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She stared at him. "Imagine the talk if people realize you're keeping company with Megan."
He opened his mouth to protest.
"You were holding hands. Don't deny it. I was there Sunday, young man, and I have eyes."
"Sharp ones."
She checked the food, then turned back to him. Without one of her large hats, with her red hair not as tightly drawn up on her head, she looked softer, not quite as old. There was an intelligence and quickness in her expression that warned him Mrs. Dobson wasn't a fool. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "So we both have secrets."
"I can keep my mouth shut if I think it's the right thing to do. What are your intentions toward Megan?"
"I don't know."
He'd answered without thinking, then realized he'd spoken the truth. He didn't know what to do about Megan because everything about her confused him. He hadn't expected her to still be in Landing, and he'd never thought she wouldn't have married. The fact that she was here and single had been enough of a shock, but in addition to that, there was the matter of the attraction between them. He could still feel the heat of their passion, the taste of her kisses. She dressed and acted like a perfectly proper spinster. But she wore French lace and kissed him with an abandon that left him wanting more.
"I suppose I trust that answer more than one you've had time to polish," Mrs. Dobson said. "What about Bonnie? Are you going to keep her?"
"Yes."
She raised her thin eyebrows. "As easy as that. You're a bachelor, Justin. She's just a little girl."
"She needs me."
"I suspect you need her, as well." She nodded as if she'd finally figured something out. "I know why you didn't bring
the child to me. Of all the women in town, I was the only one you were afraid might say yes. You didn't want to give her up, did you?"
''You're as clever as a fox."
She preened, then turned back to the stove. "Don't try sweet-talking me, young man. It's true, isn't it?" She turned over the bacon and ham slices, then poured out flapjacks onto the griddle.
"Once I got used to the idea, I did want to keep her."
"What did Megan say about that?"
"She was concerned about her reputation."
"Don't despise her for that. You might think you know everything, but you don't."
He frowned. "What does that mean?"
"Oh, just that you shouldn't be so quick to judge her. After all, although you're keeping Bonnie because she needs you, there's a part of you that's enjoying the trouble you're making."
"That's not true. I care about her."
"Of course you do. But the trouble is an unexpected advantage. Don't bother telling me otherwise." She flipped over the flapjacks, and reached for a plate. By the time she'd served the bacon and ham, the pancakes were ready. She slid three onto his plate and set the food in front of him. "You never could resist trouble, Justin Kincaid."
"I'm not that boy anymore."
"I know. I hope the change is enough, because there's going to be more trouble than either of us can imagine. There's a feeling in my bones that says it's all going to get a lot worse."
"You're making a mistake," Megan said as she dried the silver coffeepot.
Colleen poured sugar into the server, then set it on the tray. "I know exactly what I'm doing. This should have been taken care of from the beginning. If I'd realized what that man meant to do." She sniffed. "It's scandalous."
"She's just a little girl. Why can't you leave it alone?"
Colleen straightened and glared at her. Her dark dress should have been flattering, but the rust-colored flowers
seemed to pull all the color from her face. With her hair drawn tightly back into a bun and her mouth pinched together, Colleen looked unattractive and matronly.
"I hold you as much at fault as that man," Colleen said. "Because you're my sister, I won't mention your part in this debacle, but I'm very disappointed. I can't imagine what Father would have made of this."
Megan told herself to stay calm. Colleen was on a rampage. It didn't mean anything. She had these fits from time to time. Everyone around her had to listen to her rage on and on, then it died down. Megan should just smile sweetly and go along with her as she usually did. Except this time it was different. This time Colleen was raging against Bonnie. Megan wouldn't let anything happen to the little girl.
