And then he began to clap his hands. Almost instantly someone else leaped up, and then another. Like gasoline vapors ignited by sparks from a torch, twenty thousand people exploded, leaping to their feet. There was no open anger, for years of instantaneous punishment had long ago flattened such responses. But they were up, pounding their hands, many of the women with tears streaming down their cheeks, paying tribute to the crumpled figure on the stand, and, as openly as they dared, rejecting the man who had put him there. The sound rolled down out of the stands in a smashing wave, engulfing the small group of people standing in the center of the soccer field. Nicole stared straight ahead, seeing nothing because of the burning in her eyes.

CHAPTER 27

Nicole set down her book and unfolded her legs as the soft chime of the door bell echoed through the house. She stopped briefly to look at herself in the small entryway mirror, then pulled the door open.

“Hi.”

“Hello, Travis.” He gave her a quick kiss, which she accepted absently. Then she stepped aside so he could enter the living room.

“Did you get unpacked?”

“Yes, I was nearly done when you called.”

“And how was Mount Pleasant?”

“Beautiful. It’s such a lovely place there.”

“Yes, it is. And how’s your aunt?”

Nicole smiled. Outwardly Travis seemed his usual confident self, but these were exactly the same questions he had asked her on the phone. “She’s fine. Lonely since Uncle Arthur died, but doing quite well. Please, sit down.”

Though she sat on the couch, he chose the easy chair opposite her. He really is unsure of himself tonight, she thought. For a moment there was an uncomfortable silence. Then he turned and looked down the hallway where the shattered door frame to her bedroom could be seen. “Now that you’re back, we’ll have to get that fixed.”

“Yes, I’ll have to do that.” Before I sell the house, she nearly added, but caught herself. Finally she asked, “How’s Dr. Cameron?”

He shrugged, not meeting her eyes. “About the same. The doctor says that it’s as if he had a massive stroke. At this point they can’t tell whether the paralysis is permanent or whether it’s just a temporary shock to his nervous system.”

“And still no sign of Eric?”

“None. We expected a real blow-up after the trial, but there’s been nothing. I can’t believe he’s given up or been scared off.”

Nicole nodded. Except for the ticking of the mantel clock, the living room was filled with silence. Finally Travis drew a deep breath. “Nicole?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been thinking about us, and…”

His inward nervousness had finally surfaced. His hands were up, fingertips to fingertips, and he was tapping them.

“Yes?”