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happened was in another lifetime. Like I’ve told Grace over and over, that’s all behind us now. Why won’t anyone let me forget and enjoy what’s left of my life?”
    â€œYou’re happy settling for a married man?” he asked. “A man who can only see you on the sly? Who can’t acknowledge you in public?”
    â€œHe treats me better than any man ever has!” she spat, her eyes sparking in a rare display of temper. “Look at this lovely robe he gave me. Look at this place. Finally, I’m in love with someone who loves me back, someone who knows how to treat a woman.”
    Clay hated the guilt that welled up inside him when he thought of his mother being satisfied with so little. It was largely his fault she’d gone through what she had during the past two decades. If only he’d done as she’d told him that night and stayed home with Grace and Molly. But he’d been sixteen years old—too innocent to conceive of the possibilities, too young to understand the threat hismother had begun to sense. “Mom, it’d ruin him if anyone found out about the two of you. He’s the chief of police, for God’s sake!”
    â€œNo one’s going to find out.”
    â€œYou don’t know that. How long do you think you can sneak around before someone begins to suspect? To watch you more closely? Grace and I guessed the truth, didn’t we?”
    â€œDid you tell Molly?”
    â€œNo.” Fortunately, his youngest sister had moved away when she went to college and never returned to Stillwater. They heard from her often—she also came to visit two or three times a year—but more than any of them, she’d managed to put the past behind her.
    â€œWell, even if you didn’t tell her, I bet Grace did,” she said.
    Clay knew that was true. Somehow, though, they’d been able to keep it from Madeline. “You have to give him up. We have enough to hide already.”
    â€œI’m not seeing him anymore,” she said in a sulky voice.
    He wanted to let it go at that and hope for the best. But with Allie nosing around, he needed more of a commitment. “If you haven’t left him yet, make sure you do.”
    â€œEasy for you to say,” she grumbled.
    â€œNot as easy as you think. Anyway, consider the people who’ll be hurt if you don’t. I know you care about that.”
    Irene slammed the cupboard shut. “It’s okay if I’m the one who’s hurt?”
    â€œHe’s married! You don’t have any real claim on him!”
    â€œIt’s not as if I planned for this. It just…happened. Sometimes marriages fall apart.”
    â€œAs far as we know, his marriage is fine. It’s his libido that’s leading him into trouble.”
    â€œStop it!” she cried. “Stop treating me like I’m a tramp!”
    He wanted to tell her to quit acting like one. But he couldn’t be that disrespectful. Besides, he could almost understand why she’d fallen for Chief McCormick. Both the men she’d married had mistreated her. But Dale was a kind man who lavished her with gifts and attention.
    â€œMom, if Allie finds out, she’ll be determined to prove that we’re responsible for Reverend Barker’s murder. What better revenge would there be?”
    The scent of coffee filled the room. “Dale and I haven’t been together since Allie came back,” she grumbled.
    Clay studied her, wondering if that was true. Judging from her expression, he decided it probably was. “That’s good. But you’re planning to be with him as soon as you get the chance, right?”
    â€œNo.”
    He didn’t believe her. Without a definite breakup, he knew a relationship like theirs could go on for years. “You’ve got to tell him you can’t see him anymore.”
    Tears welled up in Irene’s eyes as she came toward him. Seeing her cry made