Read A Walk In The Wilderness for Free Online Page A

shirt as he talked, and Roland was hustling to get him a crisp, white shirt with silver piping.
         Caitlin watched despite herself as his slim, attractive arms and chest came out of the shirt.  This man wanted to be her lover.  What would it be like to feel those bare arms holding her?  How would his chest feel under her fingers?  She wondered.  There was not one ounce of fat around his trim waist.  She took notice.
         He guzzled some water from a bottle as Roland helped him pull on the shirt.  Then he managed a wink at Caitlin before he went back on stage with his shirt open and his tails hanging.
         The audience went wild as the lights flashed on and he sat down again at the piano.  There were two encores before it was over.  When he finally came backstage for the last time, Roland handed him the note with a smug look. 
         “It appears that you’d better call Connie right away.”  He advised.
         He gave Roland a narrowed look.  “All right.  Caitlin, please excuse me for a few minutes.  Wait here and I’ll be back for you as soon as possible.”  He said.
         “Sure.  I’ll just find the loo, and then I’ll wait for you here.”  She agreed.
         “You’re a doll.”  He said with a grin.
         Caitlin went into the restroom and locked herself in the back stall.  She was soon joined by two women who seemed to think that they were alone, if their conversation could be judged.
          “So, who is the woman with Skyler?”  one asked tauntingly.
          “I don’t have a clue.”  The other replied.  “Pretty thing, isn’t she?”
         “She won’t be if Connie gets her hands on her.  I think that I saw her at the motel desk, come to think of it.  I wonder if they have an ‘ooh-la-la’ service at the inn?”
          “Could be.  Connie would take that better than she would a romance.  It does surprise me to see Skyler going after women on the road, so soon.”
          “It sure doesn’t do much for his image.”  The other replied readily.
    The other woman snorted.  “Well, that’s peanuts.  The real trouble will certainly be the fireworks when Connie finds out.  She’ll make that soft little girl wish she’d never been born.”
          Caitlin felt her legs grow weak as the women left her alone again.  Who in the world was this Connie?  Had Skyler lied to her?  Did he have a woman back home?
          “Don’t jump to conclusions.”  She counseled herself.  “Just put your guard up and you’ll soon find out.  There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.”
          Still, it stuck in her craw to be seen as ‘a woman on the road’.  That did not sit well with her, at all.  She went back to meet Skyler with a heavy sense of foreboding and a very thick, protective wall around her heart.
     
         Skyler did not explain about his telephone call, and Caitlin wasn’t sure she wanted to ask.  She was uneasy to the bone with this man all of a sudden, and she just wasn’t quite sure how to handle the situation.  He clearly sensed her withdrawal and didn’t pressure her, as he drove her home.  But he was watchful, and Caitlin almost felt that he might pounce if she lowered her guard for even a moment.
          When he parked the car in the motel lot, he did lean toward her and take her hand.  “Caitlin.  Can I see you tomorrow?” he asked with purpose.
         “Isn’t Jamie going into hospital?” she asked softly.  “Won’t it make Connie mad?”
         He sneered and dropped his head against his headrest in disgust.  “Who’s been filling your head with vile talk?” he demanded.
      “No one.  I overhear a good many things, though.”
          “Did you listen in on my phone call?” he asked incredulously.
          In that moment, Caitlin was almost afraid of him.  “Don’t be ridiculous.”  She snapped.  “I