April Fools (20 page)

"Splendid."

"And Sasha," Belinda said quickly, "Sasha will have to come, too --"

Cobbs's back went more rigid than usual, and a long-suffering sigh escaped him.

"What man could possibly have a more fulfilled life than I."

As Mrs. Swanson laughed, she put an arm around Hildy and led her into the living room. "Now don't you have a math final you're trying very hard to flunk --"

Belinda perched on the counter, her smile fading as Cobbs adjusted the stove. Her mind had been drifting away from her a lot these past few days -- thoughts battling each other for space in her head, trying to sort themselves out. When she looked up again, Cobbs was in front of her, with his hand extended.

In it was a handkerchief, the initial A stitched neatly into the corner.

Behnda's eyes filled, and she looked up into wiser ones. "What's -- ?"

"Mister Noel said he couldn't think of anything else to give you. He wanted you to have this."

"But --"

"With no bad memories attached, was the way he put it. He said you'd understand."

Belinda took it from him . . . held it against her cheek. "You know ... for a while I thought you were following me?"

"How perceptive of you. It just so happens that I waSy on several occasions."

"But when I asked you, you said --"

"I didn't see any cause for alarming you." Cobbs looked sHghtly annoyed.

"You mean, you were watching out for me?"

"Hmph. There's absolutely no need for sentimentality, you know. I was merely doing my duty, nothing more, nothing less."

Belinda half smiled at that. "Thanks, then. For doing your duty, I mean." She unfolded the neat square of cloth . . . smoothed it out . . . folded it back again. "You know, Cobbs . . . even after all that's happened ... I just keep wishing ..."

"It was the debts," Cobbs said firmly. "It's never enough, you know, once some people get a bit of money. It simply goes to their heads. They need more and more of it. I suppose . . . desperation led from one thing to another."

Belinda nodded . . . pressed the handkerchief to her eyes . . . tried to speak over sudden, choking tears.

"I don't think he ever really meant to kill me ... I keep thinking . . . deep down inside ... he didn't really want to --"

She threw her arms around Cobbs . . . buried her face in his coat . . . heard his hoarse whisper as she began to cry.

"Poor child . . . yes . . . cry it all out."

"Oh, Cobbs, he was so special -- he tried to save me at the end --"

"Yes, I know."

"And it hurts so bad --"

"The pain, in time, will heal."

"Do you really think so?" she sniffled.

"I'd swear it."

Belinda looked up, and through her tears laughed a little.

"You know something?"

"I know everything."

"I really love you, Cobbs."

And then she felt his hand gently upon her hair.

"And I yoUy miss."

About the Author

Richie Tankersley Cusick is also the best-selling author of the Point paperbacks Trick or Treat and The Lifeguard.

Ms. Cusick was bom on April Fools' Day (no joke!) in New Orleans, Louisiana. She now makes her home just outside Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband. Rick, and their cocker spaniel, Hannah.

-J2oi>>>dL

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Pages

Back Cover