“What?”

“Insistent.”

“And you weren’t interested,” Nancy finished for her. “Was she crude and unattractive, or what?”

“Oh, not at all. She’s attractive. It was more than just the way she looked—which was great. She was so damned confidant. The way she came on to me—like how could anyone resist? She got my attention.”

Nancy looked intrigued. “She was really that good, huh?”

Kyle sighed, “Yeah.”

“So, why are you here, instead of somewhere with her? You’re not getting all moral, are you? After all, you never minded one-nighter’s before.”

Kyle thought about it for the first time, acknowledging her attraction to Brad.

“Maybe I would have, if it hadn’t been for seeing Dane first. I felt like I never got a chance to really connect with her; and then Brad showed up, and everything changed. Dane acted like I just automatically wanted Brad, just because Brad wanted me.” She was suddenly angry. “Like I couldn’t choose for myself. The two of them acted like I was some prize to be taken by the strongest.” She drained her glass and refilled it from the bottle Nancy had placed beside them. “Fuck them!”

Nancy smiled, relieved to see Kyle getting her spirit back. “Oh well. Who needs any of them anyway? Men or women—it’s all the same. One pain in the ass after another.”

Kyle realized for the first time that Nancy wasn’t having a very good time that evening either. “Things aren’t going so well for you either, I guess,” she said sympathetically.

Nancy laughed bitterly. “Oh, you know. Typical party. The men are all getting quietly drunk and eyeing every female in sight. And the wives are sitting off by themselves bitching about their husbands.”

“Why do you bother with it then?” Kyle asked seriously. She knew Nancy could change things if she wanted to. She had everything going for her—looks, brains and a strong will. She didn’t understand why Nancy continued in a life she obviously didn’t find fulfilling.

“Oh, it has its rewards,” Nancy replied in a light tone.

“Sure,” Kyle responded, “that’s why you were out here with some—what was he, a med student?”

“Busboy,” Nancy answered. “And don’t go getting so high and mighty with me, Kyle Clark. You’re not all that much different from me. We’re both casting about in the dark.”

Kyle was surprised at Nancy’s brief flare of seriousness, and nodded. “You’re right,” she sighed. “Great partners, aren’t we?”

“We might be,” Nancy said quietly. Why haven’t you ever tried, Kyle?

Kyle was about to respond when a male voice penetrated the darkness.

“Nancy? What are you doing out here?”

Kyle looked up at the solid male form beside her chair.

“Hi, Roger. Sorry, I dragged Nancy out here to keep me company.”

“Kyle!” Roger said in surprise. “I’m glad you could make it. Nancy said you were tied up.”

Nancy laughed, slightly drunk, “No such luck.”

Kyle covered quickly. “No, I just had to be somewhere else earlier. How are you?”

“Fine, fine,” he said heartily. “Great party, isn’t it, sweetheart?” He looked at Nancy uncertainly.

“Oh, yes, great,” she replied. She stood up and smoothed the soft material of her clinging dress down over her thighs. “I guess I should go check on our guests.” She looked pointedly at Kyle. “You will come in, won’t you?”

“I’m not really dressed for it, Nance,” Kyle said.

“Oh, bullshit. You look great.”

“Okay. In a minute.”

Roger sat down as Nancy entered the house.

“How have you been, Kyle?”

Kyle looked at him fondly. “I’m fine, Roger. The shop is busy.”

“I figured. Nancy spends a lot more time there lately.”

Kyle wanted to avoid talking about Nancy with Roger. She had never wanted to be in the middle of her friend’s relationship, no matter what she thought of it.

“I guess you’ve been busy, too,” she said noncommittally.

He nodded and stood up. “Well, you know how it is. Why don’t you come in?”

Kyle pulled herself up out of the chair, feeling the soothing effects of the alcohol at last.

“I guess I might as well.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

ANNE TURNED AT the sound of the key in the side door. She stared at Dane’s drawn face and the dark circles under her eyes, instantly concerned.

“Hi,” she said. “I didn’t expect you today. Things are really quiet. Why don’t you take the day off?”

Dane walked toward the rear door to the kennels. “There are some things I want to check,” she said tersely.

Caroline looked up as Dane entered. She had been cleaning out one of the runs and was just getting ready to bring out one of the young bitches they were planning to show in the late spring.

“Hi,” she said tentatively.

Dane walked over and pulled a heavy jacket down from a hook by the door. “Hi,” she said, knowing it sounded abrupt. She did not need them fussing at her today!

“Dane—” Caroline began.

“Later, okay? I want to work out with Troy.”

Caroline watched her friend in silence as she led a beautiful two-year-old dog into the large training run behind the building. She followed Dane out and sat down on the rear step to watch. She loved to watch Dane train the dogs in protection. Dane was one of the few recognized authorities in the country certified to train animals in the difficult skills necessary for the dogs to compete for a Schutzhund degree. It was an art that few Americans really understood, and Dane was an expert at it.

Dane took the dog, a heavy, well-muscled animal, through some preliminary exercises first. He followed her every move, his calm dark eyes fixed on her face. She had been working with him for some time, and he had already distinguished himself by earning the Schutzhund I degree. He was by nature a well-controlled animal and had acquired an even deeper level of self-assurance through Dane’s careful training. Caroline watched them moving together, Dane signaling her desires by silent hand commands. Caroline appreciated once again her partner’s skills. For some reason, though, Dane seemed more tense than usual. When she signaled Troy to attack, she staggered slightly as he propelled himself at her heavily protected sleeve. Caroline could see the sweat on Dane’s face as Troy pulled with his considerable weight against her. They continued in their physical combat until Dane commanded him to release. He did so immediately, watching Dane expectantly. She went down on one knee and hugged him, running her hands over his sleek back.

“Good boy, Troy, good boy,” she said breathlessly. “That’s a good boy.”

She took him back inside with Caroline close behind. Dane eased the jacket off slowly and dropped it on a chair. She leaned back against the counter, trying to catch her breath. Her back hurt everywhere that her damp shirt touched, and there was a sharp, stabbing pain each time she took a deep breath.

“Looks like Troy wore you out,” Caroline observed, acutely aware of Dane’s exhaustion. She couldn’t hide her concern. The dogs never tired her like this! “You okay?”

“Fine, said Dane, regaining her composure. She continued to lean on the counter, and hoped that Caroline couldn’t see her legs shaking.

Caroline decided to get right to what was on her mind. “When are you going to stop letting her get to you?”

Dane glared at Caroline and reached a hand into her pocket for a cigarette. Her hand shook as she lit it. “She doesn’t get to me.”

“Oh, sure,” Caroline said sharply, “that’s why you left in such a huff last night.”

“I just don’t care for Brad’s brand of company, okay? I’m tired of her arrogance and her fucking ego.”

Caroline sighed. “It’s been three years, Dane. Can’t you let it go?”

“You know damn well what she did!” Dane exploded. “She drove me over the edge and then just walked away. No one—no one should do that to someone they love. Or say that they love.”

Caroline remembered those precarious few months in Dane’s life. She hadn’t been certain that Dane would be able to survive the demons Brad had awakened in her. But she had. Caroline would always respect her for the way Dane had struggled to hold her life together after Brad had left.

“Damn it, Dane. You beat her. You beat her at her own game. You made it without her.” She waved an arm toward the kennel. “She doesn’t even show dogs any more!”

“Baron beat her,” Dane said quietly. “He’s made this kennel—and she knows it. Before I got him, Brad was the big name around here. Now it’s us.” She shook her head. “But she still thinks she can beat me in everything else.” Maybe she’s right.

“You mean Kyle?” Caroline said astutely. She had seen the way Dane had looked at Kyle when they were dancing. A stranger might not have noticed, but Caroline did. She knew Dane was more than just physically attracted to Kyle.

Dane tensed. “Kyle is nothing to me.”

“Oh, come off it, Dane. What are you so damned afraid of? If you ask me, Kyle is pretty interested in you, too.”

Dane turned away, staring out the window over the counter. She didn’t want to hear this. She didn’t want to even think it. “She doesn’t know what she wants right now.”

Caroline disagreed. “You’d better give that woman a little more credit. She does know what she wants—she just may not be sure who she wants.”

Dane turned back abruptly, her blue eyes flashing. “Well, Brad is the master, right? Who better to show her what she wants!” She winced visibly as another sharp pain shot through her chest. “Shit.”

“What’s the matter?” Caroline cried, moving quickly across the room.

Dane closed her eyes for a moment. “Nothing. I’m fine.” She wiped the beads of perspiration off her face with her sleeve. She gazed affectionately at her friend, aware of Caroline’s concern. “Really—it’s okay.”