Nevertheless . . . she wouldn’t mind having his company on future excursions like this.

Another confession that would remain unspoken.

She shoved a branch out of her path and scowled.

What was wrong with her, anyway? As she’d told Grace two weeks ago, she did not need a man in her life.

She especially did not need a DEA agent who’d led her to believe he loved her, then walked away the instant an appealing job opportunity was dangled in front of him.

How could he do that, after she’d—

Pressure built behind her eyes, and she blinked to clear her vision.

Enough of this pity party.

Zeke was history. His nebulous reference to a debt may have piqued her interest, but it didn’t change the past.

It could have a bearing on your future, though.

An image of her mom appeared in her mind on the heels of that thought.

Yeah, that sounded like Mom. If she were here, she’d no doubt view the unexpected meeting as divine intervention. A prod to revisit what had happened, an opportunity to bind up wounds and offer forgiveness.

But how did you forgive someone for shredding your dreams and taking your—

A squirrel skittered away from her as she hurried through the decaying leaves, and she pulled up short.

The critter resorted to zigzag evasive maneuvers and took cover as fast as he could.

An example she’d be wise to follow with Zeke.

For as the anger and hurt she thought she’d buried long ago swept over her again, fresh as the day Zeke had walked out, her world tilted.

And until she regained her balance, being around him could be as dangerous as walking alone in a shadowy forest where murder lurked.

9

MAY I JOIN YOU?” Posing the question in Spanish, Zeke stopped beside the table where Eduardo was eating lunch in the student cafeteria—an Ivy Hill egalitarian policy that played right into his plan to get to know the nonfaculty players.

The maintenance supervisor looked up from his phone. “Um—most of the teachers eat over there.” He motioned across the room, where several of Zeke’s colleagues had congregated.

“I know. But I’ve met all of them. Now I’m trying to get to know the rest of the staff.” He lowered his tray to the table and sat without waiting for an invitation.

The other man pocketed his phone and picked up his half-eaten burger. “I’m sure their conversation would be more interesting. I lead a quiet, simple life.”

“Quiet simplicity has much to recommend it.” Zeke flashed a smile and started in on his soup, keeping his tone casual. “So tell me about yourself. I take it you’re from Mexico?”

“Yes.” A defensive note crept into his voice. “But I’m here legally.”