Annie waited for Ryan to stick up for himself, but hejust laughed. “He was a three-sport athlete in high school,” she heard herself say.
    Lindsey bounced her pink golf ball on the pavement and snagged it in mid-air. “Really? Which sports?”
    Now that Annie had started defending him, she could hardly stop. “Football, basketball and baseball.”
    “Get out!” Lindsey said. To Ryan, she asked, “Is that true?”
    “It’s true.”
    “But how did you know that, Annie?” Lindsey asked. “Didn’t you and Ryan just start dating?”
    Annie had expected to feel uncomfortable around Ryan but Lindsey had kept up a running commentary since Ryan had picked them up, mitigating the awkwardness. Now it came rushing back.
    “We knew each other in high school,” Annie said.
    Lindsey practically squealed. “You mean you were high-school sweethearts?”
    “No.” Annie touched the left side of her face, careful not to look at Ryan. “It means we knew each other in high school.”
    Annie regretted saying anything at all about their shared past. She searched for another subject, but needn’t have bothered.
    “Look, there’s Jason.” Lindsey pointed to the periphery of the course, where Jason Garrity leaned against a fence that overlooked the golfers. “I’m going to say hi.”
    She dashed off as fast as her skinny jeans would allow her, waving gaily to Jason. When she reachedhim she tossed her long hair and laid a hand on his arm, the smile never leaving her lips. Jason smiled back.
    “If he touches her, I might have to hurt him,” Ryan said under his breath. “Does he know how old she is?”
    “He’ll know soon,” Annie said. “You can count on that.”
    Lindsey laughed at something Jason said and rested one hand on her hip, like she was posing.
    “It can’t be soon enough.” Ryan sounded as though he was gritting his teeth.
    “What are you two doing here?”
    Annie stifled a groan at the instantly recognizable female voice. She plastered on a smile and turned to see Edie Clark approaching, her curiosity so evident the word could have been inscribed in red ink on her forehead.
    “Same as you, I imagine, Edie,” Annie said. “We’re golfing.”
    Edie’s eyebrows took on twin shapes worthy of the Arc de Triomphe. “I had the impression you hadn’t seen each other in years.”
    “We hadn’t,” Annie said.
    “So do tell.” Edie seemed oblivious to Annie’s attempt to dissuade her from further questions. “Who asked who out?”
    “I asked her,” Ryan said. “I had a thing for her in high school. Found out I still do.”
    Edie’s jaw went slack and her eyes bugged out. Annie cringed. If Ryan had been within elbowing range, he would have gotten a sharp one to the ribs.
    “That’s…” Edie seemed to be searching for a word. “…sweet.”
    “Mom! Your turn!” A girl of about seven with braided dark hair and freckles yelled from two holes away. Edie’s twin boys were on their bellies, dragging their hands in a stream of water that ran down the right side of the hole. A harried-looking man was trying to get them to stand up. Edie hadn’t moved.
    “Mo-om!” The little girl yelled again.
    “I’ve got to go,” Edie said with obvious reluctance. “You two have fun.”
    Edie left them to return to her family, sneaking glances over her shoulder. Edie took her golf club from her daughter but didn’t